Sailing through the Panama Canal is an incredible experience, and it’s no wonder that cruise ships often make this journey as part of their itineraries. But for cruise lines, there is a cost associated with traveling through the canal – and it can be quite expensive.
The cost of transiting the Panama Canal depends on several factors, including the size of the vessel, the number of passengers and crew onboard, and whether or not special arrangements have been made with the canal authorities. Generally speaking, however, most cruise ships will pay a toll based on their total tonnage or measurement in “PC/UMS” (Panama Canal Universal Measurement System).
The tolls for vessels over 300 feet long are calculated using a base rate plus an additional fee for each additional foot. For example, a 900-foot vessel would be charged a base rate plus an incremental fee for each foot above 300 feet.
On top of that, there are other fees that must be paid, such as pilotage fees (for navigating the ship) and line-handling fees (for mooring operations). In addition to these costs, fuel costs must also be taken into account.
For smaller vessels that measure less than 300 feet long, their tolls are calculated using a flat rate regardless of their size. However, they too must pay additional fees such as pilotage fees and line-handling fees.
Overall, transiting through the Panama Canal can be quite costly for cruise ships. The exact amount will depend on many factors including size and passenger capacity. In addition to the tolls charged by the canal authorities, there are other expenses such as pilotage fees and fuel costs that must also be taken into account.
In conclusion, sailing through the Panama Canal is an incredible experience but it comes at a cost. Cruise lines must pay tolls based on their tonnage or length plus other additional fees such as pilotage and line-handling services. The total cost can vary significantly depending on many factors but it can range anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars.