2 Week Panama Canal Cruise on The Zuiderdam

The HISTORY™ Channel exclusively curated itinerary: A bucket-list adventure awaits. Wind through intriguing landscapes, from historic city streets to soaring volcanoes. Cruise the Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Where History Isn’t Just Told — It’s Experienced

Holland America's exclusive HISTORY Channel™ itineraries and shore excursions that blend the art of leisurely travel with the power of immersive storytelling. Through carefully crafted itineraries, expert-led shore excursions, and insightful onboard programming, find yourself transported to ancient ruins, legendary landmarks, and cities that shaped civilizations. With activities for every pace and skill level, discover the rich cultural heritages and dramatic events that formed the places you visit as every moment of your voyage becomes a chapter in a story you'll never forget.

15 Day Panama Canal With History Channel 
January 31 - February 15, 2026
Miami - San Diego 
Ms. Zuiderdam 

Baloncy Stateroom From $5,406 CAD per person 

Jan 31, 2026 - Miami, Florida

The vibrant cruise port of Miami offers pristine beaches, a dynamic arts scene, and electric nightlife. Savor local cuisine and explore Art Deco architecture on Ocean Drive. Nature lovers can find tranquility at nearby Oleta State Park or get up close with wildlife at Everglades National Park. A Miami cruise promises an unforgettable blend of city charm and natural beauty.

Feb 1, 2026 - At Sea 

Feb 2, 2026 - At Sea 

Feb 3, 2026 - Cartagena, Colombia

A visit to Cartagena, Colombia, promises well-preserved colonial architecture, flavorful cuisine, and the legacy of Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez. Holland America Line’s excursions offer a gateway to this historical and culinary gem, where the past and present blend seamlessly. Wander through the streets of this walled city, tasting local delicacies, exploring Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, and enjoying the vestiges of its rich literary past.

Feb 4, 2026 - Panama Canal

Think of the Panama Canal, and the image that may come to mind is of the world’s huge tankers and cruise ships passing through a series of locks. That, however, reflects only one aspect of this part of the world. As ships travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific, they also pass colonial towns, historic fortresses and manmade lakes that are today home to sanctuaries for hundreds of different animal and plant species. At the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón evokes the old Panama of yesteryear, with its historic buildings gradually being restored. Some 77 kilometers (48 miles) to the south, at the canal’s Pacific entrance, Panama City's glittering skyline of office towers and condominiums reflects the country’s dynamic present and future. Traveling between these two cities, an epic tale unfolds before you—an old-school feat of engineering, ambition and courage. As David McCullough recounts in his sweeping history The Path Between the Seas, it was a combination of sheer human might and engineering prowess that today allows ships to cross the Panama isthmus, saving sailors from making the dangerous, almost 13,000-kilometer (8,000-mile) journey around the tip of South America. 

Feb 5, 2026 - At Sea 

Feb 6, 2026 - Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica

One of the stops along the Panama Canal Zone route, Puntarenas on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is nicely positioned within easy day-trip distance of a number of that country's national parks. The town, a busy working port on the surface, makes an ideal base from which travelers can venture out to explore the variety of this Central American country's outdoor attractions, from lush jungle destinations to pristine beaches along the Pacific. Activities include snapping photos of gushing waterfalls (and swimming at the base of one, if you bring your swimsuit!), sightseeing near active volcanoes, bird-watching in nature reserves and sanctuaries and horseback riding on Pacific beaches . . . and that's just for starters. Visitors to this extraordinary region also enjoy shopping for the handicrafts that local artists sell at their cooperatives, as well as sampling traditional Tico cuisine, especially gallo pinto—a combination of rice and beans eaten at any time of the day or night. A trip here serves as the perfect reminder that adventure often awaits just around the bend.

Feb 7, 2026 - At Sea 

Feb 8, 2026 - Acajutla, El Salvador

Stunning beaches and colorful markets await on cruises to Acajutla, El Salvador. As the ship approaches, breathtaking views of the serene coastline greet your gaze. For such a small town, Acajutla has an array of things to do. Taxis offer the optimal way to travel from the port. Sightseeing is a breeze, as top attractions are only an hour away. Explore the historical city center, known for its charming streets and friendly locals. Stretch out on Acajutla Beach, a short shuttle from the cruise port. Dive vibrant reefs, tour Mayan ruins, or learn how coffee — one of the country’s main exports — is produced at a roastery.

