SEATTLE, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ -- Travelers who want to
transit the lakes and locks of the Panama Canal will have eight
Holland America Line ships and 19 cruises to choose from between
fall 2017 through spring 2018. In addition to the full transits,
ms Zuiderdam will offer two Southern Caribbean & Panama Canal Sunfarer
itineraries that feature a partial transit through the Panama
Canal.
With transits ranging from 14 to 23 days, Holland America Line
provides guests more ways to experience the famous waterway than
any other premium cruise line. During the 2017–18 season, Holland
America Line's full and partial transits will carry more than
400,500 guests through the Central American man-made marvel.
"The Panama Canal is among the greatest engineering feats of our
time, and its easy access from a U.S. home port makes it one of the
most popular longer itineraries we feature," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America
Line. "There's no better way to become more immersed in the world
than by experiencing something like the Panama Canal, where history
comes to life as you witness up close what it took to connect these
two oceans. Everyone should transit the Panama Canal at least once
in their lifetime."
See Two Oceans on Full Panama Canal Transit
From September 2017 through
May 2018, ms Amsterdam, ms Eurodam, ms
Maasdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms
Westerdam and ms Zaandam will make 19 transits between
the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean from five departure cities.
Guests can set sail from Boston,
Mass.; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; San Diego and
San Francisco, California; and
Vancouver, British Columbia.
Cruise rates start at $1,199.
In addition to visiting the Panama Canal, the 14- to 23-day
cruises include a variety of port calls along the way. On the full
transits the guests will visit destinations in Mexico, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Guatemala,
Nicaragua and the Caribbean. Additionally, most sailings visit
Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's award-winning private
Bahamian island known for its pristine beaches, exciting shore
excursions, exclusive beach cabanas and child-friendly
activities.
Aruba, Bahamas and the Panama Canal on Partial
Transits
In addition to the full transits, Zuiderdam will make
sixteen partial transits between November
2017 and April 2018. The 10-
and 11-day Southern Caribbean
& Panama Canal Sunfarer itineraries include an exploration of
the Canal's Gatún Lake and a combination of Southern Caribbean calls in Aruba, Bonaire, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Curaçao, Grand
Cayman, Panama and Half
Moon Cay. Cruise rates start at $1,099.
Explorations Central (EXC) Brings Panamanian Culture on
Board
Throughout the voyages, EXC programming brings Panama's local traditions, culinary tastes and
cultural experiences to life on board. Through EXC Encounters,
guests can practice their language skills, find out about local
customs, or enjoy the simple pleasure of storytelling. Those who
want to learn more can attend an EXC Talk where a Panama Canal
expert recounts the history and drama of constructing the famous
waterway. A Panamanian market on the Lido Deck is a highlight of
the voyage where guests can indulge in regional delicacies such as
empanadas, arroz con pollo, ropa vieja and pastel de tres
leches.
The EXC Team will provide further customized guidance for the
port calls, and online EXC Port Planners in partnership with AFAR
Media offer exclusive tips and information for each destination.
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.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland
America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online
Communities quick link on the home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 14
ships offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98
countries, territories or dependencies around the world. From
shorter getaways to 113-day itineraries, the company's cruises
visit all seven continents with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations and exotic
Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; and
popular sailings to the Caribbean,
Cuba, Alaska, Mexico, Canada & New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal. The line 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-class
ship, due for delivery in 2021, recently was announced.
The company is undergoing $300
million in brand enhancements to secure its position as the
leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships feature innovative
initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on
destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand
their knowledge through an exclusive partnership with O, The Oprah
Magazine; during an America's Test Kitchen show; at Explorations
Café presented by The New York Times;
and by taking a Digital Workshop powered by Windows. Outstanding
entertainment fills each evening at venues including Lincoln Center
Stage, Billboard Onboard and B.B.
King's Blues Club. The dining experience can be savored at a
variety of restaurants with menus that feature selections from
Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council that comprises
world-famous chefs who design dishes exclusively for our
guests.
CONTACT:
|
Sally
Andrews
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029
|
EMAIL:
|
pr@hollandamerica.com
|
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SOURCE Holland America Line