In August 1914, the Panama Canal, a man-made ship canal spanning 48 miles, joining the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, opened for the first time. This coming August, Panama will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this vital international symbol. While awareness of the centennial celebration isn’t as high in the United States as it is in Central America, there are several cruise lines and tour companies planning special trips. If you might like to see the newly updated Panama Canal and live through a bit of history, here are some ways that you can do just that:
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Take an escorted vacation: Caravan is offering an eight-day, seven-night tour called Panama Canal Cruise, Rainforests and Beaches. The tips has departures year round beginning and ending in Panama City. Visits are included to Casco Viejo, the Miraflores Locks, Gatun Lake, a Panama Canal cruise and Playa Blanca. All meals are included. Fares start at just $1,344 per person, double occupancy.
Trafalgar Tours offers an 8 day trip called Panama the Canal and Beyond. To combine Panama with other countries in Central America, consider Globus Tours Cruising Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia 13 day vacation. You will visit Cartagena,San Blas Islands, the Panama Canal and Arenal. This trips includes a 7 day cruise onboard the Variety Voyager.
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Cruise with Holland America: Holland America is offering nearly 30 transits through or to the Panama Canal this year. On any Panama Canal cruise with Holland America in 2014, you’ll be able to take part in various special events. These include a “31 Fun Facts” guide, stops at a Panamanian market, where you’ll be able to take part in the local food and music, and various history presentations focusing on the past, present and future of the Panama Canal. Itineraries begin in either South Florida or South California, and prices vary.
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Cruise with Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean offers Panama Canal cruises from both Ft. Lauderdale and San Diego. Stop in Cartagena and experience one of Columbia’s most colorful and treasured cities. Then marvel at the vast engineering effort which created an ocean connection that changed the world. Soak in the lush rainforests bordering the Canal before venturing to Puntarenas, Costa Rica, and the renowned beaches of Cabo San Lucas.
- Cruise with Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises offers 15 night cruises aboard the Celebrity Infinity also to and from Fort Lauderdale and San Diego. When your Celebrity ship enters the canal, it will rise 85 feet in one of the legendary Gatun Locks. As you cross the Continental Divide – a journey that took mariners of long ago many years to complete – a new world of wonder and amazement awaits you on the other side. Take what will undoubtedly be an enlightening and rewarding journey.
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Travel on Your Own: If you don’t want to cruise or go with a tour company, Panama makes a lovely vacation destination to plan on your own. Talk to us about how to secure the best deals on hotel and airfare. Remember to book soon, because with all of the celebrations, as rooms become scarce, prices will rise.
Visiting the Panama Canal during 2014 is sure to be a great time of discovering the region’s history and taking part in a bit of current history. It’s sure to be the trip of a lifetime, and if you take your children, they will remember it forever. If you have visited Panama before and have any tips to share with our readers, do so in the comments section below.
