Canada
Mexico and Central America: Panama Canal Cruise
Holland America Line
Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, exploring Half Moon Cay, Costa Rica and the Mexican Riviera along the way. Transit the entire Panama Canal, a true bucket-list experience. Designed to carry fewer guests while offering greater space, Zaandam® is elegant and comfortable. Her décor is inspired by music and features musical instruments including signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones and a Baroque-style pipe organ.
Executive Member Benefit
Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases
Digital Costco Shop Card
Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Holland America Line sailing†
Sailing Itinerary
Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.
Day 1
Port of Call Fort Lauderdale
Departure 3:00pm
Overview
Ft Lauderdale is a city of islands held together by an intricate web of canals, rivers, bays and waterways hundreds of miles long. Needless to say, boating is a favorite city pastime, whether zooming along on a speedboat, enjoying a fishing charter, or cruising the coastline by yacht. Beautiful homes of every size and style make up the bulk of this primarily residential area. By the beach, a leisurly stroll can be taken along the new landscaping wavewall design of the beachfront promenade. But this city is anything but sedate. Once a spring break hot spot, the town still has an energetic and colorful nightlife. Nearby, charming Laudrdale-By-the-Sea is home to one of the only living coral reefs in the US accesible from shore. Las Olas Boulevard, a shoppers paradise, is the chic new shopping and trendy dining area of downtown. If sports are more your inclination, dozens of golf courses and hundreds of public parks allow you to absorb the great Florida outdoors. Cultural arts are also popular. Water taxis bring theater-goers from throughout the city to the Performing Arts Center on the water.
Day 2
Port of Call Half Moon Cay
Arrival 10:00am
Departure 5:00pm
Overview
If you've ever dreamed of making the first footprints on the beach of a truly secluded tropical island, you'll have your chance on Half Moon Cay, Holland America's own private island in the Bahamas. Swim, snorkel and sail till the beat of a steel-drum band summons you to the beach party and buffet. Cast off your everyday cares on sunswept beaches as you play the day away.
Day 3
Cruising
Day 4
Cruising
Day 5
Port of Call Cartagena/Colombia
Arrival 7:00am
Departure 1:00pm
Overview
Cartagena, conveniently located on Colombia's Caribbean coast, is a unique city filled with sun, sea and history. Comprised of a series of islands connected by bridges, Cartagena is divided by 17th Century walls into a historic "old city" and a cosmopolitan "modern city". Tour magnificent fortresses including "The Castle", one of the largest examples of military architecture in Latin America. Relax on Cartagena's beaches or travel by speed boat to the nearby Rosario Islands for snorkeling, sunbathing and swimming in private Caribbean hideaways. Browse through shops and boutiques for emeralds, gold, and Pre-Colombian treasures. Enjoy the ambiance of Cartagena's captivating history inside rebuilt ships and forts where diners feast on fresh seafood. Recognized by the United Nations as a city of major cultural significance, Cartagena has a charm all its own.
Day 6
Port of Call Cristobal/Panama
Arrival 6:00am
Departure 6:00am
Overview
Cristobal is a port town and county in Colon District, Colon Province, Panama with a population of 49,422 as of 2010. It is located on the western edge of Manzanillo Island, on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal.
Day 6
Panama Canal
Overview
The Panama Canal is an artificial 48-mile waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. The Canal uses a system of locks -compartments with entrance and exit gates. The locks function as water lifts: they raise ships from sea level (the Pacific or the Atlantic) to the level of Gatun Lake (26 meters above sea level); ships then sail the channel through the Continental Divide. Each set of locks bears the name of the townsite where it was built: Gatun (on the Atlantic side), and Pedro Miguel and Miraflores (on the Pacific side). The lock chambers -steps-- are 33.53 meters wide by 304.8 meters long. The maximum dimensions of ships that can transit the Canal are: 32.3 meters in beam; draft -their depth reach- 12 meters in Tropical Fresh Water; and 294.1 meters long (depending on the type of ship). The water used to raise and lower vessels in each set of locks comes from Gatun Lake by gravity; it comes into the locks through a system of main culverts that extend under the lock chambers from the sidewalls and the center wall. The narrowest portion of the Canal is Culebra Cut, which extends from the north end of Pedro Miguel Locks to the south edge of Gatun Lake at Gamboa. This segment, approximately 13.7 kilometers long, is carved through the rock and shale of the Continental Divide. Ships from all parts of the world transit daily through the Panama Canal. Some 13 to 14 thousand vessels use the Canal every year. In fact, commercial transportation activities through the Canal represent approximately 5% of the world trade. The Canal has a work force of approximately 9 thousand employees and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing transit service to vessels of all nations without discrimination.
