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15 Night Panama Canal Cruise

Best known for the Pacific Princess on the Love Boat, Princess Cruises has been a leading name in cruising and visits a wide range of destinations.

Experience the canal in all its grandeur and view the wonders of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans’ surrounding areas during your Panama Canal cruise.

With incredible weather, delicious fare and some stupendous attractions, you will find that Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is one of the most attractive ports in the entire US.

• Island Princess - Passenger Capacity:  2,200 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2003 Last Refurbished: 2017

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

Cruise Line

Cruise Ship

Island Princess

Departing From

Destination

Panama Canal

Ports of Call

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida , Cartagena, Colombia , Panama Canal, Panama , Puntarenas, Costa Rica , Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala , Puerto Vallarta, Mexico , Los Angeles, California

Special Promotions*

Princess Cruises: up to 40% OFF*

NEW! Choose from 3 Cruise Packages for Princess

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Up to $500 FREE Onboard Credit* - TCW Exclusive

Princess: up to $250 Onboard Credit for Military

• Itinerary & Pricing

15 Night Panama Canal Cruise sailing on the Island Princess

Departure dates: jan 2025 - may 2025.

From $1,479

From $1,444

Stateroom prices for Jan. 5, 2025

Published prices from

Based on cabin prices

Taxes & Fees Included

Based on Oceanview cabin prices

Based on Balcony cabin prices

Based on Suite cabin prices

Sailing Map

*** All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm your itinerary on the Review page before purchasing your cruise.

Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include government taxes & fees. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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Panama Canal Cruises

Set sail with princess® – the best panama canal cruise line.

We’re the number one cruise line sailing to this bucket list destination, and as awe-inspiring as it is to travel through one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 7 Cruise Wonders of the World, we’ll help you explore equally fascinating places along the way. So stretch out on a Caribbean beach, admire the pristine rainforests, stroll the cobbled streets of colonial towns and journey through the fabled Panama Canal with Princess.

Watch Panama Canal cruise video: Panama Canal video

From the East Coast Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale

• Roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale
• Experience a partial transit of the Panama Canal New Locks
• Visit the pristine beaches of the Caribbean and explore the lush rainforests of Costa Rica

Ocean to Ocean Between Atlantic & Pacific Oceans

• Sail from the East Coast to the West Coast or vice versa. Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles or San Francisco, or cruise from either of those two West Coast cities to Florida.
• Ideal itinerary for those who want to experience a full transit of the Panama Canal
• Transit all three sets of locks

Princess® MedallionClass®

Explore destinations easily on a MedallionClass vacation. Taking in balcony or top deck views, and don’t want to move? Order drinks that find you. Want to make the most of your time away? Design each perfect day with our interactive activity planner. Hate to wait when boarding or disembarking in port? Choose your preferred arrival window and make gangway reservations. Enjoy more time to connect with the places you sail.

Learn more about Princess MedallionClass | Learn more about MedallionNet® Internet  

Why Princess is the #1 Panama Canal Cruise Line

The Leader in the Panama Canal Cruise Ports

From ships custom built to sail the massive locks to immersive onboard programs and onshore adventures that inspire, Princess is the number one way to explore this epic phenomenon. We've sailed the Panama Canal since 1967 and we have more itinerary choices and departures of any cruise line in the region.

Learn more about Panama Canal cruise ports

Photo: View of locks from the ship

Destination Immersion

We craft our Panama Canal itineraries to enrich our guests' experiences to provide the most exposure to this bucket-list destination. You'll be enchanted by Spanish and Dutch cities dating back centuries, as well as diverse tropical rainforests, white-sand beaches, dramatic volcanoes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And Princess provides live narration from the bridge while transiting the locks, just one reason we were voted "Best Cruise Line for Enrichment" by Cruise International .

Photo: Las Bovedas in Cartagena, Colombia

Abundant Adventures Ashore

Each voyage offers a myriad of experiences and cultures. There is something for every type of explorer in this culturally diverse region. Choose from immersive excursions such as exploring the engineering mastery of the Canal, trekking through surrounding rainforests, visiting local villages and relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Caribbean.

Learn more about Panama Canal cruise excursions

Photo: Old City in Cartagena, Colombia

Panama Canal Cruise Articles and Videos

2023-2024 Panama Canal Cruises

Sail through a man-made marvel. Discover Panama Canal with Princess Cruises.

San Juan del Sur Excursions: A Volcanic Adventure in Nicaragua

Have a volcanic adventure during San Juan del Sur excursions from Princess Cruises. Nicaragua excursions show you dynamic landscapes and exotic wildlife.

Top Five Panama Canal Shore Excursions and Attractions

From walking the ruins of Old Panama to a tram ride through Soberania National Park, you'll come back enriched and enlightened from your Panama Canal cruise.

Try These 6 Panamanian Foods on Your Panama Canal Cruise

Taste your way through the diverse culinary culture of Panama on your Panama Canal cruise with Princess.

Costa Rica Excursions: Something for Everyone

Partake in a Costa Rica excursion for a Caribbean adventure with Princess Cruises. There's something for everyone on Costa Rica shore excursions.

Panama Cruises Trivia: 5 Facts You Should Know About The Panama Canal

Test your knowledge of facts about the Panama Canal with Princess Cruises.

See all Panama Canal cruise articles and videos

Let Princess Get You There

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Add peace of mind and a sense of security to your vacation with a Cruise Plus® Hotel Package. Give yourself a few days to relax either before or after your Panama Canal cruise and take in the sights of a sensational city. Princess handles all the details – including transfers and baggage handling – with accommodations selected for their incredible locations and excellent service.

View hotel packages

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Mexico and Central America: Panama Canal - Ocean to Ocean Cruise

16-night island princess cruise.

From $1,847 per person* Includes government taxes, fees and port expenses of $124 per person

Princess Cruises

Sailing between the Atlantic and Pacific, you'll have the chance to really appreciate this engineering marvel with a full transit of the Panama Canal locks. But a Panama Canal cruise goes beyond the canal. Experience stunning landscapes and historic cities while learning and celebrating colorful cultures.

Included Extras

  executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,250, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

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Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Princess Cruises® sailing†

Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Fort Lauderdale

Ft Lauderdale is a city of islands held together by an intricate web of canals, rivers, bays and waterways hundreds of miles long. Needless to say, boating is a favorite city pastime, whether zooming along on a speedboat, enjoying a fishing charter, or cruising the coastline by yacht. Beautiful homes of every size and style make up the bulk of this primarily residential area. By the beach, a leisurly stroll can be taken along the new landscaping wavewall design of the beachfront promenade. But this city is anything but sedate. Once a spring break hot spot, the town still has an energetic and colorful nightlife. Nearby, charming Laudrdale-By-the-Sea is home to one of the only living coral reefs in the US accesible from shore. Las Olas Boulevard, a shoppers paradise, is the chic new shopping and trendy dining area of downtown. If sports are more your inclination, dozens of golf courses and hundreds of public parks allow you to absorb the great Florida outdoors. Cultural arts are also popular. Water taxis bring theater-goers from throughout the city to the Performing Arts Center on the water.

