HAL Cruises Mark Panama Canal’s 100th Anniversary

The Panama Canal marks its 100th anniversary in 2014, and Holland America Line is offering numerous ways for cruisers to celebrate. Six of the company’s ships will sail 28 full and partial transits this fall through next spring. The 10- to 22-day cruises will be operated by the Amsterdam, Statendam, Veendam, Westerdam, Zaandam and Zuiderdam will sail through the canal from six departure cities, including Veendam’s new departure from Boston.

The Veendam offers canal cruises departing Oct. 19 from Boston, Oct. 23 from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, Feb. 8 from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, Feb. 22 back to San Diego and March 30 from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale.

Zaandam will sail from Vancouver and San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on an 18- or 15-day transit depending on the embarkation port. The ship departs Sept. 15 or 18, respectively.

Zuiderdam departs Sept. 28 or Oct. 1 from Vancouver or San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale, respectively, on a 20- or 17-day transit. It sails back to the West Coast on April 18 from Fort Lauderdale on an 18- or 22-day transit to San Diego or Vancouver.

The Westerdam’s 14-day cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale departs Oct. 19. This itinerary can be combined with a seven-day round-trip Fort Lauderdale cruise to Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay, for a 21-day Collectors’ Voyage. Westerdam returns to the West Coast April 15 with a 14- or 18-day transit from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego or Seattle.

Statendam will depart Jan. 15 on a 15-day cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. The Amsterdam will sail April 28 from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, Seattle or Vancouver on a 15-, 19- or 20-day voyage, respectively.

Rounding out the Panama Canal offerings with 16 cruises from October 2013 through April 2014, Zuiderdam features 10- and 11- day Fort Lauderdale round-trips that explore the Southern Caribbean with a partial transit of the canal. Panama Canal cruise fares range from $899 for the 10-day itinerary to $2,599 for an 18-day voyage. Fares are per person, double occupancy and do not include government taxes.

Source: Travel Pulse, http://www.travelpulse.com/hal-cruises-mark-panama-canals-100th-anniversary.html