Panama Canal

M.S. Zuiderdam

Stand face-to-face with the grandeur of the Panama Canal aboard Holland America sailing from San Diego, California. Traversing the 50-mile Panama Canal is a rite of passage and something you’ll remember for a lifetime. Add in compelling ports like Cartagena, Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta and you’re in for a unique adventure. Join us for what will undoubtedly be an enlightening and rewarding journey.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

There is an abundance of things to see and do in the Fort Lauderdale area: visit the newly redesigned Fort Lauderdale Beach and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las Olas Boulevard or venture to the Everglades for an intriguing air boat excursion.

HALF MOON CAY, BAHAMAS

Holland America Line’s pristine private island offers everything you need for a day of play in paradise: a two-mile crescent of perfect beach; an interior lagoon; private beachside cabanas with butler service, showers and misters; and all manner of water sports and activities, including a children’s aqua park and a buoyed personal watercraft course. Sample shore excursions: Horseback Riding by Land and Sea; Deep-sea or Flats Fishing; Stingray Adventure; AquaTrax Watercraft Adventure.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA

Colorful floating markets, wondrous coral reefs and landscapes dotted with curiously bent divi-divi trees await on this, the “A” of the Netherlands Antilles’ famous ABC islands. (Bonaire and Curacao round out the trio.)

WILLEMSTAD (CURACAO) ANTILLES

Amsterdam-like canals, gabled Dutch colonial buildings, an exotic floating market. This bustling duty-free port has it all. Plus the world-famous Curaçao Liqueur Distillery and an intriguing coral reef teeming with parrot fish and queen angelfish.

GATUN LAKE, PANAMA

Gatun Lake is key to supplying the water necessary to operate the locks system. Formed by an earthen dam across the Chagres River to keep the water 85 feet above sea level, the water runs downhill to fill the locks. No pumps, no power other than the force of gravity! Fact: It will take about 52 million gallons of water to float your Holland America ship through the locks.

COLON, PANAMA

Colon lies on the stunning Caribbean coast of Panama, where unparalleled beachesand lush tropical scenery are de rigueur. In nearby Portobello, discover the ruins of Spanish forts, watch the colorful yachts sailing in the bay or hunt for treasures in the local markets. Travel to the Gatun Locks for a bird’s eye view of the immense ships passing through the Panama Canal.

PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA

From Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast go in search of iridescent blue morpho butterflies, sloths, turtle nesting grounds and wise old shamans. Explore the capital city of San Jose, where museums beckon and markets burst with luscious local tastes- mangoes, bananas, pineapples, papayas.