Two cruise lines offer cruises from San Francisco through the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel and the eighth wonder of the world. You'll pass through massive locks that lift or lower the ship. The area is also rich in exotic flora and fauna. The final destination for these cruises from SF is Florida, New York or England. See the schedule of departures below.
The Panama Canal is a ship canal that connects the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. It is 48 miles long and is a vital route for international trade. Gatun Lake was created to reduce the amount of excavation required for the canal. The lake is 85 feet above sea level so locks at both ends raise and lower ships.