by: Paul Selson

A Panama Cruise is amongst the most spectactular cruise available worldwide.

Just in case you are unsure exactly where Panama is in the world,... it is situated in Central America.

Panama is home to the Panama Canal, which is a man made waterway joining the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The canal is known as one of the greatest feats of engineering in the 20th Century, due to the fact it physically severs the land mass of North and South America for a total distance of 80 kilometers.

Since opening in August 1914, it's use has steadily increased, culminating with over thirteen thousand vessels using the canal last year.

Hundreds of ships, including Panama cruise ships travel the length of the canal offering spectacular scenic voyages to a truly international audience.

Actually touring the canal aboard a luxury cruise ship is an amazing experience. The journey takes a little over eight hours, passing through three locks, which raise the water level to allow the ships to pass.

The highlight of the voyage was standing on deck awaiting our turn to travel through the passage whilst a local historian commentated on interesting details and facts about the construction of the canal and it's operational history.

We also stopped off in the ports of Cristobal, Isla de Coiba, Isla San Telmo and Colon.

A Panama cruise will take you on a magnificent journey through the canal and offers many individual tour options such as sailing, kayaking (on Gatun Lake which the canal passes through), or the Panama Canal railway.

Whilst on your Panama cruise, you must take a trip to Panama City to take in some of it's beautiful architecture and culture.

Although it's possible to take a round trip cruise, most people opt for a one way Panama cruise departing from either the Pacific or Atlantic side and ending on the opposite coast.

Whichever route you choose, you typically can opt for a cruise duration of between ten and twenty nights,... the most typical Panama cruise being for twelve nights. Some of the itineraries take in Mexico, Costa Rica, Acapulco, Cayman Islands, Caldera, Columbia, Montego Bay and Florida with most routes now being available.

For me, experiencing a Panama cruise allows you the chance to enjoy breath taking scenery just a short walk from your luxurious cabin, fine dining and spectacular night life. Is it any wonder Panama cruises have become so popular?