Panama Ports Company (PPC) inaugurated its Cristobal Cruise Terminal at Pier 6 in 2000. The terminal is located in the province of Colon at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Therefore, it is ideally placed to service cruise ships operating in the Caribbean Sea or transiting the Panama Canal.

 

With a 678-metre quayside and a depth alongside of 14.5 metres, the terminal is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the region. Two mega-cruise ships can dock simultaneously. This, combined with the terminal's strategic location, has attracted 11 major cruise lines. These lines have brought almost 1.5 million visitors to Pier 6 since its inauguration as well as world-class ships such as the Queen Mary 2, which docks at the terminal regularly.

 

To provide top passenger service, the terminal at Pier 6 offers a duty-free shopping area, dining and bar facilities, an arts and crafts centre, a tour/taxi dispatching service,  a business centre, first-aid facilities, folklore presentations and more – all accessible to handicapped visitors. These services complement the city of Colon's status as one of the most attractive tourist destinations of the Caribbean. They also provide a strong source of employment for local residents.