Holland America increase Panama Canal cruises

Holland America Line is to be offering an incredible 45 Panama Canal cruises on nine different ships in 2009. Ranging in length from 10 to 28 days, Holland America Line’s Panama Canal itineraries feature more port of call options than any other major cruise line, with many port visits exclusive to Holland America Line.

Guests travelling on Panama Canal cruises with Holland America Line can experience daylight transits of the historic and fascinating Panama Canal and the opportunity to visit diverse and intriguing ports of call throughout their voyage.

“We’ve increased our Panama Canal capacity significantly this year to make 2009 a very exciting season, especially with full transit cruises through the winter season,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “While the roundtrip Florida canal experiences have been very popular, our guests have been asking for more Panama Canal cruises between the east and west coasts throughout the winter season. So now, there are canal cruises to suit everyone’s tastes for season, length and ports of call.”

Princess Expands Panama Canal Experience in 2009-2010

Princess Cruises are introducing a new ‘Two Day Canal Experience’ on all 2009-10 Panama Canal transits of 15 days or longer. This will enable guests to enjoy both the engineering wonder of the Canal and further explore the country.

Panana Canal cruises offer a dramatic transfer through the Canal’s locks and often guests wish they could have more time to really take in the natural beauty and culture of the area. With Princess Cruises new offering guests will get the chance to do this.

The Canal experience will be offered on 23 sailings on four ships and in addition Princess Cruises will also offer a shorter 10 day full transit option and a 10 day roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale featuring a partial transit to Gatun Lake. This will give guests three distinct options of visiting the Panama Canal.

Guests opting for the two day Canal experience will get the chance to enjoy a full Canal transit plus a day with the ship at anchor at Fuerte Amador, on the Canal’s Pacific side. There will be time to enjoy an array of shore excursions including the Panama Canal Railway, Panama City, Soberania National Park Rainforest or a visit to an authentic Embera Indian Village.

"Panama is such a rich country with so much to see, and many passengers don't get the opportunity to experience it because they naturally want to savor the marvel of engineering that is the Panama Canal," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. "So we're now offering the opportunity to do both - spend one day on the ship as it is lifted and lowered through all three sets of locks, plus have a day in port to venture further into Panama."