Authored by Mark Peters in Central America
Published on 12-31-2008

Choosing a vacation destination or activity is a huge responsibility for those that the decision has be entrusted to. The pressure of picking from any of the awesome travel opportunities can sometimes be overwhelming. Choosing a vacation option that appeals to people of all ages and interest is definitely the way to go. One of the best forms of vacations that has a great chance of entertaining a wide variety of people is a luxurious ocean cruise.

There are a great many entertainment opportunities on a cruise ship that cannot be found in many other places. Depending on the cruise line selected these opportunities may include gambling, live entertainment, swimming, visiting exotic locations, water recreation opportunities, and more. Once a cruise has been chosen as the vacation method, there are few more interesting destinations for someone to experience than a cruise through the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal was begun in the late 1800s by the French, and completed in the early 1900s by the United States. The completion of the canal made it possible for ships traveling to and from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to save a great deal of travel time by not having to sail all the way around the southern tip of South America. Instead, ships could now pass through the canal located in Central America.

Any traveler interested either in history or who enjoys marveling at man’s accomplishments will have more than enough to sink their teeth into while traveling through the Panama Canal. During the construction of the canal there were thousands of lives lost, miles of earth carved through, and the world’s largest earth dam had to be built too. The canal is a true engineering marvel and one that can be experienced best from the deck of a luxury cruise liner. Passing through the canal takes approximately nine hours, which isn’t too bad for a 51 mile trip through winding man made shipping channels and a series of locks that either raise or lower the ship 170 feet depending on which direction it is traveling.

There are a number of opportunities on either side of the canal for visitors to experience the beauty and uniqueness of this area of the world. The wildlife in the Panama Canal region is diverse and stunning, and will come as quite a surprise to those not anticipating it. The tropical rainforest that surrounds the area is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. There are also opportunities to enjoy the surf and sand, as well as explore remote caves and incredible rock formations. Scuba diving and snorkeling are just some of the activities that this area of the world cater to. Millions of people come to Central America every year simply to participate in some sort of water activity, and with good reason. Visiting the shore near the canal zone is also a great way to view the culture and lifestyle of the people that live in the area. This is the perfect way to get a taste of the local cuisine before returning to the more accepted menu available on board the cruise ship.

There are few vacation destinations available that offer the kind of experiences that a cruise through the Panama Canal does. If the natural wonders of the scenery in the region are not enough, there is always the incredible engineering feats to marvel at. If neither of these are what it takes to impress a traveler, there is always the seemingly unending list of entertainment, attractions, amenities, and recreational opportunities that are available on the cruise ship itself. A cruise is a great way to spend a vacation and is the obvious choice for anyone looking for the kind of vacation that will stand out as something out of the ordinary. Once the decision to take a cruise has been made, the selection of a cruise through the Panama Canal is one of the best choices anyone can make. This famous area of the world is known about by many and explored by few. A trip through the Panama Canal never disappoints anyone lucky enough to make that their vacation destination of choice.