PANAMA CITY: The ship, the Carnival Miracle, opened the Panama Canal’s 2026-2027 cruise season on Wednesday, marking the start of more than 220 transits scheduled for this period.
The ship began her northbound passage through the Miraflores Locks, from the Pacific side to the Atlantic, as part of a 16-day repositioning voyage from Seattle, Washington.
This season affirms that the Panama Canal continues as an appealing strategic route for the cruise industry and reinforces its role for itineraries that connect tourism markets across North America, the Caribbean, and along the Pacific coast.
According to Albano G. Aguilar, Market Analysis and Forecasting Specialist at the Corporate Affairs Office, cruise transits are projected to perform favorably during the fiscal year. This outlook reflects the industry’s sustained expansion, growing global passenger demand, and the optimism of major cruise lines about their future operations.
In 2027, global passenger demand is projected to grow by 5.0%, while the global fleet is set to increase by 16 vessels to a total of 490 ships.
Throughout the season, cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruises will operate itineraries that include both full and partial transits of the Panama Canal. Smaller vessels are also expected to visit, including Le Bellot, the Star Legend, the National Geographic Quest, and the Wind Star.
Five cruise ships will make their first Panama Canal transit this season: L’Austral, Le Laperouse, the Seven Seas Prestige, the Spirit of Adventure, and the Explora III. In addition, 39 Neopanamax transits are expected including three of the largest ships, at 177,882 tons: the Star Princess, the Norwegian Bliss, and the Norwegian Joy.
With this schedule, the Panama Canal begins a new cruise season with positive expectations and a diverse range of transits, from large Neopanamax ships to smaller vessels geared toward specialized tourism experiences. The Panama Canal cruise season runs from October to May each year.
