Panama Canal Discovery: Costa Rica & Greater Antilles

HomeSearchPanama Canal Discovery: Costa Rica & Greater Antilles – Nieuw Amsterdam – Holland America Line – 2026-11-08

Your itinerary

Fort Lauderdale
Half Moon Cay
Oranjestad
Cartagena, Colombia
Enter Panama Canal at Cristobal
Cruising Panama Canal And Gatun Lake
Gatun Lake
Cruising Gatun Lake And Panama Canal
Exit Panama Canal Cristobal
Colon
Puerto Limon
Ocho Rios
Fort Lauderdale

Day 1

8th Nov '26

Fort Lauderdale

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

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Arrive

0:00

Depart

16:00

Day 2

9th Nov '26

Half Moon Cay

The Caribbean is full of tropical wonders and natural beauty. But there’s nothing like Half Moon Cay, our pristine private island paradise in the Bahamas. Cruise to the Bahamas with Holland America Line and discover the most stunning, highest-rated private-island experience in the region, Half Moon Cay. This island has won Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Best Private Island award 17 consecutive years, and was also named the best in Travel Weekly’s Readers’ Choice Awards. As soon as your toes touch that powdery white sand and your eyes settle on the perfect blue-crystal clear water, you’ll understand why this island is one of the most sought out destinations. Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, book a Bahamas cruise and explore Half Moon Cay’s beautiful beaches, exciting cruise excursions, exclusive beach cabanas and more. More

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Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 3

10th Nov '26

At Sea

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0:00

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0:00

Day 4

11th Nov '26

At Sea

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0:00

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0:00

Day 5

12th Nov '26

Oranjestad

Located off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, the windswept Dutch island of Aruba feels like another world. When you take a cruise to Aruba, you can relax in the shade of a swaying Divi Divi tree on a pristine beach or explore untamed coastal cliffs in an exotic landscape filled with cacti. Just one day on an Aruba cruise can lead to a lifetime full of stories. More

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Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 6

13th Nov '26

At Sea

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0:00

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0:00

Day 7

14th Nov '26

Cartagena, Colombia

Its official name is Cartagena de Indias—or “Cartagena of the Indies”—but call it Cartagena for short. The formal name hints at this Colombian city’s colonial relationship with Spain; it was founded in 1533 and named after the mother country’s Cartagena. Colombia declared independence in 1810, but there’s plenty about its fifth-largest city that evokes old Spain, including the impressive fort of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, and the wall that encloses the old town, one of the few intact structures of its kind in the Americas. Both were considered important enough to inscribe on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1984. They may be historical artifacts, but the fortress and wall aren’t merely tourist attractions; they are central to daily life here. Take a stroll and you’ll see couples sitting atop the wall, locked in passionate embraces; parents watching their children walk it like a balance beam; and friends chatting while enjoying the Caribbean breeze. Along with history, there’s cultural and culinary intrigue here, too. This colorful city was a muse of the late Nobel Prize–winning writer Gabriel García Márquez, and is increasingly being recognized outside Colombia for its cuisine, which takes many cues from Caribbean ingredients. (Don’t leave without trying the coconut rice.) More

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Arrive

7:00

Depart

14:00

Day 8

15th Nov '26

Enter Panama Canal at Cristobal

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Arrive

6:00

Depart

7:00

Day 8

15th Nov '26

Cruising Panama Canal And Gatun Lake

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0:00

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0:00

Day 8

15th Nov '26

Gatun Lake

At the center of one of the world’s greatest engineering projects is a place where nature has been given a space to flourish—the vast Gatún Lake. The lake includes some 33 kilometers (20 miles) of the 77-kilometer (48-mile) route that ships follow through the Panama Canal. While a passenger gazing at its forested shores may assume they are looking at a landscape that predates the canal, the lake is as much a manmade creation as the various locks. It was formed in 1912, with the damming of the Chagres River, and the islands that dot the lake were once the peaks of hills. The surface of the lake sits at an elevation of between 25 and 27 meters (82 and 87 feet) above sea level. At its Caribbean end, the Gatún Locks raise ships traveling towards the Pacific to the level of the lake; at its other end, the Pedro Miguel and then the Miraflores Locks lower them back to sea level. In addition to opportunities to see the infrastructure of the canal, created at the expense of millions of dollars and thousands of lives, Gatún Lake is fascinating for its remarkable biodiversity. More than 100 species each of mammals and reptiles, as well as some 500 different birds, thrive in the nature reserves in and near the lake. More

