15-day Panama Canal holiday

Trip Code:59833
(AUD) Twin Share from $4,259pp
Days 16
Nights 15

15-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida aboard Zaandam.

Calling at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Huatulco, Puntarenas, Cartagena and Miami, with 7 days at sea. 8 ports of call across California, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia and Florida.

Zaandam is a Holland America Line ship that entered service in 2000, carrying around 1,430 guests. Music-themed throughout — her collection includes instruments signed by Queen and the Rolling Stones — she is one of the fleet’s smaller ships, well suited to longer voyages.

Stateroom categories range from Interior to Neptune Suite.

  • 18 Dec 2027 – 02 Jan 2028
    from $4,259 pp twin share *

Additional Pricing Information

  • Interior from $4,259 pp twin share
  • Ocean View from $4,729 pp twin share
  • Vista Suite from $7,829 pp twin share
  • Neptune Suite from $14,959 pp twin share

* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.

Itinerary

Day 1 – San Diego, California

Departs 04:00 pm.

Known as a place of infinite beauty, affectionate locals and endless sunshine, San Diego has become one of America’s favorite cities. Located in the southwest corner of California, close to the border of Mexico, San Diego has a distinct cross-cultural feel, part sun-drenched Mediterranean atmosphere, part south-of-the-border zest and part quintessential California beach town.The history of San Diego is rooted in its Spanish and Mexican past. San Diego was declared the capital of upper and lower Baja only four years after Mexico gained its independence in 1821. Less than thirty years later, the United States declared war on Mexico and within two years the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo was signed creating the current borders between Mexico and the United States.The city continues to prosper with a population exceeding one million. World-renowned attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, the Salk Institute, Sea World, La Jolla and the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge have created a strong tourism industry for the area. But undoubtedly what attracts visitors from around the world is the city’s breathtaking natural beauty, superb coastline and near-perfect weather.

Day 2 – At Sea

Day 3 – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Arrives 10:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Millennia ago, Cabo San Lucas was part of the Mexican mainland. Then a massive rupture of the San Andreas Fault sent the waters of the Pacific crashing into the newly formed depression, creating the Sea of Cortez and the Baja Peninsula. Lying at the very tip of Baja, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, Cabo San Lucas – or “Cabo” – is one of the premier resort destinations in the Western Hemisphere. Swim in the transparent waters, marvel at the wealth of marine life, relax on one of the white-sand beaches or try your hand at some of the finest sportfishing in the world.Note: Your ship will anchor in Cabo San Lucas and use launches to transport all passengers ashore.

Day 4 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Arrives 11:00 am, departs 07:00 pm.

Puerto Vallarta was sleepy no more; its transformation into an international resort had begun. Then director John Huston chose the village as the location for his film “Night of the Iguana,” starring Richard Burton. Today, the city has its own “Gringo Gulch,” a haunt of the rich and famous. Travelers are also drawn by its climate, its excellent shopping – which offers great values on leather goods, jewelry, and handicrafts – and mile after mile of palm-lined beaches.

Day 5 – Manzanillo, Mexico

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

Manzanillo’s history as a resort on the Mexican Riviera is brief. But the port’s history is as old as the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Cortes first espied the harbour in 1522, when he chose the bay as the site for a shipyard. The city’s maritime heritage continues to this day: Manzanillo is the largest commercial port on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. What draws travellers, however, is the bay’s scenic beauty: jungle-laden mountains rise above rocky coves and golden-sand beaches. The offshore waters offer superb diving – and some of the finest fishing in the world.For decades, Manzanillo has been a secret destination for fishermen. The offshore waters teem with 70 species of game fish. One can fish for sailfish and dorado year-round.

Day 6 – At Sea

Day 7 – Huatulco, Mexico

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

Nine bays bordered by 36 golden-sand beaches form the beautiful Las Bahias de Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca. Welcome to Mexico’s newest resort on the Pacific Riviera. Huatulco is a tropical Eden with crystalline waters, coral reefs, and uncrowded beaches. Inland, the rugged coast range is thickly carpeted with rainforest and coffee plantations. While Huatulco is still in its early stages of development, travelers may note that the resort has a different feel from other destinations on the Mexican Riviera. That’s because large areas of Huatulco have been designated as an ecological reserve. Huatulco is located in the state of Oaxaca where the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.

