Costa Rica & Panama Canal

The Costa Rica & Panama Canal is a 7-night Panama Canal cruise aboard Star Pride, operated by Windstar Cruises. Departing Colon, Panama on December 6, 2027, the voyage visits 7 ports. Fares start from $2,695 per person.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Dec 6, 2027
Returns: Dec 13, 2027
Ports of call: 7
Days at sea: 1

from $2,695

$385 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

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Itinerary

Day 1 Dec 6, 2027 Colon, Panama 13:00 – 18:00 5.0 hrs ashore 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 port guide Search cruises visiting Colon, Panama

Day 2 Dec 7, 2027 Panama Canal 04:00 – 18:00 14.0 hrs ashore 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. Panama Canal port guide Search cruises visiting Panama Canal

Day 2 Dec 7, 2027 Fuerte Amador, Panama City 22:00 – 23:59 2.0 hrs ashore 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.

Day 3 Dec 8, 2027 Fuerte Amador, Panama City Departs 17:00 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.

Day 7 Dec 12, 2027 Quepos 06:00 – 18:00 12.0 hrs ashore Shore Excursion Port Tips The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and animal life. Quepos port guide Search cruises visiting Quepos

Quepos photo — Day 7 Dec 12, 2027 Quepos 06:00 – 18:00 12.0 hrs ashore Shore Excursion Port Tips The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and animal life. Quepos port guide Search cruises visiting Quepos

Day 8 Dec 13, 2027 Caldera, Costa Rica 06:00 – 07:00 1.0 hrs ashore One of the stops along the Panama Canal Zone route, Puerto Caldera on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast isn't your ordinary port of call, positioned as it is within easy day-trip distance of the country's multiple national parks. The town itself is small, but makes for an ideal base from which travelers can venture out to explore the variety of this Central American country's outdoor attractions and activities. These include snapping photos of gushing waterfalls (and swimming at the base of one, if you bring your swimsuit!), sightseeing near active volcanoes, bird-watching in nature reserves and sanctuaries and horseback riding on Pacific beaches . . . and that's just for starters. Visitors to Puerto Caldera and the surrounding region also enjoy shopping for handicrafts that local artists sell at their cooperatives, as well as sampling traditional Tico cuisine, especially gallo pinto—a combination of rice and beans eaten at any time of the day or night. Puerto Caldera is the perfect reminder that adventure often awaits just around the bend.

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 91-day span: $2,310 · range $2,310–$2,999

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

from $2,695

$385 / night

Fare rows

Star Porthole Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,695

$385 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,905

$415 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,010

$430 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Star Ocean View Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,115

$445 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,185

$455 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,325

$475 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

from $4,130

$590 / night

Fare rows

Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,130

$590 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Star Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,200

$600 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,340

$620 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Star Balcony Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,445

$635 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

from $6,195

$885 / night

Fare rows

Deluxe Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,195

$885 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Classic Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,945

$1,135 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,695

$1,385 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 24, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Windstar Cruises and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 13 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Balcony Suite	BS	Balcony
Balcony Suite	BS1	Balcony
Star Balcony Suite	SBS	Balcony
Star Balcony Suite	SBS1	Balcony
Ocean View Suite	S	Oceanview
Ocean View Suite	S1	Oceanview
Ocean View Suite	S2	Oceanview
Ocean View Suite	S3	Oceanview
Star Porthole Suite	SP	Oceanview
Star Ocean View Suite	SS1	Oceanview
Classic Suite	CS	Suite
Deluxe Suite	DS	Suite
Owner's Suite	OW	Suite