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Arrive

11:00

Depart

11:00

Day 8

15th Nov '26

Cruising Gatun Lake And Panama Canal

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0:00

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0:00

Day 8

15th Nov '26

Exit Panama Canal Cristobal

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Day 8

15th Nov '26

Colon

Colon lies on the stunning Caribbean coast of Panama, where unparalleled beaches and 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. More

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Arrive

17:00

Depart

21:00

Day 9

16th Nov '26

Puerto Limon

Surrounded by nearly half of all the animal species on earth and 8,000 species of plants, marvel as you take the chance to tour tropical flower farms or ride a Mawamba boat through the jungle canals near Puerto Limon. Explore the capital city of San Jose, where museums beckon and markets burst with luscious local tastes—mangoes, bananas, pineapples, papayas. More

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Arrive

7:30

Depart

16:30

Day 10

17th Nov '26

At Sea

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0:00

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0:00

Day 11

18th Nov '26

Ocho Rios

On the island that gives sway to reggae, drift dreamily down a tranquil river on a bamboo raft, sip a planter’s punch on the porch of a restored Great House, climb the natural stone steps up Dunn’s River Falls. Sample shore excursions: Dolphin Cove and Dunn’s River Falls; Mountain to Sea by Bicycle; Catamaran Sail & Beach Tour; Firefly – Home of Noel Coward. More

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Arrive

8:00

Depart

16:00

Day 12

19th Nov '26

At Sea

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0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 13

20th Nov '26

Fort Lauderdale

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Arrive

7:00

Depart

0:00

Your ship - The Nieuw Amsterdam

Nieuw Amsterdam

Description Food and Drink Entertainment Fitness Recreational Other

The second of Holland America’s Signature Class ships, Nieuw Amsterdam, celebrates historic New York City with an inspired design and art collection. While on board, rejuvenate in the tranquil...a & Salon, play pickleball at sea, or enjoy a tantalizing meal at fine dining restaurants. When you’re in the mood for music, Billboard Onboard fills the room with chart-topping hits. More Less

24-hour room service
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canaletto
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dive in
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morimoto by sea
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new york pizza
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pinnacle grill
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tamarind
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the dining room
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billboard onboard
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casino action
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kids club
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rolling stone lounge
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world stage
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fitness center
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onboard shopping
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pickleball at sea
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holland america line navigator
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lido market
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Staterooms

outside

These large staterooms include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Marin ... er’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities. The view is fully obstructed. The configurations of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

inside

Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush ... Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

suite

Approximately 273-456 sq. ft. including verandah These large, comfortable suites feature a spaciou ... s sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and one sofa bed for one person. The bathroom includes a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, and an additional shower stall. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

balcony

These staterooms feature spa amenities such as yoga mats and access to spa treatments from the Gree ... nhouse Spa & Salon. Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these staterooms include a sitting area, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and bath tub with premium massage showerheads. The configuration of staterooms may vary from images shown.

Your itinerary

Day 1

Fort Lauderdale

Arrive

Depart

Day 2

Half Moon Cay

Arrive

Depart

Day 3

At Sea

Arrive

Depart

Day 4

At Sea

Arrive

Depart

Day 5

Oranjestad

Arrive

Depart

Day 6

At Sea

Arrive

Depart

Day 7

Cartagena, Colombia

Arrive

Depart

Day 8

Enter Panama Canal at Cristobal

Arrive

Depart

Day 8

Cruising Panama Canal And Gatun Lake

Arrive

Depart

Day 8

Gatun Lake

Arrive

Depart

Day 8

Cruising Gatun Lake And Panama Canal

Arrive

Depart

Day 8

Exit Panama Canal Cristobal

Arrive

Depart

Day 8

Colon

Arrive

Depart

Day 9

Puerto Limon

Arrive

Depart

Day 10

At Sea

Arrive

Depart

Day 11

Ocho Rios

Arrive

Depart

Day 12

At Sea

Arrive

Depart

Day 13

Fort Lauderdale

Arrive

Depart

Your ship - The Nieuw Amsterdam

24-hour room service

canaletto

dive in

morimoto by sea

new york pizza