Panama Canal cruise ?

[mommyx2]

Hi we are looking at 8-10 day panama canal cruises in 

Early 2025.

need help understanding if the shorter cruises actually go thru the locks at all

or just to colon and limon and not actually thru the locks

any panama canal advise would be appreciated

thanks

[nansi]

Many of them are partial transits. They go through the first set of locks (Gatun) to Lake Gatun, then go back out the same way. The full transits go all the way through the second set of locks as well, all the way to Panama City. Look at the itineraries of the cruises you're interested in ....it should tell you exactly how far in they'll be going.

If you do a partial transit cruise, you may be able to do an excursion at Lake Gatun which will bring you ashore to take a bus to Panama City for the day. You'd take that bus back from Panama City to Colon or Limon where you'd get back on the ship and continue your cruising. 

Hope this helps 😊

[Ashland]

This past October we did a full Panama Canal transit with RCI from Los Angeles to Tampa. A great itinerary. Consider the options to do something similar if possible. Enjoy whatever works out best for you.

[BillB48]

First, there are not too many sailings available for 2025 yet.  Second, the 7/8 day cruises are a little hard to find at the present that transit the Canal, although there are some.  This may improve when the cruise terminal on the Pacific side of the Canal becomes fully operational.  Third, much easier to find 10/11 day partial Canal transit cruises.  These cruises will generally sail from Florida and enter the Atlantic Locks and exit the same locks.  Taking the shore excursion that offers a partial transit of the Pacific Locks and Gaillard Cut is a good way to see the major portions of the Canal.