Aruba's path to the present day is marked by the mystery of ochre-colored rock drawings left behind by island shamans, the enterprising spirit of European adventurers and settlers and the diverse experiences and traditions brought by the many nationalities that have since sought out the island as either a new home or temporary resting place. The look of the people, the languages they speak and the innate hospitality that manifests itself in the Aruban psyche is the result of a multi-cultural mix that reflects a rich past.

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is an artificial 48-mile waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. The Canal uses a system of locks -compartments with entrance and exit gates. The locks function as water lifts: they raise ships from sea level (the Pacific or the Atlantic) to the level of Gatun Lake (26 meters above sea level); ships then sail the channel through the Continental Divide. Each set of locks bears the name of the townsite where it was built: Gatun (on the Atlantic side), and Pedro Miguel and Miraflores (on the Pacific side). The lock chambers -steps-- are 33.53 meters wide by 304.8 meters long. The maximum dimensions of ships that can transit the Canal are: 32.3 meters in beam; draft -their depth reach- 12 meters in Tropical Fresh Water; and 294.1 meters long (depending on the type of ship). The water used to raise and lower vessels in each set of locks comes from Gatun Lake by gravity; it comes into the locks through a system of main culverts that extend under the lock chambers from the sidewalls and the center wall. The narrowest portion of the Canal is Culebra Cut, which extends from the north end of Pedro Miguel Locks to the south edge of Gatun Lake at Gamboa. This segment, approximately 13.7 kilometers long, is carved through the rock and shale of the Continental Divide. Ships from all parts of the world transit daily through the Panama Canal. Some 13 to 14 thousand vessels use the Canal every year. In fact, commercial transportation activities through the Canal represent approximately 5% of the world trade. The Canal has a work force of approximately 9 thousand employees and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing transit service to vessels of all nations without discrimination.

Fuerte Amador

Fuerte Amador is a Peninsula jutting out into the Pacific from Balboa. It is separated from Panama city by Ancón Hill and is situated at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. It was built to protect the canal entrance from the Pacific Ocean and is a major port of call for the cruise lines. There is also a Marina, the Flamenco Yacht Club.

Puntarenas/Costa Rica

The Central Pacific's largest city, Puntarenas sits on a long, narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya. For years, it was the country's principal port, and although a newer port in nearby Caldera now handles cargo and Puntarenas the cruise ships, a large fishing fleet still anchors in the estuary behind town. Being the country's most important fishing port, Puntarenas is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood, be it camarones al ajillo (shrimp scampi), pescado entero (a whole fried fish), or ceviche de corvina (bits of fresh fish marinate in lime juice with onions, peppers and spices).

San Juan del Sur

A picturesque port and popular beach town, San Juan del Sur is located 138 kilometers south of Managua, and is easily reached by way of the Pan-American Highway, veering right after passing the small community of La Virgen. San Juan is one of the most important seaports on Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast. Its waters are calm, transparent, and moderately temperate yearlong, making it an excellent swimming and fishing spot, attracting foreign and national tourists alike, particularly during the dry summer months. Interesting wind-blasted rock formations surround San Juan’s crescent-shaped bay, with magnificent, romantic sunsets adding to the surreal beauty of its beach. The plentiful amount of hotels and restaurants in the San Juan del Sur area add to the port town’s growing popularity. Although the specialty in most San Juan restaurants is seafood, delicious fritanga can be enjoyed at some of the popular eateries.

Huatulco is a resort region in the Mexican state of Oaxaca with white Pacific coast beaches. The region is made up of 9 bays, including the popular cruise-ship port of call Santa Cruz Bay. Tangolunda Bay is home to upscale resort hotels and a golf course. In the inland community of La Crucecita, there are restaurants and shops around a central plaza.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants and bars. El Malecón is a beachside promenade with contemporary sculptures, as well as bars, lounges and nightclubs.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States, after New York City, and the most populous city in the Western United States. With an estimated population of four million, Los Angeles is the largest and most populous city in the state of California and the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. Nicknamed the "City of Angels" partly because of its name's Spanish meaning, Los Angeles is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, and sprawling metropolis. The city is also one of the most substantial economic engines within the nation, with a diverse economy in a broad range of professional and cultural fields. Los Angeles is also famous as the home of Hollywood, a major center of the world entertainment industry. A global city, it has been ranked 6th in the Global Cities Index and 9th in the Global Economic Power Index. The Los Angeles combined statistical area also has a gross metropolitan product of $831 billion, making it the third-largest in the world, after the Greater Tokyo and New York metropolitan areas. Los Angeles hosted the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics and will host the event for a third time in 2028.

Onboard the Island Princess

Island Princess

Costco member reviews.

• Year Built: 2003
• Year Refurbished: 2017

Double Occupancy Capacity: 1974

Island Princess® is a fabulous floating resort designed to make your stay onboard truly memorable. This vessel has 90 percent ocean-view staterooms, with more than 700 balconies and a wraparound Promenade Deck. After being mesmerized by the scenery off the bow, become dazzled by the entertainment in the state-of-the-art lounges and choose from a myriad of dining options.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

• Disco/Nightclub
• Game Arcade
• Movies Under the Stars®
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Beauty Salon
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Miniature Golf
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Pool - Indoor
• Sports Facilities
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Art Gallery
• Bars/Lounges
• Children's Indoor Play Area
• Children's Outdoor Play Area
• Educational Classes
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Business Center
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Religious Services
• Self-Service Laundromat
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa
• Spa Services/Massage
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Educational Programs
• Internet Center
• Babysitting
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service

Dining Room

Main Dining

Provence Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Bordeaux Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Specialty Dining

Sabatini's:  An upscale authentic Italian dining experience in a remarkable eight-course meal. The menu features both local seafood specialties and other regional favorites. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Bayou Café & Steakhouse:  Experience this New Orleans-style restaurant at sea, featuring Creole and Cajun traditional cuisine, such as jambalaya, etouffee and crawfish gumbo. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Chef’s Table Experience:  A multi-course menu that is specially created by the chef, and is not offered anywhere else on the ship. Specially selected wines complement the meal, and each couple at the Chef's Table will receive a personalized autographed copy of Courses, A Culinary Journey. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Crab Shack:  Seafood lovers won’t want to miss this full crab shack experience. An intriguing bistro option housed within the Horizon Court buffet, Crab Shack diners can savor Bayou-style boiled crawfish and spicy sausage, popcorn shrimp, steaming clam chowder and a tantalizing mixed steamer pot filled with snow crab, jumbo shrimp, clams and mussels. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Princess Pizzeria

Casual Dining

Horizon Court:  24-Hour casual buffet dining.

Amuleto Café:  Savor specialty coffees and teas from our New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu and choose from a selection of sweet treats baked fresh every day. Sandwiches and quick bites are offered throughout the afternoon and evening.

Princess Pizzeria:  Poolside pizzeria serving fresh pizza by the slice.

