7-night Panama Canal cruise on Le Soleal

The Central America Jewels & Panama Canal is a 7-night Panama Canal cruise aboard Le Soleal, operated by Ponant. Departing Colon, Panama on February 26, 2027, the voyage visits 5 ports.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Feb 26, 2027
Returns: Mar 5, 2027
Ports of call: 5
Days at sea: 3

Voyage code ER260227

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Itinerary

Day 1 Feb 26, 2027 Colon, Panama Departs 20:00 Panama is synonymous with the Panama Canal. While Panama connects Central America to South America, the Panama Canal, which opened in 1914, connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. The channel reduces shipping time and currently connects 160 countries and 1,700 ports around the world. Hailed as an engineering marvel, the artificial waterway with its elaborate lock system is one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. Arriving on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise into Colón, Panama’s gateway city, you’ll encounter the irresistible juxtaposition of the ancient and modern, the artificial and natural, as enormous computerized container ships transiting the canal slice through primeval rainforests teeming with fluorescent frogs and elusive wild cats. Book an MSC excursion to hop on a ferry that will take you along the length of the Panama Canal, through lakes and locks and past the Centennial and Americas bridges. Finally, you will arrive at Pacific port at the entrance to the Panama Canal, and then enjoy a 90-minute bus ride back to your ship. Not far from the ceaseless activity on the canal lies untamed nature. Take a guided eco-cruise on Gatún Lake, surrounded by rainforest. Gatún, created in 1913 to fill the fertile valley of the Chagres River, is the world's largest artificial lake, and an integral part of the dam and canal. Catch glimpses of exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles and more. Following your lake cruise, go on a rainforest walk and follow the eco-trail that surrounds the lake. Head off the beaten path on an MSC excursion to explore the world of the Emberá people, located only half an hour by dugout up the Chagres River. Emberá villagers, who live much as they did when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, will welcome you in traditional dress, with dances, music and their artefacts: baskets, jewellery and the cocobolo, a small sculpture made from a special kind of wood. The Colón cruise also gives you the opportunity to discover bustling Panama City, the country’s capital, with its pleasant blend of modern and colonial architecture. Enjoy a scenic visit to Panama City’s cobblestoned historic centre, Casco Viejo, or the Colonial City, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Founded in 1673, the Casco Viejo, or Casco Antiguo as it is also called, was built following the near-total destruction of the original Panama City two years earlier, when it was attacked by an Englishman, Captain Henry Morgan. The Casco Antiguo brims with historical buildings, including a cathedral and national theatre, a French monument to the 22,000 workers who died building the Panama Canal, and the fabulous Las Bóvedas walkway. The tour also includes a quick visit to Agua Claras Locks (Expansion Centre) to see how the Panama Canal operates. Colon, Panama Colon, Panama port guide Search cruises visiting Colon, Panama

Day 4 Mar 1, 2027 Fuerte Amador, Panama City Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away. Fuerte Amador, Panama City

Day 7 Mar 4, 2027 Golfito, Costa Rica Located in the Golfo Dulce nearly to the southern border with Panama, Golfito is far from the main tourist spots further north and the capital city. But what it does supply is Costa Rican nature at its best. The town is the gateway to the Piedras Blancas National Park, which is one of the three parks that ring the Golfo Dulce. The park is considered one of Costa Rica’s top birding spots, as well as being home to howler and capuchin monkeys and one of the last populations of jaguars in the country. South of Golfito stretch beaches that are world-famous among surfers, Playa Pavones is rumored to have the longest left-hand break in the world, with waves that supply rides as long as three minutes. Golfito is also famous for its sportfishing, especially for sailfish. Golfito, Costa Rica

