Holland America Debuts Full-Transit Cruises

Holland America Line is offering 30 canal sailings in 2008, including new full-transit cruises though the Panama Canal, exotic 13- to 26-day "Inca Discovery" sailings, and new spring and fall departures from Tampa. The premium cruise line features 13 transcanal voyages on seven ships in 2008, plus 17 "Sunfarer" sailings that combine Panama Canal and Caribbean cruising. These 30 cruises ranging from 10 to 36 days and explore four regions: the Mexican Riviera, Central America, South America and Caribbean. The Statendam features new "Inca Discovery" cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale and featuring a three-day extended stay in Callao (Lima), Peru, to visit Machu Picchu. Guests can also opt for a 13-day Ft. Lauderdale-to-Callao or Callao-to-Fort Lauderdale itinerary with the option of pre- or post-cruise tours to Machu Picchu. The 26-day itinerary offers two full transits of the Panama Canal, the Machu Picchu excursion, and calls at Half Moon Cay; Grand Turk; Santa Marta and San Andres, Colombia; San Blas Islands and Amador, Panama; Manta and Guayaquil, Ecuador; Salaverry and Callao, Peru; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Grand Cayman; and Key West.

Seven ships will sail full-transit cruises though the Panama Canal in 2008; they are the Maasdam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam, Westerdam, Prinsendam and Amsterdam. Departures are from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver and Callao. The Maasdam offers two full-transit sailings in the winter, departing Jan. 25 and Feb. 9, while the Statendam features a new fall sailing Oct. 25. The Maasdam sails a 15-day itinerary from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego departing Jan. 25 and a return 15-day voyage on Feb. 9. The Veendam will depart Tampa on a new, 19-day canal cruise on April 13. The Statendam offers a 16-day cruise departing Oct. 25 from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. The Veendam offers a 32- to 36-day "Panama Canal & Amazon Explorer" in the fall, with the choice of departing from Vancouver Sept. 26 or from San Diego Sept. 30. The Volendam will sail a total of 10 10-day "Sunfarer" cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in early 2008, offering departures Jan. 2 to April 1. In the fall, with the introduction of a Vista-class ship, the Zuiderdam picks up the itinerary with departures Nov 9, Nov. 19, Nov. 29, Dec. 9, Dec. 19 and Dec. 29. The Amsterdam also sails a 14-day Caribbean and Sunfarer cruise on Dec. 23. A Panama Canal historian travels on every sailing, providing insight and answering questions about one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Panama Canal cruise fares start at $1,199 per person, double occupancy.