La Patisserie:  Casual sidewalk café-style setting for cappuccino, espresso and other coffee specialties, as well as fresh pastries throughout the day. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

The Bar and Grill:  Follow your nose to the Deck Barbecue where the burgers are flipping and the hot dogs roasting, served with a variety of fixin’s and crisp fries. Veggie burgers, bratwurst and grilled chicken breast are also served and all are sure to hit the spot when you are relaxing out on deck.

Room Service:  Call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® MedallionClass® app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. To order, guests can press the "Room Service" button on their stateroom phone, or order through OceanNow®.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

• > Inside Stateroom
• > Ocean View Stateroom
• > Balcony Stateroom
• > Suite Stateroom

Affordable staterooms feature twin beds that make up into a queen, refrigerator, spacious closet and a bathroom with shower.

Interior (Category: IA)

Category: IA Approximately 156 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IB)

Category: IB Approximately 156 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IC)

Category: IC Approximately 156 to 166 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: ID)

Category: ID Approximately 156 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IE)

Category: IE Approximately 156 to 166 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IF)

Category: IF Approximately 156 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Nicely-appointed staterooms feature a picture window and bathroom with shower.

Premium Oceanview (Category: O5)

Category: O5 Approximately 212 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Premium Oceanview (Category: O6)

Category: O6 Approximately 212 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OB)

Category: OB Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OC)

Category: OC Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OE)

Category: OE Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OV)

Category: OV Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OW)

Category: OW Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OY)

Category: OY Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OZ)

Category: OZ Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Staterooms feature a private balcony, siting area with desk, spacious walk-in closet and bathroom with shower.

Premium Balcony (Category: B1)

Category: B1 Approximately 248 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Premium Balcony (Category: B2)

Category: B2 Approximately 248 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BA)

Category: BA Approximately 248 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BB)

Category: BB Approximately 210 to 248 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BC)

Category: BC Approximately 210 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BD)

Category: BD Approximately 210 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BE)

Category: BE Approximately 210 to 234 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BF)

Category: BF Approximately 210 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (obstructed view) (Category: BY)

Category: BY Approximately 210 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom has an obstructed view balcony from which to enjoy the fresh sea air.

Balcony (obstructed view) (Category: BZ)

Category: BZ Approximately 210 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom has an obstructed view balcony from which to enjoy the fresh sea air.

Features separate sitting area with sofa bed and desk, refrigerator, some with wet bar, bathroom and balcony or window.

Premium Club Class Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: M1)

Category: M1 Approximately 280 to 302 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MB)

Category: MB Approximately 280 to 302 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MD)

Category: MD Approximately 302 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: ME)

Category: ME Approximately 302 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Oceanview Mini-Suite (Category: MY)

Category: MY Approximately 300 sq. ft., this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower. Features a picture window instead of a balcony.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S4)

Category: S4 Approximately 509 to 512 sq. ft., the Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Premium Suite with Balcony (Category: S5)

Category: S5 Approximately 470 sq. ft. including balcony, the Premium Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Vista Suite with Balcony (Category: S6)

Category: S6 Approximately 740 sq. ft. including balcony, the Vista Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

• Ship Name: Island Princess
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2003
• Ship Class: Coral
• Maximum Capacity: 1,974
• Number of Passenger Decks: 11
• Number of Crew: 900
• Officers' Nationality: British/Italian
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 144
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 527
• Total Inside Staterooms: 108
• Tonnage (GRT): 92,000
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 1,974
• Country of Registry: Bermuda
• Total Staterooms: 987
• Suites with Balcony: 200
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, inside stateroom, ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom, departure date - 02/25/2026, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

© Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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• Princess Cruises

Island Princess: Viewing spots for Panama Canal transit

By coco2/27 , April 25, 2023 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

We’ll be in the Island Princess for full transit in the historic locks next month. We’re in an aft cabin (A726 with wrap around balcony).  Should we just hang in our cabin and balcony, and splurge with ordering the Balcony Breakfast, or reserve the Sanctuary couple decks above us, or head to the forward decks and wander (and perspire!) there?    

Any advice / recommendations welcome!   🙏

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We have been through both on the Island and its sister the Coral.  Mostly likely you will go through the old locks.  You should be informed the night before of the estimated time that the ship will enter the channel leading to the locks. There is a person that boards the ship just for the day that will make announcements including history- when we were on the announcements of the cannel  could only be heard on parts of the top deck - not sure abut cabin.   For the most part it does not make a huge diff what side of the ship you are on except at the Pacific end there are good views of the tall buildings in Panama City south of the cannel.  .

If the weather is poor seats in the horizon court are good for viewing but the chair hogs will be up early to grab the best. 

Once through the locks you are in a large lake for a few hours and people will be wandering around then.  

I'd recommend doing your cabin for one set of locks and for the second wander around.  Viewing from the Promenade deck offers a different perspective. 

Thank you so much for responding and providing your perspective and information.  It was just what I was seeking!

Also don't forget to go on the promenade for at least one lock.    you will see and almost be able to touch the walls.  100 years of engineering working exactly as engineered.  

Also please remember it is Panama Hot!  Water and shade!  

As stated above it is a full day and you will be going through the old locks. Enjoy and see it from many viewpoints.  Walk about, have a nice lunch while on Lake Gatun.  Remember this; the islands you see are mountaintops before it was a lake.

Check with Customer Service to see if the forward decks below the bridge on decks 9 (dolphin) and 10 (caribe) will be opened.  Every time we’ve been on the Island Princess (Panama Canal) and her sister ship Coral Princess (2X Alaska and The Kimberly, Australia just last week) they have been but it wasn’t always announced.

Thank you for the great hints and suggestions!

We’re getting even more excited as it gets closer!

travelin.sisters

we did the Panama Canal on the Island in 2017 so it's been a while, but the balcony was nice & you could get the narration from the naturalist on the TV (I don't know which channel, but maybe the ship camera one?)...the buffet area in the front is good for viewing & I think that is where the naturalist was on our cruise but some of my best shots were taken going out the back of deck 8 there is a public space where you can watch the gates close behind you & fill & lift the ship! 

oh never mind I missed the aft balcony part...sorry!

Thank you 🙏 !

 I was hoping the narration would be on the tv; thank you for confirming this, and also that the aft would be good viewing.

and we’re Traveling Sisters, too!!!

StrawberryHill

We went thru the canal ( west to east ) on the Island and spent the time going thru the first set of locks ( west side ) in the very front of the ship on deck 9 or 10 as was metntioed above.  There are crew doors there that were unlocked.  It was not "announced".  Be prepared to be in the sun the entire time. You can take a chair with you. The view is amazing watching the ships in front of you go thru the locks.   You do not get a sense of  the ship going up and down as you are too high to feel it.  You need to be on deck 7 or lower to get the real feel of the locks.  We were in sanctuary ( open to all ) for the second set of locks( west side ) watching the ships behind us go thru.  You need to be up early befor sunrise to see the myriad of ships waiting their turn and to watch Panama City " wake up".  The day before there were large colored poster boards in the photo studio area with colored markers to make signs for you to hold up from your balcony as the ships photographers were mostly on shore taking phtotos.  Dont know if they do that anymore.  Lots of people brought their own stuff to make signs and hang them from their baconies also.  Going thru the lake was like a sea day, eat lunch and enjoy the views from your baclony of the pool deck etc.  Its a 12-14 hour event depending upon lock traffice etc. We hung out on our balcony for the eastern set of locks.

