We’re the destination experts. Every year, we sail more voyages to the Panama Canal than any other cruise line, so no one knows the exotic jungles of Panama, the historic roads of Colombia or the sandy beaches of Aruba like Princess®.
Photo: Cartagena, Colombia
Princess® has joined forces with Discovery™ to introduce Discovery at SEA, offering immersive experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Onboard, participate in hands-on activities and events. On shore, Discovery™ and Animal Planet™ recommended excursions and exclusive options you can only get from Princess.
Photo: Schooner cruise in Aruba
Yes, the Panama Canal is a true wonder... But beyond the locks, there’s even more to see. Walk among the ruins of Casco Viejo, the original site of Panama City, a UNESCO site. Visit the architectural marvel known as the BioMuseo. Part art, part science, this museum is acclaimed as Panama’s newest icon. Enjoy traditional native music, song and dance at Embera village. See wildlife in their natural habitat as you cruise through Gatun Lake.
Photo: Casco Viejo, Panama
Enjoy a gentle rafting adventure down the beautiful Corobici River in Puntarenas. Explore a vibrant rainforest filled with exotic tropical plants as you ride in a leisure boat down the world famous Tortuguero Canals. Be alert to spot the bird life along the riverbank as well as other animals such as caimans, turtles, monkeys, and sloths!
Photo: Veragua rainforest
Cartagena is a vibrant city that harbors a fascinating and colorful past, and a lively, welcoming present. Admire the architecture of Cartagena’s Old City, born at the height of the Spanish empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Shop the quaint markets in search of that perfect souvenir. Applaud a Colombian folkloric professional dance and music show. Design your own emerald jewelry with a hands-on class.
Photo: Old City in Cartagena
From the Pyramids of La Campana in Manzanillo to the 227 species of birds that call the Copalita River home in Huatulco, and from a 200-year-old coffee plantation in Puerto Vallarta to the colorful coral that resides in the warm waters of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico’s ports of call are unlike any other on the Mexican Riviera.
Photo: Tropical bird in Mazatlán, Mexico
In Puerto Quetzal, trek up the active Pacaya Volcano and take in panoramic vistas of towering trees, and lush vegetation dotted with exotic orchids. Walk in the footsteps of Mayan warriors in the ancient ruins of Iximche. See how Guatemalan coffee is cultivated, harvested, and processed from the seeding of the coffee bean to the preparation of the coffee beverage during a tour of Filadelfia Coffee Estate. Marvel at the surroundings of Lake Atitlan, tucked between impressive volcanoes.
Photo: Mayan Ruins
Tranquil aquamarine waters, a rich history and breathtaking landscapes make the captivating Caribbean a treasured paradise. View hundreds of exotic butterflies flying freely within large meshed enclosures in Aruba. Discover the undersea splendor of Grand Cayman aboard the world’s first submarine designed for passenger excursions.
Photo: Horseback riding in Aruba
Our award-winning excursions help you discover sun-kissed beaches, lively cities and untold natural wonders
The diversity of the cultures you’ll meet in Central and South America is a wonder to behold. Travel by dugout canoe to an Embera village in the heart of Chagres National Park in Fuerte Amador. Visit Fort San Lorenzo, one of the most complete and biggest forts built in Panama. Learn how your favorite coffee arrives in your cup with a tour of one of Guatemala’s most renowned coffee farms in Puerto Quetzal.
Photo: Embera tribe village in Panama
Enjoy a bird's-eye-view of the world with a high-flying zipline ride in Costa Rica. Relax in a deluxe 1938 air-conditioned dome car for a different perspective on the Canal riding on the Panama Canal Railway—a Discovery™ recommended excursion. Cruise through the mangroves of Puntarenas to the sanctuary of the Scarlet Macaw. Listen carefully for chirping birds and monkey calls as you soar over Gamboa Rainforest in Colon in an open aerial tram.
Experience the rainforest world of sloths, learn why they're sooo slow and why these drowsy tree-dwellers sleep up to 20 hours a day when you visit the Sloth Sanctuary, an Animal Planet™ Exclusive excursion, in Limón. Step into the "birthplace of time," when you visit the Mayan archaeological site of Izapa just outside of Puerto Chiapas.
Try authentic Panamanian cuisine, celebrating the cultural influences of African, Spanish and Native American, with traditional favorites such as empanadas, bollos and torrejitas. Sample the Grand Cayman’s world famous rum cake made with local rum. Raise your glass and say “salud” as you sip tequila at Puerto Vallarta’s Viva Tequila.
Photo: Local cuisine
Retrace the steps of 17th-century Spanish colonists with a walk through the well-preserved Old City of Cartagena. Stroll the historic quarter of Panama City, once renowned as one of the richest cities in the New World. Admire the architectural delights of Antigua in Puerto Quetzal, home to several 17th- and 18th-century landmarks.
Photo: Cartagena, Colombia
Find fascinating articles with Panama Canal cruise tips for experiencing unforgettable attractions, regional cuisine, and more on both sides of this epic human-made wonder.