The BRIDGE BETWEEN WORLDS or THE BIG DITCH, as the Panama Canal is known, was officially opened in 1914.  Built despite malaria, yellow fever, and 130 degree days, workers crossed fifty miles of jungle and built six immense locks.  On August 15, 1914, the steamer ss ANCON made the 50 mile inaugural transit in nine hours; this initial voyage saved some 9,000 miles from the usual trip around Cape Horn.

In order to provide the water needed to operate the locks, an earthen dam was built across the Chagres River causing flooding which created Gatun Lake, the center point of the Panama Canal.  Gatum Lake is the scenic cruising “turn around point” for many of the Panama Canal 10 day round trip itinerary from Florida ports.

 For years, ships were designed and built to fit the locks of the Panama Canal.  A maximum width of 106 feet and maximum length of 965 feet is necessary to travel though the locks of the Panama Canal.  To accommodate the many ships that are now being built to much larger dimensions, Panama officials are presently constructing 2 new enormous sets of single-lane, three-step locks.  Workers are in the process of dredging over 130 million cubic meters of rock and soil to accommodate the expanded canal.  

 Cruising through the Panama Canal is usually done when the ships are moving from the Atlantic or Caribbean to ports on the Pacific coast (or the reverse).  Early spring and fall are usually the time frames for such repositioning cruises.  As itineraries change though, some Panama cruises take place at different times in the calendar year.  The R/T Florida shorter cruises are usually offered throughout the year.

 As you travel through the Panama Canal, a full day trip, most ships have a canal commentator speaking throughout the transit.  The commentator gives the history of the canal, points out interesting points of interest, and speaks of the construction and working of  canal engineering.  It is an extremely interesting day of introduction to one of the construction marvels of our modern world.  You are right there, actually only a few feet from the sides of the locks, experiencing the engineering marvel built under by the United States under President Theodore Roosevelt.

 Many of the Panama Canal cruises feature Caribbean and Central America stops before or after the canal sailings.  Cruises range from 12- 30+ days.  You may experience the Panama Canal on sailings that continue on to South American and South Pacific ports.  Some sailings even make it possible to leave Florida, travel to west coast ports and return to Florida ports.

 If you have always dreamed of sailing through the Panama Canal, give us a call at 800/829-9781 and we will discuss with you the various itineraries and cruise lines that might suit your specific time frame.  Or E Mail us at axatravel@aol.com, and we will work up specific cruises and detailed quotes to make that Panama Canal sailing a reality.