Why Take a Panama Cruise ?

The Panama Canal was initially designed to cut travel time for vessels that needed to cross between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. It first opened its commercial doors on 15 August, 1914 and is now used by more than thirteen thousand vessels each year. Along the canal's length are three sets of locks. The locks act as water elevators, enabling vessels to traverse upslope/downslope across the canal terrain.

A Panama cruise takes in the full length of this magnificent canal, revealing some awe-inspiring views of an incredible feat of engineering, as well as offering a tantalizing selection of tour options along the canal. These include sailing or kayaking on Gatun Lake, through which the canal passes. Visitors can also book a tour of the Panama Canal railroad, which takes in dramatic views of the canal itself and the Central American rainforests.

Vibrant Panama City with its eclectic mix of architecture, people and culture is an essential excursion to take while on a Panama cruise. The historical district of Casco Viejo is well worth a visit, if only to see the remnants of the 17th century Spanish fortifications there. For sports-minded cruisers there is a world-class golf course located just 20-minutes away from Panama City.

Panama cruises depart from many of the coastal seaports around the U.S. The most popular cruise routes are one-way cruises departing from one port on the Atlantic or Pacific side and ending at a U.S. port on the opposite coast. Round-trip cruises are available too. These provide passengers with more 'at sea' time, and use the Panama Canal as the furthest destination point on the cruise.

Whether one-way or round-trip, Panama cruises incorporate other stops en-route to the Panama Canal and are often of between 10-20 nights in duration. A typical 12-night round-trip Panama cruise itinerary departing from Florida includes calls at Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Columbia as well as taking in the entire length of the Panama Canal. With so much variety on offer, its no wonder a Panama Cruise is top of the vacation wish list of many an American!
 
 
About the Author
John Metcalfe is the webmaster for A to Z Cruises which is the No1 resource for Panama Cruise related Information on the Internet. Be sure to visit his site here: Panama Cruise

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/4508/1.html
 

If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/4508/1.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked.

Some other articles by John Metcalfe

A Guide to Taking Your Dream Bahamas Cruise! The Bahamas is arguably the most popular cruise destination for U.S. travelers, and is especially popular with first-time cruisers from the U.S. ... A Guide to Taking Your Dream Disney Cruise! Experiencing the magic of Disney at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort Paris is something that ... Why Take an Italy Cruise ? History, wine, serene beauty, dramatic people and stunning views - an Italy cruise has it all! You can visit the main sites of Italy on a European cruise or a ... Why Take a New Zealand Cruise ? New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green landscapes and towering mountains mingle with spectacular fjords and icy glaciers in a land that is only 2,200 kms from the frozen continent of ... Why Take a Tropical Cruise ? A tropical cruise in the Caribbean or in the Gulf of Mexico is an ideal choice of vacation for couples of all ages. Whether you're looking for a short romantic break or ... Why Take A Carnival Cruise ? A carnival cruise is one of the best-loved types of cruise in the world. It offers a heady mix of onboard entertainment, pampering and relaxation, all within the plush surroundings of a ...