Panama Small Ship Cruises

4 Cruises
3 Offers
Actively explore the Panama Canal and the country’s lush coastlines with our naturalist-guided small ship cruises. Experts ensure you won’t miss spotting a species, or transiting the locks in the best way.
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Trips, Tours & Cruises

Panama Canal Cruises Aboard Small Ships

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4 Cruises
3 Offers

We offer the largest selection of Panama small ship cruises to a wide variety of destinations including the Panama Canal, the San Blas Islands, the Pearl Islands, Darien National Park, Coiba Island National Park, Colon and Panama City. Our Panama small ship cruises take you off the beaten path, beyond the reach of land-based tours or large cruise ships.

Many small ship cruises through the Panama Canal also visit Costa Rica or Colombia. Further customize your Panama cruise experience by combining it with a land adventure to see the best of Panama. Our award-winning Adventure Specialists assist travelers in discovering their perfect Panama small ship cruise.

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8-11 Day Cruise
Secrets of Central America

Discover Panama and Costa Rica on this 11-day expedition cruise aboard 184-guest Le Bellot. Cross the Panama Canal during the day, learn about unique biodiversity, and visit a curated selection of dream islands, natural reserves and fascinating local communities.

From $6420USD
Jan Feb Mar
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8 Day Cruise
The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands & Darién Jungle

Travel round-trip from Panama City aboard 100-guest National Geographic Quest for a Panama-focused small ship exploration. Spend 2 days transiting the canal, plus soak in indigenous and colonial history, local communities and UNESCO World Heritage sites, with daily off-ship activities above and below the water.

From $7389USD
Jan Feb Dec
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8 Day Cruise
Costa Rica & The Panama Canal

Explore Costa Rica and Panama aboard the 100-guest National Geographic Quest. Transit the legendary Panama Canal and visit Barro Colorado with Smithsonian scientists and expert National Geographic guides. Hike, kayak, swim and snorkel.

Special Offer
From $7173USD
Jan Feb Mar Nov Dec
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8 Day Cruise
Panama & Colombia: Exploring The Caribbean Coast

Spend 8 days discovering natural and cultural treasures of Panama and Colombia's Caribbean aboard 100-guest National Geographic Quest. Hike through dense rainforests, explore inlets by kayak, snorkel in blue water and explore age-old traditions that remain part of everyday life.

Special Offer
From $6810USD
Oct Nov
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Panama Cruises
with AdventureSmith

Panama small ship cruises highlight colonial cities, indigenous cultures, lush rainforest, white-sand beaches and emerald waters. Transit or visit the Panama Canal by small ship, alongside explorations of neighboring Colombia or Costa Rica. Why book your Panama cruise with AdventureSmith? 

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Actively Explore

Experience Panama’s coast, waterways & wildlife up close via kayak, paddleboard, snorkeling and hiking.

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Sustainable Choices

Our Panama cruises benefit the communities & environments they reach. 

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Experience You Can Trust

Our own travels in Panama ensure you book the optimal Panama small ship cruise.

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Added Value

Secure Panama cruise deals with our insight & partnerships. We’re here to help you save & plan without stress.

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Panama Canal Cruises on Small Ships

The Panama Canal acts as a vital link between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, shepherding some 14,000 ships each year through its more than 50 miles of locks. Panama small ships combine small ship cruises through the Panama Canal with unique access to dazzling national parks, pristine coastline and over 1,500 islands with daily opportunities for shore landings in this melting pot of world cultures.

Consider options for a full transit at night or day, or a day tour off of your Panama small ship. Our award-winning Adventure Specialists can help you experience the Panama Canal in the best way and we remain a resource while you’re packing and abroad.

Colombia, Costa Rica & Panama Cruises

Many of our Panama small ship cruises include days spent along the Costa Rica coastline, or Colombia’s Caribbean shores. Choose from options starting in Colombia, Panama or Costa Rica, with stops at popular travel points like Colombia’s colonial city of Cartagena or Costa Rica’s Corcovado, Golfo Dulce and Manuel Antonio National Park.

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Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

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Accommodations

Panama Small Ships

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Panama’s extensive Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, as well as the Panama Canal, are perfectly suited for small ship cruising. Specially outfitted expedition ships carrying no more than 100 guests are designed for active, up-close explorations beyond the reach of larger cruise ships. We offer only the best Panama small ships and we are experts at matching travelers to the right ship for their interests, ability and budget.

Expect to get off the ship away from port with daily, guided, off-vessel activities including rainforest hikes, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and small craft excursions. After an exciting day of exploration return to the ship for a sunset beer on deck, a delicious meal and a restful night’s sleep before the next day’s adventure.

Travel Guides

Travel Guides for Panama Small Ship Cruises

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As small ship cruise and wilderness travel experts, AdventureSmith Explorations is your go-to resource for researching active, sustainable and educational cruises to Panama. Our guides aim to answer common questions we receive from travelers, and our Costa Rica and Panama small ship cruise expert reviews take you aboard ships and trips with us to see what it’s really like.

Our experts have cruised and traveled extensively in Panama and share these tips so you can find the best Panama cruise. We are here to provide you with a seamless experience, and these travel guides written by our Adventure Specialists along with our page on Panama’s climate for travelers are a great place to start your trip planning and preparation.

Expert Review • August 1st, 2023
Expert Aboard: Venture & National Geographic Quest Reviews

Learn from two AdventureSmith experts about identical sister ships Nat Geo Venture and Quest. Tips on choosing your cabin, what the food is like and why choose to sail aboard.

Travel Essential • February 2nd, 2024
7 Ways to Experience the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a living monument that stretches over historical lands and has connected the seas for over 100 years. We've curated 7 ways to experience this engineering marvel by small ship cruise and land tour.

Expert Review • August 6th, 2024
Expert Aboard: Kontiki Costa Rica Review 

An AdventureSmith expert steps aboard an 18-guest yacht newly sailing Costa Rica. Learn all about the ship in his detailed Kontiki Wayra review that covers everything from the cabins to the cuisine.

Central America • July 23rd, 2020
Kids in the Rainforest: 8 Tips for Family Travel

The family travel experts at AdventureSmith have compiled these top 8 tips for travel in the rainforest with kids.

Expert Review • August 3rd, 2018
Expert Review: Panama Cruise

Travel with AdventureSmith's Jennifer to Panama's Pearl Islands, Darien Jungle, Gamboa Rainforest and through the Panama Canal aboard the 24-guest Discovery catamaran.

Testimonials

What Travelers Say About Their Panama Small Ship Cruises

Special Offers

Deals on Panama Small Ship Cruises

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How do you get the best deal on a Panama small ship cruise? Book early to secure your top choice at the best rate, or work with an expert who knows the latest discounts. View our Panama special offers, which are constantly being updated, then contact our specialists to help you select the best deal for you.

Our Expertise

Our Experts Are Your Fastest Way to a Central America Cruise

Receive Personalized Recommendations

Need help narrowing down all the options for small ship cruises in Panama? Our experts are just a phone call or email away to assist. Contact us to receive a personalized-to-you recommendation on the best Panama cruises for your travel style, budget and timing needs. Still want to browse on your own? Filter through all our Central America cruises.

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