In 1903, the United States began construction of the Panama Canal, one of the world's most amazing feats of modern engineering. It took 10 years, $387 million dollars, and tens of thousands of lives to build the 50 mile "ditch" connecting two continents!

Because they sail from the East Coast to the West Coast (or visa versa) a Panama Canal Cruise gives you the opportunity to see many of the same ports you may see on cruise to the Mexican Riviera, the Western Caribbean, or Southern Caribbean. It is almost like 4 cruises in one.

Almost all First Class and Luxury Cruise Lines have some sort of Panama Canal itinerary. They are especially popular in April when the cruise lines move their ships from the Caribbean to Alaska and again in October when they return to the Caribbean. Most Canal cruises are 10 or 11 nights long, but true "Cruise Fanatics" may be lucky enough to catch a nice 21 day cruise from Vancouver to Ft. Lauderdale.

Depending on the cruise line and ship that you choose, you could see as many as 6 or 7 of the following ports:

You can sail through the Panama Canal between October and April, getting your best cruise deals if you can sail when the ships are repositioning to and from Alaska. Depending on the cruise itinerary, your cruise may depart or end in one of the following ports: