HOLLAND AMERICA LINE COMMEMORATES 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANAMA CANAL WITH 28 VOYAGES IN 2013-14

9 July 2013 - To celebrate the Panama Canal’s 100^th anniversary, six Holland America Line ships will sail 28 full and partial transits of the Panama Canal throughout autumn 2013 and spring 2014. Ranging in length from 10 to 22 days, the extensive itinerary options provide guests with more ways to experience the Panama Canal than any other cruise line.

From September 2013 until April 2014, ms Amsterdam, ms Statendam, ms Veendam, ms Westerdam, ms Zaandam and ms Zuiderdam will transit the canal from six departure cities — including Veendam’s new departure from Boston — going between the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

“The Panama Canal is a ‘must see’ for many travellers because of the historictechnology and beautiful scenery,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programmes. “The Panama Canal changed travel by enabling easy travel between oceans, and it’s exciting for us to make several canal cruises in the season celebrating its 100^th year.”

Sailing through the Panama Canal with Holland America Line is more than moving through the locks and lakes that make up this man-made marvel. The itineraries feature ports with attractions such as walking along the ramparts of a colonial Spanish castle, exploring ancient Mayan ruins or going on a “skywalk” in the Costa Rican rainforest.

Destinations brought to life through On Location onboard programme

During the sailings, guests can enjoy all of the onboard experiences that are exclusive to Holland America Line. For example, with the new On Locationprogramme, guests can enjoy steel drum lessons or learn to weave and craft with palm leaves during Caribbean cruise days and listen to an authentic mariachi bandduring a Mexican fiesta on deck while visiting Mexican ports. In the Panama Canal, an expert historian recounts the history and drama of constructing the famous waterway. The itinerary sets the scene for guests to indulge in local experiences that make time on board an enriching experience through, visiting the ports of call, lectures, demonstrations and performances.

Panama Canal cruise only fares range from £589pp for a 10 day itinerary to £1,704pp for an 18 day voyage.

14 night Mexico and Costa Rica transit – £2,169pp fly-cruise

Sail on the Zaandam from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale on a 14 night cruise, and explore Cabo San Lucas, Santa Cruz, Huatulco and Puerto Chiapas, Mexico; and Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. A whole day is then spent transiting the Panama Canal from Balboa to Cristobal before the ships moves onto its final port of call, Cartagena, Colombia. Fly-cruise prices start from £2,169pp on 19 September 2013 departures, based on two sharing an inside cabin.

17 night cruise with overnight in Panama and private Caribbean island visit -£2,439pp fly-cruise

Get an in-depth Panama and Caribbean experience on a 17 night cruise on theZuiderdam, departing 1 October 2013, with fly-cruise prices starting from just£2,439pp, based on two sharing an inside cabin. Sailing from San Francisco the ship overnights at Fuerte Amador so guests can get an extended experience of Panama City’s sights, sounds and flavour before making a full transit of the Panama Canal itself. The ship then moves onto Cartagena, Colombia and Half Moon Cay, the line’s private Bahamian island.

14 day 2014 cruise through rare tropical fjord - £2,219pp fly-cruise

On 8 February 2014, the Veendam departs from San Diego on a 14 day scenic cruise taking in in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, one of only three tropical fjords in the world. A whole day is spent transiting the Panama Canal from Balboa to Cristobal followed by a call in Cartagena, Colombia before the ship moves north to Fort Lauderdale.  Fly-cruise prices start from £2,219pp, based on two sharing an inside cabin.

Fares are per person, double occupancy and do not include government taxes.

For more information about the Panama Canal itineraries and Holland America Line, visit www.hollandamerica.com.