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This posh cruise sails from Vancouver to Mexico and Aruba at a steal

It also makes a full transit through the Panama Canal.

Travellers can enjoy a cruise down the California coast to Mexico and through the Panama Canal on an epic 23-day voyage this fall. 

Princess Cruises' Panama Canal and Pacific Coast cruise itinerary starts from Canada Place on Sept. 23, sailing down the coast, stopping in San Francisco, Catalina Island, San Diego, and Los Angeles. 

After a couple of days at sea, the ship stops in three Mexican cities: Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, and Puerto Chiapas. After exploring the tropical rainforest in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, passengers stop in Fuerte Amador, Panama. Next, the voyage includes a full transit through the awe-inspiring Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is considered a marvel of engineering and a favourite voyage of cruise enthusiasts. 

The final port of call on the itinerary is Aruba, famous for its palm-tree-lined shores, glamorous high-rise buildings, and coral-pink flamingos that wade into its crystal-clear waters.

Passengers disembark the ship in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Oct. 16. 

Date Port Arrive Depart
Tues., Sept. 23  Vancouver   4 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 24  At Sea    
Thursday, Sept. 25  At Sea    
Friday, Sept. 26  San Francisco, CA 8 a.m. 10 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 27  At Sea    
Sun., Sept. 28  Catalina Island, CA 8 a.m. 6 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 29  San Diego, CA 8 a.m. 6 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 30  Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA 6:30 a.m. 3 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 1  At Sea    
Thurs., Oct. 2  At Sea    
Fri., Oct. 3  Puerto Vallarta 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 4  At Sea    
Sun., Oct. 5  Huatulco 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 6  Puerto Chiapas 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 7  At Sea    
Wed., Oct. 8  Puntarenas 7 a.m. 7 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 9  At Sea    
Fri., Oct. 10  Fuerte Amador 7 a.m. 9 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 11  Panama Canal    
Sun., Oct. 12  At Sea    
Mon., Oct. 13  Aruba 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 14  At Sea    
Wed., Oct. 15  At Sea    
Thurs., Oct, 16  Fort Lauderdale, FL 7 a.m.

Cruise from Vancouver through the Panama Canal with Princess Cruises 

The total for an inside cabin is $5,578.43, and the per-person amount is $2,789.17. This price breaks down to a per-diem total of $121.27.

Travellers can also opt for a room with a view or one with a balcony. They may also wish to travel with more space and splurge on a premium suite with luxury furnishings. 

Not only does that cost include your transportation on a beautiful five-star vessel, but it also includes meals, entertainment, snacks, and lodging. The only thing it doesn’t factor in is alcohol, but you may opt to purchase a drink package that can reduce the cost of your spending.

One-way flights from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver start for just over $200 in September but typically involve two stops at that price. For an itinerary with only one stopover, prices typically start around $250.

Travellers should spend at least one night in Florida post-cruise before flying in case there are delays; it also gives them a chance to enjoy the sun-drenched state before returning home.


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