Panama Canal Ocean to Ocean Full Crossing Cruise
Port Information Quick Links
The 8 Days at Sea are distributed at various times through out this voyage and are not listed above.
Day 1 – Los Angeles, California – Wed Dec 29th – Depart 3:00pm
Overview
The City of Angels always hovers between dream and reality. Once a near-forgotten colonial outpost, the pueblo metamorphosed into an agrarian paradise before reinventing itself as a movie colony. Perhaps no other city owes so much to the technological innovations of the 20th century, from the automobile to the airplane. Little wonder that LA is oft described as the “dream machine.” In LA, reinvention is a way of life. Yet this talent for change has created a city with a rich ethnic diversity and a sizzling culture. LA is the source for trends that migrate across the country and then the world. Where else can you enjoy a Thai taco or munch on a kosher burrito? Or travel from downtown’s high rises to the beaches of Malibu, shopping in Beverly Hills along the way? Los Angeles is a port of embarkation and disembarkation for some cruises.
Hollywood Boulevard
This popular boulevard is home to the Walk of Fame, star footprints at TCL Chinese Theater, a dining/shopping complex, The Dolby (formerly Kodak) Theater, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum and Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum.
TCL Chinese Theater (Formerly Grauman’s)
Featuring elaborate Chinese-style architecture, and over 200 Hollywood legends hand and foot prints set in the concrete of its forecourt, this landmark is the most sought-after theater for movie premieres.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios Hollywood is “The Entertainment Capital of L.A.” and the only movie and television-based theme park to offer guests the authenticity of a working movie studio, bringing the magic of Hollywood to life. Universal Studios Hollywood includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour and the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex.
Olvera Street
The birthplace of the City of Los Angeles, this colorful village features 27 historic buildings, a Mexican-style plaza, and a marketplace offering traditional Mexican food and handcrafted Mexican wares.
Disney Concert Hall/Music Center
Featuring stainless steel curves on its striking exterior, this 3.6-acre complex designed by architect Frank Gehry is one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world.
Hollywood Bowl
Designed in 1919 by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. , this iconic bowl-shaped amphitheater has hosted some of L.A.’s most memorable musical moments, including symphonies, opera, jazz, ballet, presidential addresses and rock concerts.
Beverly Hills
Playground to the rich, the famous and the glamorous, Beverly Hills is the home of some of California’s most opulent homes, hotels and personalities.
Santa Monica Pier
Built in 1909, this world-famous pier on the sparkling Pacific features an amusement park, a trapeze school, an ocean-front walk, an aquarium, an historic carousel, shops, eateries and an arcade.
Day 4 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Sat Jan 1st – Arrive 8:00am Depart 4:00pm
Overview
Puerto Vallarta was sleepy no more; its transformation into an international resort had begun. Then director John Huston chose the village as the location for his film “Night of the Iguana,” starring Richard Burton. Today, the city has its own “Gringo Gulch,” a haunt of the rich and famous. Travelers are also drawn by its climate, its excellent shopping – which offers great values on leather goods, jewelry, and handicrafts – and mile after mile of palm-lined beaches.
The Malecon
The city’s popular boardwalk by the beach is lined with shops, restaurants and artists selling their wares. Begin your stroll at the Los Milenos sculpture by Mathis Lidice and head southward.
Las Caletas
Accessible only by boat, this secluded cove on the southern shores of Banderas Bay is surrounded by lush jungle and features pristine beaches for an exclusive private paradise.
Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The cathedral features a gilded crown, a replica of one worn by Carlota, empress of Mexico. A 1995 earthquake damaged the crown and sculptor Octavio Gonzales created its replacement.
Tequila Hacienda
Discover the fascinating process of tequila making, from its origins in the blue agave cactus to your glass, and sample Puerto Vallarta’s finest at Hacienda Doña Engracia.
Yelapa
The tiny town and crescent-shaped beach of the same name is situated in a cove off Banderas Bay, south of Puerto Vallarta. Sleepy and remote, the only way to get there is by boat.
Isla Marietas
This series of uninhabited islands offers kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving around the periphery of the islands where you can bird-watch as it is a haven for all matter of winged species.
Dolphin Encounter
Get acquainted with new underwater friends at the Dolphin Adventure Center. Kids can kiss the dolphins and meet their curious babies, while adults may indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime belly ride.
Outdoor Adventure
Become one with nature as you zipline and rappel through the Mexican jungle, view the countryside by powerful ATV, or go kayaking and snorkeling in the warm waters of Puerto Vallarta.
