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Cruises to Fuerte Amador (Balboa)

93 Reviews
1 Award
Fuerte Amador (Photo:Chris Jenner/Shutterstock)

About Fuerte Amador (Balboa)

Fuerte Amador (Balboa), Panama, is the port closest to the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. It's a district of Panama City, located at the entry point to the canal; cruise ships anchor out in the ocean and tender passengers to offshore islands, across a causeway from the city.

The main attraction here is, of course, the Panama Canal, which ships are either just exiting or about to enter. Tours take cruise passengers to the Miraflores Locks or on boat rides through the canal's Gatun Lake. Other tours focus on attractions within Panama City, such as the Frank Gehry-inspired Biomuseum or walking tours through the heart of the city.

If you're planning on touring independently, know that Panama City has fairly bad traffic and getting from the tender pier to and from town may take longer than you expect.

  • More about Fuerte Amador (Balboa)

  • Why go to Fuerte Amador (Balboa)?

  • Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

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Oosterdam
Oosterdam

31 Night
Panama Canal Inca & South America DiscoveryDetails

1,048 Reviews
Leaving:Fort Lauderdale
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Nov 15, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Apr 1, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

19 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Aug 21, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Virgin Voyages

Cruise Critic Favorite

17 Night
Panama Canal & Inca DiscoveryDetails

1,048 Reviews
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Nov 15, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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16 Night
Panama Canal CruiseDetails

1,931 Reviews
Leaving:Galveston
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Apr 14, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,931 Reviews
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Oct 22, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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31 Night
South America Inca & Panama Canal DiscoveryDetails

1,048 Reviews
Leaving:Buenos Aires
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Mar 5, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,190 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
May 9, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite

17 Night
Inca & Panama Canal DiscoveryDetails

1,048 Reviews
Leaving:San Antonio
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Mar 19, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,190 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
May 11, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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16 Night
South America CruiseDetails

Leaving:Lima
Cruise Line:Silversea Cruises
Jan 4, 2025
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Jan 7, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite

10 Night
Classic Panama Canal PassageDetails

1,129 Reviews
Cruise Line:Viking Ocean Cruises
Nov 30, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Panama Canal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Jan 22, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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More about Fuerte Amador (Balboa)

Why go to Fuerte Amador (Balboa)?

Pros:

Fuerte Amador has a good view of the Panama Canal, and offers access to many of Panama City's attractions

Cons:

Independent touring can be a challenge due to traffic and time constraints

Bottom Line:

Organized shore excursions are ideal for exploring this port and the surrounding areas

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Currency is the Panamanian Balboa, which is tied to the U.S. dollar. There's an ATM in the shopping area by the marina by the tender pier. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. For up-to-date currency exchange rates, visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.

Language?

Spanish is the official language. Some vendors will speak English.

--By Erica Silverstein, Senior Editor


Fuerte Amador (Balboa) Cruise Reviews
We had pre-booked a “Best of Fuerte Amador / Panama Canal” excursion through Princess. Miraflores Locks Observation Center: The Miraflores Locks are part of the engineering marvel that makes up the Panama Canal.Read More
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CLCruzer
I did an excursion from Princess Cruise Lines, this was an enjoyable excursion and I loved the tour guide "Roxanna". She was very knowledgeable and willing to explain the sites in detail. This excursion visited botRead More
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Fun in the Florida Sun
Really enjoyed going to the authentic Indian Village via dugout canoe. Read More
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smooth.sailing
The Gatun Lake monkey excursion was great, other than the nasty lunch. We loved being on the lake and the guide and boat operator were wonderful! Read More
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megwstn

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