Panama canal cruise vacations |

Whether you have never yet been on a cruise before, or whether you are cruise junkie, you need to take a cruise to Panama. There are few people on this planet who would not enjoy a Panama cruise.

And there are so many options for Panama cruises! You can start your cruise from San Francisco, Ft. Lauderdale, Vancouver, and many other starting points. You can find a starting point that is close to your location, or you can travel to a starting point and spend a few nights there, turning into and extra, mini-vacation.

There are also a variety of lengths of cruises. You can even find Panama cruises that last for longer than 20 days! Of course, the majority of us cannot afford such a luxury as a 20 day cruise, so do not worry if you cannot, either. There are plenty of shorter cruises that will only require you to take a week or less off from work.

There are also Panama cruises to suit all different styles and budgets. You can find cruises that require formal wear and cruises that require no more than a nice pair of slacks. Remember, the cost of a cruise includes much more than just the cost of your transportation: it also includes your food, your lodging, activities, entertainment, port taxes, and so much more. In other words, you know in advance (and pay in advance) for all of the major costs of your trip, so you know exactly how much cash you have left over for other things like excursions and souvenirs.

On a Panama cruise, you have plenty of opportunities to explore other cultures, new environments, and that famous man-made wonder, the Panama Canal. There are also adventure opportunities for those who need an adrenaline rush. And Panama cruises do not simply let you explore Panama, but other places, as well.

A sample Panama cruise might take you to: the Panama canal, Golfo Dulce, Corcovdo national park, Darien Junble, isla de Coiba, Drake Bay, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica, and other fantastic places

To find the best Panama cruise for you, it is best to talk with a travel agent. A travel agent will help you find exactly which cruise line fits your personality (and age) best. A travel agent will help you make sure that your Panama cruise hits all the destinations that you want to see, starts when and where you want it to, and is as long as you want it.

Life is in the journey, and that seems to be one of the themes of Panama cruises ? the destination is perfect, but the journey of getting there is just as good.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on cruises and travel, please visit Panama Cruises. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

SOURCE: panama-travel-bureau.com

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Source: VIP Panama

 Choosing A Cruise Line - Are They Really “That” Different? by Roy Witman

Casinos. Formal dining rooms. Day spas and fitness centers. All cruise lines offer the same things, right? That may have been true decades ago, but no longer! Today, there is a great deal of variety in the cruise lines with regard to onboard activities, amenities, destinations and more. Since “how do I choose a cruise line” is probably the most frequently asked question I get, allow me to give you a quick overview of the most popular cruise lines and what each offers. You’ll want to bookmark this article so you can find it quickly in the future when you’re ready to book your next cruise.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Known as the Fun Ships®, Carnival made a bold move years ago by breaking the stereotype of cruise vacations. Carnival opened the door to Ordinary Joe to experience vacations at sea just as the rich and famous did. Thanks to Carnival, everybody can take a cruise at an affordable rate. These are fun, basic cruises that offer comfortable accommodations and all the amenities you would expect. Casinos, Broadway-style shows, spa treatments and fitness centers are all onboard, as well as extensive kids activities. With destinations to the most popular locations including the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and the Bahamas, Carnival offers quickie three- and four-day cruises as well as lengthy 16-day tours.

Norwegian Cruise Line

With several new ships launched over the last few years, Norwegian has a relatively new fleet. Known for “Freestyle Cruising,” NCL gives you the freedom to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. Traveling to the four corners of the world, NCL offers an extensive lineup of destinations in addition to the typical ones listed above. Book passage to Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Madrid, Amsterdam, Athens, or Paris, as well as numerous cities in Egypt, Norway and Belgium. Exclusive Courtyard Villas with exceptional amenities make accommodating large groups or families a breeze. The large array of kid’s activities means the children will also have a great time!

Royal Caribbean Cruises

The slogan “Get Out There!” should tell you something about Royal Caribbean. These fast-paced ships are new, innovative and large! With many firsts at sea, Royal Caribbean has the newest fleet at sea loaded with unusual things to do including a rock wall, FlowRider® onboard surfing machine, ice skating rink, boxing ring and bowling alley. All this in addition to the expected casinos, spas, fitness centers and restaurants. Extremely kid-friendly, Royal delivers a diverse selection of baby, toddler, child, pre-teen and teen activities. Sailing to the four corners of the world, Royal can take you to six of the seven continents for some amazing adventures.

Princess Cruises

The original “Love Boat,” Princess Cruises has been a recognized leader in the industry since the early 70’s when the television series put them in front of the public eye. Today, Princess continues to offer casual yet refined cruises to typical destinations as well as Asia, Australia, South America and Europe. With art auctions and ScholarShip® programs there’s plenty to do onboard, including taking lessons in painting and digital photography plus listening to guest lecturers and more. Multiple youth and teen activities mean every member of the family can have a great time while vacationing on these smaller, but well-appointed ships.

