January 2023: Our Panama Canal Cruise Review
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Our first time in Panama, and we had a wonderful time. I was afraid that fifteen days would be too long of a cruise for us, but this bucket-list cruise was just right. Read on for our Panama Canal cruise review.
For many people, a Panama Canal cruise is on their bucket list. After all, the canal was a marvel in its day, and it still fascinates. There are three types of Panama Canal cruises: a full transit through the canal, a partial transit through the canal, and a one-way that requires a flight home.
We chose the full transit through the canal, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, which combines a Caribbean cruise with a Mexican Riviera cruise. We’ve done both before but didn’t mind doing them again for the opportunity to transit through the canal.
Itinerary
We cruised on Norwegian Joy, starting our fifteen-day journey in Miami and ending in Los Angeles. Ports included Cartegena, Colombia; Panama City, Panama; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
- Day 1: Miami
- Day 2: At Sea
- Day 3: At Sea
- Day 4: Cartagena
- Day 5: Panama Canal Transit
- Day 6: Panama City
- Day 7: At Sea
- Day 8: At Sea
- Day 9: Puerto Quetzal
- Day 10: At Sea
- Day 11: Acapulco
- Day 12: At Sea
- Day 13: Puerto Vallarta
- Day 14: Cabo San Lucas
- Day 15: At Sea
- Day 16: Los Angeles
We stayed in the Haven, in our first Courtyard Penthouse with Balcony Suite, which was lovely. This time, I didn’t take photos of the room but did a video instead. Here’s what it was like:
On our first night, we had dinner at Teppanyaki like we always do on the first night of a cruise on Norwegian. We were one of only three couples in the restaurant at the first seating, which was a little strange, but the chef quickly warmed us up.
Reminder When Booking Third-Party Tours
When booking tours outside the cruise line, be sure that the time you book for your excursion is well within the time frame you’ll be in port. Booking earlier in the day is preferred, and ensure the tour ends at least two hours before your sailaway so you won’t miss the ship after your excursion.
Cartagena, Colombia
After two days at sea, we stopped in Cartagena on Day Four, our first time there. We took an excursion to a fishing village, where we learned how the fishermen make their own nets, and then learned how they throw them in the surf to fish.
We visited a beachside resort and had a quick snack, then toured an emerald museum and shop. So many pretty pieces of jewelry!
Next, we toured through the old part of Cartagena, which was lovely.
On the way back to the ship, we were surprised to find an aviary at the port. Myron was in his element with the animals. We’re looking forward to going back to Cartagena soon and spending more time in the aviary.
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Panama Canal Transit
On Day Five, we started our epic journey through the Panama Canal. I was surprised that the Panama Canal crossing takes all day long, about eight to ten hours. It’s interesting at first but is so excruciatingly slow, it’s like watching paint dry. Not a popular opinion, I know, especially for a bucket-list cruise, but I think a lot of cruisers will agree with me.
Still, my husband wants to do it again, in reverse next time, so we probably will.
The best place to watch the transit is from the bow of the ship, as high up as you can get. The second-best place is to watch it on your cabin’s TV because the view is great and you can easily hear the commentary from the canal pilot, who narrates their every move.
Most people, we learned, will stay at the bow long enough to watch the complete transit through one lock, and then will head back inside. The transit through the Panama Canal has twelve locks in total.
The photo above is the view as you pass through the lock into Gatun Lake, an artificial lake that holds the water that fills the lock systems of the Panama Canal.
Panama City, Panama
The ship docked overnight in Panama once we arrived, and stayed there for excursions the next day.
On Day Six, we visited an indigenous tribe called the Embera in the rainforest. The trip back and forth was via a motorized dugout canoe, which was an adventure in itself.
The tribe still lives the same way they did a hundred or more years ago, simply and without modern conveniences. They shared about their culture with us, and how they dyed palm leaves to make some of their crafts, then served us a typical lunch of theirs: tilapia and plantains.
Traditional music and dance followed, during which they pulled visitors into one of their processions. Afterward, we had the chance to purchase some of their gorgeous woven baskets, masks, jewelry, and small carvings, the proceeds of which helped the tribe to purchase school uniforms and food staples like sugar and oil.
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Two more days at sea, and then we docked in Guatemala on Day Nine. There we saw our first volcanoes and took an auto safari. The ostriches and lions were the best part!
We played our first game of mini-golf together as a couple, and Myron beat me soundly. He also had fun bumping me from behind when I drove my go-kart too slowly on the racetrack.
Acapulco, Mexico
Another day at sea, and then we arrived in Acapulco on Day Eleven. We took a tour through the retro part of the city where the movie stars used to hang out. Honestly, we were a little bored. But the cliff divers put on a great show, as always.
Acapulco is absolutely beautiful. We could see ourselves living there.
Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
In Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, we stayed on the ship. We’ve been there before, plus I had lots of videoing to do of the ship for our YouTube channel. Be sure to check those out.
And we ate. Oh, did we eat! The Joy didn’t let us down in the fine dining department. If you’d like to see more, check out our post on the Haven restaurant.
Where We Are Going Next
Want to keep up with our cruise schedule? Here is a current list of where we have been and where we are going next.
Last Thoughts on our Panama Canal Cruise Review
Overall, it was a great cruise and a wonderful bucket-list experience. Believe it or not, it wasn’t too long for us, which is a good thing because we have a transpacific cruise coming up in September—another bucket list item to check off.
Happy cruising!
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