Linking the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal provides one of the most unforgettable cruising experiences. More than 10 years were needed to complete canal's 51 miles in 1914 and thus to avoid the lengthy and dangerous cruise around Cape Horn. The ships are lifted by 'The Big Ditch' through a fascinating feat of mechanics that is aided by onshore 'mule' locomotives via 3 great locks, traversing artificial lakes, channels blasted through rock, and dense jungle. This unique narrow waterway has become a route between oceans for seabirds like cormorants and pelicans, as well as ships.
The Panama Canal was a culmination of a dream that begins in 1513 with Spanish conquistador Balboa who was the first European to travel the 43 mile wide isthmus. In 1880 the French Canal company started construction of Panama Canal but, plagued by financial burdens, engineering problems and disease, sold its rights to the United States for US$40 million, with a loss of US$240 million. The US began construction in 1904. The monumental project was completed in 10 years at a cost of nearly US$387 million. Currently the United States still oversee operations of the canal, though it signed a treaty during the late 1970s to transfer it back to Panama by the 21st century.
Although many cruise lines already feature Panama Canal on their itineraries, such as Holland America. Disney. Oceania and Regent Seven Seas. among others, they are restricted to using their smaller ships. The expansion will allow for larger cruise ships to traverse canal's 49-mile stretch, though height restrictions because of the Bridge of the Americas still limit the size of the vessels. Princess Cruises currently offers sailings on the 2,214-passenger Island Princess and 1,970-passenger Coral Princess on the Panama Canal. The expansion will allow the line to sail the 3,080-passenger Caribbean Princess. launched in 2004, on the canal.
The canal operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 35 to 40 ships are expected to pass through every day. Each trip takes about eight to 10 hours.
Panama Canal alternatives for ship crossings between Atlantic and Pacific oceans are the Strait of Magellan (between South America and Antarctca) and the Northwest Passage (in the Canadian Arctic territories).
Highlights: Gatun Lake, giant locks, Gaillard Cut