A Panama Canal cruise takes you through one of the world's most significant engineering wonders – 80 kilometres through locks and rainforest, from the Caribbean to the Pacific. We plan your trip personally – this destination is one of our specialities.
There are three classic Panama Canal routes – each with its own focus. We help you find the right variant for your time budget and interests.
14–17 nights from Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) through the entire canal to San Diego or Los Angeles. Often with stops in Cartagena, Costa Rica, Acapulco. The classic bucket-list route, usually only 1–2× per year per ship.
10–11 nights from Florida: through the first locks into Gatun Lake, overnight in the lake, return next day. With Caribbean stops in Aruba, Curaçao, Cartagena – ideal for those who want canal+Caribbean in one trip.
Routes from Los Angeles or San Francisco with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Costa Rica and full canal transit. Repositioning routes in spring and autumn – very popular for Pacific lovers.
The Panama Canal connects two oceans – and is an experience that should not be missing from any bucket list. A cruise is the only meaningful way to experience it.
Full transit or partial canal? Which cruise line, which season? Tell us your wishes – we'll suggest the right route and the right ship. Personal, free of charge, from Switzerland.
Optional – multiple selections possible. Leave blank if flexible.
November to April (dry season). Main season is January–March with pleasant 28–30 °C, little rain and calm seas. April/May still ok, then the rainy season starts. In summer (June–October) few ships sail – high humidity, lots of rain.
Full transit: you sail completely from Atlantic to Pacific (or vice versa), 8–10 hours of lock transit. Partial canal: you sail only into Gatun Lake (~50% of the route), overnight there and turn back next day – cheaper, shorter, but not the full experience.
All ships up to 49 m beam. The new Neopanamax locks (2016) also let mega-ships through such as Norwegian Encore, Princess Royal-Class and Disney Wish. Classic Panamax ships (32 m beam) fit both old and new locks.
Full transit 14–17 nights (Florida–California or vice versa). Partial canal with Caribbean ports 10–11 nights from Florida. Longer routes 21+ nights with additional Central or South America stops.
Swiss passport: USA requires ESTA (apply online, ~21 USD, valid 2 years). Panama, Costa Rica, Cartagena/Colombia are visa-free for Swiss. We inform you of all required documents before booking.
Cartagena (guided city tour through the old town recommended), Costa Rica (rainforest tours, sloth sightings, volcanoes), Caribbean beaches in Aruba/Curaçao. The canal transit itself is part of the trip – no separate excursion needed.