Acajutla has plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities. Izalco, an extinct volcano, looms about 16 miles (26.8 kilometers) from the port. Thrill seekers can climb to the top and look inside its dormant caldera. The options are endless: whiz through the verdant Apaneca forest on a zipline or cool off in the spray of a waterfall. Ruta de Maya, a fantastic complex of Mayan ruins is about an hour and a half from Acajutla in Chalchuapa. While in Acajutla, sample Salvadorean cuisine, a flavorful mix of Mayan and Spanish influence with fresh seafood, corn, beans, and pork. The national dish is the pupusa, a pillowy tortilla stuffed with delicious fillings. Pair it with the national drink—the guaro sour, sour liquor mixed with sweet fruit juice.

Feb 9, 2026 - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala's largest port on the Pacific Ocean side of this Central American country, important for both cargo and cruise ships. There's not a great deal to see and do in Puerto Quetzal itself, and visitors should adjust their expectations accordingly. Yet you shouldn't despair, either; Puerto Quetzal is an ideal point of departure for exploring several corners of the country. Choose your mode of transportation—plane, bus, car or boat—and decide whether you want to take in Guatemala's stunning, volcano-studded landscape, one (or more!) of the country's Maya sites, the UNESCO–recognized colonial city of Antigua (the former capital), a coffee plantation or one of the many beguiling bodies of water. In addition to the gleaming Pacific, there's Lake Atitlán, which 19th-century German explorer Alexander von Humboldt described as the most beautiful lake in the world. All of these attractions are accessible as day trips, and getting to them is all part of your Guatemalan adventure. 

Feb 10, 2026 - Huatulco, Mexico

Huatulco, situated on Mexico's Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca, has nine bays and 36 beaches, offering more than enough opportunities for fun in the sun. The most popular beach is La Entrega, with clean white sand and calm waters, perfect for snorkeling and swimming . . . or just relaxing. But Huatulco's attractions aren't limited to sand and surf; there are also archaeological sites to explore, rivers to raft, and waterfalls whose pools invite childlike splashing. Bird lovers, in particular, will find Huatulco to be especially captivating. The region is home to more than 225 bird species, including many rare ones and a number that are endemic to Mexico, like the Colima pygmy owl and the wildly colorful orange-breasted bunting and citreoline trogon. Bring your bird list, because you're sure to add new species to your "sighted" column. And the food in Huatulco! The food will give you plenty to write home about. The state of Oaxaca has some of the most iconic dishes in Mexico's culinary repertoire. You won't go home hungry. 

Feb 11, 2026 - At Sea 

Feb 12, 2026 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Cruise to Puerto Vallarta and find yourself immersed in dynamic culture and history. Unlike other coastal resort towns in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta ("PV" to locals), retains quite a bit of its colonial-era charm.  Its town square, Plaza de Armas, and the gorgeous church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, serve as the loveliest representations of bygone ages. While on your Puerto Vallarta cruise, take in these echoes of the past and more modern attractions, including an ambitious public art project along the seaside walkway (the malecón) and trendy restaurants such as La Leche, serving contemporary Mexican cuisine. Round these out with plenty of fun-in-the-sun outdoor activities on and along Banderas Bay (whale-watching! snorkeling! jet-skiing!), cruise excursions that reveal the best of Puerto Vallarta's flora and fauna, and a side trip to one of Mexico's pueblos mágicos (magical towns, a designation conferred by the government to recognize smaller towns that possess historical and cultural value), and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant place to spend part of your cruise to Puerto Vallarta.

Feb 13, 2026 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Los Cabos—or the Capes—sits at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, a narrow strip of land whose varied geography makes for plenty of interesting and unusual activities. You can ride a camel, or enjoy more predictable pursuits including fishing, golfing and whale-watching. On your Cabo cruise you can visit picture-perfect El Arco, an arch that may look familiar thanks to its cameo on postcards and advertisements. North of the capes, you can drop by the famed Hotel California. And if you've worked up an appetite on your Cabo cruise, you won't be disappointed: Los Cabos offers plenty to enjoy at the table as well, with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and, of course, seafood being the mainstays here. Regardless, Holland America Line makes sure that Cabo cruises have plenty of new and traditional things for guests to experience.

Feb 14, 2026 - At Sea 

Feb 15, 2026 - San Diego, California

With more than 300 days of sun every year, renowned surf spots like Del Mar and La Jolla, and a bustling culinary and craft beer scene, San Diego is a surfer's paradise and a feast for foodies. Explore distinct neighborhoods and enjoy the city’s laid-back charm on cruises to San Diego, California.

Call us to put down your deposit on this Holland America Line History Channel™ cruise through the Panama Canal—where every passage reveals a story, and every moment becomes part of yours.