5.0 Well worth it

roberteC2286DN, May 2026

Very good trip. Prepare for a long day (10 plus hours) but you get to see it all and appreciate what a wonder this is.

5.0 A perfect way to see history in action

Sharon_S, May 2026

Fascinating to see the canal and how the locks work in person. Our narrator and the entire crew was excellent, and even the food was good, too! The full Pacific to Atlantic transit is a long day, but so worth it. Be sure to bring sunscreen!

5.0 Good Times

billywA2105TY, May 2026

Good times. Nice ride back in the bus. No real cream for coffee in the morning so make time to stop at the pastry place across the way for coffee. The snacks and meals were good. The people were nice & informative. We had a great time.

5.0 A Bucket‑List Experience—Absolutely Incredible!

shannonu758, April 2026

This full Panama Canal transit was absolutely fantastic, breathtaking, and truly wonderful. It was a dream come true and a major bucket‑list item checked off—and it exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, everything was exactly as advertised. The crew was incredibly friendly, professional, and attentive, making the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. The views and engineering of the canal are simply awe‑inspiring, and being able to experience it in full is something I’ll never forget. The trip included three meals—breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack—which were well organized and enjoyable. Free soft beverages were available throughout the day, with alcohol and additional snacks available for purchase as well. If you’re considering a full Panama Canal trip, don’t hesitate. This was an unforgettable experience and worth every moment.

5.0 It was definitely an...

Francisco_M, April 2026

It was definitely an experience of a lifetime. We really enjoyed experiencing one of the seven wonders of the world close-up. We would definitely recommend it to anybody.

5.0 Panama Canal Full Tour

J R, April 2026

The entire tour was a great experience and very informative. Traveling the entire length of the Panama Canal was awesome!

4.0 Great narrative and...

krista_r, April 2026

Great narrative and information. Ship was clean and plenty of seating. Good how separated everyone into groups and called you to eat that way. Only negative is they did not accommodate allergies or even ask. When we told staff of pine nut allergy in pesto salad, there was no other option for lunch. And when it was time for afternoon snack and they had mini turkey sandwiches and my husband asked for 2, they said one per person, even after he explained he did not get lunch. I would suggest you ask people to fill out allergies in advance or post menu online so we would have known to bring his food.

5.0 We did the five hour tour he picked us up on time and delivered us on time

Scott B, April 2026

Ricardo was our guide and he showed us everything. It was great to see the ships the monkeys and the sloth.

5.0 A fabulous way to spend a day

Wil_M, March 2026

This trip was amazing. Yes, we were on the boat for 12 hours with about 200 of our newest best friends. But everything worked well for the entire day. Check-in was organized and orderly. We read before the trip that one review compared the meals to airplane food, but if that's true we'd like to know what airline the reviewer was talking about; while the meals aren't 5-star, they were certainly fresh and enjoyable. The entire crew was helpful and friendly, and seemed genuinely happy to serve us. Special kudos goes to the guide who spent hours telling us about the canal and answering questions throughout the entire trip. The guide and the rest of the crew also managed to keep everything in order without being heavy-handed; passengers were told the do's and don't's of travel on the boat and it worked as everyone seemed to comply. even the return trip on buses was well organized and timely. And finally, about the canal, if you've ever thought about going, you should.

5.0 Must Do if visiting Panamá

Stellamarie_R, March 2026

Great learning experience about the Canal of Panama. The tour guide (José) was very knowledgeable and gave the information in Spanish and English. He also answered all questions asked. The scenary is really pretty, especially if sitting on the right side of the ship. Things to consider, use a good sunscreen and reapply as the sun can be brutal. A hand fan can be beneficial if staying at the top floor of the ship. Otherwise, the view can be appreciated on the 1st and 2nd floor with AC. If you have food limitations, reach out beforehand or bring your own snacks as the menu is set and might not accomodate any dietary restrictions.

4.0 Great tour but some things could improve

NatLane, March 2026

Been wanting to go through the canal since I was a child. Our whole trip to Central America was planned around this day. The feats of engineering will not disappoint. However the very hard seating and shocking food will. The food is carbs and sugars. Nothing healthy apart from a bit of green lettuce at lunchtime. Not even a tomato in sight. To make the experience better, they need to offer what they advertise. They advertise a buffet. A buffet implies choice. There is no choice

5.0 The chairs are not very...

Emily_C, March 2026

The chairs are not very comfortable to sit up on deck and watch the canal. They did have indoor seating at tables, so you didn't have to stay outside the whole time. They served breakfast and lunch but there was not a lot of options. Lunch was a green salad and pasta salad. Then they had a snack late in the day of a mini ham sandwich on a bun, granola bar and banana. When you get off the boat there are no bathrooms on the bus on the ride back to the Pacific side. They had bottles of water and potato chips available for purchase.