Day 6 – Huatulco, Mexico – Mon Jan 3rd – Arrive 8:00am Depart 4:00pm
Overview
Nine bays bordered by 36 golden-sand beaches form the beautiful Las Bahias de Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca. Welcome to Mexico’s newest resort on the Pacific Riviera. Huatulco is a tropical Eden with crystalline waters, coral reefs, and uncrowded beaches. Inland, the rugged coast range is thickly carpeted with rainforest and coffee plantations. While Huatulco is still in its early stages of development, travelers may note that the resort has a different feel from other destinations on the Mexican Riviera. That’s because large areas of Huatulco have been designated as an ecological reserve. Huatulco is located in the state of Oaxaca where the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.
Bahia de Huatulco
Located at the southern tip of the Southern Sierra Madre mountains, the beautiful Bay of Huatulco is Mexico’s largest ecological reserve and home to many unspoiled sandy beaches.
Santa Cruz Bay
This stunning bay is famed for it’s ‘sleeping man’ rock formation and ‘blowhole’, an ocean-side rock formation that foams like a geyser.
La Crucecita
A traditional artisanal Oaxacan town that features a charming plaza, and peaceful white-washed church that houses the largest painting of the Virgin de Guadalupe, in Mexico.
Tangolunda Bay
Along with Chahue and Organo Bays, Tangolunda is famed for its panoramic views of Huatulco’s coastline, fabulous resort hotels and golden-sandy beaches.
Piedra de Moros
A community kitchen in La Crucecita where local chefs demonstrate how to make regional foods, including delicious tortillas and tamales.
Copalita River
This amazing river, four miles north-east of the Tangolunda bay, is home to precious trees including cedar, mahogany and almond, and also 227 species of birds such as egrets and falcons.
Copalita Point Eco-Archaeological Center
Under excavation since 1997, the ruins of a significant pre-Columbian civilization, the Mixtec, include pyramids, burial grounds and a ball court dating to 500B.C. A modern museum displays additional artifacts from Mesoamerican cultures.
Las Brisas Resort
The rustic and relaxing Las Brisas beach resort in Huatulco, sits perched above the beautiful Tangolunda coastline and is almost hidden by 50 acres of wild lush terrain.
Day 7 – Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala – Tue Jan 4th – Arrive 12:00pm Depart 8:00pm
Overview
Guatemala is located in the northern-most part of Central America and is one of the largest countries in this region. It boasts 37 volcanoes, a rich Mayan heritage, Lake Atitlan, and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Antigua. Once the center of the impressive ancient Mayan civilization, Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. These issues have now faded into the past and today Guatemala is a thriving democracy with many varying landscapes, activities and historical venues waiting to be discovered. Enjoy an African safari in the hot and tropical Pacific Coast or explore the cool Mayan highlands where Lake Atitlan and the colonial city of Antigua are located. There is something for every traveler’s interest in Guatemala. Note: Due to time constraints in port, some tours may not be available on every voyage. Please refer to your Cruise Personalizer on princess.com for a complete list of tours available during your cruise. Tour content may vary based on the amount of time in port.
Antigua
Surrounded by mountains and towering volcanoes, this picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site features cobblestone streets, lovely shopping plazas, charming colonial architecture and beautifully restored 300 year-old churches, palaces and convents.
Convent de las Capuchinas
Consecrated in 1736, this convent features a museum, offices for the National Council for the Protection of Antigua and ruins that include a mysterious subterranean chamber and chapel nave.
Iglesia La Merced
Featuring an elaborately ornate yellow and white Baroque façade flanked by two bell towers, this church dates back to the 17th century when it was established as part of a monastery.
La Azotea Cultural Center
Located on a coffee estate, this cultural center features a coffee museum, the Mayan Music Museum housing pre-Columbian Mayan instruments, and the Rincon de Sacatepéquez Museum showcasing traditional Guatemalan dress.
Lake Atitlan
Nestled in the highlands surrounded by volcanoes, this region is home to the modern Maya who distinguish themselves with elaborately woven and stitched clothing that illustrates their beliefs and history.
Volcanoes
The rugged and primordial landscape of Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes. Among them is the majestic and quite active 8,371-ft. Pacaya Volcano which attracts 65,000 visitors annually.
Coffee Plantation
With varied microclimates, ideal rainfall patterns and rich soils, Guatemala is home to coffee plantations that have been producing some of the world’s finest coffees for over a hundred years
Chapin Nature Park
This breathtaking nature reserve features a walk-through zoo and a drive-through safari, where you can observe free-roaming wild animals from Africa and Guatemala from the comfort of your air-conditioned transportation.
Day 9 – Puntarenas, Costa Rica – Thu Jan 6th – Arrive 7:00am Depart 7:00pm
Overview
To Spanish explorers, the rumors of gold and vast riches could only mean that this section of Central America was the costa rica – the “Rich Coast.” Hailed as the Switzerland of the Americas, Costa Rica occupies a unique position, lying between two oceans and two continents. On both coasts, tropical rainforests rise to the mountains of the interior, many of which soar over 13,000 feet above sea level. In the west, a seemingly endless succession of brown-sand beaches forms the nation’s Pacific coast. Puntarenas is your gateway to Costa Rica’s wonders – and to its capital city of San Jose.
