5. The Grand Voyage: Panama Canal Full Transit

Navigating the Panama Canal is an engineering marvel that deserves to be seen in its entirety. While many Caribbean cruises do a “partial transit” (entering the first set of locks and turning around), the real prize for 2026 is the Full Transit (Ocean-to-Ocean).

The Route

These voyages typically run between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San Diego/Los Angeles, California (or vice versa). They take 14 to 21 days, making them ideal for retirees who have the luxury of time.

Why It’s Special

You experience the full history of the canal, passing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Between the locks, you visit ports in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Holland America and Princess Cruises are the specialists here, with ships designed to fit the locks and itineraries that maximize daylight viewing of the transit.