The awe-inspiring Panama Canal never fails to be a “must see” wonder for cruisers, and Princess continues to lead the way with three ships transiting this engineering marvel for the 2008-09 season. With more departures and the most modern fleet in the region, the line offers passengers a full range of itineraries to one of the greatest achievements of the 20th Century.

Sister ships Coral Princess and Island Princess, both purpose-built for Canal cruising, will offer full Canal transit voyages as well as convenient roundtrip partial transits. In addition, the intimate 670-passenger Pacific Princess will sail on one 20-day Grand Canal adventure. Together, these ships will offer a choice of 40 departures, on six Panama Canal itineraries. Princess ships offer the highest percentage of balcony staterooms of all vessels in this destination, so passengers have the perfect vantage point for watching the Canal’s locks as they lift and lower the ship a dramatic 170 feet.

“We carry more passengers through the Panama Canal than any other cruise line, and we’re delighted so many travelers have chosen us over the past 40 years as the best way to escape and enjoy this ?once-in-a-lifetime’ experience,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president of customer service and sales. “What better view from your Princess balcony than an up-close look at these amazing locks in action.”

Roundtrip Panama Canal Sailings — Princess offers both east and west coast routes featuring the convenience of a roundtrip itinerary:

Roundtrip Panama Canal — Coral Princess and Island Princess both sail on this classic 10-day itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale, with calls in Aruba, Cartagena, the Panama Canal partial transit, Cristobal, Limon (Costa Rica), and Ocho Rios. Coral Princess will offer four departures on this itinerary (October 2 and 12, 2008, February 3 and 13, 2009) and Island Princess will sail on 11 cruises (October 27, November 6, December 14, 2008; January 13 and 23, and February 22 through April 13, 2009.)

Pacific Panama Canal — Two sailings of this roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles offer calls at Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador, Nicaragua (Puerto Corinto), Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, and Puerto Vallarta. Island Princess sails on this 18-day cruise on September 25, 2008, while Coral Princess offers a 19-day sailing on April 26, 2009, featuring an overnight in the Canal.

Full Transit Cruises — The full grandeur of the Panama Canal is the highlight on five transit itineraries, offering 10- to 20-day escapes.

Exotic Panama Canal — The hallmark of Princess’ full-transit Canal program is a 14-day journey between Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale featuring calls at Huatulco, Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), Nicaragua (Puerto Corinto or San Juan del Sur), Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Panama Canal, Cartagena, and Aruba. Coral Princess features 10 sailings on this route (September 18, October 22, November 5, December 9 and 23, 2008; January 6 and 20, February 23, March 9, April 12, 2009) while Island Princess features four departures (October 13, November 16 and 30, 2008 and April 23, 2009)

Panama Canal Adventurer — Between Ft. Lauderdale and Acapulco, a 10-day cruise with calls at Ocho Rios, Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Nicaragua (San Juan del Sur or Puerto Corinto), Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), and Huatulco. Coral Princess and Island Princess each offer four sailings on this route. (Coral: November 19 and 29, 2008; March 23 and April 2, 2009. Island: December 24, 2008; January 3, February 2 and 12, 2009)

Grand Panama Canal — Three ships offer full Grand Canal transits between Ft. Lauderdale and Vancouver. Coral Princess departs from Vancouver on a 17-day journey beginning September 15, 2008 with calls at Huatulco, Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), Nicaragua (Puerto Corinto or San Juan del Sur), Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Panama Canal, Cartagena, and Aruba. Island Princess offers an 18-day voyage on a similar itinerary adding a call in Victoria and Los Angeles that departs on April 23, 2009. The intimate Pacific Princess offers a 20-day transit that departs April 24, 2009 and includes calls in Aruba, San Blas, Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and San Francisco. Early booking fares for Princess’ Panama Canal 10-day sailings begin at $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy.