The Panama Canal Cruise
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 Taking a cruise
through the Panama Canal on your way to or from other destinations is
one of the most common ways tourists get to know Panama. A full transit of the canal can be, in our opinion, a little
boring. However, this is a fascinating and educational visit
that can be enjoyed by many, so we recommend a partial canal
transit for visitors who are in Panama and want to see the canal
from a ship's eye view.
Canal Transits
The Panama Canal, nearing its 100th year anniversary, is Panama's
most popular tourist attraction. The best way to experience the
canal is in a cruise onboard the Pacific Queen. During your
transit, you will have the unique opportunity to see the Canal up
close in operation. You will transit with the big ships and see
the tug boats in operation and of course, the locks themselves.
You can feel the sensation of going up or down to get from one
ocean to the other. A once in a lifetime adventure and experience,
whether it be a partial or full transit, Panama Marine Adventures
looks forward to transiting you through the Panama Canal.
Partial Transit (4 hrs)
Our tour starts at the Panama Canal Dredging Division in Gamboa
which is located at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the
Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known
as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the
main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through
the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of
history and geological value. Your vessel will travel the
Cut's 13.7 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you
transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous
maintenance that this area requires, because it is very
susceptible to landslides.
Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of
the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which
crosses over the Canal. Next, your vessel will enter Pedro
Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific
side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You
will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body
of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks,
the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the
Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks the vessel is lowered 18 meters
in two distinct steps.
Once in the Pacific Ocean, the vessel will sail to the beautiful
Flamenco Marina where passengers disembark. On the way to
Flamenco, you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and
later, you will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama
City's splendorous skyline.
Tour includes:
Bilingual guide/narrator
Lunch is served on the boat and includes various Panamanian dishes,
soft drinks and water
Transportation
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