Destination

Panama Canal

When to sail, where you leave from, which ships go, and one call to book.

October-April 4 home ports 8 ships

What to expect

A bucket-list transit through the locks, on either a full ocean-to-ocean crossing or a partial round-trip that enters the canal and turns back. Best in the drier October-April window.

Best time to sail

October-April.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Where you sail from

Fort LauderdaleFL

MiamiFL

Los AngelesCA

San DiegoCA

These are the US and Canada home ports ships depart from for this region, drive or fly in the day before. Photos are illustrative.

Typical ports of call

Panama Canal / Gatún Lake

The transit itself, a century-old marvel of locks and lakes.

Cartagena

Colombia's walled Caribbean colonial city.

Colón

Panama's Caribbean gateway, near the locks.

Puntarenas

Costa Rica's Pacific port for rainforest and wildlife.

Cabo San Lucas

Baja's arch and beaches on full crossings.

Aruba

Dutch-Caribbean beaches on some routings.

Exact stops vary by ship and sailing, a specialist matches the itinerary to what you want to see.

Ships that sail here

🥂 Celebrity 1

⚓ Holland America 3

👑 Princess 3

Coral Princess

2003

View ship →

Every ship above sails this region on its own published itinerary. Availability by date changes constantly, one call confirms what's open for you.

Which line fits this trip

🚢

Royal Caribbean

Big-ship resort

Big, activity-packed ships for families and first-timers. Guide →

🎉

Carnival

Fun & value

Casual, fun-first cruising at an approachable pace. Guide →

🥂

Celebrity

Premium modern

Modern, adults-leaning ships with a refined feel. Guide →

⚓

Holland America

Classic premium

Classic, destination-focused cruising. Guide →

👑

Princess

Relaxed premium

Relaxed premium sailing with strong itineraries. Guide →

🎩

Cunard

Ocean liner

Ocean-liner tradition and formal elegance. Guide →

Documents & practicalities

On most round-trips that start and end at the same US port (closed-loop), US citizens can sail on a birth certificate plus government photo ID, but a passport is strongly recommended and is required for any cruise that starts or ends abroad, and for flying home if you miss the ship. Confirm requirements for your exact itinerary and nationality before you book.

See all the cruise facts that cost you money →