The short answer
Large ocean cruise ships generally do not go through the Cape Cod Canal. The canal is much smaller than the Panama or Suez canals, and bridges, depth and strong tidal currents all limit what can pass. Smaller vessels, including tugs, barges, fishing boats and some small coastal ships, do use it.
Cruise itineraries that travel between Boston and New York or other ports typically stay in open water instead of using the canal, though routing depends on the ship and the cruise line.
Why there is a Cape Cod Canal
The canal was built to give vessels a shortcut across the base of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, between Cape Cod Bay and Buzzards Bay. Without it, ships travelling between Boston and points south have to go around the outer Cape, a longer route where shoals and weather have long been a hazard for mariners. The canal opened in 1914, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has operated it since the 1920s.
Why large cruise ships generally stay out
Several features of the canal make it unsuitable for big ships:
- It is narrow. The channel is a few hundred feet wide, far smaller than the room a big cruise ship needs to maneuver safely.
- It has limited depth. Dredged depths are modest compared with the draft of large ships.
- Bridges cross it. The fixed bridges have vertical clearance of roughly 135 feet, lower than the height of many large cruise ships above the waterline.
- Currents are strong. Tidal flow in the canal can be swift and changes direction through the day.
For comparison, the Panama Canal uses locks and dedicated lanes designed for large vessels, with limits of its own. See which cruise ships are too big for the Panama Canal.
What does use the canal
The canal carries a mix of commercial and recreational traffic: tugs and barges, fishing vessels, pleasure boats and some small passenger vessels. Whether a particular small cruise ship uses it depends on the ship’s dimensions and its operator’s planning.
How New England itineraries work
Cruises in New England and Canada, such as those between Boston, Maine, and the Maritimes, typically sail in open water (see which cruise lines sail from Boston, or the St. Lawrence route from Montreal to Gaspé further north), and the ports of call are chosen with depth and berth space in mind. If a canal passage is important to you, ask the line whether the itinerary includes one, since it would be an unusual feature.
Seeing the canal yourself
If your interest is in the canal itself, you can watch ships from its banks. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains paths along both sides, and the canal is a popular place for walking, running and cycling. The canal itself is roughly 7 miles long, with the approach channels extending further; check the Corps of Engineers’ information for current path lengths and conditions. Small sightseeing boats also operate on the canal in the warmer months.
Other canals that do take cruise ships
Cruise ships do use some of the world’s best-known canals:
- Panama Canal: a major route for cruises. Read how cruise ships go through the Panama Canal.
- Suez Canal: physically possible for cruise ships, though security concerns have kept many away. See can cruise ships go through the Suez Canal.