Panama Canal Holiday: Amber Cove & Costa Rica – Nieuw Amsterdam – Holland America Line

HomeSearchPanama Canal Holiday: Amber Cove & Costa Rica – Nieuw Amsterdam – Holland America Line – 2026-12-20

Earn & redeem points on all travel* with World360 Rewards – join free today!

Your itinerary

Fort Lauderdale
Half Moon Cay
Grand Turk
Amber Cove, Dominican
Key West
Fort Lauderdale
Half Moon Cay
Oranjestad
Cartagena, Colombia
Enter Panama Canal at Cristobal
Cruising Panama Canal And Gatun Lake
Gatun Lake
Cruising Gatun Lake And Panama Canal
Exit Panama Canal Cristobal
Colon
Puerto Limon
George Town, Cayman Islands
Fort Lauderdale

Day 1

20th Dec '26

Fort Lauderdale

There is an abundance of things to see and do in the Ft. Lauderdale area: visit the newly redesigned Ft. Lauderdale Beach and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las Olas Boulevard or adventure to the Everglades for an intriguing air boat excursion. More

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

16:00

Day 2

21st Dec '26

Half Moon Cay

The Caribbean is full of tropical wonders and natural beauty. But there’s nothing like Half Moon Cay, our pristine private island paradise in the Bahamas. Cruise to the Bahamas with Holland America Line and discover the most stunning, highest-rated private-island experience in the region, Half Moon Cay. This island has won Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Best Private Island award 17 consecutive years, and was also named the best in Travel Weekly’s Readers’ Choice Awards. As soon as your toes touch that powdery white sand and your eyes settle on the perfect blue-crystal clear water, you’ll understand why this island is one of the most sought out destinations. Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, book a Bahamas cruise and explore Half Moon Cay’s beautiful beaches, exciting cruise excursions, exclusive beach cabanas and more. More

Less

Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 3

22nd Dec '26

At Sea

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 4

23rd Dec '26

Grand Turk

Named for the fez-like scarlet blossoms of the cactus that grows here, Grand Turk is a pristine place of simple pleasures. Float dreamily over vibrant coral reefs, dine on conch fritters, set your watch to “island time.” More

Less

Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 5

24th Dec '26

Amber Cove, Dominican

Located on the Dominican Republic’s north coast, the port of Amber Cove, near Puerto Plata, is a new phenomenon. Built in 2015, the area was fashioned as an homage to the country’s colonial architecture and features restaurants, bars and shops, as well as an activity center, a pool and cabanas. But it’s the neighboring region, known as the Amber Coast for its plethora of the semiprecious stone, that’s this port’s true draw. Along with golden-sand beaches and dramatic cliffs, there’s the city of Puerto Plata, one of the Caribbean’s oldest, founded in the early 1500s. Another nearby option is Santiago de los Caballeros, known locally as simply Santiago, about an hour’s drive from the port. The second-largest city in the Dominican Republic, it is home to excellent museums, historic buildings and cigar and rum makers. More

Less

Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 6

25th Dec '26

At Sea

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 7

26th Dec '26

Key West

One of the first things you’ll notice on your Key West cruise is the colorful gingerbread wooden houses and the amazing sunsets, and the constant crowing of roosters. Hundreds of the noisy birds—along with their quieter-clucking mates—roam the streets at all hours, and are nearly as synonymous with Key West cruises as its six-toed cats, the famous furry residents of Ernest Hemingway’s mansion in the Old Town district. They’re all part of the quirky charm of the United States’ southernmost point, whose compact 11 square kilometers (4.2 square miles) pack in everything from gorgeous historic architecture and spectacular fishing and sailing to a raucous party scene along famed Duval Street. All of which is truly enjoyed by vacationers who cruise to Key West, Florida. More

Less

Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 8

27th Dec '26

Fort Lauderdale

Less

Arrive

7:00

Depart

16:00

Day 9

28th Dec '26

Half Moon Cay

Less

Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 10

29th Dec '26

At Sea

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 11

30th Dec '26

At Sea

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 12

31st Dec '26

Oranjestad

Located off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, the windswept Dutch island of Aruba feels like another world. When you take a cruise to Aruba, you can relax in the shade of a swaying Divi Divi tree on a pristine beach or explore untamed coastal cliffs in an exotic landscape filled with cacti. Just one day on an Aruba cruise can lead to a lifetime full of stories. More

Less

Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 13

1st Jan '27

At Sea

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 14

2nd Jan '27

Cartagena, Colombia

Its official name is Cartagena de Indias—or “Cartagena of the Indies”—but call it Cartagena for short. The formal name hints at this Colombian city’s colonial relationship with Spain; it was founded in 1533 and named after the mother country’s Cartagena. Colombia declared independence in 1810, but there’s plenty about its fifth-largest city that evokes old Spain, including the impressive fort of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, and the wall that encloses the old town, one of the few intact structures of its kind in the Americas. Both were considered important enough to inscribe on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1984. They may be historical artifacts, but the fortress and wall aren’t merely tourist attractions; they are central to daily life here. Take a stroll and you’ll see couples sitting atop the wall, locked in passionate embraces; parents watching their children walk it like a balance beam; and friends chatting while enjoying the Caribbean breeze. Along with history, there’s cultural and culinary intrigue here, too. This colorful city was a muse of the late Nobel Prize–winning writer Gabriel García Márquez, and is increasingly being recognized outside Colombia for its cuisine, which takes many cues from Caribbean ingredients. (Don’t leave without trying the coconut rice.) More