5.0 What a wonderful experience!

weebdacat, February 2026

What a wonderful experience! From the Flamenco Island Marina on the Pacific Queen all the way to Colon and bused back to Panama City. A well organized tour with breakfast, lunch and snacks provided. Well run, very informative and professionally presented. Well worth the price and time.

5.0 Once in a lifetime chance to transit the Panama Canal was excellent

clio66, February 2026

The full transit of the Panama Canal was an amazing experience. It's a long day. People should be prepared. But it is fascinating. Our boat was very well run. The guide who provided detailed information about the canal along the way was excellent. The amenities were great.

5.0 Great tour. Staff did a...

Susan_S, February 2026

Great tour. Staff did a great job keeping everything clean and well-organized. Food was very good. Wonderful experience.

5.0 Lifelong dream

marcia_w, February 2026

Very well organised day trip through the Panama Canal, ocean to ocean fulfilling a lifelong dream. The comentary was excellent giving lots of information, facts & figures too. We were fed well with breakfast, lunch & a substantial mid-afternoon snack + drinks. The experience of travelling through the locks is fascinating & the scenery is wonderful especially through Gatun Lake.

5.0 Great full canal experience

lana1227, January 2026

This is a fantastic tour, yes it is a long day. We left our hotel at 5:30 am and didn’t get back till 8pm. But the whole trip was very well organized, interesting, and an enjoyable day on a boat. It’s an excellent way to experience the whole length of the Panama Canal. The boat is ‘crowded’ and some passengers are better at having space sharing awareness than others but considering 180+ people on the boat for 8 hours. It was well organized and pretty easy to see things. If this is on your must do, this was a great way to do it. Food provided is nice. Guide on boat is very interesting and informative (we had Patrcio). Boat was nice and ride was smooth. The only thing I’d suggest be changed is where the tour ends if the busses dropped off near old town or city center, or even start of marina , rather than have the buses take everyone back to the end of marina and then likely most of us had to get taxis and sit in traffic to come back the way we just came.

5.0 Great way to see the Panama Canal.

Dianne_B, January 2026

Book early! Fills quickly and well worth the wait and reasonably priced. Great way to experience the canal and enjoy the locks.

4.0 All You Need to Know about the Full Canal Crossing!

Adam_N, January 2026

As another guest noted, “This is really for history geeks.” I would agree. While this can certainly be considered a once-in-a-lifetime journey for some, I can also understand how it can be relatively boring for others. This isn’t the tour operator’s fault — it’s just the nature of the beast. The journey takes about ten hours (you depart around 7am and dock at about 5pm, then board a nice bus for a nearly two-hour drive back to Panama City). We arrived back at the starting point at 6:45pm, but staff remarked that our Canal journey was pretty quick, so be advised you might get back later (traffic on the drive back is another factor). Going through the Canal’s first set of locks is pretty amazing and takes about 45 minutes. After that, however, you journey through another set of locks (another 45 minutes) and kind of lose interest. There aren’t any sites to see — just open water, huge freight ships and oil tankers, and uninhabited islands. The journey is slow since ships in the Canal must maintain a slow speed. The final set of locks (when you enter into the Atlantic and just want to get off the boat!) takes well over an hour. The ship is clean and has three decks — two interior decks that are air conditioned, and a top deck that unfortunately doesn’t have a ton of seating (about 75% of the seats are in the shade). While the food isn’t very good, at least it comes steadily. Breakfast is fruit, eggs and hot dogs, and yogurt. Lunch is salad, cold pasta chicken salad, and a cookie. A late afternoon snack consisted of a banana, a small ham and cheese sandwich, and a granola bar. Soda and water is always free, and beer, wine, and snacks are available for purchase. If you don’t like how this sounds, you can certainly bring your own food — they don’t seem to prohibit personal items on board, and most guests carried small backpacks. Checkin was stated to begin at 6:30am, but started around 6:20am. Guests began arriving between 6-6:15am and started lining up. I’d encourage you to do the same if you want a seat on the upper deck at the start of the trip. Since the trip is so long, people definitely move around, but we stood until about 10am once we were through the first two sets of locks. (Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle!) Lots of guests fell asleep on the trip midway through, especially since the start time is so early. The biggest compliment I can give is to the staff — everyone we encountered was extremely friendly, and all were English speakers. The tour guide was incredible; he spoke for nearly all ten hours of the journey in both English and Spanish (without written notes!), providing ample interesting information about the Canal along the way. (I strongly recommend a visit to the Panama Canal Museum before you go on this journey, as it will add to your enjoyment.) Our journey was sold out at least a month or two in advance, with 190 people on a boat that fits 250. We heard from one person that she got a ticket about two days prior because she called the trip operator directly and convinced them to put her on a waitlist. They told her seats never open up, but that clearly wasn’t the case. The main reasons I gave this four stars (instead of five) are for the “meh” food and the fact that there really isn’t enough outdoor seating, especially since most everyone wants to be outside for the first few hours of the journey. But those aren’t reasons not to take this trip — it’s the only full Canal crossing available unless you’re on a major cruise line. But I’m also letting you know that unless you’re SUPER excited about doing a full Canal crossing (from Pacific to Atlantic), maybe you should look into this tour operator’s shorter Canal excursions.

