Identification

• All major cruise lines (Princess Cruises, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line) offer itineraries to the Panama Canal, with different departure ports and trip lengths to suit every traveler.
  
  

Time Frame

• Panama Canal high season for cruise ships is between October and April. The best time to cruise is after November, when the area's rainy season ends. Panama Canal cruises last seven to 21 days.
  
  

Geography

• Major port stops for a Panama Canal cruise include Limon and Puntarenas in Costa Rica and Colon in Panama. Cruisers can canoe, interact with wildlife or see active volcanoes and gardens.
  
  

Features

• Cruise ships have multiple on-board restaurants (fine dining, casual, quick service, coffee bar) plus bars and lounges. Ship also have fitness centers and walking trails, art galleries, rows of shops, spas and salons.
  
  

Considerations

• All U.S. travelers going to the Panama Canal must have a valid passport. Remember that passports may take up to six months to obtain, so plan ahead. You can request that your cruise ship stamp your passport upon entering the Panama Canal.