Holland America Line will deploy five ships on 30 cruises to the Panama Canal next year. In addition to the full transits, ‘Panama Canal Sunfarer’ itineraries combine a partial transit with Southern Caribbean ports.
Voyages from 10 to 23 days
Full transits range from 14 to 23 days, while the cruises with partial transits stretch 10 and 11 days.
From January through December 2019, Amsterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam and Volendam will make 17 transits between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Travelers can sail to or from Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, as well as Vancouver, BC.
On full transits, passengers will visit cities in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua, and islands in the Caribbean. In addition, some of the sailings include a visit to Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
Round-trips from Fort Lauderdale
Besides the full transits, Zuiderdam and Eurodam will make 13 partial transits between January and December 2019. These 10- and 11-day cruises operate round-trip Fort Lauderdale and explore the Canal’s Gatún Lake with a combination of Southern Caribbean calls in Aruba, Curaçao, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Half Moon Cay.
Full Panama Canal transit fares start at $1,329 and ‘Sunfarer’ rates start at $949, all per person, double occupancy.
Some cruises eligible for Explore4 perks
Several sailings are eligible for Holland America’s Explore4 promotion. Travelers booking any category stateroom can get a Signature Beverage Package, dinner at the Pinnacle Grill for two, free or reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom and 50% reduced deposits. Travelers who book by Nov. 19 this year receive all the benefits.