Panama Canal No vacation comes close to the
dramatic scope of an epic journey through the Panama
Canal – from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the
white-sand beaches of the Pacific Coast. Experience
the best of the Panama Canal with the convenience of
a roundtrip cruise. Linking the mighty Atlantic and
Pacific oceans took over three centuries, two nations
and overcoming many obstacles to turn an ambitious idea
into the eighth wonder of the world. The Panama Canal
is beauty and function on a scale beyond compare – nature,
machine and man working in total harmony. If
you dream of snorkeling coral reefs, kayaking turquoise
waters, swimming with dolphins, or simply soaking up
the sun on white sand beaches, you’ll find all these
pleasures and more on a cruise to the Panama Canal and
its surrounding destinations. Tropical rainforests are
bastions of primeval life – each one its own delicate
ecosystem teeming with the rare wonders of nature. Immerse
yourself in a variety of diverse exotic habitats. The
wildlife in the Panama Canal region is as unique and
breathtaking as the Canal itself.
Discover
beautiful and historic ports of call in Mexico, Costa
Rica and the Caribbean. Turquoise waters and white-sand
beaches, coral reefs and tropical forests, exotic wildlife,
colorful histories of pirates and adventurers, fascinating
national treasures, duty free shopping for emeralds
and native handicrafts all await you. Join
us on the cruise that relives a dramatic chapter in
history, when two oceans were joined in an earth-moving
endeavor that altered the geography of the America's
forever. Dams stopped the rivers in their tracks. Valleys
became lakes. Mountains, islands. The Continental Divide
was reduced by a winding channel. Such events are upstaged
only by the ingenious workings of the finished product. Come
marvel as three giant locks raise, then lower your cruise
ship from one ocean to another, using no other power
than the force of gravity - and 53 million gallons of
water! And learn all the interesting details of the
Canal's history and construction as a guide from the
Panama Canal Commission joins your ship for the day.
On your voyage through Panama's magnificent canal, you'll
sail along deep-emerald jungles adorned with brilliantly
colored birds and flowers. As you inch closer to other
exotic destinations such as Acapulco and Puerto Caldera,
your ship glides along the dramatic, rock-walled Gaillard
Cut and sails over Gatun Lake - one of the largest man-made
lakes on earth. Panama
- Port City - Balboa Balboa is a suburb located
to the west of Panama City, a modern and thriving commercial
hub that stretches along the Pacific coast from the
ruins of the Old Panama in the east to the
canal in the west. Visit the 17th-century buildings
in the Casco Viejo, the old district of
San Felipe, the Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo, or
explore the tropical rainforest at the Soberania National
Park. Panama
- Port City - Cristobol This harbor is Panamas
gateway to the Atlantic. Hundreds of ships visit the
busy port as they enter or exit the Canal. They wait
here for specially trained pilots that will take them
through the Canal. Panama
- Port City - Gatun This artificial lake, flooded
by the damming of the Chagres river, was the largest
artificial lake in the world until the flooding of Mead
Lake, product of the Hoover Dam in Nevada, United States.
Panama
- Port City - Panama Canal This fifty-mile-long
waterway is one of the great engineering achievements
of all times. The complex system of locks lifts ships
85 feet when they journey through the isthmus. The canal
eliminated the need to journey around Cape Horn, South
Americas stormy tip, providing new opportunities
for global trade and travel.
Panama - Port City - Taboga When you arrive
in Taboga, youll be immersed in peaceful and lovely
surroundings, with white sandy beaches and crystal clear
waters under a warm tropical sun. Relax on the pretty
beaches or enjoy snorkeling in a colorful underwater
wonderland.
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