Continuing to firm up options for cruise travelers, Holland America Line is the latest with deployment news. Travelers interested in transiting the lakes and locks of the Panama Canal will have five Holland America Line ships to choose in 2019. Short on time?  Partial transits are paired with Caribbean ports of call.  Coming back to Mexico strong, three Holland America ships will sail a series of cruises roundtrip from San Diego.

“Explorers, destination collectors and adventure-seekers looking for a ‘wow’ experience should book a cruise to the Panama Canal, because it is unlike any other trip”- Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

Anticipating another robust Panama Canal season, Holland America Line is building on the success of its previous season when the cruise line carried 40,500 guests through the famous canal. With full transits ranging from 14 to 23 days and 10- or 11-day partial explorations, each cruise provides more ways for guests to experience the Panama Canal than any other premium cruise line.

Holland America Line
Panama Canal 2019

 

Connect Two Oceans on a Full Panama Canal Transit
From January through December 2019, Amsterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam and Volendam will make 17 transits between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from four departure cities. Guests can conveniently sail to or from Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, California; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Each itinerary includes a diverse collection of ports along with the exploration of the Panama Canal. On full transits, guests will visit cities in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and islands in the Caribbean. In addition, some of the sailings include a visit to Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas known for its pristine beaches, engaging family activities, exciting shore excursions and exclusive beach cabanas.

Combine the Caribbean and Central America on a Partial Transit
In addition to the full transits, Zuiderdam and Eurodam will make 13 partial transits between January and December 2019. Conveniently cruising roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, the 10- and 11-day Panama Canal Sunfarer itineraries include an exploration of 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 cruise fares start at $1,329 and Sunfarer cruise rates start at $949, all per person, double occupancy.

Several Panama Canal sailings are eligible for Holland America’s Explore4 promotion where travelers looking to plan ahead for next year or beyond can take advantage of perks to sip, dine, sail and save.

The Explore4 promotion for guests booking any category stateroom includes a Signature Beverage Package valued at $1,400 per stateroom (based on a 14-day cruise), dinner at the Pinnacle Grill for two, free or reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom, and 50 percent reduced deposits. Guests receive all benefits when bookings are made by Nov. 19, 2018.

 

Explorations Central (EXC) Makes Panamanian Culture Come to Life on Board
Throughout the voyages, EXC programming brings Panama’s local customs, culinary creations and cultural experiences on board. Through the EXC Encounters program, guests can practice their language skills, learn about local traditions or enjoy the simple pleasure of storytelling. Those who want to immerse themselves even further can attend an EXC Talk where a Panama Canal expert recounts the history and drama of the historic construction of the waterway. The EXC Team provides further guidance in customizing each visit for the port calls, while the in-stateroom EXC Channel features a selection of curated films, documentaries and TV shows exploring the destinations on the itinerary.

Holland America Line’s Explorations Central was recently honored as the best Overall Cruise Education Program by a leading travel industry publication.

 

Holland America Line
Mexico 2019

 

After several years avoiding Mexico due to passenger safety concerns, cruise lines are back.  Industry-wide, a robust schedule of sailings are planned for 2019. The most for a decade. Three Holland America Line ships will sail a series of seven- and 11-day cruises roundtrip from San Diego, California, that include calls at (a personal favorite) Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Mexican Riviera Sailings Roundtrip from San Diego
All Mexican Riviera cruises will call at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, giving guests a great feel for the country and all that it offers. Three sea days provide time to relax and explore the abundance of amenities on board.

Guests can expand their cruise to include more of the West Coast aboard Eurodam sailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Oct. 15, on a unique 11-day itinerary down to San Diego that also calls at Santa Barbara, California. For those with less time, this cruise can be taken as a seven-day itinerary departing San Diego Oct. 19. Eurodam offers eight additional seven-day cruises through 2019, and its sister ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, will also explore the region on six sailings starting March 17. Oosterdam will sail into the region Oct. 6 on its first of eight seven-day sailing, including two festive Mexican Riviera Holiday voyages departing Dec. 21 and Dec 28.

Popular Ports Highlight the Itineraries
During the sail into San Diego, guests are treated to scenic cruising past Coronado Island, Cabrillo National Monument and Point Loma. The ship conveniently docks near downtown, so guests can walk on Coronado Island’s sandy beach, take in the Old Town or have a wild time at the famous San Diego Zoo, time permitting.

At the tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s most recognizable ports of call thanks to its unique rock arch formation. Whether lounging on a powdery beach, exploring on a four-wheel-drive adventure or taking to the sea in search of a gray whale, guests will find Cabo offers something for every type of traveler.

Mazatlán, known as the “Pearl of the Pacific,” is where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet, creating an incredible sportfishing environment. It’s also a haven for watersports, historic sites and nature. Locals treat visitors like amigos, making it a coastal city with plenty of allure.

Puerto Vallarta has it all — from gorgeous beaches and activities galore to chic shops and stylish restaurants. The quaint Old Town greets visitors with an enticing mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets and bustling open markets, while eco-adventures show off Mexico’s flora and fauna in this paradise on earth.

 

Explorations Central Brings Mexican Culture on Board
Throughout the voyages, EXC programming brings Mexico’s local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences to life onboard. Through EXC Encounters, a mariachi band in traditional attire will perform onboard, while a barbecue on Lido Deck features authentic Mexican dishes. Guests who want to learn more about the country can attend an EXC Talk by an EXC Guide or head to America’s Test Kitchen for a cooking demonstration, cooking class or themed mixology class featuring local fare.

The Dining Room and Lido Market also will showcase the flavors of Mexico, while bars will offer a variety of Mexican liquors and ingredients. The ship’s ambiance will be enhanced by Mexican floral varieties, and guests will be welcomed in their staterooms with Mexican towel creations.

The EXC Team will provide further customized guidance for the Mexican calls, and the in-stateroom EXC Channel will feature a selection of curated films, documentaries and TV shows exploring destinations on the ship’s itinerary.

 

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