There is a person on the Celebrity board doing a Live From as Millennium does the canal today, westbound.  He has posted a ton of pictures, and those showing the locks ahead as you enter the canal are priceless, to show you what you will be missing if you stay on your aft facing balcony.  EM

enfuego4cruising

We were on the Emerald in February for a full PC transit. We had an aft facing cabin on the Dolphin deck. Being back there during the transit was excellent as it puts you right at the action and offers a 180 degree view. 

This should not imply that you spend the entire transit on your balcony of course. Get out and appreciate all of the available vistas.

Thank you so much for all the sharing of advice / suggestions, and pictures.

The view from the aft looks great, as does the balcony breakfast!

 We were fortunate enough to nab an aft balcony when booking, and then when this suite with the larger wraparound balcony became open, it was even better!  We’re happily in the last planning and packing days, and do so appreciate the Cruise Critic family recommendations and information!

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Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring travel through photography

Panama Canal Cruise Review: Fascinating Passage on Princess

As we ticked off another item on our bucket list, we share our Panama Canal cruise review for those who wonder what it’s really like to cross the Panama Canal.

This engineering wonder is worth all the hype. Our transit took us from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans through one of the world’s most impressive engineering feats. Below, we also include a bit of history, our ports, and life onboard the Island Princess.

Crossing on a cruise ship is easier than had we tried to sail ourselves on a private vessel, mostly because all the work is done for us. Therefore, all we had to do is observe, take photos, and learn from the commentary.

Our day was long, starting at dawn and ending about 10 hours later. During that time, we learned heaps, observed locks from on the water, and created lifelong memories.

The current canal uses a three-level lock system that raises ships 26.5 meters (87 ft) prior to transiting through manmade lakes and a cut through the continental divide. The ships then arrive at the other side of Panama to lower down 26.5 meters through three final locks that lead out to sea.

Engineering commentary available on all outdoor decks and on the closed circuit TV in our cabin outlined an impressive history and pointed out fascinating landmarks as we passed.

Crossing the Panama Canal was one of many highlights of our 18-nights on the Island Princess. Read on for the details of our Panama Canal cruise review.

Key landmarks on our crossing

The canal was built through the narrowest portion of the Isthmus of Panama, where it is only 80 km (50 miles) between the two oceans. Even on the big ship, this process takes all day, between 8 and 10 hours in total.

Here’s our basic route.

• Gatun Locks
• Continental Divide
• Centennial Bridge

Pedro Miguel Locks

• Miraflores Locks

Bridge of the Americas

Be inspired…

Limon Bay and Gatun Locks

We approached the Panama Canal from the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic side), starting our adventure just before 6 am as we sailed through Limon Bay.

The hazy day lent an air of mystery to the early morning that seemed to enhance our excitement.

As we continued our approach to the first set of locks, several pilot boats came out to greet us. One of the four pilots that boarded the Island Princess will guide our passage through the canal.

Expertly guided, our purpose-built ship slid into the first lock like a glove. The Island Princess and her sister ship, the Coral Princess were carefully built to Panamax spec, hence the largest size able to cross the canal (prior to 2016 when the larger canal channels opened).

The ship was secured, and for the next two hours, the locks took our ship from sea level to the artificial Gatun Lake at 26.5 m (87 ft) above sea level.

It’s a three-step process, each lock progressing after the one before like a staircase. You can find a more detailed explanation of locks here .

By elevating the passage, less initial excavation was required.

I would be delinquent in this Panama Canal cruise review if I didn’t mention that although entering the first of the Gatun locks was the peak of my excitement, by the time we exited, I realized that this was going to be a long, slow, and sometimes boring day.

Sailing across Gatun Lake

Surrounded by small jungle-like islands, huge tankers, and personal yachts, we spent the next four or so hours sailing along the man-made Gatun Lake. Like all of the canal, it is fed by the freshwater Chagres River.

Wildlife and interesting flora seemed to surround us.

Culebra Cut, Continental Divide, and Centennial Bridge

At the far end of the lake, we enter the more narrow Culebra Cut. It was one of the more complex areas to excavate as it passes through what was once a solid rock formation marking the Continental Divide.

Fascinating commentary pointed out interesting sites all day. Three that really caught my attention in this section were:

• El Renacer Prison with its layers of razor wire fencing. This is a former ‘home’ of Manuel Noriega from 2011 until his death in 2017.
• Titan Crane – a floating crane that was captured from the Nazis in WWII.
• Centennial Bridge is one of only three places where vehicles can cross the canal.

Next, the Island Princess headed into the Pedro Miguel Locks. Here, a single channel lowers us 9 meters (30 feet) in a bit less than an hour.

The ship provided Albom Adventures with the digital copy of the second image, allowing us permission to share it here. This was one of several photos of our ship’s passage through the Pedro Miguel Locks available for sale from Princess.

From here, it’s a short sail across the small Miraflores Lake to the next set of locks.

Miraflores locks and visitor’s center

The Miraflores Locks took just over an hour to complete. Here we are lowered the final 18 meters (60 feet) in two sets of locks that return us to sea level on the Pacific side.

But what made this set most interesting were people crowding the outdoor decks of Miraflores Visitor’s Center . This 4-story museum is a land-based opportunity to view and learn about the Panama Canal.

Through the Panama Canal

At some point here, the pilots exited, and the captain took command. Our environment had changed dramatically from the dense jungle we saw all day to a buzzing metropolis.

The skyline was as close as we got to Panama City as we continued forward.

Finally, we pass under the Bridge of the Americas and instantly leave North America while entering South America.

And just like that, the ship slowly picks up speed, and we have completed our Panama Canal crossing.

A bit of Panama Canal history

The French were the first to attempt the construction of a modern Panama Canal crossing after their successful building of the Suez Canal in 1869, a flat crossing excavated through the sand.

In contrast, the Panama Canal required excavation through the 110-meter mountainous spine of Central America consisting of rock. In addition, the Chagres River crosses the canal and flows strongly in the rainy season, making navigation difficult.

Add tropical mosquito-borne diseases, and the French attempt failed, although it did leave a significant amount of completed excavation and dredging.

The Americans came in during the early 1900s under George Washington Goethals engineering direction to complete the task.

Panama Canal cruise review: life onboard the Island Princess

Lively or relaxing … cruising with Princess is what you want it to be.

Be prepared for an all-inclusive floating resort with culinary excellence, plenty of exercise or relaxation options, exciting ports, and opportunities to learn something new.

Between the seemingly endless options for eating, crafts, games, swimming, dancing, lectures, gambling, entertainment, and even stargazing or movies at night, we found ourselves spoilt for choice.

Typical Panama Canal cruise itineraries are 14 nights, but ours was longer as it was a repositioning cruise , an end-of-the-season cruise that moves the ship to a new home port for the next season. As a result, we had more sea days than normal.

Therefore, the friendly and helpful staff and an extensive list of daily options for activities or quiet became even more important, and Princess, as always, rose to the occasion. Find deals on Princess Cruises

Panama Canal cruise review: the ports along the way

Different cruise lines may use other ports. Check Panama cruise transit options here .

