Editors' Travel Deal Review

Panama Canal cruise discounts up to 51%

Sail Princess, Holland or Royal Caribbean from $697

By ShermansTravel Staff

October 20, 2008 02:56 pm EDT

Book By: November 1, 2008

Travel By: December 2008

Looking for a unique way to celebrate a specific milestone before the close of 2008? A cruise through the Panama Canal on the eve of its 95th year may be a fitting tribute. You can mark your special occasion with memories of destinations stretching from Mexico to Colombia to Aruba. Of course, no birthday, anniversary or lottery winning is necessary. With rates as low as $799 and discounts as great as 51%, the trips are perfect for anyone just looking for a little R&R.

11 nights, six countries: $799 and up
For a roundtrip adventure, we suggest Royal Caribbean’s 11-night journey departing Miami. After two days of charting a course through the dreamy turquoise waters of the Caribbean, the Jewel of the Seas docks first in Oranjestad, Aruba, and then Cartagena in Colombia. You’ll arrive at the Panama Canal on the seventh day, followed by stops in Cristobal, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; and George Town, Grand Cayman. Three entire days at sea are mixed in as well. Interior staterooms on the December 8 sailing now start at just $799. Oceanview cabins go for $999.

Half off 12-night ride from Ecuador
This next cruise, a journey with Princess takes you all the way from Ecuador to Florida. And with the 51% markdown, the November 27 departure aboard the Royal Princess is a vacation bargain. You’ll have two days in Ecuador’s Guayaquil before setting sail. The itinerary takes you to Esmeraldas, Ecuador; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Cristobal, Panama; San Blas Islands off the Panama coast; Cartagena, Colombia; and Oranjestad, Aruba. Four days of cruising plus a day on the Panama Canal are also included before arriving to the final destination, Fort Lauderdale. Ocean-view rates begin at $697.

16-night eastbound odyssey from $999
Prefer a California departure? You can save $1000 on Holland America Line’s 16-nighter from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. The Rotterdam sails down the Mexican coast with ports of call in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Huatulco and Puerto Chiapas (Tapachula). Next, the ship drops anchor in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, before continuing the eastbound odyssey through the Panama Canal to Oranjestad, Aruba. You get seven days of cruising the Pacific and Caribbean as well. Staterooms on the December 7 journey, normally priced at $2299, are available for $999. That’s a 56% discount! Oceanview cabins begin at just $1099.