Day 8 – At Sea

Day 9 – At Sea

Day 10 – Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

To Spanish explorers, the rumors of gold and vast riches could only mean that this section of Central America was the costa rica – the “Rich Coast.” Hailed as the Switzerland of the Americas, Costa Rica occupies a unique position, lying between two oceans and two continents. On both coasts, tropical rainforests rise to the mountains of the interior, many of which soar over 13,000 feet above sea level. In the west, a seemingly endless succession of brown-sand beaches forms the nation’s Pacific coast. Puntarenas is your gateway to Costa Rica’s wonders – and to its capital city of San Jose.

Day 11 – At Sea

Day 12 – Enter Panama Canal Balboa

Arrives 06:00 am, departs 06:00 am.

Day 12 – Cruising Panama Canal

Day 12 – Exit Panama Canal Cristobal

Arrives 06:00 pm, departs 06:00 pm.

Day 13 – Cartagena, Colombia

Arrives 11:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

One of the more interesting cities on your itinerary steeped in history. This was the transit port for all the wealth Spain derived from South America. The famous “Old City” is comprised of 12 square blocks filled with attractions, boutiques and restaurants. Throughout Colombia, the Spanish Empire’s influence in the New World is self-evident. Its fortress walls, quaint narrow streets, and balconied houses are all vivid reminders of Spain’s hold on Cartagena and throughout the Caribbean and South America. This is the land of El Dorado and flamboyant adventurers in search of the ever-elusive gold. Cartagena’s well-constructed fortifications defended its borders against seafaring pirates whose attacks lasted for more than 200 years. Today this modern and bustling city, seaport, and commercial center still boasts much of its original colonial architecture. Your journey here will provide you with a significant link to the region’s grand past.**Please note that passengers may encounter numerous local vendors at various tourist locations and may find them to be persistent in their sales offers.

Day 14 – At Sea

Day 15 – At Sea

Day 16 – Miami, Florida

Arrives 07:00 am.

Adjectives such as glitzy and glamorous and fun and funky only hint at the reason Miami’s a world-renowned international destination. In the 500 years since Ponce de León arrived in search of the elusive fountain of youth, people have flocked here to capture the city’s energy, vitality and alluring charms. While the city’s noted for its towering palm trees, glittering blue ocean vistas and pristine beaches, beautiful weather, beautiful places and beautiful people it’s also home to an intriguing history, lively culture and postcard-perfect architecture. From the “walking trees” and ‘gator spotting in the Everglades to celebrity spotting in South Beach, Miami’s sure to impress.

Highlights

  • Cruise the legendary Panama Canal
  • Visit 8 ports in 5 countries
  • Sail on the music-themed Zaandam

15-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida aboard Zaandam.

Calling at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Huatulco, Puntarenas, Cartagena and Miami, with 7 days at sea. 8 ports of call across California, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia and Florida.

Zaandam is a Holland America Line ship that entered service in 2000, carrying around 1,430 guests. Music-themed throughout — her collection includes instruments signed by Queen and the Rolling Stones — she is one of the fleet’s smaller ships, well suited to longer voyages.

Stateroom categories range from Interior to Neptune Suite.

Inclusions

  • Dining in the main Dining Room and casual venues
  • Live music venues and nightly entertainment
  • Fitness centre and swimming pools
  • Enrichment programme and port talks

FAQs

Zaandam is a Holland America Line ship that entered service in 2000, carrying around 1,430 guests. Music-themed throughout — her collection includes instruments signed by Queen and the Rolling Stones — she is one of the fleet’s smaller ships, well suited to longer voyages.

Stateroom categories available on this sailing: Neptune Suite, Vista Suite, Ocean View and Interior.

How long is this journey?

This itinerary runs for 16 days and 15 nights.

When can I travel?

Departures are currently scheduled between 18 Dec 2027 and 02 Jan 2028, subject to live availability.

What is generally included?

Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.

What style of accommodation is used?

Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.

Provided by: Holland America Line

Fine Print

Terms and conditions apply. Click here for more details.

(AUD) Twin Share from $4,259pp
Days 16
Nights 15

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