The Panama Canal typically sees highs in the upper 80s or low 90s Fahrenheit and lows in the 70s during the cruising season. Royal Caribbean: Panama Canal -- Ports of Call, Princess Cruises: Panama Canal Highlights, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights, "Panama Canal by Cruise Ship"; Anne Vipond; 2008. She has written about travel for many years and specializes in cruise travel, having sailed on more than 100 cruises. The 1898 Spanish-American War led to world power status for the United States. As a previous employee of Walt Disney World, she enjoys writing travel articles that make use of her extensive knowledge of Orlando theme parks. containers that fit into one, quart-size plastic zip bag in your carry-on bag. Otherwise, plan to eat in the ship's casual restaurant that night and leave the fancier clothing at home. A carrying case for items such as a camera or video camera will make these easier to keep on hand wherever you go. A Panama Canal cruise is definitely a warm weather trip, so shorts, jeans, T-shirts, swimsuits, sandals and walking shoes should take care of your daytime wear. Pack these, along with your air and cruise tickets, money and credit card, in your carry-on bag. You can experience Carnival in spring or shopping in the Casco Viejo area. B.) Packing for a Panama Canal cruise is a bit more complex than a simple visit to … Most newer ships operating in the United States don't require them. (Photo: ). A couple of good books are The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough and Panama Fever by Matthew Parker. A series of locks and dams were constructed in order to take ships into the artificial Lake Gatun, 85 feet above sea level. If you're going to eat in the main dining areas on these evenings, dress appropriately. However, building such a waterway was proved to be impossible and abandoned until the 1800s when the French, through Ferdinand de Lesseps’ compa… When you're making packing lists for documents, clothing and electronics, don't forget other important items, such as prescription medicine, which should be packed in your carry-on; a basic first-aid kit; lots of sunscreen and insect repellent and a good guidebook. workers) Older men wear. Lush rain forests, historical settlements, nature preserves filled with exotic wildlife and clear waters teeming with coral are just some of the sights to plan for on this type of vacation. Just dress conservatively and nice. Toiletries in liquid or cream form are limited to 3-oz. The Panama Canal Railway is one of the great train rides of the world. The 1929 stock-market crash set off the Great Depression in the United States. From an engineering point of view, the canal’s design changed big time. Selinsky is the former senior editor of "Success Magazine" and deputy director of the Duke University News Service. Check the cruise line's website to see if you need to take electrical adapters for use in your stateroom. Jeans and polo shirts. Cruise ships of every size and price point traverse the famous locks and take guests to Caribbean and Central American ports along the way. Select comfortable outfits appropriate for warm, sunny weather. Jackets are not required and a white, long sleeve, guayaberra is considered "formalwear". We booked a Panama Canal cruise the following week. Don't try to dress to 'fit in', just be yourself. What to Expect in Panama. Though Panama Canal cruises nearly always take place during the dry season, between November and April, occasional rain showers may occur. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and a cruise through this historic waterway can take you to ports of call in Mexico, Columbia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Nicaragua and Panama. If you're going to be active outdoors, pack waterproof containers for your cell phones and other devices. That being said, there is no need to wear a suit everywhere, either. What to wear in Panama Panamanians appear to care about their appearance. This testament to human audacity joins the Pacific and Caribbean in the most direct way possible, and is worth making a leisurely part of your vacation. The Panama Canal links the Atlantic Ocean through the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. In September 2007, work began on a $5.2 billion project to expand the Panama Canal. What to Pack for Panama in Summer: Essentials. These clothes are very comfortable and will allow you to move quickly and easily. Consider the activities you may undertake in each. Long shorts are more and more common. Cruise ships of every size and price point traverse the famous locks and take guests to Caribbean and Central American ports along the way. A comfortable one-piece may be a better choice for activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, while a small bikini is better suited to sunbathing and leisurely activities. Do wear long pants at night however, allthough we do it in the states all the time wearing shorts out to dinner might be looked down on. So, I have compiled a packing list for a Panama Canal cruise to help you (and me) prepare: Rain gear --It rains frequently in Panama, so you need to be prepared for when you are ashore on your excursions. Cabbies are going to spot you as a tourist no matter what you wear, there are more and more American's going to Panama all the time I am sure shorts are something you are going to see more often. For men, this means a tuxedo or a suit, and for women, a cocktail dress or a gown. However, what you pack to wear onboard depends on which cruise ship you're taking. If you're considering taking sports equipment, such as tennis rackets or golf clubs, remember these will count--and be charged--as extra pieces of luggage by the airline. The idea of the Panama canal dates back to 1513, when Vasco Núñez de Balboa first crossed the isthmus.The narrow land bridge between North and South America houses the Panama Canal, a water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The engineering wonder that is the Panama Canal is the focal point of hundreds of cruises each year. Pack more than one swimsuit so that you always have a dry one. Panama Canal - Panama Canal - Locks: The canal locks operate by gravity flow of water from Gatún, Alajuela, and Miraflores lakes, which are fed by the Chagres and other rivers. 3. It was clear that a sea-level canal just wasn’t going to work. Packing for a Panama Canal cruise is a bit more complex than a simple visit to … Formal dinners require evening gowns and tuxedos or black tie suits. Panama Canal Expansion . Panama Canal cruises mostly begin in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, Florida and include ports-of-call in the Western and Southern Caribbean, central … In addition to cameras and video-cameras, many cruisers now want to take along other electronics, including cell phones, iPods, Kindles, BlackBerrys and laptops. Additional amounts of these items must go in your checked luggage. There it is, the most extensive Panama Packing List. The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is an artificial 82 km (51 mi) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. Packing List for Panama Canal Cruise (Photo: ). In this video I'm sharing what I wore each night of our 10 day Panama Canal Cruise.