Thu, Nov 8: Fly to Fort Lauderdale and transfer to your hotel on the beach.
Fri, Nov 9: Spend the morning relaxing at your hotel before transferring to your home for the next 10 nights, the ms Zuiderdam. Set sail in the evening.
Sat, Nov 10: Enjoy the day at Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas (weather conditions permitting).
Sun, Nov 11: Cruising the Caribbean Sea towards the Lesser Antilles islands off the Venezuelan coast.
Mon, Nov 12: Explore and shop the outdoor malls in Oranjestad, Aruba or take one of many shore excursions offered to see more of the island. Like the Netherlands, of which Aruba is a part, small portions of the city have been reclaimed from the sea. Optional shore excursions: Aruba Beginning Scuba, Aruba Sea & See Island tour; Atlantis Submarine Underwater Adventure & Shipwreck Exploration; Best of Aruba & Countryside; Natural Wonders of Aruba.
Tue, Nov 13: Willemstad, Curacao. Walk along the waterfront with its colorful Dutch-inspired architecture or scuba in the waters among the coral reefs. Optional shore excursions: Curacao Beach Express; Curacao Country Drive; Curacao Dolphin Encounter; Curacao See & Sea Island Tour; Ostrich Far & Aloe Plantation; Caves and City Highlights.
Wed, Nov 14: Cruising the Caribbean Sea.
Thu, Nov 15: Enter the Panama Canal at Cristobal, Panama early in the morning. Watch the precise process of raising waters in the locks as you transit to the huge manmade Lake Gatun. The massive concrete locks were considered one of the greatest engineering works ever to be taken at the time of construction (1909-1913). A canal commentator will be on board to answer questions and offer insights on the history and construction of this engineering marvel. Cruise spectacular Lake Gatun before returning through the locks to Cristobal. Later in the afternoon, the ship docks at Colon, Panama for optional excursions.
Fri, Nov 16: Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Optional shore excursions: Caribbean Train, Eco Cruise & Countryside; Coastal Highlights & Banana Plantation; Combination Canopy & Aerial Tram; Costa Rica Jungle Kayak Adventure; Pineapple Farm – A Taste of the Tropics; Rain Forest Horseback Riding.
Sat, Nov 17: Cruising the Caribbean Sea. Looking for something different to do on board? Pick up a few cooking skills in the Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center, where state-of-the-art demonstrations and tasting events are held; some intimate hands-on cooking classes are offered, too.
Sun, Nov 18: Cruising the Caribbean Sea towards Florida. Relax and recharge on your last full day at sea – perhaps a massage in the tranquil Greenhouse Spa and Salon or a yoga or Pilates class?
Mon, Nov 19: Arrive in Fort Lauderdale and disembark. Fly home.
ms Zuiderdam
Holland America’s five-star ship boasts a collection of artwork and antiques with emphasis on Dutch heritage in the New World; a culinary arts center presented by Food & Wine magazine with demonstrations and interactive gourmet cooking lessons; Explorations Café, a coffeehouse with Internet access, sponsored by The New York Times; and port lectures and explorations speaker series. Highlights: spacious staterooms with plus Euro-top mattresses • 24-hour room service • 4 restaurants • 3 bars • wireless Internet access • Internet center • Greenhouse Spa and Salon • two outdoor swimming pools (one with retractable roof) • hydro pool • fitness center • basketball court • volleyball court • nightclub • casino • Live musical entertainment and Broadway-style shows • library • screening room • library • free sessions of Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows® • Club HAL® kids facility • teen-only Loft and Oasis area • duty-free shops • escorted shore excursions.
