See the Panama Canal from our fantastic Panama Canal cruises. Completed in 1914 and connecting the Pacific’s pulsating cities of Mexico and America to the Atlantic, is a narrow stretch of engineering mastery. The 80 kilometre journey along the canal is an unforgettable experience on our Panama Canal cruises. The average time spent travelling between the two oceans is approximately ten hours. Each vessel is raised 26 metres in the locks to meet Gatun Lake and each lockage uses 197 million litres of fresh water, which ultimately ebbs away to the sea.
Panama cruises see your cruise ship guided through the locks, just inches from the canal’s sides, where you can look out to the wild jungle beyond. Watch the tropical birds overhead and take in the chatter and shrieks of the rainforest’s wildlife as you make your way along this fantastic canal.
Whilst visiting this beautiful part of the world, why not also enjoy our Honduras cruises too? This beautiful land is blessed with rainforest, jungle, mountains and stunning beaches – and is home to Mayan culture and a rich Spanish colonial heritage.
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| LimonShow more | Costa Rica |  |
About Limon Limon is your gateway to some of the most extraordinary experiences imaginable. Like the Rainforest Aerial Tram ride through the canopy of a 1,000-acre nature reserve next to a national park. On a jungle boat trip you can travel silently through the network of jungle canals and enjoy the chance to see what a rainforest life is like at ground level. In another part of the forest, you can even travel through the canopy Tarzan-style (except in slow-motion) on a series of horizontal traverse cables. Multi-coloured butterflies and birds fly by while you absorb the atmosphere of this living, breathing forest. You may see some monkeys but that is more likely on the Tortuguero Canals, another national park - one created to protect the green turtle (Tortuguero). Nearly a quarter of Costa Rica is national parks as the country boasts 8,000 species of plants, 859 species of birds and 10% of the worlds butterflies.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| PuntarenasShow more | Costa Rica |   |
 About Puntarenas Puntarenas in Costa Rica shares its name with the province which surrounds it, which is the largest province in Costa Rica, and boasts the most varied landscape. Here you can explore the leafy byways of dense mangrove swamps and, on higher ground, discover sub-alpine flowers. Puntarenas is the largest city in the Central Pacific and home to fine Spanish colonial architecture. Its popular beach is lined with alfresco restaurants and cafés serving fish freshly caught by local fishermen – try local specialities like shrimp scampi (camarones al ajillo) or ceviche de corvina - a lime juice-marinated fish cocktail. Further afield, there is luscious countryside to explore in Manuel Antonio Park, where verdant rainforests border some of Costa Rica’s finest beaches and the snorkelling is superb. Follow forest trails to enjoy spectacular views and hopefully spot some of the inhabitants, which include sloths, iguanas and pretty little squirrel monkeys.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| Puerto QuetzalShow more | Guatemala |   |
About Puerto Quetzal On the Pacific Coast of one of the worlds newest and most exciting eco-tourism and cruise destinations - Guatemala, the Central American cruise port Quetzal leads you into a country boasting sublime scenic drama and a colourful history going way back to Mayan times. Its interior is a lush panorama of coastal plains, lakes, mountains, volcanoes and valleys creating a habitat for 300 species of birds and no fewer than 600 types of orchid. This is interspersed with farmland and timeless villages while modern Mayan Indian communities still cluster around the beautiful Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan Highlands. The major ancient Mayan site is Tikal (nearer the Caribbean coast) while another must-see is La Antigua, once the Guatemalan capital until it was destroyed by earthquakes 300 years ago. The ruins of this Spanish colonial city set in the shadow of three volcanoes are now a World Heritage site.
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| RoatanShow more | Honduras |  |
About Roatan Roatan is one of the three beautiful Bay islands located off the north coast of Honduras. Set on a coral reef and beholding scenic reserves, botanical gardens and some of the finest beaches in Latin America and the Caribbean, the eco-tourism sector here is blossoming. Within the islands lush tropical landscape you will find jungles, forests, mangrove canals and mountain peaks. Visit Carambola Botanical Reserve and the Roatan Butterfly Gardens or take a canopy tour to appreciate its natural charms. Off land scubadivers can enjoy calm turquoise waters filled with volcanic mazes, underwater caverns and colourful and exotic marine life. Roatans quaint seaside villages and resorts are a great place to soak up some culture and shop for unusual and attractive Central American arts and crafts.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| AcapulcoShow more | Mexico |   |
 About Acapulco Long a magnet for the rich and famous, Mexico’s top beach resort, Acapulco, boasts some of the most stunning beaches along the Pacific Coast Mexican Riviera. Situated on a spectacular sweeping bay lined by five star hotels, this jetsetters’ city makes the perfect cruise call as there is a huge range of attractions to suit all tastes and interests. There are lively bars and cafés, chic boutiques and a pulsating nightlife but so much of Acapulco life centres around the ocean. There is a huge variety of watersports from surfing, jet-skiing and parasailing through to snorkelling, scuba-diving and deep-sea fishing. But top of the list has to be the world famous cliff divers at La Quebrada, who plunge 130 feet from perilous cliffs into the raging waters below, timing their jumps precisely to coincide with the incoming waves so as to avoid landing with a bump in the shallows. Just marvel at the timing, grace and sheer bravery of the divers as they perform every lunchtime and evening
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| HuatulcoShow more | Mexico | |
About Huatulco Beach-lovers are spoilt for choice at Mexico’s first eco-tourism resort and new cruise port, Huatulco, for there are 22 miles of pristine sand stretched across nine sparkling bays, each hidden from the other. Even within these, there are secret coves and hidden lagoons to discover. On the Mexican Riviera coast, southeast of Acapulco and where the foothills of the Sierra Madre meet the Pacific Ocean, Huatulco is in the state of Oaxaca, an area of great natural beauty three-quarters of which has been designated as ecological preservation areas by the Mexican Government. Once a small fishing village, Huatulco has been developed out of the surrounding jungle and now offers visitors a range of amenities from shops and restaurants to golf and every kind of watersport. Look out for the galleries and shops featuring handmade Oaxacan arts and crafts – they make delightful gifts.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| Puerto ChiapasShow more | Mexico | |
 About Puerto Chiapas Puerto Chiapas is your gateway to the land of sun and natural magic in southern Mexico. From great rivers to tall mountains, coastal plains, tropical vegetation and jungle covered ridges, the landscapes here are both beautiful and extremely diverse.
