Celebrity Cruises- Celebrity Millennium
An elegant, state-of-the-art ship from stern to stern, the Celebrity Millennium sports 11 decks, a full spa and cafés and operates like a grand hotel. This vessel is the newest of the Millennium-class ships. Aboard the Celebrity Millennium you will enjoy a 14-night westbound Panama canal cruise. After departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, you will dock in Cartagena, Colombia, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, and Huatulco, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and then dock in San Diego, California. The lowest fares per person start at $998 for an inside room with no view. For $1,197, wake up to an ocean view.
Celebrity Cruises
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
(800) 647-2251
celebritycruises.com
Carnival Cruise Lines---The Elation
Packed with on-board activities, The Elation is the ideal ship for families and young couples. The vessel comes stocked with a mini golf course, dance clubs, Internet libraries, sunning decks and fine restaurants. The Elation offers a 15-night Panamanian cruise departing from San Diego, California. From San Diego, the next ports-of-call are Cabo and Acapulco, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Cartagena, Colombia, the Grand Caymans, and Tampa, Florida, to anchor in the Mobile, Alabama harbor. Budget-friendly fares per person start at $949 for an inside cabin suite or $1,129 for an ocean view. A Spring Canal bargain offers a bonus $50 cash-back onboard.
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
(888) CARNIVAL
carnival.com
Holland America---ms Zuiderdam
Pass through the eighth wonder of world on the Panama Canal Sunfarer. An elegant mid-sized ship, it advertises 25 percent more cabin space, as-you-wish dining, a greenhouse spa and more. The Holland America offers 7-day to 100-day itineraries for every taste. A smartly priced cruise is the 10-day round-trip option out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Select your own itinerary and dates. Budget prices go for around $799 inside, $999 with a view.
Holland America Line
300 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(877) 932-4259
hollandamerica.com
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International presents the Enchantment off The Seas---a refurbished ship featuring added amenities like Bungee trampolines, suspension bridges, and an expanded pool deck. An on-board Latin-themed lounge invites relaxation after day-long excursions. The ship's cost for a 7-night cruise starts at $1,699. A bit steeper than the fares of other cruise lines, the price covers your ocean-view suite, state-of-the-art ship construction and a tightly packed tropical week. The ship departs from Colon, Panama; select the ports that most intrigue you.
Royal Caribbean International
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
royalcaribbean.com
(866) 562-7625
Travel Tips
Avoid rainy season; book your cruise after November.
Opt for either a traditional, full-transit canal experience (which means spending a full day on-board crossing the canal) or a "partial crossing." A partial crossing invites you to spend the day off the ship in a town nestled in the leafy rain forest while the ship passes through the locks in the canal.
