Table Of Content
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Named after the first man to cross Antarctica and to reach the South Pole, MS Roald Amundsen leads the way towards an even more sustainable way of travelling.
PRICE DROP! No-Fly Caribbean & South America from Southampton
Dare to go beyond the tourist areas and find your way to the places where locals hang out. From the Panama Canal to the beaches and Mayan ruins of Mexico, you can choose your own path to South American adventure. South America is diverse in all realms, with cultural treasures waiting to be discovered. Walk the cobblestone streets of Cartagena, Colombia, and Antigua, Guatemala, lined with regal plazas and opulent churches.
Caribbean & Central America Cruises
Whether you're an active adventurer or prefer to take things more sedately, there's a range of included and optional activities for everyone. Trek through the rainforest, tour ancient ruins, snorkel among coral reefs and much more together with our Expedition Team. Central America is home to an abundance of natural beauty and ancient history. Join us as we explore tropical rainforests and marine wildlife, and discover manmade feats such as jungle temples and the famous Panama Canal. In addition to either a full or partial crossing of the Panama Canal, most cruises in this region include stops in popular ports throughout Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
West Indies Explorer
From Costa Rica to Panama, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala, you’ll find pristine beaches, intriguing antiquities, diverse wildlife, and lush rainforest. Learn about indigenous and colonial history as you tour ancient sites, go on adventurous hikes through the cloud forest, zip-line over the jungle canopy, and snorkel over coral reefs. Embark on a Central America and Caribbean cruise rich in culture, history and biodiversity.
Dip your toe into the Cunard experience as we explore a dozen ways to spend your time on board, from exciting guest speakers and theater to fitness and art classes. Learn a little about the history of the Panama Canal and gain insight into the experience of navigating the intricate system of locks and waterways that connects North and South America on a Panama Canal cruise with Cunard. This festival begins at 4am on 4th August throughout El Salvador, with each town and city celebrating their local virgin saint. The early start begins with bands playing music throughout the early hours into the rest of the day for a jovial fiesta that’s great for a variety of live music.
The Ultimate Latin American Cruise
It serves as a comfortable base camp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way. Floating off the coast of Honduras, Little French Key is the perfect spot for soaking up the sunshine and trying your hand at some water sports, including kayaking and scuba diving, during your Central America cruise. After a day of adventure, relax in the heat as you tuck into some tasty cuisine and refreshing cocktails with views out over the sparkling blue water.
Night Panama Canal-panama CityDetails
THE BEST Cruises from San Francisco to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE BEST Cruises from San Francisco to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:15:10 GMT [source]
Visit the port city of Colon, where the Canal begins, and sail through Gatun Lake, known for its biodiverse rainforests and home to indigenous howler monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and hundreds of species of tropical birds. The Blue Hole, with its turquoise waters, is symbolic of Belize, and it's an absolute must-see during your Central American cruise. At 300 metres in diameter and 124 metres deep, it's one of the most sought-after diving spots in the region.
Helping local communities
On this blog about luxury travel in Latin America, we talk a lot about hotels, tours, and real estate, but only occasionally touch on cruise ships. Part of that is because cruising is not as prevalent in the Americas once you get south of Mexico and the Caribbean. There are Central America cruises out there though, including ones going through Central America via the Panama Canal. So we thought it would be useful to lay out all the options in one place.
Sail the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea, a paradise of emerald islands. Nestled on the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas offers an assortment of lively resorts, dramatic stone cliffs and sandy beaches to soak up the rays. Central America is home to a number of vast tropical rainforests that invite exploration. Kayak through the tree-lined waterways of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. Hike through the jungle to ascend the Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala, where the cooling lava is still hot enough to roast marshmallows.
Surrounded by the popular destinations of the Caribbean, Galapagos Islands and South America, Central America cruises are often overlooked as a destination in themselves. The drier season lasts from December until March, so this is perhaps the most reliable time to cruise in terms of weather. Even so, humidity and temperature are likely to be high, and the varied terrain and elevation mean that weather will vary a lot, depending on how far you travel. If you don't mind the rain, visit in September and October, when the rainforests are at their greenest and most impressive. If you don’t mind the rain, visit in September and October, when the rainforests are at their greenest and most impressive. Full of idyllic swimming spots with pristine sand and sparkling ocean, make sure you leave enough time during your cruise to enjoy a day on the beach.
If you hate the idea of sharing your trip with thousands of other people that are stuffing their faces and shuffling around ports most of the time, then Uncruise is the company for you. They run adventure-focused small ships that visit smaller bays the big ships can’t enter. They can launch kayaks, zodiacs, and paddleboards right off the back of the boat, so there’s no need to head to a port to have some fun. Norwegian offers cruises through the Panama Canal that visit other ports in Central America before and/or after. The longest option is a 15-day trip between Miami and Los Angeles (both directions offered). That one only stops in Cartagena, Guatemala, and Mexico though while the 12-day option from San Diego has five total stops in Central America counting Panama.
Explore the tropical Tortuguero Canals, which supports a diverse array of wildlife. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. When you’re aboard one of our luxury cruises, everything is taken care of for you. The only thing you need concern yourself with is which activities you’d like to participate in that day. Nicaragua's third-largest city, Granada, is a tight-knit place and a pleasure to visit.
From native wildlife to thriving cities, delicious cuisine and some of the best beaches, you'll never be bored when you cruise to Central America. Trace the coast of Central America, uncovering rich history, vibrant culture and natural beauty. Discover the colonial past of Cozumel, and glimpse Belize’s Mayan civilization and Panama’s Emberá people. Gaze upon white-sand beaches and turquoise waters in Honduras and lush rainforests in Costa Rica. Marvel at the workings of the Panama Canal and admire a colorful blend of past and present in Jamaica.
Cruise to Central and South America to stroll through the Spanish colonial-era streets of Antigua, Guatemala, with its Baroque churches backdropped by dramatic Volcan de Agua volcano. Cruises to Central America are a great option from families to couples and even solo travellers as with so much to see and do, there's some for the oldest, youngest and all guests in between. For nature and wildlife lovers there's the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spot whales, monkeys and tropical birds. A Central America cruise is the perfect way to see some of the world's more overlooked cruise destinations, boasting fantastic weather, lush tropical landscapes, colourful wildlife and rich local cultures.