This part of the Pacific is also your gateway to the colour and traditions of this culturally rich region. Visit the classic-period Maya city of Palenque, one of country’s finest ancient sites. Situated in the middle of a rainforest, it is quite enchanting. Admire the vividly coloured murals, great stone temples and limestone hills, which are pierced by crystal clear rivers, and flow down to exquisite waterfalls. Alternatively, shop for local handicrafts, such as wood and stone carvings or colourful textiles, or explore San Cristobal de Las Casas Cathedral, a blend of baroque and colonial architecture. For sun seekers, walk along one of its untamed beaches and bask in the alluring exotic ambience.
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| ZihuatanejoShow more | Mexico | |
About Zihuatanejo Full of life and beautiful scenery, Zihuatanejo (pronounced zee-watt-a-NEH-ho) has retained its charm as a small, sleepy fishing village. Dotted with golden, sandy beaches and surrounded by warm, calm waters, this is the perfect place to relax with a frozen margarita and soak up the sun. If you’re feeling more energetic, then there are a whole range of water sports to be enjoyed, including snorkelling and scuba diving. Or else take to the water on a trimaran or a fishing boat. Heading away from the beach, you may wish to soak up the authentic atmosphere as you stroll down the cobbled streets of the village and mingle with the friendly locals. For a real taste of Mexico, a trip to the farmers market is a must. The downtown area of El Centro is also great for souvenir shopping, as is the promenade, Paseo del Pescador. A trip to the neighbouring resort of Ixtapa is also worth a visit, with its vast tropical gardens and marina.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| San Juan Del SurShow more | Nicaragua | |
 About San Juan Del Sur You cannot miss the main attraction of Nicaragua’s newest cruise call San Juan del Sur – the pure white sand beach stretches for more than two miles. It is perfect for swimming or for just admiring from one of the cafes along the front. The views are equally spectacular over to the mountains and forests which are the backdrop to this ultra laid-back town (and former pirate haunt) on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, just 15 miles from the border with Costa Rica. Although there are the ruins of the William Walker fortress to visit, this is a place really made just for chilling out. For sightseeing, you need to take the tour to Granada, one of the country’s most important cities. On the shores of 92-mile long Lake Nicaragua and overlooked by the Mombacho volcano, Granada was founded by the conquistadors in 1524 making it the country’s oldest Spanish city. Nicknamed “La Gran Sultana” (the Great Sultan) after its Moorish namesake in Spain, its colonial style cathedral and plaza plus a lovely park (Colon) make it a hugely enjoyable place to walk.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| BalboaShow more | Panama | |
About Balboa Lying at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal, Balboa offers a pretty waterfront, but is mainly your way of getting up close and personal with the region’s biggest attraction after the Canal - Panama City.One of very few walled cities in Central America, Panama City is a highlight of any cruise itinerary. Start your exploration in its old town – Casco Viejo – a treasury of French, Spanish and American colonial houses. The French Plaza is particularly atmospheric and you can enjoy panoramic views over the city from the Old City Wall right above the Plaza. Take in the grand Spanish style of the Metropolitan Cathedral and see the neo-Classical Municipal Palace, which surrounds the square right in front of it. If time allows, visit the fascinating Metropolitano National Park, the only protected rainforest in the world to lie within a city’s limits. View typical shore excursions for this port |
| ColonShow more | Panama | |
 About Colon Situated at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal is the port of Cristobal (Spanish for Christopher), your stopping off point for Colon (Spanish for Columbus). The city, founded in 1850 by the Americans working on the Panama railroad, is today Panama’s second largest. Colon underwent a massive redevelopment programme for the new millennium and is now a fantastic place to shop, as well as a great base for exploring the rest of Panama. Take an enchanting journey into the lush rainforest to San Lorenzo Fort and walk in the footsteps of the adventurous buccaneer – Captain Morgan. Experience the ecology and get a closer look at the wildlife on and around the amazing Gatun Lake. Then go further into the dense jungle and meet the Choco Indians. Living as they have done for centuries, in houses built on stilts along the banks of the Chagres River, you will get a glimpse of their mystical rituals and their amazing knowledge of medicinal plants and natural remedies. You can learn more about the rich diversity of flora and fauna at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and don’t miss the impressive Gatun locks in action on the wondrous Panama Canal.View typical shore excursions for this port |
| Fuerte AmadorShow more | Panama | |
About Fuerte Amador The fast-growing city of Fuerte Amador lies at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal on a peninsular jutting out from Balboa. It has a marina and a yacht club, and lies close to Panama City, which is on the other side of Ancon Hill. But, if relaxation and shopping is not your thing, you can easily head into Panama City to explore its atmospheric old quarter, Casco Viejo – a warren of streets lined with fine French and Spanish colonial houses and site of a neo Classical palace. Alternatively, watch the Panama Canal in action at the Miraflores Locks where you will find a viewing deck, a visitor centre and a museum with interactive exhibits of the Canal’s history.View typical shore excursions for this port |