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Panama Canal

A Panama Canal cruise is a bucket-list voyage, rising and falling through the canal's locks as the ship crosses between the Caribbean and the Pacific. Along the way are colourful Cartagena, Costa Rica's rainforest and the Mexican Pacific coast. Many itineraries are one-way voyages between Florida and California.

Best time to go

October to April avoids the heaviest rain in Central America and is the main season for full transits.

Season

Mainly autumn to spring, when many ships move between the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico.

Typical daytime highs

  • Dry season (December to April). Typical daytime highs around 30 to 32°C in the dry season (December to April). Hot and sunny.
  • Wet season (May to November). Typical daytime highs around 29 to 31°C in the wet season (May to November). Humid, with afternoon downpours.

These are typical ranges, not a forecast.

How long

Usually 10 to 16 nights for a full transit, with shorter partial transits from Florida.

Fly-cruise airports

  • Miami International (MIA). about 9 hours 30 minutes to 10 hours
  • Los Angeles International (LAX). about 11 hours
  • New York JFK (JFK). about 8 hours
  • Tampa International (TPA). about 10 hours, sometimes with a connection
  • Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL). about 14 to 15 hours

Who it suits

Experienced cruisers, engineering and history enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys long voyages with plenty of sea days.

Questions

How long does it take to pass through the Panama Canal?

A full transit usually takes around 8 to 10 hours.

Do all Panama Canal cruises go all the way through?

No. Some make a partial transit into Gatún Lake and back, while full transits cross between the two oceans.

When is the best time to go?

October to April is usually drier and the most popular period.

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