16-day Panama Canal
16-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego, California to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida aboard Nieuw Amsterdam.
Calling at Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Quetzal, Acajutla, Cartagena, RelaxAway Half Moon Cay and Ft. Lauderdale, with 7 days at sea. 9 ports of call across California, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Bahamas and Florida.
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.
Stateroom categories range from Interior to Verandah.
- 02 Oct 2026 – 18 Oct 2026
from $2,669 pp twin share *
Additional Pricing Information
- Interior from $2,669 pp twin share
- Ocean View from $2,759 pp twin share
- Verandah from $4,489 pp twin share
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
Day 1 – San Diego, California
Departs 04:00 pm.
Known as a place of infinite beauty, affectionate locals and endless sunshine, San Diego has become one of America’s favorite cities. Located in the southwest corner of California, close to the border of Mexico, San Diego has a distinct cross-cultural feel, part sun-drenched Mediterranean atmosphere, part south-of-the-border zest and part quintessential California beach town.The history of San Diego is rooted in its Spanish and Mexican past. San Diego was declared the capital of upper and lower Baja only four years after Mexico gained its independence in 1821. Less than thirty years later, the United States declared war on Mexico and within two years the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo was signed creating the current borders between Mexico and the United States.The city continues to prosper with a population exceeding one million. World-renowned attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, the Salk Institute, Sea World, La Jolla and the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge have created a strong tourism industry for the area. But undoubtedly what attracts visitors from around the world is the city’s breathtaking natural beauty, superb coastline and near-perfect weather.
Day 2 – At Sea
Day 3 – At Sea
Day 4 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.
Puerto Vallarta was sleepy no more; its transformation into an international resort had begun. Then director John Huston chose the village as the location for his film “Night of the Iguana,” starring Richard Burton. Today, the city has its own “Gringo Gulch,” a haunt of the rich and famous. Travelers are also drawn by its climate, its excellent shopping – which offers great values on leather goods, jewelry, and handicrafts – and mile after mile of palm-lined beaches.
Day 5 – At Sea
Day 6 – Huatulco, Mexico
Arrives 10:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.
Nine bays bordered by 36 golden-sand beaches form the beautiful Las Bahias de Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca. Welcome to Mexico’s newest resort on the Pacific Riviera. Huatulco is a tropical Eden with crystalline waters, coral reefs, and uncrowded beaches. Inland, the rugged coast range is thickly carpeted with rainforest and coffee plantations. While Huatulco is still in its early stages of development, travelers may note that the resort has a different feel from other destinations on the Mexican Riviera. That’s because large areas of Huatulco have been designated as an ecological reserve. Huatulco is located in the state of Oaxaca where the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.
Day 7 – Puerto Chiapas, Mexico
Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.
Puerto Chiapas is the entry port to the southernmost part of Mexico and the town of Tapachula. The original name of this city was Tapacholatl, which in the Nahuatl language means “flooded land.” According to tradition it was founded in 1486 by Tiltolotl, the leader of the Aztec army sent by Ahuizotl to conquer the region. In 1813 the Courts of Cadiz (first constitutional congress in Spain) officially recognized it as a town. They authorized maritime commerce with the rest of Mexico, Guatemala and Peru via the port of San Benito later known as Puerto Madero and today bears the name Puerto Chiapas. In 1920 the Soconusco Coffee Union was established, and in 1929, airplane service was introduced. It was not until the 1950s, however, that Tapachula became modernized. The city of Tapachula is characterized by its warm climate and traditional architecture. It is the region where the mango variety named Ataulfo was first grown. The vegetation is exuberant and extremely varied; the most representative flowers are the heliconias, hawaianas, anturios and orchids, which grow in the highest points of the region.Archaeological evidence shows that somewhere around 1750 BC the inhabitants of the region had developed a hierarchical village society, with larger, more elaborate houses presumably reserved for chieftains. A few decades before the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs conquered Soconusco. The region had been relatively isolated before that, protected from the rest of Mesoamerica by the mountains of the continental divide (Sierra Madre del Sur).
Day 8 – Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Arrives 06:00 am, departs 08:00 pm.
Guatemala is located in the northern-most part of Central America and is one of the largest countries in this region. It boasts 37 volcanoes, a rich Mayan heritage, Lake Atitlan, and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Antigua. Once the center of the impressive ancient Mayan civilization, Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. These issues have now faded into the past and today Guatemala is a thriving democracy with many varying landscapes, activities and historical venues waiting to be discovered. Enjoy an African safari in the hot and tropical Pacific Coast or explore the cool Mayan highlands where Lake Atitlan and the colonial city of Antigua are located. There is something for every traveler’s interest in Guatemala. Note: Due to time constraints in port, some tours may not be available on every voyage. Please refer to your Cruise Personalizer on princess.com for a complete list of tours available during your cruise. Tour content may vary based on the amount of time in port.
Day 9 – Acajutla, El Salvador
Arrives 07:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.
Day 10 – At Sea
Day 11 – At Sea
Day 12 – Enter Panama Canal Balboa
Arrives 05:00 am, departs 05:00 am.
Day 12 – Cruising Panama Canal
Day 12 – Exit Panama Canal Cristobal
Arrives 07:00 pm, departs 07:00 pm.
Day 13 – Cartagena, Colombia
Arrives 12:00 pm, departs 06:00 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.
Day 14 – At Sea
Day 15 – At Sea
Day 16 – RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Arrives 08:00 am, departs 02:00 pm.
Day 17 – 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.”
Highlights
- Main Dining Room and casual dining venues included
- Live music venues and nightly entertainment throughout voyage
- Enrichment programme and port talks provided onboard
16-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego, California to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida aboard Nieuw Amsterdam.
Calling at Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Quetzal, Acajutla, Cartagena, RelaxAway Half Moon Cay and Ft. Lauderdale, with 7 days at sea. 9 ports of call across California, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Bahamas and Florida.
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.
Stateroom categories range from Interior to Verandah.
Inclusions
- Dining in the main Dining Room and casual venues
- Live music venues and nightly entertainment
- Fitness centre and swimming pools
- Enrichment programme and port talks
FAQs
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.
Stateroom categories available on this sailing: Verandah, Ocean View and Interior.
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 17 days and 16 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 02 Oct 2026 and 18 Oct 2026, subject to live availability.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Provided by: Holland America LineFine Print
Terms and conditions apply. Click here for more details.