Content Section

Holland America Line Offers More Ways to Experience the Panama Canal in 2017–18 with Eight Ships and 35 Cruises

Man-made wonder to welcome a record number of HollandAmerica guests this season

Seattle,Wash., Aug. 1, 2017 —Travelerswho want to transit the lakes and locks of the Panama Canal will have eightHolland America Line ships and 19 cruises to choose from between fall 2017through spring 2018. In addition to the full transits, ms Zuiderdam willoffer two Southern Caribbean & Panama Canal Sunfarer itineraries thatfeature a partial transit through the Panama Canal.

With transits ranging from 14 to 23days, Holland America Line provides guests more ways to experience the famouswaterway than any other premium cruise line. During the 2017–18 season, HollandAmerica Line's full and partial transits will carry more than 400,500 gueststhrough the Central American man-made marvel.

"The Panama Canal is among thegreatest engineering feats of our time, and its easy access from a U.S. homeport makes it one of the most popular longer itineraries we feature," saidOrlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "There's no better way tobecome more immersed in the world than by experiencing something like thePanama Canal, where history comes to life as you witness up close what it tookto connect these two oceans. Everyone should transit the Panama Canal at leastonce in their lifetime."

See Two Oceans on FullPanama Canal Transit

From September 2017through May 2018, ms Amsterdam, ms Eurodam, ms Maasdam, msNieuw Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam and ms Zaandamwill make 19 transits between the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean from fivedeparture cities. Guests can set sail from Boston, Mass.; Fort Lauderdale,Florida; San Diego and San Francisco, California; and Vancouver, BritishColumbia. Cruise rates start at $1,199.

In addition to visitingthe Panama Canal, the 14- to 23-day cruises include a variety of port callsalong the way. On the full transits the guests will visit destinations inMexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the Caribbean.Additionally, most sailings visit Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line'saward-winning private Bahamian island known for its pristine beaches, exciting shoreexcursions, exclusive beach cabanas and child-friendly activities.

Aruba, Bahamas and thePanama Canal on Partial Transits

In addition to the fulltransits, Zuiderdam will make sixteen partial transits between November2017 and April 2018. The 10- and 11-day Southern Caribbean & Panama CanalSunfarer itineraries include an exploration of the Canal's Gatún Lake and acombination of Southern Caribbean calls in Aruba, Bonaire, Colombia, CostaRica, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Panama and Half Moon Cay. Cruise rates start at$1,099.

Explorations Central (EXC) BringsPanamanian Culture on Board

Throughout the voyages, EXC programmingbrings Panama's local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences tolife on board. Through EXC Encounters, guests can practice their languageskills, find out about local customs, or enjoy the simple pleasure ofstorytelling. Those who want to learn more can attend an EXC Talk where aPanama Canal expert recounts the history and drama of constructing the famouswaterway. A Panamanian market on the Lido Deck is a highlight of the voyagewhere guests can indulge in regional delicacies such as empanadas, arroz conpollo, ropa vieja and pastel de tres leches.

The EXC Team will provide furthercustomized guidance for the port calls, and online EXC Port Planners inpartnership with AFAR Media offer exclusive tips and information for eachdestination. The in-stateroom EXC Channel will feature a selection of curatedfilms, documentaries and TV shows exploring destinations on the ship'sitinerary.

Formore information, contact a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL HAL(1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Editor's note: Photosare available here: # size="3">.

FindHolland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog.Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quicklink on the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About HollandAmerica Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL andCUK)]

HollandAmerica Line's fleet of 14 ships offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies around the world. Fromshorter getaways to 113-day itineraries, the company's cruises visit all sevencontinents with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South Americacircumnavigations and exotic Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; fourannual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to the Caribbean, Cuba, Alaska,Mexico, Canada & New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal. Theline welcomed ms Koningsdam in 2016 and has a second Pinnacle-class ship,ms Nieuw Statendam, is to be delivered in December 2018. A third Pinnacle-classship, due for delivery in 2021, recently was announced.

Thecompany is undergoing $300 million in brand enhancements to secure its positionas the leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships feature innovativeinitiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destinationimmersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand their knowledge through anexclusive partnership with O, The OprahMagazine; during an America's Test Kitchen show; at Explorations Cafépresented by The New York Times; and by taking a Digital Workshop powered byWindows. Outstanding entertainment fills each evening at venues includingLincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and B.B. King's Blues Club. The diningexperience can be savored at a variety of restaurants with menus that featureselections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council that comprisesworld-famous chefs who design dishes exclusively for our guests.

Kaleidoscope powered