12-day Panama Canal holiday: Costa Rica & greater antilles

Departures & Pricing

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Nieuw Amsterdam

Details · Holland America Line

Nieuw Amsterdam

Nieuw Amsterdam is a Holland America Line Signature-class ship that entered service in 2010, carrying around 2,100 guests. Her art collection celebrates New York City — the original Nieuw Amsterdam — alongside the line's hallmarks of spacious staterooms, the Greenhouse Spa and refined dining.

Guests

2,106

Crew

929

Gross tonnage

86,700

Speed

23.9 knots

Length

285.3 m

Launched

2009

Deck plans

12

Nieuw Amsterdam · Deck plans

Deck 12 — Sun Deck

− + Fit

Source: Holland America Line, captured 5 August 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

   Departs 04:00 pm.

   According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is "where the boys are." The city's reputation as America's Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the "Yachting Capital of the World," with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the "Venice of America" with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping. The city sits 24 miles north of Miami and is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. Look hard and you might find remnants of three of them today. More people seem to be interested in taking a water tour aboard the "Carrie B."

2. 2

   RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

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

3. 3

   At Sea

4. 4

   At Sea

5. 5

   Aruba

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

   Dutch influence still lingers on this balmy Caribbean island, part of the former Netherlands Antilles until its independence in 1986. Aruba is a contrast: the island's arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up its coast. Aruba's long and colorful heritage is reflected in its dialect. Called Papiamento, it is a tongue that combines elements of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, African and English.

6. 6

   At Sea

7. 7

   Cartagena, Colombia

   Arrives 07:00 am, departs 02:00 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.

8. 8

   Enter Panama Canal Cristobal

   Arrives 06:00 am, departs 07:00 am.

9. 8

   Cruising Panama Canal and Gatun Lake

10. 8

    Gatun Lake, Panama

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

11. 8

    Cruising Gatun Lake and Panama Canal

12. 8

    Exit Panama Canal Cristobal

    Arrives 02:00 pm, departs 03:00 pm.

13. 8

    Colon, Panama

    Arrives 05:00 pm, departs 09:00 pm.

14. 9

    Limon, Costa Rica

    Arrives 07:30 am, departs 04:30 pm.

    Costa Rica's Limon Province boasts a lush tropical climate, sprawling banana plantations and dense rainforest. These Caribbean lowlands are still sparsely populated -- nearly a third of the province's population lives around Puerto Limon--and conservation efforts have led to growing eco-tourism. Limon Province offers other charms as well. Afro-Caribbean influences abound, from the lilting speech and reggae rhythms brought by Jamaican settlers to the colorful bungalows lining small fishing villages. Limon is a zesty little slice of heaven.

15. 10

    At Sea

16. 11

    Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

    Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

    When Columbus made his landfall in the Caymans in 1503, he found tortoises and sea turtles in such profusion that he promptly named the islands Las Tortugas. But the name that stuck for the islands was the Carib word "Caimanas." Fitting, since the caiman is a New World crocodilian and the islands were long the lair of pirates, buccaneers, and assorted freebooters. Despite their past, the Caymans are a Caribbean demi-paradise of white-sand beaches, coral gardens, and offshore waters harboring spectacular shipwrecks. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman also boast the highest standard of living in the entire Caribbean. This union of natural beauty and cosmopolitan style makes Grand Cayman a spectacular port of call for today's adventurers. Note: Grand Cayman is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via ship's tender. In certain sea conditions, an alternate pier is used to transfer passengers ashore. This may cause tour durations to vary.

17. 12

    At Sea

18. 13

    Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

    Arrives 07:00 am.

    According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is "where the boys are." The city's reputation as America's Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the "Yachting Capital of the World," with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the "Venice of America" with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping. The city sits 24 miles north of Miami and is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. Look hard and you might find remnants of three of them today. More people seem to be interested in taking a water tour aboard the "Carrie B."

Accommodation

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