Final Thoughts on our Panama Canal Cruise

Would we do it again?

After 17 days of ocean views, unlimited room service, and what can only be described as a concerning number of empty tissue boxes, our Panama Canal cruise has officially sailed off into the sunset.

It was, without question, a trip of a lifetime, packed with those big, jaw-dropping moments and the small, quiet ones that sneak up on you and stay forever. And then there was the Canal itself. Watching a ship our size get lifted and lowered through the canal system is truly surreal.

In between our handful of port stops, we absolutely mastered the fine art of doing…nothing. And not just regular nothing, professional-level nothing. The kind where you briefly consider getting up and doing something, decide against it, and reward yourself with a cocktail. To be fair, the respiratory situation we both picked up helped justify this aggressive commitment to relaxation.

Shawn’s end of cruise drink of choice: The Snakebite

But honestly, if you have to be slightly miserable, doing it on a floating five-star resort isn’t the worst life choice. Unlimited room service? Check. A bathroom that feels like a spa? Check. A bed that gently rocks you to sleep like you’re a very spoiled baby? Also check

One of our biggest questions going into this was: will we get bored after this many days at sea? The answer: a very enthusiastic absolutely not. In fact, we were mentally prepared to extend our stay indefinitely. Someone hand us a permanent wristband - we live here now

Easter Sunday Beef Wellington & treats

We closed things out in style with Shawn’s favorite Virgin Voyages tradition: the legendary last-night beef wellington. It was a proper send-off, equal parts celebration and “let’s order multiple desserts because we’ve behaved so well all cruise.”

Would we do this exact cruise again? Probably not the Panama Canal specifically. The Canal crossing is the main event, and once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it. This is very much a repositioning cruise, with ports that lean more “industrial shipping hub” than “postcard-perfect beach town.” That didn’t bother us (clearly, we gold medaled in Olympic-level lounging), but it’s worth knowing.

That said, we are officially fans of the long-cruise itinerary. We’d do another one in a heartbeat (under certain conditions*).

*The Conditions: being in a suite made a huge difference. Having that extra space, comfort, and little luxuries elevated the entire experience.

Also, not-so-minor detail, it helps that we genuinely like each other. Three weeks in close quarters, most of it slightly under the weather, is either a relationship builder or a Dateline episode waiting to happen. Thankfully, we packed patience, a sense of humor, and enough love to avoid homicidal thoughts.

Now we’re home, still recovering, and definitely missing the sound of the waves.