One of the greatest engineering feats ever, the Panama Canal is becoming one of the world's most popular cruise itineraries. Ports of call span the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, but the highlight of the cruise is the eight-hour transit of the Canal in which six massive locks raise and lower the ship 85 feet. Read about the monumental construction of the Canal as well as the history, culture, flora and fauna of this tropical region. Detail provided on popular ports, from Florida to California. Over 400 maps and photos most in color. Includes giant color fold out map of Panama Canal

I too am disappointed in this book. It's all over the place with other destinations, format is terrible. Lots of info on nothing relevent. Pictures are good but not relevent! No information on current ports! No information on shore excursions, all info is short and vague. This book was slapped together from many sources and is not for people who are actually planning on a panama canal cruise.

I bought this book prior to a Panama Canal cruise not just for the cruise information but also because of the extensive amount of history covering the Panama Canal, including how it was built and the political involvement in making it happen. The details and background on the canal are outstanding.

What I didn't expect to find was not only information about the ports of call in Panama, but information about every possible port of call on a Panama Canal cruise. Whether you sail from Florida to California or any other path, your ports are covered in this book. Know what to purchase in Costa Rica, know where to sightsee in Cozumel, and know where the locals will be waving at your ship as you pass through the canal. A must have guide for every canal cruise, and a great guide for the Caribbean and Mexico as well.

Purchased this book for my mother-in-law. She seemed to like it. They are taking a trip there, so it made a good gift. Have not read the book myself.

Great coverage of the history and structure of the Panama Canal itself and a great deal of information about cruise ships in general. However, I was disappointed in the coverage of the ports. I would have preferred more details.

Our Holland America transit of the Panama Canal in May '07 included a veteran tour guide talking on the ships announcement systems. His description was very poor and the facts were just wrong. I knew that because I had read this book.

I recommend you buy and read this book before making your transit.