Choose between a large cruise ship with about 1,500 passengers or a smaller Windjammer sailboat with about 100 passengers.
Check with the cruise company or a travel agent to see if any vaccinations are required. Some ships may require a yellow fever vaccination.
Get on deck early the day the ship will be crossing the Panama Canal. This will ensure you have a good view. On commercial vessels lecturers often explain the locking process in detail for guests.
Route your trip. Begin the transit through the Panama Canal from the Atlantic or the Pacific oceans. Cristobal, in the Atlantic, was created in 1914 as a port of entry for supplies needed to build the canal. It adjoins Colon, Panama. Balboa is the terminal port for the Pacific Ocean and is a district of Panama City, Panama.
Complete a Panama Canal Authority Customer Form. These can be found on their website under maritime operations, then customer forms.
Acquire proper travel documents such as a tourist card, visa or passport. United States citizens are required to have a valid passport.
Obtain a cruising permit through the Panama Canal Authority.
Check fees with the Panama Canal Authority just prior to your trip as they may have changed.
Notify the Panama Canal Authority at least 96 hours prior to your arrival in the canal. This can be done using a computer in the ports of Cristobal or Balboa.
Check in with authorities upon arrival in Panama. Before granting you permission to pass through the Panama Canal, authorities will need to view ship documents and inspect your vessel.
Pay the required fees to the authorities. Once payment is registered you will receive a travel date.
Cross the canal on the appropriate date.