San Jose & National Theater
Costa Rica’s vibrant capital city is home to the Gold Museum, the spectacular Metropolitan Cathedral, the historic National Museum (the scene of fighting during the 1948 civil war), and the National Theater, considered to be the country’s most beautiful building.
River Cruise
Costa Rica’s river cruises glide through the tropical mangroves where crocodiles, lizards and waterfowl roam, but the Corobici River is a prime waterway for a laid-back river raft float.
Coffee Plantation
Coffee production has always played a key role in the country’s history and is important for the economy. Tour a sprawling plantation to discover how coffee is produced, from bean to cup.
Costa Rica Animal Center
Dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of Costa Rica’s endangered wildlife back into the wild, the center is home to sloths, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, owls and and other animals.
Sarchi
Sarchi, a friendly rural village, is famous for its talented local artists who paint and decorate traditional oxcarts in intricate, vivid designs. It is also home to the largest oxcart in the world.
Costa Rica Rainforest
From the misty treetops of the Monteverde Cloud Forest to the brilliantly-colored scarlet macaws who call Carara National Park their home, Costa Rica’s lush rainforests are full of intrigue.
Thermal Springs
Set near a hidden canyon where a thermo-mineral river flows, the springs are also famous for their natural mineral hot pools and exuberant vegetation.
Rainforest Aerial Tram
Costa Rica’s incredible Rainforest Aerial Tram offers an intimate ride above the treetops and past numerous waterfalls while a knowledgeable naturalist guide points out highlights along the way.
Day 11 – Fuerte Amador (Panama City) – Sat Jan 8th – Arrive 7:00am Depart 9:00pm
Overview
Fuerte Amador, situated at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, is a man-made peninsula extending out into the Pacific Ocean.The one-mile causeway was created by connecting four small islands with rocks excavated from the Panama Canal. There are several shops, restaurants, and other specialty stores centered around a large marina that serves as a tender dock. The causeway also affords a panoramic view of Panama City’s impressive skyline and serves as the home for the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research. Note: Depending on the voyage, Fuerte Amador may be an anchorage port, passengers transfer to shore via ship’s tender. On complete transits of the Panama Canal, the ship typically arrives in Fuerte Amador in the morning, operates tours and spends the full day at anchor.
Panama Viejo / Casco Viejo
Central America’s historic and cultural roots are celebrated and displayed in Panama’s oldest settlements, where exceptional museums, archeological ruins, and Colonial streets, churches, and monuments tell the story of the city’s tragic past.
Canal Locks
On the Atlantic side, the three chambers of the Gatun Locks raise ships 87 feet above sea level, while the Miraflores Locks transfer 26 million gallons of water in under seven minutes at its Pacific end.
Panama Canal Railway
Ride the world’s first transcontinental railway. Experience Panama’s rainforest setting along the historic route originally built in 1855 during the heyday of the California gold rush.
Panama Canal Transit
Experience the thrill of canal transit and the intricacy of the lock’s system firsthand as your ferry is lifted over 85 feet above sea level, from one body of water to the next.
Cruise Gatun Lake
A jungle boat excursion through the dense rainforest highlights the abundance of exotic wildlife and breathtaking scenery found along this vital waterway, a key component of the Panama Canal’s intricate system.
Embera Natives
Experience traditional Embera hospitality when you are invited into a world of ancient ritual, native culture, and timeless wonder. Watch a ceremonial dance routine, explore the unspoiled grounds, and marvel at the exquisite handmade crafts.
Aerial Tram & Soberania National Park
Nestled within the vast Soberania National Park, an aerial tram soars over the Gamboa Rainforest, a jungle paradise and complex ecological system that showcases some of the most spectacular vegetation and wildlife in the world.
Panama Canal Expansion
Get a close-up view of the engineering and construction behind the canal’s expansion. The massive project includes widening Gatun Lake and creating two new sets of locks in 2016.
Day 12 – Panama Canal Full Transit Historic Locks – Sun Jan 9th – Arrive 6:00am Depart 4:30pm
Overview
Cruising through the Panama Canal will be one of the unforgettable experiences of your voyage.It takes approximately eight hours to navigate the 50-mile waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, allowing you to experience firsthand one of the engineering marvels of the 20th century. Completed in 1914, the canal marks the culmination of a dream born in 1513, when Balboa became the first European to cross the Isthmus of Panama and sight the Pacific. In 1880 Ferdinand de Lesseps and the French Canal company, builders of the Suez Canal, began construction in Panama, only to be defeated by disease, staggering cost overruns, and massive engineering problems. The French sold their claim and properties to the United States for $40 million, a staggering loss of $247 million on their investment. The United States began construction in 1904, completing the project in 10 years at a cost of $387 million. Building the canal meant solving three problems: engineering, sanitation, and organization. The project, for example, required carving a channel through the Continental Divide and creating the then-largest man-made lake ever built, as well as defeating yellow fever and other tropical maladies. The United States oversaw the operation of the Panama Canal until December 31, 1999, when the Republic of Panama assumed responsibility for the canal’s administration. The Panamanian government controls the canal through the Panama Canal Authority, an independent government agency created for the purpose of managing the canal.PLEASE NOTE: A full transit of the Panama Canal provides guests the opportunity to enjoy this engineering marvel and the beautiful nature surrounding it. Guests will spend this day onboard the ship. Shore excursions will not be offered as the ship spends the majority of the day transiting the canal and its three sets of locks.
