The Panama Canal is more than just a shortcut between oceans; it’s an engineering marvel that has been on my bucket list for years. In October 2023, we finally decided to “say the heck with it” and booked a 15-day Ocean-to-Ocean transit. On the Ruby Princess, sailing from San Francisco to Ft Lauderdale, we passed through Mexico, Costa Rica, and the historic locks of the canal itself.

This 15-day journey was a long one, filled with early morning flights, incredible wildlife in the rainforest, and plenty of days at sea to explore every inch of the Ship.

Read on for the full breakdown of the trip.

Overview & Planning

• Panama Cruise 2023 — Introduction & Bucket List
• About the Country of Panama
• Delta Airlines: Our Go-To for the Trip

Getting There — San Francisco

• Flight to SFO — Concourse B Adventure
• The Plane: Flying the Embraer 175
• San Francisco Airport (SFO) Overview
• Transportation: Uber to Pier 35
• Pier 35: The Last-Minute Switch

The Ship — Ruby Princess

• Ruby Princess — Ship Overview & Facts
• Embarkation: The Blue Lane vs. the Green Lane
• Sailing Under the Golden Gate Bridge
• Day One Overview: Oct. 22
• Cabin B625: Our Deck 11 Balcony

Ship Decks

• Decks 4 and 5 — Medical & Public Spaces
• Deck 6 — The Theater & Dining
• Deck 7 — Upper Theater & Lounges
• Deck 15 — The Pools & Spa
• Deck 16 — Sun Deck & Fitness Center
• Deck 17 — The Sanctuary
• Decks 18 and 19 — Skywalkers Nightclub

Food & Dining

• Free Food Options Overview
• The Buffet Experience
• Casual Food on the Ruby
• Dining Room & Specialty Food Recap: Part 1
• Dining Room & Specialty Food Recap: Part 2

Port Stops & Adventures

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

• Cabo San Lucas — Town Overview
• Adventure in Cabo: Camel Rides & Excursions

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

• Puntarenas — The Gateway to Coffee & Nature
• Adventure in Costa Rica: The Aerial Tram

Panama City & The Canal

• Panama City — The Capital
• The Canal Transit: Pacific to Atlantic
• Panama Canal Excursions: Getting Up Close to the Locks

Colombia

• Republic of Colombia — Country Overview & History
• Cartagena, Colombia — The Major Port of the North
• Adventure in Cartagena: Sea Rumba & The Old City

Heading Home

• Disembarkation: The Longest Cruise Yet Comes to an End
• Flight to Atlanta — Boeing 757
• Atlanta Airport (ATL) Hub Overview
• The Final Leg: Atlanta to SLC