Transiting the Panama Canal on a luxury cruise ship is a bucket-list experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression on any traveler. The Panama Canal, considered a modern wonder of the world, is an engineering marvel that connects the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, allowing ships to avoid the lengthy and treacherous journey around the southern tip of South America.
The journey through the Panama Canal takes approximately 8-10 hours, depending on the ship's schedule. Our transit began in the Caribbean Sea and ended in the Pacific Ocean. The first step in the transit is to enter the Gatun Locks, which lift the ship 85 feet above sea level to the level of Gatun Lake. The ship then sails across Gatun Lake for about an hour before entering the Pedro Miguel Locks, which lower the ship 30 feet to the level of Miraflores Lake. The final step is to pass through the Miraflores Locks, which lower the ship an additional 52 feet to sea level in the Pacific Ocean. Gravity moves the ships through this ingenuous system of locks and lakes literally lifting ships “up and over” Panama rather than through it.
One of the highlights of transiting the Panama Canal on a luxury cruise ship is the opportunity to witness the impressive engineering and construction of the canal firsthand. The canal is a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. The French spent 10 years working on the Panama Canal and lost 20,000 lives before withdrawing from the project in 1889. It was finally completed in 1914 by Americans, ahead of schedule and under budget, facilitated by improvements in disease eradication and engineering technology. Over 50,000 workers labored through wilderness as dangerous as it was beautiful. In 1998, control of the canal was transferred to Panama with protection by the United States. 52,000 gallons of water is expended for every ship that transits the canal – 26,000 to the Pacific and 26,000 to the Atlantic. This water is replenished by Lake Gatun which is refilled by rain creating a perpetual motion machine.
Another highlight is the opportunity to see the diverse wildlife and lush tropical rainforest that surrounds the canal. The Gatun Lake area is a protected wildlife sanctuary, and it is not uncommon to see monkeys, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species while sailing across the lake. The Soberania National Park is a 55,000-acre area of protected rainforest that’s home to countless species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
In addition to the natural beauty and engineering marvels, transiting the Panama Canal on a luxury cruise ship also offers a unique cultural experience. The canal passes through the Panama Canal Zone. The area is rich in history and offers a glimpse into the country's past and present.
The ships transiting the canal are tourist attractions themselves. As we passed through the Miraflores Locks, a large crowd waved from a multi-story observation deck.
Celebratory mood prevailed onboard all day. Special cakes and cocktails were served as guests took selfies at deck parties and shared stories about previous crossings. Best of all, a local official narrated the entire transit step by step, providing historical and cultural insights.
Transiting the canal comes at a large cost. The tolls charged are based on a combination of the weight of the ship and the number of passengers. The lowest toll ever charged was $.36 in the 1920s to Richard Halliburton, who successfully swam the canal. In 2023, our ship the Seven Seas Mariner paid $250,000 to transit the canal with 557 guests and 467 crew members onboard. The larger Norwegian Pearl pays $375,600 to transit the canal. 30 to 40 ships transit the canal each day and it operates 24/7.
In conclusion, transiting the Panama Canal on a luxury cruise ship is a must-do experience for any world traveler looking to add a unique and unforgettable adventure to their bucket list. Even if you have transited the canal before, each time will be a unique experience. We last transited the Panama Canal on February 1, 2014, while the second canal was under construction. Nine years later, the second canal or the “new cut” is fully operational and the Atlantic Bridge looms overhead at Colon. The new locks are used for larger cargo and passenger ships. The journey still takes about 8-10 hours, and includes the same steps through the Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks and lakes. Whether you transit the canal through the old or new locks, the highlights include the chance to witness the impressive engineering and construction of the canal, see the diverse wildlife and lush tropical rainforest, and experience the unique culture and history of the Panama Canal Zone.
Panama Canal Transit Schedule:
8:00 am Pilot pick up
7:30 am SS Mariner arrives at Gatun Lock (East Lane)
9:10 am SS Mariner departs Gatun Lock
12:45 pm SS Mariner passes by Gamboa
1:55 pm SS Mariner arrives at Pedro Miguel Lock (West Lane)
2:35 pm SS Mariner departs Pedro Miguel Lock
3:05 pm SS Mariner arrives at Miraflores Lock (West Lane)
4:05 pm SS Mariner departs Miraflores Lock
5:30 pm SS Mariner arrives at Balboa & the Bridge of the Americas
Here are a few books that provide a detailed and informative look at the history, construction, and impact of the Panama Canal:
"The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914" by David McCullough - This Pulitzer Prize-winning book is considered the definitive history of the Panama Canal. It provides a comprehensive look at the political and social factors that led to the canal's construction, as well as the challenges and triumphs of the construction process itself.
"The Big Ditch: How America Took, Built, Ran, and Ultimately Gave Away the Panama Canal" by Noel Maurer and Carlos Yu - This book is a more recent history of the canal, published in 2011. It provides a detailed account of the American role in the construction, operation, and eventual handover of the canal to Panama.
"Panama Fever: The Epic Story of One of the Greatest Human Achievements of All Time - The Building of the Panama Canal" by Matthew Parker - This book is a well-researched and engaging account of the construction of the Panama Canal, with a focus on the human stories of the workers and engineers who built it.
"Panama: The Whole Story" by Kevin Buckley - This book offers a comprehensive look at the history of Panama and the impact of the canal on the country, including the political and economic factors that led to its construction and the social and environmental consequences of its operation.
"The Panama Canal: The Construction and Inauguration of the Panama Canal" by David Dunbar - This book is a classic account of the Panama Canal and its construction, originally published in 1915. It provides a firsthand look at the canal's construction and includes many photographs and illustrations from the time period.
These books will give an in-depth understanding of the Panama Canal, its history, construction, operation, and the impact it had on the world and the country of Panama. A must-watch movie before you transit the Panama Canal is “A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama” narrated by David McCullough in 1987 for Nova (PBS).
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