• Fort Lauderdale , USA We spent our pre-cruise Florida time in nearby Delray Beach , home to one of the top beaches in Florida (and my mother-in-law).
• Aruba , Caribbean Gentle waves and white sandy beaches define this tropical paradise in the southern Caribbean. With only 5 hours in port, we opted for a day of sun, fun, and plenty of photos. Discover Aruba through our camera here .
• Cartagena , Colombia Rich in history, this colourful and vibrant city hooked me. We toured the largest Spanish fort built in the new world, explored the old town, visited an impressive monastery, and drank coffee (of course). Check out our Cartagena adventure here .
• Puntarenas , Costa Rica Puntarenas was our first stop after the crossing. It offers amazing options, from coffee plantations to rainforest or volcano explorations.
• San Juan del Sur , Nicaragua Bad weather prevented us from docking here, so we just moved on.
• Cabo San Lucas , Mexico Cabo is fun, exciting, colourful, and another place for water play. A bonus of arriving via cruise ship was we could see the famous Arch as we sailed in. See our Cabo San Lucas highlights here .
• Los Angeles , USA This was the port of disembarkation for about ⅓ of the passengers, while the rest stayed onboard until Vancouver. There is plenty to do in Los Angeles, and we opted for a bit of tourist fun in Hollywood .
• Vancouver , Canada Our port of disembarkation, we stayed here for a while and really enjoyed all there is to do in Vancouver.

Panama Canal cruise review: tips and facts

• What’s called a “Panama Canal Cruise” can be either a full transit (what we describe above), partial transit (Gatun locks and lake, then return), or even just approaching the first locks without ever entering.
• Get an early start if you want to be up at a rail when you reach the Gatun Locks.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen and sun hat, it will be a long day in the tropical Panama sun.
• The ship booked their crossing over 18 months in advance at a cost in excess of $250,000 for the Island Princess, which is reflected in the cost of the cruise.
• Personal craft can make the transit and can book within 96 hours of arrival. Everything you would want to know about the transit procedure is found here .
• The inaugural sailing of the new over-five-billion-dollar expansion of the Panama Canal was on June 26, 2016.

Other ways to experience the canal

Independent tours from Panama are another way to discover the canal and basically fall into three categories:

• City tour and Panama Canal viewing The most popular tour spends time at the Miraflores Visitor’s Center, learns about the canal’s history, and observes the canal in action as huge boats pass through the locks. Then a city tour of Panama City, with a walk through the Old Town and a visit to Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Antigua. Reserve your half-day city and canal tour here
• Panama Canal viewing and cruise on Gatun Lake After learning about and watching the locks from the visitor center, you will take a bus to Gamboa, where you will board a boat and sail on Gatun Lake. The outstanding reviews on this tour let you know it is special. Reserve your viewing and cruise tour here .
• Partial transit through the locks and return If you want to experience the locks first-hand and are not transiting, this highly-rated tour is for you. A bus will bring you to Gamboa, where you will board a boat and sail along the Culebra Cut that passes through the Continental Divide and then through both the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. Importantly, this tour does not run every day, so check the schedule and reserve your partial transit tour here .

Is a Panama Canal cruise worth it?

The Panama Canal crossing is a once-in-a-lifetime, not to be missed experience.

It’s a long hot day with an early start. And while some aspects seem to move at a snail’s pace, there is something so magical about the day that I was never bored.

The live commentary provided by Princess Cruises kept it fascinating. It is a day we will not soon forget, and one which we would recommend.

Check Panama Canal options and reserve your transit here.

Don’t miss our best cruise tips

• 21 Picturesque Cruise Ship Ports Around the World

Repositioning Cruises: Are they right for you?

25 princess cruise tips and tricks you should know, avoid cruise weight gain: indulging onboard without worry, easy tips: how to pack light for a cruise – essentials to bring, 7 hidden benefits of cruising that might surprise you, more tips and resources for your cruise.

Below are our go-to companies when we cruise. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too. 

• Cruise : We find great deals at Cruise Direct .
• Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
• Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
• Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
• Set up private guides at the ports : Looking to maximize our limited time at a port, we often hire private guides .
• Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.

Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

Save for later

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

Have you been through the Panama Canal?

You might also like…

• Reflections of an 18-Night Princess Cruise – Is It for You?
• 10 Things to Try on Your Caribbean Islands Boating Adventure
• How I Easily Avoid Cruise Weight Gain While Enjoying Eating Onboard

Disclaimer: In addition to VIP treatment onboard the Island Princess, we were provided with many complimentary extras. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Richard Morgan

September 13, 2022 at 11:21 am

Your piece on transiting the Panama Canal is excellent. As a retired Canal executive and cruise ship lecturer for 20 years, I appreciate how you captured the interest and fascination most people experience on this bucket list trip, while getting the details exactly right. Few have done that. Good job!

August 31, 2022 at 12:55 am

That would be a fascinating trip!

Caroline Rita Muller

August 29, 2022 at 9:16 pm

That sounds like one hell of a cruise! It sure looks like it was a snug fit to get through the canal lock. It also looks like this specific line could be a lot of fun!

August 29, 2022 at 7:59 am

Wow! I love this unique trip of crossing the Panama canal by a cruise ship. It must have been an amazing experience of going through three-level lock system for raising and lowering the ship. Great pictures. Enjoyed reading your blog post. 🙂

August 29, 2022 at 5:15 am

I can see why this was on your bucket list. Such a unique thing to do, and something everyone hears so much about but it’s really good you got to experience it. I haven’t been on a cruise yet but I like that on this one that give you the history of the canal for those who are interested

Lisa | Waves and Cobblestones

August 29, 2022 at 2:09 am

Taking a cruise that goes through the Panama Canal is one of our bucket-list travel ideas! Usually those cruises are a bit longer though, so that one will have to wait a bit..

August 28, 2022 at 10:43 pm

I sailed through the Panama Canal on a P&O Cruise – just loved it. Your post brought back many memories.

August 28, 2022 at 8:38 pm

I didn’t know you could do a cruise there! So cool! Thanks for sharing.

August 28, 2022 at 1:34 pm

Absolutely loved how thorough this guide is, I’ve always wanted to do the Panama Canal, this is so useful. And the food looks gorgeous

Paul F. Pietrangelo

May 29, 2016 at 1:14 am

Thank you for this travel log. Some day I hope to do just what you are doing, going through the Panama Canal.

Cruisin Paul

Teresa Kindred

May 25, 2016 at 2:00 am

Love boats, water and the history of the Panama Canal!

May 23, 2016 at 10:56 am

My mouth is hanging open! I thought the reason for the locks was the fact that the Pacific was a different level than the Atlantic. And it cost the Island Princess WHAT?? $250,000 is huge! Just for passing through a canal? Well, considering the Panama Canal Authority’s location, it’s not like they have to worry about competition. Thanks loads for the great pics! 🙂

Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

May 23, 2016 at 5:00 am

Those aerial views are amazing! Funnily enough, I just picked up a chart of the southwest Caribbean Sea which shows the Panama Canal and have been thinking about how much fun it would be to go through it. I thought it was expensive to take a sailboat through, but it sure is expensive to transit a big ship like the one you were on.

