Panama Canal Cruise
Introduction
This Central American canal, completed by the United States in 1914, allows ships to travel between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans without traveling around South America. The canal consists of artificially created lakes, channels and a series of locks, or water-filled chambers, that raise and lower ships through the mountainous terrain of central Panama.
The entire trip through the canal takes between eight and 10 hours. About 14,000 ships, 400,000 crewmembers, and 300,000 passengers traveled through the canal in 1995. Each ship that travels through the canal pays a toll based on its capacity. One exception is Richard Halliburton, who paid 36 cents for swimming the canal in 1928.
One advantage to cruising the Panama Canal is its proximity to so many countries. Ships often stop in South America, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico, so cruisers often have opportunities to embark upon fascinating shore excursions in diverse regions.
Getting Around
Getting lost is a problem in itself, but getting lost amidst Central America's mountains, caves, volcanoes and jungles is more than possible - which is why guides on a Panama Canal cruise are indispensable.
Resourceful cruisers might be comfortable roaming within a city and visiting sights that don't require extensive travel. However, even cultural attractions shopping districts are located in unfamiliar outskirts, and any escapade that takes a reasonable distance away from the docked ship should involve a guide. |
