Panama Cruises

Panama is an excellent year-round destination, but the most ideal time to visit is during the dry season – from January to April. With sunny days and clear skies, these months are perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Whilst the Panama Canal operates year-round, it’s best to experience the legendary crossing after the rain, from November to April, when the weather is usually sunny and dry. If you want to do it right, make sure you’re up early to snag the best on-board spots to see what the Panama Canal has to offer.

Several mainstream cruise lines offer an itinerary with a Panama Canal transit, including Silversea, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line. Princess Cruises is cited to be among the best in Panama Canal sailings, with expert narrations on board as you traverse the World’s greatest shortcut! 

A Panama Canal cruise is a bucket-list-worthy adventure and an exhilarating way to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific or vice versa. These cruise trips open up a wealth of wonderful opportunities, where you can explore the postcard-perfect cities and pristine beaches, and marvel at the sheer cliff drops and the sights and sounds of the colourful birds and animals that inhabit the lush tropical forests!

Generally, a Panama Canal transit can be completed in eight to ten hours, but full-transit cruises can take 11 days on average. Longer and shorter sailings are available, with partial crossings for those with limited time but want to witness the canal operation firsthand.