Day 6
Port of Call Balboa/Panama
Arrival 6:00pm
Departure 6:00pm
Overview
Balboa, town (1990 pop. 2,751), Colon prov., in the former Panama Canal Zone, on the Gulf of Panama. The port for Panama City, Balboa was the administrative headquarters of the Panama Canal Zone. It was also the site of a U.S. navy base (closed 1999). Note that the currency of Panama is also called Balboa.
Day 7
Cruising
Day 8
Port of Call Puntarenas/Costa Rica
Arrival 8:00am
Departure 4:00pm
Overview
The Central Pacific's largest city, Puntarenas sits on a long, narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya. For years, it was the country's principal port, and although a newer port in nearby Caldera now handles cargo and Puntarenas the cruise ships, a large fishing fleet still anchors in the estuary behind town. Being the country's most important fishing port, Puntarenas is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood, be it camarones al ajillo (shrimp scampi), pescado entero (a whole fried fish), or ceviche de corvina (bits of fresh fish marinate in lime juice with onions, peppers and spices).
Day 9
Cruising
Day 10
Port of Call Puerto Quetzal
Arrival 8:00am
Departure 4:00pm
Overview
Hot jungles and steamy nights characterize the port named after Guatemala's national bird. Brilliantly colored clothing bedecks friendly villagers who love to show off their coffee plantations, jungle safaris, and deep-sea fishing spots. Easy access draws many to Tikal National Park, a wonderland of Mayan culture. A series of stone temples dating back to 700 AD--including the Temple of the Two-Headed Snakes--stretch above the treetops, daring the fearless to climb up and enjoy the views. From the top, the people and howler monkeys below look as tiny as the chirping tree frogs and legions of leaf-cutter ants.
Day 11
Port of Call Huatulco
Arrival 12:00pm
Departure 6:00pm
Overview
Huatulco is a resort region in the Mexican state of Oaxaca with white Pacific coast beaches. The region is made up of 9 bays, including the popular cruise-ship port of call Santa Cruz Bay. Tangolunda Bay is home to upscale resort hotels and a golf course. In the inland community of La Crucecita, there are restaurants and shops around a central plaza.
Day 12
Cruising
Day 13
Port of Call Puerto Vallarta
Arrival 9:00am
Departure 5:00pm
Overview
Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants and bars. El Malecón is a beachside promenade with contemporary sculptures, as well as bars, lounges and nightclubs.
Day 14
Cruising
Day 15
Cruising
Day 16
Port of Call San Diego
Arrival 7:00am
Overview
California's second largest city and the United States' seventh largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 2.8 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous other charming neighborhoods and communities, including downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan, Chula Vista and more. Known for it's near-idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and dazzling array of world-class family attractions, including the World-Famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California, San Diego offers a wide variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests from around the world. In San Diego's East County, the terrain varies from gentle foothills to mile-high mountains and the historic mining town, Julian, down to the 600,000-acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park, offering nature-conscious visitors endless opportunities to hike, camp, fish, observe wildlife and much more. In San Diego's North County, the land produces quantities of flowers as well as quality grapes that become excellent wines, which are served at some of the most elegant restaurants and resorts in the region. Along the west, 70 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline not only supports year-round outdoor recreation, such as surfing, boating, sailing and swimming, but also important scientific research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. To the south, it's a whole different country, Mexico, featuring its own cultural offerings in various towns along the border and coastline, including Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada. San Diego's arts and culture and culinary arts are making a name for themselves, both nationally and internationally. Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., features 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony Award-winning The Globe Theatres and the World-Famous San Diego Zoo. The region is also a breeding ground for the hottest, new talents of culinary arts, who prepare award-winning meals in many of the region's 6,400 eating establishments. San Diego County also features 92 golf courses and a variety of exciting participatory and spectator sports, beachfront resorts and luxury spas, gaming, a dynamic downtown district, annual special events and unique holiday offerings, multicultural festivals and celebrations, colorful neighborhoods and communities, a rich military history, accessibility for travelers with disabilities and much more. The most difficult decision to make regarding a vacation to San Diego is determining what to do and see among the region's vast and diverse variety of offerings. San Diego County offers a vacation experience for everyone.
