The Panama Canal is more than a shortcut between oceans; it’s an engineering marvel that’s 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 canal’s historic locks.

This 15-day journey was long, filled with early-morning flights, incredible rainforest wildlife, 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