5.0 A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

raethecpa, January 2026

I learned that my husband has wanted to see the Panama Canal for over 50 years, so this was definitely a lifetime experience. The full transit is absolutely the way to go, to see everything, locks filling up on the Pacific side so ships rise effortlessly and locks emptying on the Caribbean side so the ships descend...without feeling anything! The engineering feat is incredible, and Patrizio's narration in both Spanish and English helped us to appreciate this modern-day wonder. Note to vegetarians: bring your own food, since the pasta salad for lunch has chicken mixed in it, not separately as we were told.

4.0 Few outdoor seats!

catrio7, January 2026

9 hours of slow cruise to the rhythm of the different locks. There is not enough space outside, so you have to arrive very early to be able to sit on the upper deck and enjoy the view. The worn tables and seats on the lower decks are on the inside rather ominous. Food and coffee ugly how one can expect it - a question about hygiene standards seen in the kitchen.  That being said, it is the only way to cross the canal and see the prowess, the courage of these men.

2.0 Panama Canal-Excursion

V1490CTallans, January 2026

I recently took the full transit ferry excursion of the Panama Canal from an NCL Pearl excursion offering. While the overall experience was fantastic, several aspects could use significant improvement. The ferry itself, unfortunately, is quite old and has very limited space for passengers to move around comfortably. This was a bit disappointing, especially considering the length of the trip. Lunch provided during the excursion was a major letdown. The offerings were extremely poor, with only sodas and warm water included. If you wanted beer or snacks, those came at an additional charge, and the snack bag which I did not purchase was the smallest I have ever seen for $2. The half a ham and cheese sandwich did not meet my expectations in terms of what I consider an edible sandwich, either. The tour guides on the ferry were enthusiastic but repetitive, and their constant talking over the 4+ hours became a bit overwhelming. I found myself with a headache from the incessant information, much of which they repeated multiple times. One memorable fact they shared was the incredibly low toll fee of just $.36 for a swimmer crossing the canal, which was quite surprising! Lastly, the bus transport from the port to the canal and back was not designed for taller adults (6 feet and above). There was very little legroom, making for an uncomfortable ride. In summary, this excursion offers a great experience in terms of seeing the incredible Panama Canal, but improvements are needed in the areas of food quality, guide communication, and transportation comfort. If you're considering this trip, be prepared for its shortcomings, but the experience itself is worth it!

5.0 One of the best tours I ever had

Vitaliy_D, December 2025

If you are thrilled with the history of the Pnanama Canal, then this tour will be a tour of your life

5.0 Great tour. You'll board...

Heather_A, December 2025

Great tour. You'll board faster if you bring the QR code from the provider printed out rather than the Viator one on your phone.

1.0 The Full Transit which we...

Frank_b, November 2025

The Full Transit which we had tickets for today 11/15/2025 was Cancelled due to a boat mechanical failure. We came to Panama solely for this experience. To say we are disappointed and angry is an Understatement. We were told we would be transferred to a partial transit on Sunday with us receiving a partial refund. As of 7:40 pm today 11/15/2025, we Still Do Not have tickets for tomorrow, know where to meet or what time!!!!!

5.0 Must do activity in Panama!

Juanita_H, October 2025

It was an all day event but well worth it. The weather was perfect for the full transit through the canal. You get a good breakfast, lunch and snack and they have alcoholic beverages for purchase. It was well organized and we were fortunate it was a great group for the trip. Don’t miss this opportunity to go through the entire canal.

4.0 Great if you want to sell...

WalterFL, October 2025

Great if you want to sell on the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean all in the same day. Transportation back to Panama City is lacking.

