Holland America Panama Canal cruises
October through April · 10 to 22 nights
Illustrative photography of the Panama Canal region. Not an official Holland America Line image.
Full transits cross between Fort Lauderdale and the West Coast, while partial transits enter Gatun Lake and return the same day. These are among the line's most popular long itineraries.
What these itineraries are known for
- Full ocean-to-ocean transits through the historic locks
- Partial transits into Gatun Lake
- Central American port calls on either side
Typical Itineraries
Round-trip Panama Canal
10 nights · Round trip from Fort Lauderdale
- · Private-island beach stop
- · Oranjestad
- · Colón
- · Gatun Lake partial transit
- · Puerto Limón
Full canal transit
17 nights · Fort Lauderdale to San Diego
- · Cartagena
- · Full Panama Canal transit
- · Puntarenas
- · Puerto Quetzal
- · Cabo San Lucas
Example routings only. Holland America Line changes ports and dates each season — confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Ports you may see
ColonGatun LakePuntarenasCartagenaPuerto Vallarta
Panama Canal Cruise Questions
- What is the difference between a partial and a full transit?
- A partial transit enters the locks, sails onto Gatun Lake and turns back the same way. A full transit crosses the entire isthmus between the Caribbean and the Pacific and ends at a different port.
- Which side of the ship is better?
- Both sides see a lock wall and the parallel chamber. Most passengers spend transit day on the open forward decks rather than in their cabin.
Ships that sail here
Panama Canal passenger reviews
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