The Panama Canal cruise ship season officially started on Wednesday, October 2, with the transit of the Celebrity Millennium.

During this coming season, cruise ships will be transiting the waterway during the year of its 100th anniversary.

The Celebrity Millennium, with a capacity of more than 2,000 passengers, marked the beginning of the season, transiting through the Panama Canal as part of a 15-day trip from San Diego, California to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in the United States.

According to Albano Aguilar, international trade specialist for the Vice Presidency for Planning and Business Development, more than 200 transits are expected this season, an average similar to the past couple of years. The main cruise lines offer itineraries of 10 days or more, which include the experience of transiting the Panama Canal.

Other cruise ships transiting through the Panama Canal include the National Geographic Sea Lion and Wind Spirit, which have shorter itineraries along the west coast of Central America.

During this season, three cruise ships will transit through the Panama Canal for the first time: Carnival Imagination on January 16, Costa Atlantica on May 14 and Carnival Legend on August 22.