5.0 Worth it!! Must do!!

Melanie_T, October 2025

What a wonderful experience!! This engineering marvel was so much more interesting to see from a small boat (vs from land at the Miraflores viewing platform or from a large cruise ship). We were able to go through the original locks, riding through each one with this massive (though empty) oil tanker! Our tour operator, Panama Marine Adventures, was very timely and organized. We were served breakfast (scrambled eggs, sausage with peppers and onions, fresh pineapple, yogurt, and a roll), lunch (chilled pasta salad with shredded chicken, mixed green salad with dressing, and a chocolate chip cookie), and a light snack (small ham & cheese roll, granola bar, and banana) in the afternoon. We had access to unlimited water and sodas throughout the day too. And I believe there were some beers and other little snacks and candy you could purchase. The food was actually really tasty, especially the fresh pineapple at breakfast and pasta salad with shredded chicken, at lunch! The staff was very nice and attentive. There were at least 5 or 6 bathrooms on board and we only had lines when it was nearing the time to get off the boat and get on the bus back to Panama City. There were lots of seats, inside and outside of the boat. The air conditioning inside was excellent!! So, if you just got too hot outside, you had the ability to go in and cool off for a bit. Our guide for the day, Jose, was fabulous!!! Panama Marine Adventures hires him a couple of times a month; so hopefully you get on one of his boats. He is so knowledgeable and speaks fluently in both English and Spanish. He was always open to questions and was always thoughtful about translating any questions and answers regardless of who asked. So, you never felt like you weren’t getting all the same interesting details and history just because you only spoke one or the other language. Jose truly was so very nice! He even answered questions about other parts of Panama we plan to visit, because he has been all over his country and loves helping people exeperience all that it has to offer. Now, there really aren’t any other operators out there that offer full transit tours anymore (post covid). But do not worry. Panama Marine Adventures does an excellent job! My only suggestion to them might be to add a few more details on the meeting spot at the beginning of the day. They mention their “office behind the duty free store by the big Panama sign”. It’s not really their office (if you google their office on google maps, you don’t get anything in Flamenco Marina). There is a little “kiosk” of sorts. So, maybe referencing the Amphora Duty Free (by name) and providing their address (Calzada de amador, Isla Flamenco, Fuerte Amador Local #1 Panamá Panamá, Panama) at the end of Amador Causeway would make it SUPER clear. But we were obviously able to figure it out without issue and had such an amazing time! I hope they keep offering it! Partial transit is ok, but I really think getting a chance to travel all the way from the Pacific in the morning to the Caribbean/Atlantic in the afternoon is worth every dollar you spend and minute you experience. Would highly recommend this tour!!

4.0 which is not only in Spanish...

Maria_A, September 2025

which is not only in Spanish (as contracted) and which becomes long, the food scarce, the breakfast well

5.0 Excellent Tour with Great Guide and Views

Claudia_O, August 2025

We had an amazing experience on the full Panama Canal transit tour! Our guide was not only knowledgeable but also very entertaining—he kept everyone engaged and had answers to every question, no matter how detailed. The food service was well thought out, with breakfast, lunch, and even midafternoon snacks provided, which made the long day very comfortable. The transit itself was fascinating from start to finish. Even though it rained at times, we were still able to see everything clearly and enjoy the full journey. Overall, it was a truly memorable and educational day—highly recommended for anyone visiting Panama!

5.0 Must See

Judy_D, August 2025

Jose was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and kept us informed. The works of the canal was amazing. This experience is a must do.

5.0 A Great Way to Learn About and See the Canal

Kelly_W, July 2025

This was a fantastic tour - the crew was so genuinely friendly and helpful. The guide was not only well-informed, but very personable. They engaged with everyone who had questions and even nerded out with us about ecology and biology. It was great to get both breakfast and lunch, and then a snack. We had a mechanical issue that cut our trip short unexpectedly, and we still thoroughly enjoyed every moment. This tour is great if you want to see everything about the canal from the scenery to the function, and learn about history. There is a lot of time to relax and enjoy just being on a very nice cruise.

5.0 A Must Do To Experience The Panama Canal

Mike_A, June 2025

This was by far one of the best tours that we have taken. It was extremely professional and run like a well oiled machine. Bravo to all of the staff, guide, and crew.

5.0 Incredible work

J6340HXalbertof, June 2025

Incredible and exciting work. The oceans touch thanks to visionary engineers and workers who gave their lives to connect them.

