Mexico & Panama Canal Cruises
Sunny Pacific ports from California, and one of the engineering wonders of the world.
Get Up to 5 Free Cruise QuotesCruising Mexico & the Panama Canal
Mexican Riviera cruises sail from Los Angeles (San Pedro and Long Beach) and San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, usually in 7 nights. Shorter 3–5 night trips visit Ensenada and sometimes Catalina Island. Expect beaches, sport fishing, whale watching in winter and excellent food. Mexico’s Caribbean ports — Cozumel, Costa Maya and Progreso — are part of Western Caribbean itineraries.
Panama Canal cruises come in two forms:
Full transit
One-way between Florida and California (or vice versa), usually 14–16 nights or more, calling in Colombia, Costa Rica, Central America and Mexico. You sail the whole 50-mile canal between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Partial transit
Round-trip from Florida, usually 10–11 nights: the ship enters the Gatun Locks, cruises Gatun Lake and returns to the Caribbean side. A taste of the canal without a one-way flight.
The expanded locks that opened in 2016 let larger ships through, so you will find the canal on many more itineraries than before.
At a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Season | Mexican Riviera: mostly October through April. Panama Canal: mostly September through May. |
| Typical length | Mexico: 3–7 nights. Canal: 10–11 (partial) or 14–20 (full transit). |
| Main homeports | Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego; Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa for the canal |
| Good for | Winter sun from the West Coast; history and engineering buffs; travelers with time for a longer voyage |
Smart Traveler tips
- Book a balcony on the side that suits you, but know that the best canal views are often from the open bow decks.
- A full transit is one-way, so price the return flight before you book.
- Many canal cruises are repositioning voyages in spring and fall, which can be good value per night.
Plan Your Mexico & the Panama Canal Cruise
Flights
Flights to Mexico · Flights to Panama · Flights to Los Angeles and Florida. Plan to arrive at least a day before the ship sails.Shore excursions
Find shore activities by portBrowse Mexico & the Panama Canal cruise lines, deals and specialists on the Official Cruise Directory: Mexico & Central America · Panama Canal.
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Get Free Cruise QuotesMexico & the Panama Canal Cruise FAQ
How long does it take a cruise ship to go through the Panama Canal?
A full transit takes most of a day, roughly 8 to 10 hours from ocean to ocean, through three sets of locks and Gatun Lake.
Is a partial-transit cruise worth it?
If you want the canal experience without a one-way trip, yes: you see the Gatun Locks and the lake in a round-trip from Florida. For the complete experience, including the Culebra Cut and the Pacific locks, choose a full transit.