Comedy Plus

May 23, 2016 at 3:59 am

Have never been through panama canal. I’m pretty sure we never will as both of us hate the cruise ships. It would be interesting to experience though.

Have a fabulous day and we’ll see you this evening. 🙂

May 22, 2016 at 9:32 pm

Hi Rhonda – brilliant photos and enough information to keep me happy … absolutely fascinating; I’d love to visit and see and learn more … but here you provided plenty to whet my appetite … cheers Hilary

May 22, 2016 at 6:05 pm

This is something that paul would love to do!! Seeing the pictures, there wasn’t much space left for the cruise. Amazing work to fit the cruise in the locks

Rhonda Albom

May 22, 2016 at 7:39 pm

Seems that the ships were built to size for this purpose.Based on the ship and canal dimensions, Jeff says there is .65m clearance on each of the two sides.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

May 22, 2016 at 12:08 pm

Thanks for the visual guide through the canal. Everyone knows about it, but few get to really see it.

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Privacy Overview

Island Princess - May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024.

May 9th - May 24th

Island Princess

Princess Cruise Line

15 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean

from San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

The May 9, 2024 cruise on the Island Princess departs from San Pedro (Los Angeles), California. On this 15 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean (Los Angeles To Ft. Lauderdale) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 16 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Island Princess sets sail on Thursday, May 9th and returns on Friday, May 24th.

Island Princess - May 9, 2024 - 15 Nights

The Island Princess was built in 2003 and is amoung Princess's 20 ships in it's fleet. The Island Princess is included in the cruise line's Coral class. In the cruise ship stats below you'll find the Island Princess vs all other Princess ships.

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Hollywood discovered this little fishing village back in the 1960's, and since then luxury resorts and bougainvillea-covered villas have flourished in the delightful seaside climate. Yet hints of past tranquility remain: cobbled courtyards where the locals hold their markets, and superb sport-fishing just offshore.

Huatulco is made up of the bays of Huatulco, which are lined with quaint villages. Huatulco is made up of three areas: La Crucecita, another town on the beach; Santa Cruz, a prime destination for beach-lovers; and Tangolunda, home to a number of upscale resorts. Recent reconstruction of Huatulco, lovely beaches, and waters full of interesting species hace created an environment very friendly to visitors.

Puntarenas is a paradise of sand beaches, pristine rainforests, and tranquil turquoise seas. Guests will find themselves in a watersport-lover's paradise, with fun-filled options ranging from water skiing to scuba diving readily available throughout the province. Puntarenas boasts mild weather and tropical sunshine, offering languid days to spend relaxing in the surf and sand.

Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.

Once the port where the wealth of the New World flowed back to the Old, Cartagena also served as a notorious base for privateers and pirates. Today, you can stroll the tree-lined Spanish colonial artistry of old in the streets and see the works of the Gold Museum. The port is also a great place to find bargains on emeralds.

Ft. Lauderdale has 23 miles of beaches, 300 miles of inland waterways and swimming pools galore, but immersing yourself in this city doesn't require a drop of water. Dive into a culture as deep as any ocean, a culture characterized by Seminoles and Broadway shows, golf and whimsical water taxis, fine cuisine and tasty jazz. And just like the horizon here, the list of attractions goes on and on.

• CruiseMapper
• Princess Cruises

Caribbean Princess

Cruise line Princess Cruises

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)
• Vancouver (BC Canada)
• Southampton (England)
• Whittier (Alaska)

Caribbean Princess current position

Caribbean Princess current location is at North Sea (coordinates 55.46763 N / 1.46769 E) cruising at speed of 10.2 kn (19 km/h | 12 mph) en route to Isle of Portland. The AIS position was reported 39 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Caribbean Princess

Caribbean Princess current cruise is 14 days, round-trip Ireland, Scottish Highlands Wales . The itinerary starts on 29 Aug, 2024 and ends on 12 Sep, 2024 .

Specifications of Caribbean Princess

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Caribbean Princess Itineraries

Caribbean princess review, review of caribbean princess.

The 2004-built Caribbean Princess cruise ship is the 6th Grand-class Princess Cruises liner, with sisterships Crown , Diamond , Golden (Pacific Adventure) , Grand , Emerald , Ruby , Star (Pacific Encounter) and Sapphire .

The vessel (IMO number 9215490) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310423000) and registered in Hamilton .

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau .

The 2600-passenger ship Caribbean Princess underwent a major drydock refit in early 2009 when were added facilities available on the younger fleet mates Crown, Emerald and Ruby. Now passengers spend hours sitting in the cosy, patio-style seating places, sipping coffee, reading, playing board games and watching occasional performers, ranging from a Cirque-type cube-spinner to a BMX biker. The new Piazza-Vines Wine Bar is the place to try over thirty wines by the glass while snacking on artisan cheeses, sushi and tapas. Of the changes, the most remarkable and appreciated, is the transformation of the former atrium into a new 3-deck-high, street-cafe-style Piazza - home to the International Cafe (a combination bakery, deli and coffee shop), Vines Wine & Seafood Bar, the Internet Cafe & Library, and an amusement zone.

Decks and Cabins

Most Caribbean Princess staterooms (1569 total, in 34 grades) are 170-ft2 balcony cabins (675). Almost 80% of the outside accommodations have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 25. The largest accommodations are the Grand Suites (615 ft2 / 57 m2 with terrace sized 115 ft2 / 11 m2).

The boat has 18 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Caribbean Princess features three dining rooms, all with twinkling lights on their ceilings and tasteful, Caribbean-themed menu. The Palm is for fixed-seating dining, while Island and Coral are for passengers who have chosen "Anytime Dining". Reservations are available but are not required. Coral also welcomes guests for waiter-service breakfast and lunch. Rotating menu options include soups, appetizers, mains and desserts. There are also signature pasta and choices like Caesar salad and salmon. The healthy Lotus Spa selections are low in sodium and fat. Cafe Caribe and Horizon Court look identical and are open all day long. The Horizon section serves as a lido buffet restaurant and features breakfast buffets. Lunch choices may include unusual dishes like peanut butter sandwiches and fried bananas. 