5.0 Great experience on the full transit Canal tour.

Debbie_F, May 2025

Super interesting tour and it was cool to see how the locks work on both sides. I was afraid the full transit would be boring and joked to bring a hammock along, lol. But I was pleasantly surprised and absorbed the info like a scholar. Seeing the big ships and transits in action is priceless. Food was simple but tasty, and personnel was super friendly. The guide was knowledgeable and funny too. I liked being able to get out of the sun and heat, to the cooler decks below. Overall this was a great tour and well worth the money.

5.0 Excellent experience

Carrie_C, May 2025

Great experience. You're up close to everything. The boat was comfortable, the food and service was good The guide was excellent. Don't waste time and money on a cruise.

4.0 Very complete and didactic

vicente_p, May 2025

It's for real stakeholders I would have preferred the animator to speak the same speech in Spanish and English00

5.0 Full Transit is well worth the time!

apriljS4789DZ, April 2025

From pick-up to drop-off, this was a relaxing, enjoyable experience. Seating was comfortable. Abundant food was tasty. Views were unobstructive. If you have the time, it is worth it to complete the full transit of the canal. Time went by quickly because there is so much to see. Our guide was very informative and I appreciated it that he walked around the boat answering everyone's questions.

5.0 Great!!!

Leonidas_G, April 2025

This is an amazing experience. I enjoyed it a lot. The Canal is a wonderful engineering site. Long day but worth it.

5.0 This is a great...

Leonidas_G, April 2025

This is a great experience! Long day, but worth it. Very organized! And the canal is impressive! I had a great time.

5.0 Excellent Experience

Mark_M, April 2025

Long day, but worth it. Tour was very well organized from check in to final drop off. Staff was absolutely first class, food was good and plentiful, and the experience was just amazing. Great to pass through the whole cannel system and not just 2 locks.

5.0 It was well organized and...

KIM_H, April 2025

It was well organized and there are plenty of food and drinks. The staff is very nice. 100 minimum characters?

5.0 Full Pananma Canal transit trip

rpandjj2015, April 2025

This is a rare once in a lifetime experience to see one of the modern wonders of the world. The trip was all we could ask for and more. The staff and guide was attentive, knowledgeable, and went beyond what was expected to provide information, comfort, and they provided it throughout the full canal transit. Food and drinks were great but really we were on this trip for the canal experience. The one small criticism was the smoking area at the ships rear lower deck. This should be eliminated as smoke did sometimes drift into the closed cabin and people did not appreciate the 2nd hand cancer smoke. Other than that it was perfect!

5.0 Worth every penny

Madelaine_K, March 2025

A highlight of our trip. Our guide was and engaging speaker and knowledgeable about the canal, both it's history and current operations. The food is simple, as is necessary to feed 100 people on a boat, but tasty and filling. It's a very well organised day. Long and hot if you stay on the open deck but the views are worth it.

5.0 Great Experience - and should not be missed

Thomas_S, March 2025

This was a great experience. The breakfast, lunch and snack on board were all good and well organised. Edwin’s commentary on events and points of interest relating to the canal was exceptional. The transfer to the great coaches, for return to Panama was again well done. This was truly a GREAT experienced and recommended to all.

5.0 Excellent canal experience

438geraintj, March 2025

From start to finish it was an excellent day. There seemed to be a lot of people on the boat but with colour coded wrist bands used to stagger meal times and everyone being very courteous with the seats with the best outdoor views it worked out fine. The food was simple, but tasty and plenty of it. The guide was brilliant. Highly recommended for an up close look at the Panana canal.

5.0 A banner day

Priscilka_A, March 2025

From beginning to end, this trip was just the best. Viator took such good care of us, made sure we were comfortable, enjoying our time and provided great transportation and meals.

5.0 Great Experience

Clint_P, March 2025

It's a great tour. Well-narrated and casual. It's a long day -5:30 am-7:00 pm but well worth the time and money. The food is good too! I'd advise getting to the dockside kiosk plenty early.

5.0 Great experience!

Janis_I, February 2025

Well organized, great narrator, good food, and a great way to see the full Panama Canal. The ship, Pacific Queen, is starting to show it’s age but it worked out fine.

5.0 Full transit of Panama Canal in 180 passenger boat

Thomas H, February 2025

180 passenger boat with comfortable outdoor and indoor seating transited entire Panama Canal from Pacific to Atlantic (including six enormous locks) in about 10 hours. Onboard guide provided very informative and interesting narration. Good breakfast and lunch were provided. Crew was very friendly and helpful. This tour was operating only once per month when we took it (in February, 2025), and was pretty much full. We were glad that we scheduled our trip to Panamá around the tour schedule.