Onboard the Zaandam
Zaandam
Costco Member Reviews
Year Built: 2000
Year Refurbished: 2013
Double Occupancy Capacity: 1432
Designed to carry fewer guests while providing more space for maximum comfort, Zaandam is a prize in the mid-size ship category. On the musically themed Zaandam, you'll find musical instruments such as Bill Clinton's saxophone and signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones throughout the ship. In her soaring three-story atrium: a Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ, inspired by the traditional barrel organs still found on the streets of The Netherlands.
Onboard Activities
Activities & Services (included in cruise)
Pool
- Card Room
- Casino
- Disco/Nightclub
- Movies
- Theater/Show Lounge
- Fitness Center
- Sauna/Steam Room
- Culinary Arts Center
- Educational Programs
- Pool - Outdoor
- Sports Facilities
- Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
- Art Gallery
- Bars/Lounges
- Library
- Children's Indoor Play Area
- Children's Outdoor Play Area
- Organized Age Specific Activities
- Teen Center or Disco
- Teen Programs
- Business Center
- Concierge Desk
- Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
- Elevators
- Safe Deposit Boxes
Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)
Greenhouse Spa
- Beauty Salon
- Full-Service Spa
- Internet Center
- Babysitting
- Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service
- Infirmary/Medical Center
- Self-Service Laundromat
Costco Travel makes every effort to verify the accuracy of all information provided. Additional fees for amenities or services may be charged by the cruise line. Amenities or services may be discontinued or revised by the cruise line without notice. Staterooms designated as wheelchair-accessible do not necessarily meet ADA requirements. Costco Travel is not responsible for inaccuracies or provider modifications.
Dining
Dining Room
Main Dining
The Dining Room: For breakfast, lunch or an unforgettable five-course dinner, the elegant main Dining Room is your destination for sophisticated dining, with menu selections from classic favorites to vegetarian options, to dishes inspired by the regions you’ll visit. Menus by Holland America Line's Culinary Council® of world-renowned chefs.
Pinnacle Grill
Specialty Dining
Pinnacle Grill: Enjoy dishes inspired by America’s Pacific Northwest, such as king salmon from Alaska and choice, responsibly raised beef from Washington State’s Double R Ranch. Complement your meal with a selection of boutique wines from the Pacific Northwest and other celebrated vineyards from around the world. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.
Canaletto: This authentic Italian restaurant offers a menu that celebrates spartire (Italian for "sharing"). Try braised chicken cacciatore "al forno," branzino ai ferri or a classic Italian pasta: spaghetti pomodoro or garlic shrimp-infused ravioli, perhaps. Buon appetito! This restaurant is available for an additional cost.
Room Service
Casual Dining
Lido Market: Lido Market provides a fresh, new approach to casual dining for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with a panoramic view of the sea. A modern marketplace with different themed stations, the Lido offers a curated selection of delicious options to grab on the go or to have quickly made to order.
Dive-In: Dive in to a grilled burger on brioche or a Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog. For alfresco dining by the pool, Dive-In has it all, including lighter fare like the grilled chicken breast sandwich and vegetarian-friendly portabella mushroom stack.
Explorations Café: A comfortable, coffeehouse environment offering espresso drinks and pastries. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.
Room Service: Complimentary 24-hour dining in the comfort of your stateroom.
Times, costs and other specifics are outside the control of Costco Travel. All information is at the sole discretion of the cruise line and is subject to change without notice. Dining time and table size preferences are submitted to the cruise line on a first-come, first-served request basis and are confirmed aboard ship. Questions, concerns and/or special needs regarding dining arrangements must be addressed with the maitre d' hotel aboard ship. Every effort is made to accommodate travelers' preferences; however, Costco Travel cannot guarantee dining arrangements. In specialty restaurants, space is limited and reservations are recommended. A cover charge and dress code may apply.
Staterooms
Staterooms feature premium massage showerheads, fine linens and fresh fruit upon request.
Standard Interior Stateroom (Category: N)
Standard Interior Stateroom (Category: N)
Category: N
Area: Approximately 182-293 sq. ft.
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: MM)
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: MM)
Category: MM
Area: Approximately 182-293 sq. ft.
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: M)
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: M)
Category: M
Area: Approximately 182-293 sq. ft.
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: L)
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: L)
Category: L
Area: Approximately 182-293 sq. ft.