Celebrity Cruises

More sophisticated and a little slower paced than the others, Celebrity’s hallmark is exceptional service. With an eye toward anticipating the passenger’s need and delivering before you even ask, Celebrity delivers award-winning service with every cruise. While they do offer a good selection of activities for children through teens, Celebrity offers more to adults. Enrichment programs and art auctions are included along with the typical casinos, shows and dining options. Offering signature destinations rarely found elsewhere, Celebrity can show you wonders of the world including the Galapagos Islands, Panama Canal and more around the globe.

Holland America Line

Signature white-glove service and premium accommodations set Holland America apart. With high levels of staffing, Holland sails with about one crewmember for every two guests, ensuring you get everything you want. A Culinary Arts Center offers hands-on as well as demonstration cooking lessons in a theater setting equipped with plasma TVs. Extensive programs for children and youth make this luxurious line family-friendly as well. Sailing to six of the seven continents, Holland calls on ports in lesser know, but fascinating destinations. Iceland, Norway, Greenland and Denmark as well as the ever-popular Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico can be visited when sailing with Holland.

Windstar Cruise Line

Intimate. Peaceful. Personal. Not massive ocean liners: Windstar offers cruises onboard motor-sail yachts with sails furling! Small ships accommodating just over 300 passengers offer a truly unique way to see the most popular destinations in the world including the Caribbean, Europe and the Greek Isles. Take part in water sports right off the back of the ship! Relish in the gourmet meals and enjoy the pampering of well-appointed cabins. Geared specifically to adults, no children’s activities are offered. Two of the three ships have casinos; all have a delightfully different way to enjoy a cruise.

Cunard

The best of the best. Cunard says, “Excellence is to be expected” and they mean it! With three of the most recognized ships in the world, the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Queen Victoria, Cunard offers five-star service and accommodations at every turn. Regal in every detail, these world-famous ships frequently play host to royalty, heads of state, the wealthy and celebrities. Reminiscent of grand ocean liners of past eras, Cunard is home to Canyon Ranch Spa, offers cultural enrichment programs and also an onboard planetarium. Partake in authentic English afternoon tea, stroll the deck, try your luck at the casino or drop the children off in The Zone while you relax on deck. Sailing to the four corners of the world, Cunard can take you anywhere you want to go.

Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, use the guide above to direct you to the right cruise line for you at the right price. You’ll quickly be able to decide the best vacation for you and your family with just a glance.

About the Author
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com offering the best deals on cruises from New York. © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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Source: VIP Panama

Mitchell Smyth: COLON, Panama-They said it couldn’t be done. And it couldn’t. “It” meant a ditch, at sea level, across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the place where only 80 kilometres of land separates the great waters. A century ago debate was swirling here in the newly created nation of Panama -which until 1903 had been a province of Colombia - over how to build the canal. The advantages were obvious: it would slice 12,500 kilometres off the sea journey between the U.S. east and west coasts, a tremendous saving in time and money for an emerging industrial nation. The French had tried it, between 1881 and 1898, but the heat, the rain, the diseases (especially yellow fever and malaria) defeated them. And their engineering was suspect. Having built the Suez Canal, they thought they could do the same in Panama. But Suez was a sea-level canal, through sandy desert; in Panama the mountains of the Continental Divide ran through the middle of the country. Still the French insisted they could build a sea-level canal. And the American company, which took over the job in 1904, said the same.

The first thing the Americans did when they took over in 1904 was deal with the disease problem, which had killed an estimated 20,000 French workers. Their answer was to spray the swamps and ponds with kerosene to stop mosquitoes breeding. By that time, it had been discovered that the insects spread malaria and yellow fever, something the French had not known. And the Americans built better housing and established hospitals and clinics. By 1906 they were ready to get down to the real work. That, it was thought, meant literally moving mountains.

“But John Stevens, the chief engineer, was horrified when he examined the terrain,” says historian Mike Millwood. “He said, ‘We can’t go through the mountains. We have to go over them. We must have a lock canal.’ ” But the U.S. government was still keen on the sea-level idea.

Millwood, a history professor from England and a guest lecturer on the cruise ship Zaandam, transiting the canal, goes on: “Then (U.S. President) Teddy Roosevelt came down to Panama and while he was here Stevens showed him his plans for locks, to lift ships up and over the mountains, and Roosevelt said ‘Go ahead.’ ”

An advisory board was still insisting on a sea-level ditch, so it all came to a head 100 years ago this summer when, after much lobbying by Roosevelt, U.S. legislators voted for a lock canal. That was on June 21.