Day 14 – Aruba – Tue Jan 11th – Arrive 7:00am Depart 4:00pm
Overview
Dutch influence still lingers on this balmy Caribbean island, part of the former Netherlands Antilles until its independence in 1986. Aruba is a contrast: the island’s arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up its coast. Aruba’s long and colorful heritage is reflected in its dialect. Called Papiamento, it is a tongue that combines elements of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, African and English.
California Lighthouse
Perched on a high elevation and named after the steamship “California,” which sunk off the coast of Aruba, this lighthouse was built in 1910, and offers stunning views of the island and coastline.
Oranjestad
Oranjestad, Aruba’s largest port, is the island’s capital and offers the best shopping experience on its main street. It is also known for its impressive Dutch Colonial architecture.
The “Antilla” Shipwreck
The 400-foot “Antilla” is one of the Caribbean’s largest shipwrecks and also one of its most popular attractions. It was sunk during World War II and is home to many kinds of exotic sea life.
Baby Natural Bridge
Baby Natural Bridge is a stunning rock and coral formation. The original Natural Bridge fell into the sea in 2005, but the smaller bridge remains a must-see island highlight.
Ayo or Casibari Rock Formations
These dramatic formations are shaped by boulders, some the size of small houses and weighing several tons. Arawak Indians would visit in order to hear incoming thunderstorms and draw on the rocks.
Ostrich Attraction
Dozens of extroverted ostriches and emus live at this unusual farm, where you can get an up-close look at the gawky creatures’ life cycle and even try hand feeding them.
Beaches
Aruba is famous for gorgeous, palm-tree lined white sandy beaches which are home to calm clear waters, making them perfect locations for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.
Butterfly Farm
Aruba’s Butterfly Farm is home to hundreds of exotic butterflies who fly freely within large meshed enclosures. Witness all stages of their life cycle and with guidance, handle these tiny creatures.
Day 17 – Fort Lauderdale – Fri Jan 14th – Arrive 7:00am
Overview
According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is “where the boys are.” The city’s reputation as America’s Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the “Yachting Capital of the World,” with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the “Venice of America” with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping. The city sits 24 miles north of Miami and is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. Look hard and you might find remnants of three of them today. More people seem to be interested in taking a water tour aboard the “Carrie B.”
Everglades
The Florida Everglades are home to many endangered species, so airboat rides through the ‘River of Grass’ are the perfect way to view the wildlife.
Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary
This ecologically-friendly estate, home to over a dozen flamingos, is set on 60 acres and showcases rare native and exotic plants. It also offers tram rides around their fun free-flight aviary.
Fort Lauderdale Beach
The City of Fort Lauderdale boasts more than seven miles of white sandy beaches, offering every kind of water sport, as well as many delightful shops and cafés.
Intracoastal Waterway
With more than 300 miles of inland waterways that pass by five-star hotels and million-dollar estates, this unique stretch of water has become known as the “Venice of America.”
Las Olas Boulevard
The trendy Riverwalk district in downtown Fort Lauderdale features a host of fabulous art galleries, eclectic boutiques and busy sidewalk cafés – perfect for a stroll.
Sawgrass Mills
One of the largest shopping centers in South Florida, Sawgrass Mills features more than 350 retail outlet and brand-name stores.
South Beach
Twenty miles from the port is the international attraction known as South Beach, a trendy colorful part of Miami Beach, just across the causeway from downtown Miami.
17 Day – PANAMA CANAL – FULL TRANSIT SCENIC HISTORIC OCEAN TO OCEAN CROSSING
December 28, 2027 – January 14, 2028
Princess Cruises – Island Princess
Ports of Call: Los Angeles, California | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Huatulco, Mexico | Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala | Puntarenas, Costa Rica | Fuerte Amador, Panama | Aruba | Fort Lauderdale, Florida \ 8 Days at Sea
Prices start at $5420 * for a balcony cabin – Includes pre-cruise hotel stay, beverage package, free WiFi, gratuities, port fees, taxes, insurance and transfers
Ready to get away on your cruise to exotic and interesting places?
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