Less

Arrive

7:00

Depart

14:00

Day 15

3rd Jan '27

Enter Panama Canal at Cristobal

Less

Arrive

6:00

Depart

7:00

Day 15

3rd Jan '27

Cruising Panama Canal And Gatun Lake

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 15

3rd Jan '27

Gatun Lake

At the center of one of the world’s greatest engineering projects is a place where nature has been given a space to flourish—the vast Gatún Lake. The lake includes some 33 kilometers (20 miles) of the 77-kilometer (48-mile) route that ships follow through the Panama Canal. While a passenger gazing at its forested shores may assume they are looking at a landscape that predates the canal, the lake is as much a manmade creation as the various locks. It was formed in 1912, with the damming of the Chagres River, and the islands that dot the lake were once the peaks of hills. The surface of the lake sits at an elevation of between 25 and 27 meters (82 and 87 feet) above sea level. At its Caribbean end, the Gatún Locks raise ships traveling towards the Pacific to the level of the lake; at its other end, the Pedro Miguel and then the Miraflores Locks lower them back to sea level. In addition to opportunities to see the infrastructure of the canal, created at the expense of millions of dollars and thousands of lives, Gatún Lake is fascinating for its remarkable biodiversity. More than 100 species each of mammals and reptiles, as well as some 500 different birds, thrive in the nature reserves in and near the lake. More

Less

Arrive

11:00

Depart

11:00

Day 15

3rd Jan '27

Cruising Gatun Lake And Panama Canal

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 15

3rd Jan '27

Exit Panama Canal Cristobal

Less

Arrive

11:00

Depart

11:00

Day 15

3rd Jan '27

Colon

Colon lies on the stunning Caribbean coast of Panama, where unparalleled beaches and lush tropical scenery are de rigueur. In nearby Portobello, discover the ruins of Spanish forts, watch the colorful yachts sailing in the bay or hunt for treasures in the local markets. Travel to the Gatun Locks for a bird’s eye view of the immense ships passing through the Panama Canal. More

Less

Arrive

17:00

Depart

21:00

Day 16

4th Jan '27

Puerto Limon

Surrounded by nearly half of all the animal species on earth and 8,000 species of plants, marvel as you take the chance to tour tropical flower farms or ride a Mawamba boat through the jungle canals near Puerto Limon. Explore the capital city of San Jose, where museums beckon and markets burst with luscious local tastes—mangoes, bananas, pineapples, papayas. More

Less

Arrive

7:30

Depart

16:30

Day 17

5th Jan '27

At Sea

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 18

6th Jan '27

George Town, Cayman Islands

Crystalline waters, snorkeling with tame stingrays, civilian submarines: This duty-free port has it all, plus Seven Mile Beach and a charming turtle farm. Sample shore excursions: Stingray City Cruise & Island Drive; Reef & Wreck Snorkel by Boat; Scuba Adventure; Nautilus One Semi-submarine. More

Less

Arrive

7:00

Depart

16:00

Day 19

7th Jan '27

At Sea

Less

Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 20

8th Jan '27

Fort Lauderdale

Less

Arrive

7:00

Depart

0:00

Your ship - The Nieuw Amsterdam

Nieuw Amsterdam

Morimoto

pinnacle-grill-restaurant

grand-dutch-cafe

The

Kids

Cocktail

Beer

Carefully

Cellar

Library

Pool

Shops

Fitness

Relaxation

Hydrotherapy

Thermal

MedSpa

Salon

Massages

Activities

Deal

Table

Slot

Complimentary

Fitness

Tai

Sport

Pickleball

Fitness

Party

Mahjong

Board

Bingo

Game

Trivia

explorer-s-lounge

crows-nest-bar

piano-bar

The

entertainment-shows

Billboard

Description Food and Drink Entertainment Relaxation Fitness Recreational Technology Other

The second of Holland America’s Signature Class ships, Nieuw Amsterdam, celebrates historic New York City with an inspired design and art collection. While on board, rejuvenate in the tranquil...a & Salon, play pickleball at sea, or enjoy a tantalizing meal at fine dining restaurants. When you’re in the mood for music, Billboard Onboard fills the room with chart-topping hits. More Less

24-hour room service
More
canaletto
More
dive in
More
morimoto by sea
More
new york pizza
More
pinnacle grill
More
tamarind
More
the dining room
More

billboard onboard
More
casino action
More
kids club
More
rolling stone lounge
More
world stage
More

thermal suite
More

fitness center
More

onboard shopping
More
pickleball at sea
More

surf
More

holland america line navigator
More
lido market
More

Staterooms

outside

These large staterooms include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Marin ... er’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities. The view is fully obstructed. The configurations of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

inside

Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush ... Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

suite

Approximately 273-456 sq. ft. including verandah These large, comfortable suites feature a spaciou ... s sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and one sofa bed for one person. The bathroom includes a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, and an additional shower stall. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

balcony

These staterooms feature spa amenities such as yoga mats and access to spa treatments from the Gree ... nhouse Spa & Salon. Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these staterooms include a sitting area, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and bath tub with premium massage showerheads. The configuration of staterooms may vary from images shown.