Has anyone heard of a cruise that goes through the Panama canal and then down into South America? If so, will you please tell me the company and any impressions or information you might care to share?

Yes, Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas has a cruise with this itinerary: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal (Cruising Canal); Fuerte Amador, Panama; Manta, Ecuador; Lima, (Callao) Pero; Arica, Chile; La Serena (Coquimbo), Chile; Valparaiso, Chile

Holland America ms Prisendan leaves Ft Lauderdale next January 3,2008, travels through the Panama Canal, down the west coast of South America with many stops, around Cape Horn, stops at the Falkland Islands,up east Coast with stops in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Rio de Janeiro, down the Amazon River to Manaus, Brazil, before heading back with several stops to Ft Lauderdale. This is a 68 day trip. Sounds wonderful to me.
A shorter 12 day version ends at Lima, Peru.
A 39 day trip takes you to Buenos Aires.
Check out www.vactionstogo.com for itineray and cost.

sorry, that should be ms Prisendam

The very best cruise I've ever gone on went all the way around South America first and then returning to Ft. Lauderdale via Panama Canal. It was on the Regent Mariner. This is a fantastic cruise line, all inclusive so you never have to sign for anything, all cabins are suites with balconies...really the finest cruise ship I've ever cruised on. One of these days, I'd love to repeat this exact same itinerary, it was this good. (It was a 60 day cruise).

Thanks for all the information. I'd love to do the entire 60 day trip, but I think the 12 day ending in Lima will work just fine.

www.pocruises.com
Done this twice with P&O