The man-made system of locks are where the Panama Canal works its magic by lifting passing ships up to the canal's main elevation, then letting them down again. You'll see three lock systems as you make your way through the canal: Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun.
From the ship, you'll get great views of Soberania National Park, a 55,000-acre area of protected rainforest that's home countless species of birds, mammals and reptiles. See if you can catch a glimpse of an orange-chinned parakeet or a white-faced capuchin monkey.
Be sure to look for the islands that surround Lake Gatun during your Panama Canal cruise. See the lush forests and colorful birds, and get to know the impressive body of water itself — at the time it was created, it was the largest man-made lake in the world.