With the Island Princess from Princess Cruises, you can embark on a cruise through the Panama Canal in November 2025. The 16-night journey takes you from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco and includes stops in Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico. The current price of just €53 per night is a true bargain for an oceanview cabin on this iconic route.
You can currently book this 16-night cruise in an oceanview cabin from just €848 per person. Balcony cabins are available from €1,039. Solo travellers can join the cruise in an oceanview cabin from €1,209.
Do you have questions about the offer, need help, or are you looking for a cruise that suits you even better? Feel free to contact us via our inquiry form. We’re glad to help.
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The cruise price includes full board in the main and buffet restaurants, as well as coffee, water, tea, and iced tea during the buffet’s opening hours. Most onboard facilities and activities (e.g., use of sun loungers and pools on the outer deck, shows in the theatre, gym, etc.) are also included in the package.
Princess Cruises adds an automatic crew gratuity of US$17 (~€15) per person, per day to your onboard account.
If you live in Europe, we recommend booking through Travel-Dealz, and if you live in the USA, book via CruiseDirect, as long as the price difference is not significant. If the difference is considerable, you can choose the cheaper option, but keep in mind that the consumer guarantees are different for Americans and Europeans.
Route
The cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale, known for its beautiful beaches and intricate canal system. After two days at sea, your first port of call is the vibrant city of Cartagena, Colombia. Its stunning, UNESCO-listed colonial walled city and fortresses are a must-see.
A major highlight of the journey awaits on day five: a full-day transit through the world-famous Panama Canal, an engineering marvel. After emerging into the Pacific Ocean, the ship docks in Balboa, Panama’s port city at the canal’s southern entrance.
The voyage continues to Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a perfect gateway to the country’s lush rainforests and diverse wildlife. Next, you’ll visit Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, from where you can take excursions to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. The final international stop is Manzanillo, one of Mexico’s busiest cruise ports, offering beautiful beaches and a lively atmosphere.
After a total of nine relaxing days at sea, the ship reaches its final destination: the iconic city of San Francisco.
| Date | Port | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 21, ’25 | Fort Lauderdale, United States | 15:00 | |
| Sat, Nov 22, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Sun, Nov 23, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Mon, Nov 24, ’25 | Cartagena, Colombia | 07:00 | 14:00 |
| Tue, Nov 25, ’25 | Panama Canal, Panama | 06:00 | 16:30 |
| Wed, Nov 26, ’25 | Balboa, Panama | 07:00 | 18:00 |
| Thu, Nov 27, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Fri, Nov 28, ’25 | Puntarenas, Costa Rica | 07:00 | 19:00 |
| Sat, Nov 29, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Sun, Nov 30, ’25 | Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala | 07:00 | 18:00 |
| Mon, Dec 1, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Tue, Dec 2, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Wed, Dec 3, ’25 | Manzanillo, Mexico | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| Thu, Dec 4, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Fri, Dec 5, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Sat, Dec 6, ’25 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Sun, Dec 7, ’25 | San Francisco, United States | 07:00 |
Most Europeans need an electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA) to enter the USA for up to 90 days. This costs US$21 (~€19) and you should apply for it a couple of days before your trip, at the latest.
There are some cases where you cannot apply for an ESTA, e.g. if you’ve been to Cuba since 2021 or to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, or North Korea since March 2011. In those cases, you’ll need to get a visa from a US embassy or consulate, which can take multiple weeks.
The Ship
The Island Princess was built in 2003 and last renovated in 2017. It is 294 meters long and 32 meters wide. The ship reaches a maximum speed of 21 knots and has capacity for up to 2,200 passengers and 900 crew members. Most of the cabins feature their own balcony.
Onboard, a variety of leisure and sports activities are offered to ensure that boredom doesn’t set in. This includes an art gallery, a golf simulator, an internet café, four swimming pools, a sports court, and a wellness area. Those who wish to stay active can do so in the fitness center.
Guests can indulge in culinary delights at the two main restaurants onboard. In addition, there are two specialty restaurants (at an extra charge) as well as various snack options, such as a pizzeria and a buffet restaurant. For evening entertainment, the Island Princess offers various bars and lounges. A highlight is certainly the Universe Lounge, which spans two decks.
The onboard language of the ship is English, so basic knowledge of the English language is generally recommended. You can settle your bill at the end of the cruise in US dollars using a credit card.
Below are some impressions of the ship as well as the cabins:
Getting There & Back
The cruise starts in Fort Lauderdale and ends in San Francisco, so you will need to book open-jaw flights. For example, Oneworld or Star Alliance often have options from major European hubs like Frankfurt to Fort Lauderdale, returning from San Francisco, starting at around €600-€650 including checked luggage.
To find the cheapest flights for your desired dates, you can use the form below and then proceed to Skyscanner or Kayak with a single click:
Cover Picture: © Princess Cruises