The word was telegraphed to Panama and the next day, June 22, the huge steam shovels - which could gobble eight tonnes of earth in one “bite” - began work building a dam on the Chagres River to form a lake that would feed the locks’ insatiable demand for water. That was the real beginning of the project.

The story is told by lecturers like Millwood aboard the dozens of cruise ships that transit the canal every year, and in an excellent visitor centre at the Miraflores Locks, on the Pacific side of the mountains. Here pictures, dioramas, artifacts and a video fill in a lot of the background on one of the most thrilling engineering and human dramas in history.

And there’s also the very real drama of standing in the bow of a cruise ship as she enters the locks, ready to be lifted up 26 metres to the level of the canal. Only then do you realize the scope and complexity of Stevens’ vision. The figures have very little meaning - 305 metres long by 33.5 metres wide - until you realize that if you stood any one of the 12 locks on end it would be more than half the height of the CN Tower in Toronto and just 76 metres shorter than New York’s Empire State Building.

The canal experience - assuming you’re going from the Atlantic to the Pacific - begins a little before your arrival at the Gatun Locks. As your ship approaches the locks, passengers can see a waterway off the starboard decks; this is the remnants of the French effort. Farther away they glimpse the Gatun Dam, built to create the huge lake that feeds the locks.

Most people have a mental picture of the canal as something like a river wending its way through the Panama jungle. In fact, half its length is through Gatun Lake. Ships weave their way among the islands - mountain peaks in pre-canal days - on a set course, for much of the lake is too shallow for ships. Guides on the intercom point out such landmarks as the island of Barro Colorado, now a facility of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Just past the port of Gamboa the lake narrows and the waterway becomes the Gaillard Cut. The excavated banks are now covered by jungle, so that sailing through the cut is much like river cruising.

Off to port can be seen, through breaks in the jungle here and there, the Panama Railway, which goes from ocean to ocean in just under an hour (cruise ships take about eight hours). A lock at Pedro Miguel takes ships down one “step” to Miraflores Lake; then another two locks take them to sea level on the Pacific side of the isthmus.

There’s one more sight for the cruisers: the magnificent 1,654-metre Bridge of the Americas, built in 1962 as part of the Pan American Highway connecting North and South America. After that, the high-rise buildings of Panama City come into view.

And all the time the cruise ship guides are telling the story. They explain that when engineer Stevens said he’d lift ships up and over the mountains he wasn’t being strictly accurate.

Even at eight storeys above sea level - the level of the artificial lake created by damming the Chagres River - the engineers still had to carve a channel through the narrowest part of the San Blas Mountains to get to the Pacific.

So the gangs of men and the great steam shovels (and a lot of dynamite) got to work and removed 80 million cubic metres of rock, shale, mud and sand, creating a 12.6-kilometre channel. (How much “spoil” is that? Well, if it were loaded on railway flatcars it would circle the globe four times!). Sailing through this 192-metre-wide cut, with the hills and the rainforest rising on either side, is almost as thrilling as transiting the locks.

Of a workforce of 100,000, some 5,600 died, mostly of disease, during the eight years the Americans took to build the canal. Combined with the French total, it meant one death for every three metres of canal.

The canal has been widened and deepened in parts, but the locks are pretty much as they were when the first ship sailed through in January 1914. There are three sets of double locks (meaning ships can pass in the locks) at each end, making 12 locks in all.

It comes as a surprise to many people transiting the canal that, going from the Atlantic to the Pacific, you’re sailing east (actually southeast), for Balboa, on the Pacific coast, is 23 nautical miles east of Colon, on the Atlantic. So if you’re on the canal you’ll find that the sun rises over the Pacific and sets over the Atlantic.

Amazingly, for the biggest engineering job in history, the canal was finished six months ahead of schedule and $23 million under its $375 million budget. (All figures in U.S. dollars.) Counting what the French spent - and some of their work was incorporated in the American effort - the total cost comes to $639 million.

By the summer of 1914 everything had been tested, ready for the official opening on August 15. It was the culmination of, as one writer observed, “the greatest liberty that man has taken with nature.” But the world didn’t notice. The story, if it made the papers at all, was in the back pages. For on August 3, Germany had declared war on France and on August 4, Britain went to war with Germany. With the planet tearing itself apart in the First World War, the words on the Great Seal of the Panama Canal Zone seemed ironic: “The land divided. The world united.”

If you go:

Most cruise lines offer Panama Canal transits. A travel agent can help.

For more information on the Panama Canal, including the Miraflores Visitor Center, visit the Panama Canal Authority website at www.panamacanal.com.

For information on travel in Panama visit the IPAT (Panamanian Tourism Institute) website at www.visitpanama.com.

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Source: VIP Panama