How Much Does It Cost for a Cruise Ship to Go Through the Panama Canal?

By Anna Duncan

The Panama Canal is an iconic man-made waterway that stretches across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is a vital shipping route for countries all around the world, and cruise ships are among them. But how much does it cost for a cruise ship to go through the Panama Canal?

The cost of transiting through the Panama Canal depends on a few factors, such as the size of the vessel and its type of cargo. Large vessels pay more to transit than smaller vessels due to their size and weight.

In addition, vessels carrying hazardous materials or items that require special handling must pay extra fees. The final cost is determined by calculating a toll fee based on these factors.

The total cost of transiting through the Panama Canal can range from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and type of vessel. For example, a small passenger cruise ship might pay around $15,000 in fees while an oil tanker could pay up to $150,000. It’s important to note that these fees are in addition to any regular maintenance costs associated with running a cruise ship.

In addition to these fees, cruise ships may also be required to make port stops at both ends of the canal. Depending on where they’re docking, additional costs such as taxes or port charges could be applied as well. These costs will vary depending on where in the world they’re stopping.

Overall, transiting through the Panama Canal can be expensive for cruise ships depending on their size and type of cargo they’re carrying. The exact costs can range from several thousand dollars up to tens of thousands; however, additional stops for port charges could add even more expense.

Conclusion: How much does it cost for a cruise ship to go through the Panama Canal? It depends on multiple factors such as vessel size and type of cargo being carried but generally ranges from several thousand dollars up to tens of thousands—plus additional expenses if there are any port stops.