Day 8 Mar 5, 2027 Puntarenas, Costa Rica Arrives 08:00 The Pearl of the Pacific Ocean On a fine sandy peninsula, 8 km long and an average width of 400 meters, Puntarenas, the "Pearl of the Pacific" can be found. During your MSC World Cruise, you will have the opportunity to visit this city, formerly the largest port in the country and now a busy place full of life, characterized by beautiful beaches and lush nature. One of the best excursions during your holiday in this land will be the Rainforest Skywalk, a combination of suspension bridges and trails through the rain forest to get you acquainted with one of the most complex ecosystems in the world made up of numerous native plant and animal species that can be observed directly in their natural habitat. Puntarenas is also famous for another treasure: its coffee, known as "Grano de Oro". It is not only among the best and most appreciated across the planet, but it has played a key role in the development of Costa Rica, affecting social institutions, culture and politics in the country. Thanks to your MSC Cruise, you will have the chance to taste exceptional coffee in its land of origin, where its roots can be found in the late 1700s in this fertile land with a cool climate, and which even today is one of the main agricultural exports of the country . Our cruise ship will also lead you on the discovery of San José, the capital city which is 115 km from Puntarenas. It is a must-see for its natural beauty, museums, historical sites and its characteristic streets markets. On its streets, you will find a cosmopolitan culture but one that is at the same time very close to roots. Surrounded by mountains and full of rivers and streams, San José is the icing on the cake of your vacation with MSC Cruises. Puntarenas, Costa Rica Puntarenas, Costa Rica port guide Search cruises visiting Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Puntarenas, Costa Rica photo — Day 8 Mar 5, 2027 Puntarenas, Costa Rica Arrives 08:00 The Pearl of the Pacific Ocean On a fine sandy peninsula, 8 km long and an average width of 400 meters, Puntarenas, the "Pearl of the Pacific" can be found. During your MSC World Cruise, you will have the opportunity to visit this city, formerly the largest port in the country and now a busy place full of life, characterized by beautiful beaches and lush nature. One of the best excursions during your holiday in this land will be the Rainforest Skywalk, a combination of suspension bridges and trails through the rain forest to get you acquainted with one of the most complex ecosystems in the world made up of numerous native plant and animal species that can be observed directly in their natural habitat. Puntarenas is also famous for another treasure: its coffee, known as "Grano de Oro". It is not only among the best and most appreciated across the planet, but it has played a key role in the development of Costa Rica, affecting social institutions, culture and politics in the country. Thanks to your MSC Cruise, you will have the chance to taste exceptional coffee in its land of origin, where its roots can be found in the late 1700s in this fertile land with a cool climate, and which even today is one of the main agricultural exports of the country . Our cruise ship will also lead you on the discovery of San José, the capital city which is 115 km from Puntarenas. It is a must-see for its natural beauty, museums, historical sites and its characteristic streets markets. On its streets, you will find a cosmopolitan culture but one that is at the same time very close to roots. Surrounded by mountains and full of rivers and streams, San José is the icing on the cake of your vacation with MSC Cruises. Puntarenas, Costa Rica Puntarenas, Costa Rica port guide Search cruises visiting Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Pricing

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Show all 32 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Prestige Deck 4	1	Balcony
Prestige Deck 5	2	Balcony
Prestige Deck 6	3	Balcony
Alizés Stateroom with balcony	A	Balcony
Alizés Prestige Stateroom with balcony	AP	Balcony
Deluxe Stateroom	D	Balcony
Superior Stateroom	6	Oceanview
Mistral Stateroom	M	Oceanview
Mistral Prestige Stateroom	MP	Oceanview
Prestige Deck 5 Suite	10	Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite	11	Suite
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6	12	Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 6	13	Suite
Prestige Deck 5 Suite	4	Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite	5	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 6	7	Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 5	8	Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 6	9	Suite
Alizés Privilege Suite with balcony	APS	Suite
Deluxe Suite	DS	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 6	DS6	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 7	DS7	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 8	DS8	Suite
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6	GDS	Suite
Grand Privilège Alizés Suite with balcony	GPAS	Suite
Grand Privilege Suite	GPS	Suite
Grand Prestige Suite on Deck 6	GPS6	Suite
Grand Suite GS – Deck 8	GS	Suite
Mistral Junior Suite	MJ	Suite
Mistral Prestige Suite	MPS	Suite
Owner's Suite	OS	Suite
Privilège Suite Deck 6	PS	Suite