Follows the complete list of Caribbean Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Island Restaurant (ship's aft Dining Room; dinner only - offers “Anytime Dining” between 5:30 p.m. -10 p.m.)
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant, reservations recommended; on select days serves British Pub Lunch, complimentary)
• Coral Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Lunch 12-1:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; features “Anytime Dining” for Dinner between 5:30-8 p.m. or 8-10 p.m.)
• Palm Restaurant (dinner only aft Dining Room; with 2 fixed seatings at 6 p.m. or 8:15 p.m.)
• Sabatini’s Restaurant (Italian specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
• The Salty Dog Grill (replacing Trident Grill, self-service, complimentary fast food bar)
• World Fresh Marketplace (replacing Horizon Court, self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• Planks BBQ and Steamers Seafood (replacing Cafe Caribe, aft self-service buffet restaurant)
• Slice (formerly Pizzeria, with west and East Coast offerings, classic Neapolitan-style pizza)
• Coffee & Cones (formerly Scoops, offers free ice cream cones, treats of gourmet ice cream sandwiches, specialty coffee)

In April 2024 Princess Cruises announced that starting September 14th (2024) fleetwide would be introduced 3 distinct main dining/dinner table service options – Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. By the new program (introduced with Sun Princess) on each ship are allocated 3 separate dining rooms - one for Traditional dining (offering early and late dinner seating), one with Reservable times, and one for Walk-in Anytime (open-seating). The new options are integrated with the OceanNow service, allowing anything to be ordered anytime, and delivered anywhere onboard.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Princess Theater is the main venue on Caribbean Princess for comedy acts and production shows with a variety of music and selections appealing to a broad mix of ages. Each of the ship's venues has a different offering. Crooners feature music trivia contests and a pianist. Explorer's Lounge hosts events for everything from Wii sports tournaments to art auctions, plus comedy shows and magicians.

The Piazza offers various demonstrations, circus-lite acts and musical performances throughout the day. 

Club Fusion is a part game show, part nightclub venue. Skywalker Nightclub, Princess' trademark, hosts the 70s-, the 80s- and the 90s-inspired nights and a few nights with a variety of modern music.

For low-key dancing, head to the Wheelhouse Bar, which hosts combos playing standards and soft rock.

Follows the complete list of Caribbean Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Princess Caribbean Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Churchill Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
• Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Limelight Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Princess Caribbean Grand Casino
• Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars)
• Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly).
• Club Fusion Lounge (hosts dance classes and quizzes, after 7:30 p.m. becomes Disco & Nightclub)
• Scoops Bar (Sundaes Ice Cream Bar, complimentary)
• Outrigger Bar (poolside bar); Tradewinds Bar
• Caribbean’s Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Hearts & Minds (Wedding Chapel)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area)
• Camp Discovery (Youth Center)
• Calypso Reef & Pool area; Neptune’s Reef & Pool area; Pirate’s View Pool area (served by Morgan’s Bar)
• The Skywalker (Jogging Track); Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Princess Links mini golf course, Cybergolf simulator
• Skywalkers Disco & Nightclub

Reef Splash Zone (kids aquapark / without waterslides) was added during drydock refurb 2019. Read more in the ship's Wiki section .

Itineraries

Caribbean Princess itinerary program is based on seasonal deployment in Europe (voyages out of Southampton England UK ) and in the Caribbean (roundtrips from Port Canaveral/Fort Lauderdale Florida USA ). When changing regions (in spring and fall), the ship offers 2-week-long Transatlantic crossings between Europe and the USA (RepositionCruises.com).

Photos of Caribbean Princess

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Other Princess Cruises cruise ships

• Coral Princess
• Crown Princess
• Diamond Princess
• Discovery Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Grand Princess
• Island Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Sapphire Princess
• Sky Princess
• Star Princess
• Sun Princess

Caribbean Princess Wiki

Princess Cruises Caribbean ship belongs to company's Grand-class liners ( Fincantieri Monfalcone -built), with (same-designed) sisterships Crown  and  Emerald . The ship is slightly bigger than the other (similarly-designed) Grand-Class liners  Star (now Pacific Encounter) ,  Golden (now Pacific Adventure)  and  Grand . The reason for this is the additional cabin deck (Riviera Deck). The vessel also has no sliding roof to cover the swimming pool area as this liner was planned for exclusively Caribbean itineraries.

Ship's christening ceremony was on April 2, 2004, held in  Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) , from where also started the inaugural cruise (maiden voyage). Ship's godmother was Jill Whelan - US actress, best known for her role of Vicki Stubing in the 80's TV series "The Love Boat". The vessel was the biggest one in the fleet right until June 2013, when Royal Princess  entered into service.

Fun fact: Caribbean Princess is the first cruise vessel to have an open-air theatre/ outdoor movie screen (named "Movies under the Stars").

Ship's European maiden season was based on homeport Southampton England . Then, it was repositioned to  NYC New York  to operate Fall Foliage cruises to New England, then relocated back to Fort Lauderdale for roundtrip Caribbean itineraries. In April 2013, the liner was deployed back to Europe for the British Isles and various Northern European itineraries in Baltic Sea.

In early-September 2018, Caribbean Princess became fleet's first vessel with installed  Carnival Corporation's OceanMedallion technology  (wearable devices allowing passengers access to "virtual concierge" services and amenities, as well as interactive entertainment). The new technology also includes the MedallionNet - Wi-Fi connectivity via access points installed in every stateroom. Passengers on MedallionClass cruise liners experience land-like connection quality allowing streaming of movies, music, videos, video phone calls, real-time sharing on social media platforms.

Panama Canal cruise itineraries 2017

In 2017, Caribbean Princess made her maiden season of  Panama Canal transition cruises  through the new locks. The ship operated on the 10-day itinerary (with partial transits through the new Agua Clara locks) on roundtrips from  Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) . The ship's first ever transit was on October 26, 2017. Prices started from USD 1250 pp (double occupancy). This voyage also celebrated Princess Cruises' 50th anniversary of the 1967 crossing (world's first ever on passenger ship).

The fleet mates  Coral  and  Island  continued to transit the canal through the 3 old locks (Pedro Miguel, Miraflores, Gatun). The new locks were officially inaugurated on June 26, 2016. They are the result of a 9-year (USD 5,2 billion) construction project.

USA to Greenland itinerary 2019

A new Greenland cruise roundtrip from USA (NYC New York ) was revealed in January 2018 for the Princess Cruises Caribbean ship.

• The cruise departure was scheduled for August 19, 2019.
• The 16-days long itinerary's ports of call were in Greenland (Nanortalik, Nuuk, Qaqortoq) and Canada (Halifax, Sydney, St Johns).
• Cruise prices started from USD 2,500 pp (double occupancy Inside Cabin rate) plus additional USD 220 in Gov taxes and port fees.

Caribbean Princess refurbishment 2019 review

During drydock 2019 refurbishment (in June, done in Freeport Bahamas ) on the ship was installed fleet's first-ever waterpark - Reef Splash Zone (without waterslides!). Located aft-portside on Deck 17/Sports Deck (beneath the ramp leading to Skywalkers Nightclub on Deck 18), the water park was added as a new section to the original aft swimming pool (Pirate's View). The redesigned area now includes a large-sized Splashpad (outdoor water playground) fitted with splash pool, water cannons, water sprays, showers, interactive whale-like structure (with a "raining" fluke). The surrounding lounging area (designed for families with kids) was updated with new patio furniture (comfortable sectionals, chairs, sunloungers, padded garden couches with tables), new fixtures and finishes. The existing swimming pool, whirlpool hot tub (large outdoor Jacuzzi) and poolside bar (Morgan's Bar) were also renovated.

