We have taken two cruises involving the Panama Canal. One was a partial transit on the NCL Joy. It sailed from Florida; stopped at several Western Caribbean ports and entered the canal through one lock; turned around in the lake; and sailed back through the lock to return to Florida.
The second cruise was a full-transit itinerary on the Emerald Princess beginning in Los Angelas (San Pedro) and ending in Fort Lauderdale.
For my blog about the partial transit through the canal, click here.
For my blog about the full transit through the canal, click here.
Our itinerary: Embarkation Los Angeles (San Pedro), California; two days at sea; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Sea Day; Huatalco, Mexico; two days at sea; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Sea Day; Fuerte Amador, Panama; full day transiting the Panama Canal; Cartagena, Colombia; two days at sea; debarkation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.