Panama Canal Partial Transit
The narrow isthmus separating the Atlantic from the Pacific Ocean had a colorful and turbulent history long before Ferdinand de Lesseps first dreamed of building a transcontinental canal.
Spanish conquistadors hauled Incan gold through the dense rainforest to ports on the Atlantic. English freebooters sought to ransack those ports and attack the treasure ships that sailed from Portobelo. And 49ers braved mosquitoes and yellow fever to get to the California gold fields. While the Panama Canal remains one of the great American engineering feats of the 20th century, visitors to Panama will discover a whole range of scenic wonders. Hike into the dense rainforest, home to over 1,000 species of animals. Or pay a visit to an Embera Indigenous village in the heart of Chagres National Park.
Disembarkation in Gatun Lake is restricted to passengers who have booked tours with Princess. Passengers on these tours are taken ashore by tenders. Later in the day, the ship then retraces her route for the tour return. Tours are not available on overnight calls in Gatun Lake.
Note: The Panama Canal Authority assigns specific time slots for the transit of a vessel through the locks. The ship will anchor in a designated area and will wait for instructions. Once clearance is transmitted to the ship, procedures begin to bring ship's tour passengers ashore. Therefore, tour departure times may vary and will be announced onboard.
**Please note that passengers may encounter numerous local vendors at various tourist locations and may find them to be persistent in their sales offers.**
In ports where guests utilize tender boats to go ashore, Princess staff will make every effort to assist but are not allowed to individually physically lift more than 50 lbs. (22kg). Guests requiring physical assistance must travel with an able-bodied companion. With your safety and comfort in mind, the final decision to permit or prohibit passengers from going ashore will be made on each occasion by the ship's Captain.
Points of Interest
- Panama Viejo / Casco Viejo
- Canal Locks
- Panama Canal Railway
- Panama Canal Transit
- Cruise Gatun Lake
- Embera Indigenous People
- Aerial Tram & Soberania National Park
- Panama Canal Expansion
New Locks & Former Panama Canal Zone
- Panama Canal Expansion
Marvel at up-close views of the canal's largest-ever expansion project on a half-day adventure to the Panama Canal Expansion Project Observation Center. Watch an informative film, peruse a collection of photographic displays then shoot your own photos of the incredible views of Gatún Lake and the new waterway system from a variety of indoor and outdoor platforms.
Moderate Activity
$69.95
Scenic Drive & Walking Tour of 'Old Panama City'
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Panama Viejo / Casco Viejo
Travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific on a scenic drive that includes a guided tour of Old Panama City. Tour the ruins of the old capital city. Take in the diverse architecture of Casco Antiguo, the old colonial city. Stroll historic Las Bovedas. Return to the ship waiting for you in Colon.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$74.95
IMAX Theatre & Miraflores Locks
- Panama Canal Expansion
Through the magic of IMAX 3D technology, sit back and take an extraordinary visual journey through one of the seven wonders of the world when you watch the film "Panama Canal 3D: A Land Divided – A World United," narrated by Academy-Award actor Morgan Freeman, on one of the world's largest IMAX screens.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$89.00
Agua Clara Locks & Kayak in the Canal to Colon
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Canal Locks
Discover man-made Gatun Lake from the seat of a kayak. Glide through the beautiful natural surroundings on a 1.5-hour paddle, taking in views of lush vegetation, diverse wildlife and as many as 366 species of birds. Then, visit the Agua Clara Locks Lookout to see the Panama Canal in full operation.
Strenuous Activity
$89.95
Fort San Lorenzo & New Locks of the Panama Canal Expansion
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Canal Locks
Visit one of the most complete and biggest forts built in Panama. Fort San Lorenzo is full of pirate history, with amazing views of both the Chagres River and the Caribbean Sea. Continue on to the New Locks and see close up views of the largest set of canal locks in Panama.
Moderate Activity
$94.95
Rainforest & Gatun Lake and Locks Cruise
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Canal Locks
- Cruise Gatun Lake
Travel to the Gamboa Resort and cruise through the jungle covered islands in Gatun Lake. Exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles are just a few of the animals that you may see in their native surroundings. Later, witness the mighty New Panama Canal Locks in action
Moderate Activity
$99.95
Monkey & Wildlife Nature Cruise on Gatun Lake
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Cruise Gatun Lake
Board your air-conditioned transportation for the approximately 60-minute drive to the boat landing, cruise in a motorized, covered tour boat through a portion of the Panama Canal to a group of islands where monkeys and other native animals can be viewed in their natural habitat.
Easy Activity, Includes snack
$99.95
Authentic Embera Native Village
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Embera Indigenous People
Travel by dugout canoe on a cultural visit to an Embera village in the heart of Chagres National Park. The Embera are a unique and beautiful people, and they live in harmony with their natural surroundings in the rainforest. Enjoy traditional native music, song and dance.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$109.95
Panama's Rainforest Aerial Tram
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Aerial Tram & Soberania National Park
Get ready for an active journey through the Rainforests of Panama. Travel to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, and explore the orchid garden, and butterfly display. Board an aerial tram for the ascent through the forest canopy. At the top of the summit, take an optional walk to the observation platform for views of the jungle and the canal.
Moderate Activity
$114.95
Best of Panama: Colonial Panama & Mirafloras Locks Observation Center
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Panama Viejo / Casco Viejo
- Canal Locks
Get ready for an exciting daylong journey through the old world streets of Panama City. Explore the Pacific side of the Isthmus with a walk into the cobble stone streets the historic French Quarter of Panama City and enjoy a visit to the Observation Center at Miraflores Locks.
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$119.95
Gatun Lake and Locks Cruise & Embera Indians
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Canal Locks
- Cruise Gatun Lake
Depart Colon aboard your air-conditioned transportation and get ready to explore Panama on this active adventure. Take a cruise on Gatun Lake, visit an Embera Indian village, and see the mighty Agua Clara Locks in operation. This exciting tour lets you experience Panama through your transportation, motorboat, and guided walking tours.
Moderate Activity, Includes snack
$149.95
Panama Canal Railway & New Locks of the Canal Expansion
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Panama Canal Railway
This is the same tour as PC1-170 save that passengers travel in a restored executive rail car with booth seating on one side and rows of two seats with small tables on the other. Your car has a rest-room and shares a small open-air observation deck with the dome car described in PC1-170. The Executive Car does not have the glass dome viewing area.
Easy Activity, Includes snack
$199.95
Panama Canal & Locks Transit by Boat
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Panama Canal Transit
- Cruise Gatun Lake
Experience the full wonder of the Panama Canal with a crossing of the canal by tour boat on this daylong adventure. This is the only tour that enables you to experience the other two sets of locks that control ship traffic and cruise through "The Cut." Sail across Miraflores Lake to the Miraflores Locks and enjoy a light lunch during your scenic cruise.
Easy Activity, Includes meal
$204.95
Panama Canal Railway (Dome Car) & New Locks of the Canal Expansion
- Panama Canal Expansion
- Panama Canal Railway
Hop aboard the hemisphere's first transcontinental railroad and see the Panama Canal from the seat of a 19th century railway dome car. During your journey you'll travel across the isthmus and see Gatun Lake. Then, learn the history of the locks at the New Locks Observation Center.
Easy Activity, Includes snack
$249.95