The newly-added Game Zone hosts family fun competitions and features oversized backyard games (the likes of Jenga, Cornhole, Connect Four). At Morgan's Bar (kids-friendly) parents can enjoy mocktails and cocktails. The surrounding lounge area is furnished with comfortable sectionals. The water-park is protected by wind panels (throughout the area) while its Shade Canopy (aft-starboard) is a sun-protected seating area covered with canvas canopies. The music system and lighting were upgraded (to the steps and swimming pool) and new wall lighting was installed for the evening open-deck parties, activities (including stargazing and educational kids programs) and themed events.

On Deck 16, the Spa complex (forward) was renovated, redesigned and updated with contemporary artworks and signage. On Deck 16 aft, at Camp Discovery Youth Center (kids-only complex for children 3-12 yo), the Outdoor Play Area was upgraded with an interactive water table for current itinerary/destination-themed fun activities.

Caribbean Princess refurbishment 2017 review

During the ship's 2017 drydock refurbishment (March 25 - April 5, done in Freeport Bahamas) resulted in the following deckplan changes:

• New kids area ("Camp Discovery" / kids and teen center) was added aft on deck 17.
• Pool deck's MUTS screen ("Movies Under the Stars" / 850-seat outdoor movie theatre) was upgraded.
• The number of interconnecting cabins (for families) was increased with an additional 87 pairs.
• (Lido Deck 15) "Horizon Court" was replaced by "World Fresh Marketplace". The ship's new buffet restaurant now has new decor, improved layout and more food options. Breakfast includes 24-hour cereal station, designer pancake station, hot cereal choices (like shrimp & grits and polenta porridge). Lunch includes hand-crafted sandwiches, regionally-inspired soups, a wide selection of meats (sausages, hams, roasted). Dinner includes family comfort foods, PB&J bar ("Peanut Butter and Jelly").  Nighttime buffet offerings include live-action cooking station (stir-fry, customized pasta, salads).
• (Lido Deck 15) the ship now has 2 casual specialty restaurants formed from the old "Cafe Caribe". Both restaurants are designed for families with kids. The first at-fee restaurant ("Planks BBQ") serves family-style meat planks (ribs, beef, sausages, chicken) plus sides (fries, chili, coleslaw, charred toast, dill pickles).  Dinner here is served and costs USD 12 pp.  Free buffet-style breakfast and lunch here include customizable breakfast bowls, signature soup, fresh-made salads, fork & knife sandwiches. The second at-fee restaurant ("Steamers Seafood" offers steamers with regionally sourced seafood (Black and Blue Mussels, Scallops and Sausage, Classic Clams, Crab-stuffed Flounder).  Dinner is served and costs USD 12 pp.  Free buffet-style breakfast and lunch choices include egg dishes and ramen bowls.
• Following the 2017 refurbishment, the ship's pool deck (15) offers 4 outdoor dining options. "The Salty Dog Grill" (formerly "Trident Grill") offers “The Ernesto” burger (best at sea), other specialty beef burgers (with handmade patties and buns), also Street Tacos (with grilled chipotle-lime chicken or roasted sweet potato, corn tortillas), fries and classic hot dogs. "Slice Pizzeria" (formerly "Prego Pizzeria") offers Neapolitan-style pizzas, Deep Dish Focaccia (with marinara, meatballs, cheese), California Artisanal Toast, Sliced Stromboli (calzone filled with deli meats and cheese). "Coffee & Cones" (formerly "Scoops Bar") offers gourmet ice cream sandwiches, free ice cream cones, specialty coffees and teas. "THE MIX" (formerly "Blackbeard’s Bar") / poolside drinks bar) was updated and redesigned.
• The specialty Italian Trattoria restaurant Sabatini’s (formerly "SHARE by Curtis Stone", on Promenade Deck 7) was redesigned, debuting a new menu with antipasti and handmade pasta dishes by celebrity chef Angelo Auriana, Sabatini’s new menu was implemented fleetwide in 2017. Angelo Auriana is an Executive Chef and partner in the Los Angeles' Italian restaurants "The Factory Kitchen" and "Officine BRERA". Chef Auriana's dishes are based on using old-world grains (like buckwheat and durum wheat) giving them the protein strength necessary to keep the house-made pasta's shape. He also uses numerous non-traditional herbs (like mints and marjoram).

All stateroom beds (a total of 3200 units) were replaced with the company's signature "Princess Luxury Beds”.

Carnival's Ocean Medallion technology was installed in September 2018.

• View all Panama Canal Articles
• Explore Panama Canal

Booking a Panama Canal Cruise: Cruise Ships, Sights and Attractions

If you want to explore the Panama Canal and experience the culture in this region of the world, there's no better way to do so than a Panama Canal cruise holiday, where you'll have the opportunity to see all of the sights and engage with the locals, making for a memorable trip you'll be talking about for years.

There are several Panama Canal cruise ship options to choose from, and every Princess cruise ship to this region is well-suited for couples and families with children alike. Regardless of whether you choose a Panama Canal shore excursion or a luxurious cruise that stops at some of the liveliest ports, you're bound to make memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

The Coral Princess

The Coral Princess is the perfect choice for those who want a beautiful view of the ocean. Approximately 90 percent of the staterooms on this vessel offer travellers a great view of the water as they travel to their destination. There are also about 700 balconies, giving visitors a marvellous opportunity to see the canal and all of its splendours as they make their way through the region.

If you've always wanted to get a taste of New Orleans, travelling on the Coral Princess is a great way to do so. At the Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse, you can take in a live jazz show while dining on New Orleans-inspired cuisine.

With the abundance of lounges throughout the Coral Princess, you'll never run out of places to meet and greet other travellers. Throughout the ship, there are also luxurious dining areas, bars and a casino for adults to enjoy, relax and unwind.

The Island Princess

Specifically designed to travel through the Panama Canal, the Island Princess is a great choice for those who want to experience a new culture in this region. This ship also has approximately 700 balconies and a majority of its staterooms give travellers a magnificent view of the ocean.

Similar to the Coral Princess, the Island Princess also has New Orleans-inspired cuisine and The Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse for those who want a taste of this unique culture. There are also several lounges, a Lotus Spa and a casino for those who want to kick back and relax. Travelling on the Island Princess can make this one of the most memorable Panama Canal cruise holidays of your lifetime.

We also sail on the Caribbean Princess to the Panama Canal on From the East Coast and Ocean to Ocean itineraries. Refurbished in March 2017, with a guest capacity of over 3,000, the Caribbean Princess offers more luxurious amenities, staterooms, and delicious cuisine to bring you deep into the history and culture of the Panama Canal.

Attractions and sites to see in the Panama Canal

Once you arrive in the Panama Canal, there will be plenty to see and explore. Even if you've been to the canal before, there's always something new to see when you return. One activity you might want to consider while you're in the area is snorkelling or diving. The warm waters of the canal and the abundance of wildlife make this a great place to explore marine life.

If you aren't interested in getting wet, there are plenty of other activities you can try to get your fill of all the Panama Canal has to offer. There are many forests throughout the area and professionals who provide tours of the natural surroundings, in addition to the wide array of exotic birds that live in the area. Even if you aren't experienced in bird watching, experts can help you recognise and spot some of these beautiful winged creatures.

When planning your trip to the Panama Canal, make a point to book your cruise with Princess for a memorable, fun-filled experience.

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