17-Day ~ Panama Canal Knitting Cruise (Nov 2025)

17-Day Panama Canal & Inca Discovery Knitting Cruise with Beth Brown-Reinsel
November 17 - December 04, 2025

The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Transit the twelve locks that lower ships from Gatun Lake to the Pacific Ocean. Travel from the sparkling Caribbean through Central America's ecologically diverse rain forests on your way to South America.

South America is the fiber lover's dream destination, where gorgeous fiber and color inspiration are at every turn. Traveling with like-minded people, experiencing pristine scenery, meeting friendly locals, and indulging in delicious food will make this epic cruise through the Panama Canal a trip of a lifetime. After the cruise, learn about fiber production in Chile by visiting the Quintessence Alpaca farm before flying home.

In Lima, take a glimpse into Peru's rich textile culture on a private tour that includes a visit to Lima's top textile museum. For centuries, textiles have impacted all regions of Peru. These highly skilled textile traditions and techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times. The sights, sounds, and smells of this fabulous cruise will make South America a place you'll want to return to again and again. No matter where you go, you'll find interesting textiles everywhere, friendly locals, and mind-blowing cuisine.

The onboard education program includes a range of classes taught by Beth Brown-Reinsel. Beth will teach popular favorites such as Traditional Ganseys and Twined Textured Fingerless Mitts, as well as a few new classes, including Puntas from Peru and Finnish Mitts.

Whether you take classes or just come along for fun, this cruise will be a trip to remember with incredible scenery, amazing people, and experiences unique only to this region.

2025 Panama Canal & Inca Discovery Knitting Cruise Highlights

• Learn a range of new knitting techniques with knitting expert Beth Brown-Reinsel.


• Make new friends while in class, enjoying shared dining experiences and evening social knitting gatherings.


• Relax on Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, known for its pristine white sand and clear waters, or go snorkeling to see vibrant marine life.


• Transit the Panama Canal while learning its history and importance to world trade.


• See birds, monkeys, flora, and fauna indigenous to this tropical jungle region.


• Take a dug-out canoe up the Changes River to an authentic Embera native village in the Panamanian jungle. These fascinating people will entertain and enrich you.


• Learn the history and shop for famous hand-woven Panama hats in Manta, Ecuador.


• Visit archaeological sights such as Chan Chan near Trujillo and see spinning and weaving baskets of the Chimú dating back several hundred years at the Museo de Sitio Chan Chan.


• Enjoy lunch along the waterfront in Huanchaco while watching locals ride the waves on "Patachos" or giant reed horses.


• Take a panoramic tour of Lima, visit the Indian Market in Miraflores, and shop for alpaca products.


• Visit the Larco Museum, housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion, where you will see an immense collection of pre-Inca pottery and enjoy exquisite Peruvian cuisine in their award-winning courtyard restaurant surrounded by lovely flowers.


• Enjoy an optional Craft Cruise private tour in Lima, visiting the Amano Museum, known for housing over 600 textile articles, a three-course gourmet lunch featuring traditional Peruvian delicacies in a renowned setting overlooking the ruins, and a private textile workshop at the museum.


• Sip Pisco sours, savor succulent seafood and shop for handicrafts such as pottery and alpaca products at the La Recova Market in La Serena, Chile.


• At the Quintessence Alpaca Farm, you can learn how top-quality South American alpaca is processed using techniques that are both socially and environmentally sustainable.


• Shop for hand-painted Quintessence Alpaca yarn grown, processed, and hand-dyed in Chile.


• Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch while sampling local wines in the Central Valley of Chile with its rich farmlands and mix of Spanish colonial elements before your evening flight home from Santiago.