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: K)
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: K)
Category: K
Area: Approximately 182-293 sq. ft.
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: J)
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: J)
Category: J
Area: Approximately 182-293 sq. ft.
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: I)
Large Interior Stateroom (Category: I)
Category: I
Area: "Approximately 182-293 sq. ft.
Elegant staterooms feature luxurious bedding, premium massage showerheads, a porthole or a window and fresh fruit upon request.
Large Outside Stateroom (fully obstructed view) (Category: HH)
Large Outside Stateroom (fully obstructed view) (Category: HH)
Category: HH
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Outside Stateroom (partial sea view) (Category: H)
Large Outside Stateroom (partial sea view) (Category: H)
Category: H
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Outside Stateroom (porthole) (Category: G)
Large Outside Stateroom (porthole) (Category: G)
Category: G
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: FF)
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: FF)
Category: FF
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: F)
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: F)
Category: F
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: EE)
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: EE)
Category: EE
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: E)
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: E)
Category: E
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: DA)
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: DA)
Category: DA
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: D)
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: D)
Category: D
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: C)
Large Ocean-View Stateroom (Category: C)
Category: C
Area: Approximately 140-319 sq. ft.
Spacious staterooms have a private balcony, whirlpool bath (some with shower only) and more.
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: BC)
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: BC)
Category: BC
Area: Approximately 297-379 sq. ft. including verandah.
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: BB)
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: BB)
Category: BB
Area: Approximately 297-379 sq. ft. including verandah.
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: B)
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: B)
Category: B
Area: Approximately 297-379 sq. ft. including verandah.
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: AA)
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: AA)
Category: AA
Area: Approximately 297-379 sq. ft. including verandah.
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: A)
Vista Suite with Verandah (Category: A)
Category: A
Area: Approximately 297-379 sq. ft. including verandah.
Neptune Suite with Verandah (Category: SA)
Neptune Suite with Verandah (Category: SA)
Category: SA
Neptune Suite with Verandah (Category: SB)
Neptune Suite with Verandah (Category: SB)
Category: SB
Pinnacle Suite with Verandah (Category: PS)
Pinnacle Suite with Verandah (Category: PS)
Category: PS
Area: Approximately 1,296 sq. ft. including verandah.
Deck Plan
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
 | Shower only |
 | Bathtub & shower |
 | 2 lower beds convert to 1 queen-size bed (no sofa bed) |
 | Triple (2 lower beds, 1 sofa bed) |
 | Quad (2 lower beds, 1 sofa bed, 1 upper) |
 | Partial sea view |
 | These staterooms have portholes instead of windows |
 | 2 lower beds not convertible to a queen-size bed |
 | Fully obstructed view |
 | Suites B7088, B7087, B6228, and B6225 and stateroom EE3429 are fully accessible, roll-in shower only |
 | Suite SA7034 is fully accessible with single side approach to the bed, bathtub, and roll-in shower; Staterooms DA6104, G1805, and G1804 are fully accessible with single side approach to the bed, roll-in shower only |
 | Staterooms EE3396, EE3391, HH3431, HH3430, E2702, L2700, J2555, J2554, G2500, FF1964, FF1955, G1807, and G1806 are ambulatory accessible, roll-in shower only |
Ship Facts
- Ship Name: Zaandam
- Year Built: 2000
- Year Refurbished: 2013
- Year Entered Present Fleet: 2000
- Ship Class: R
- Maximum Capacity: 1,837
- Number of Passenger Decks: 10
- Number of Crew: 615
- Officers' Nationality: International
- Ocean-View without Balcony: 385
- Total Inside Staterooms: 134
- Tonnage (GRT): 61,396
- Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 1,432
- Country of Registry: Netherlands
- Total Staterooms: 716
- Suites with Balcony: 197
- Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International
Costco Travel makes every effort to verify the accuracy of all information provided. Additional fees for amenities or services may be charged by
the hotel, resort or cruise line. Amenities or services may be discontinued or revised by the provider without notice. Hotels, resorts, ships or accommodations
designated as wheelchair-accessible do not necessarily meet ADA requirements. Costco Travel is not responsible for inaccuracies or provider modifications.
Costco Member Reviews
Available Dates & Prices
Terms & Conditions
*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.
†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.
Ship's registry: The Netherlands
Package ID: HALZAAMEX20240104
Digital Costco Shop Card
This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.
Ship Rating
An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.
A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.
A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.
A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.
Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.
Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.
