PANAMA CITY AND THE CANAL – FROM COLON 2000 PORT

The Panama Canal is a constructed waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Isthmus of Panama, at Miraflores locks, one of the three locks that forms the Panama Canal, you will have the opportunity view the gargantuan ships that make their way through the locks and enjoy a movie presentation on the IMAX THEATER, The film sweeps from the days when Conquistadores struggled through a water-soaked quagmire to the 19th-Century French canal-digging debacle to the American engineering achievement that revolutionized shipping and tropical medicine. It is also about the visionary present, documenting efforts by Panama to expand the 100-year-old waterway to accommodate post-panamax ships.

On the way to Miraflores Locks you will have a scenic drive to the Administration Building of the Panama Canal.

On this scenic, get acquainted, excursion you will visit the streets of 'Colonial Panama', founded in 1673 by French colonists. Over the next 200 years the city experienced many changes. You will notice the influences through the changes in architecture, representing a wonderful blend of French, Spanish and Italian styles. The ruins of the churches and convents, colonial palaces, bridges and military buildings attest to the grandiose past of this city. A brief stop in the old center will be made for an encounter with Panama History.

Enjoy a scenic drive over the palm-lined Amador Causeway with fantastic views of the downtown skyline. This causeway was built with excavated material during the construction of the Panama Canal, it took 18 million yards of solid rock. Originally part of a military base, this is now a popular recreational area with shops, restaurants and a marina attracting locals and visitors alike. A short stop will be made at Fort Amador, before your return to the ship.

Note: Depending on canal scheduling, you may or may not actually see vessels in the lock chambers.