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Panama Canal & the Americas

4.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
Balcony
$10,995
Suite
$15,995
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
20 Days
 Cruise Starts
New York
 Cruise Finishes
Santiago
20 Day Panama Canal & the Americas Itinerary (Viking)
Countries Explored: USA, Bahamas, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Chile
Cruise Line
Viking
Ship
Departures
Passengers
378
Crew
260
Launched
2022
Cruise Code
VKPCTA-R

Overview

Chart a course across the Americas, traversing storied oceans and seas to call on ports bountiful in history, culture and natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the tropical serenity and pristine shores of The Bahamas in San Salvador and Man of War Bay. Transit the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel, and bask in Panama City’s rich heritage. Step back in time in Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO Site, and discover Iquique, where the desert dunes meet the sea.

Itinerary

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. New York City is at once romantic and exhilarating. From the robust streets of Lower Manhattan’s financial district to the intimate warrens of Greenwich Village, the city overflows with culture, cuisine and architectural beauty. New York is for everyone. Music lovers marvel at Carnegie Hall or catch a 1920s-style jazz and blues show in Harlem. Romantics board a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. Art lovers browse the Museum of Modern Art or the Guggenheim. And theatergoers attend the greatest shows in the world on Broadway, amid the glitter of Times Square.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. As you sail today, attend an informative lecture or watch a film on our 8k laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula, one of the world's most advanced venues for learning at sea. This indoor-outdoor experience allows nature to take center stage with its retractable floor-to-ceiling windows that unveil 270° views.

San Salvador, part of the Bahamas archipelago, is a hidden gem blessed with natural beauty and historical significance. Its pristine white sandy beaches and clear waters paint a serene landscape. The island’s diverse marine life, from shallow-water coral reefs to blue holes, entices both divers and snorkelers alike, while its untouched landscapes full of lush coastal areas and serene cays attract nature enthusiasts seeking tranquility. According to some historical accounts, the island was also the site of Christopher Columbus’s first landfall in the Americas in 1492.

Man of War Bay is nestled within the serene expanse of the largely uninhabited Great Inagua Island. It boasts a captivating landscape, where turquoise waters lap white-sand shores, framed by lush greenery and rugged terrain. Surrounded by mangroves and saltwater flats, the bay nurtures a diverse ecosystem. Its pristine waters harbor an array of marine life, including vibrant corals and tropical fish. The surrounding wetlands are home to numerous bird species, notably flamingos, which flock to the bay’s shores, creating a picturesque scene with their striking pink plumage.

Port Antonio is the capital of Portland Parish and is home to some of Jamaica’s most stunning beauty spots. Visitors can enjoy nature in the island’s lush rainforests, or soak up the vistas from the shores of one of Jamaica’s pristine beaches; Frenchman’s Cove Beach and San San Beach are renowned for their stunning beauty and are ideal spots to while away a tranquil afternoon. The island’s iconic Blue Lagoon offers a unique bathing experience due to its mix of hot and cold waters, fed by an underwater spring, and provides the perfect place to snorkel or swim.

Sail through turquoise waters where legends of marauding pirates, swashbucklers and tales of hidden treasures were born. Spend a relaxing day at sea to unwind and admire the vistas from your stateroom veranda.

The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, crossing the narrowest stretch of the Isthmus of Panama. A full transit through the 48-mile-long canal takes around eight to ten hours and passes through the Gatun Lake and the Culebra Cut, an artificial valley that runs through the Continental Divide. An engineering marvel of the 20th century, the crossing passes through a series of locks that lift and lower ships 85 feet from sea level, guided by electric locomotives known as mulas. The Panama Canal transit is a rite of passage and a truly memorable experience.

Panama City is a gleaming city of high rises on the Pacific and gracefully blends new and old. At once a rousing tribute to international finance and a rich reminder of a colonial past, it is Central America’s unparalleled cosmopolitan center. The atmospheric Old Town, the Casco Viejo, straddles a peninsula and hosts some of the nation’s most prized cultural and historic treasures, including churches, palaces and plazas. Nearby, one of the world’s greatest engineering feats, the Panama Canal, conveys ships along its 48 miles to the Caribbean Sea.

Sail Mar Pacífico, meaning “peaceful sea,” dubbed by Ferdinand Magellan when he crossed these waters almost 500 years ago.  As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Lima was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizzaro as La Ciudad de los Reyes, or “City of Kings.” It soon grew into the capital of Spain’s Viceroyalty of Peru and established the oldest university in the Americas, the National University of San Marcos. One of the most cosmopolitan cities in South America, Lima's extravagant collection of architecture spans the centuries: early colonial, Spanish baroque, neoclassical and Art Nouveau buildings all adorn the cityscape. The historic center, graced with hundreds of balconies built during the viceroyalty era, is a UNESCO Site.

Traverse the world’s largest ocean, which covers almost 64 million square miles. At twice the size of the Atlantic, the Pacific is an ocean of extremes. Meet fellow guests and listen to the soothing sounds of classical music in the Living Room, an ideal setting for relaxation. Enjoy a cup of coffee or sip on a refreshing cocktail. 

Iquique enjoys a scenic locale between the Pacific Ocean and the Pampa del Tamarugal, a vast plateau within the Atacama Desert. This bustling city was once part of Peru and grew prosperous from saltpeter mining. It was ceded to Chile in 1883 after the War of the Pacific. Today, Iquique boasts many architectural treasures around its central Arturo Prat Square, from the stately Municipal Theater and the elegant Casino Español to a Gothic and Moorish-style Clock Tower. The city’s well-preserved Georgian-style homes are a picturesque legacy from the 19th-century mining boom.

Sail the Pacific Ocean, its vast expanse of waters covers more than 30 percent of the Earth’s surface and touches the continents of Asia, Australia, North and South America. As you sail today, relax in the Explorers’ Lounge, inspired by epic journeys of discovery. Marvel at the views through the two-story panoramic windows as you share a cocktail with friends, or settle down to read a book.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.

Life Onboard Viking Polaris

Viking Polaris
Viking Polaris

Launched in 2022, the Viking Polaris is Vikings' newest expedition ship, part of a fleet of award winning, state of the art ships built for exploration in sensitive environments. Read more

The Thinking Person's Cruise
The Thinking Person's Cruise

Viking are destination experts. With no casinos or children on board, you can be assured that the focus is firmly on enrichment and education. Read more

And Relax
And Relax

After a day of exploration or just to enhance the relaxation of a day at sea, the on-board Spa will leave you feeling recharged and revitalized. Read more

Best Dining Options at Sea
Best Dining Options at Sea

Viking offer six on board dining options. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available with lunch and dinner at no additional charge of fee. Read more

All Inclusive
All Inclusive

Viking proudly includes all that you need and nothing you do not. A variety of features and services are standard inclusions on your cruise. Read more

Expedition Experiences
Expedition Experiences

Viking include one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call. Enjoy included experiences around the world. Read more

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Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Panama Canal & the Americas' Reviews

4.0
AVG. RATING 4.0 / 5
1 Review
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1 Star
Great Lakes Explorer with Viking 0 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2024
The trip highlights included outstanding expertise and knowledge of the expedition crew. Our talks were succinct and informative and you could participate in a wide range of scientific discussions and activities. We loved the zodiac and special operation boat rides, would have loved the option to do both rather than choose. Optional shore excursions ...read more were rather expensive and some should have been included (walking tours of towns). Safety was always paramount.The ship’s crew also were most attentive and accomodating. We had a lovely time and Viking’s standard of service remains very high.

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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Viking. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Viking. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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