Caribbean Cruise to Costa Rica & the Panama Canal with Miami Beach

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To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA

Caribbean Cruise to Costa Rica & the Panama Canal with Miami Beach

Trade the midwinter weather for a tour and cruise holiday taking in Florida’s East Coast, the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica and Panama, home to its world-famous canal. Starting with two days in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll have opportunities to enjoy some downtime by the coast before getting a taste of life in Miami with a tour of renowned South Beach and lively Little Havana. You’ll then board your ship from Holland America Line’s award-winning fleet, ahead of a stop in the Bahamas. After taking in Half Moon Cay’s coastal havens, head south to Willemstad, a pretty retreat on palm-studded Curacao (or Aruba for 2027 departures). Afterwards, continue to the Colombian port city of Cartagena, where you’ll discover its old town, before sailing for the passage into the historic Panama Canal. Entering via the port town of Cristobal, which is set on the outskirts of Colón, you’ll pass through the interlocking waterways that cuts Central America in two. There will be plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities as you cross Gatun Lake, which was once the world’s largest artificial lake, and will showcase the diverse architecture of Panama City. Heading back to Cristobal, you’ll then visit Puerto Limón, the gateway to Costa Rica’s verdant Caribbean coast. Afterwards, cruise to the capital of the Cayman Islands, George Town, where you’ll have ample time under your own steam to explore before sailing northwards back to Florida. A final two days at leisure await in Fort Lauderdale, and you can join an optional tour of the Everglades and Palm Beach.

Holiday Highlights

Unwind amongst the tropical beaches and cabanas of Half Moon Cay, one of the Bahama’s scenic private islands.
Take in the magnificent Panama Canal, a wonder of 19th-century engineering.
Savour luxury at sea with a 12-night full-board cruise onboard your Holland America Line ship.
Explore Cartagena’s remarkably well-preserved 17th-century buildings and take in its major sights in the city’s walled old town.
Marvel at Collins Avenue’s art-deco masterpieces in Miami’s South Beach and explore Latin American culture with a visit to Little Havana
Enjoy thrilling animal encounters on an optional airboat ride through the Everglades National Park
Discover charming Cristobal, the gateway to the Panama Canal, and introduce yourself to Panamanian culture with a brief stop in nearby Colón
Embrace the Dutch Caribbean’s laid-back atmosphere, visiting vibrant Curacao, (2026 departures), or Aruba’s charming beachfront towns (2027)
Soak up panoramic views of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast and its original colonial-era landmarks
Learn about Cayman Islands’ past with a visit to George Town, Grand Cayman’s capital, and explore at leisure or on an optional tour

What's Included

Four nights’ room-only accommodation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, plus one night on the aircraft
12 nights’ full-board accommodation onboard your Holland America Line cruise ship
12 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners
Tour of Miami South Beach and Little Havana
Visits to Half Moon Cay
Stops in Willemstad (2026 departures) or Aruba (2027), and Cartagena
Cruise along the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake
Call at Cristobal and Colón
Ship visit to Puerto Limón (San José)
Call at Grand Cayman
Return flights to Miami
Comfortable coach transfers and luxury cruise amenities throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Miami - Touch down on Florida’s East Coast today and meet your friendly local tour manager upon arrival. You’ll then transfer to your four-star hotel in Fort Lauderdale for check-in ahead of an afternoon at leisure to settle in.

Day 2

Arrival in Florida and included tour of Miami - Today, you’ll head south to cosmopolitan Miami, a city of art-deco skyscrapers and pristine white-sand beaches. Start with a visit to South Beach. The main thoroughfare, Collins Avenue, is famed for its high-end boutiques, lively bars and iconic architecture, which showcases over 800 art-deco buildings and hotels. You’ll have some time here to soak up the atmosphere, perhaps browsing the local stores or taking a stroll along the nearby seafront, before continuing to Little Havana. Here, amongst the neighbourhood’s bustling Latin bars and stores, you’ll enjoy an authentic introduction to South and Central American culture. Having become a cultural hub for thousands of Cuban exiles throughout the 1960s, this energetic corner of Miami remains a popular tourist hotspot, and you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to embrace its cultural highlights.

Day 3

Board your Holland America Line ship - Your third day in Florida marks the start of your Caribbean cruise. Spend a final few hours ashore this morning before heading to the port to board your cruise ship. After checking into your cabin, you’ll have the rest of the day free and can get acquainted with the on-board amenities before watching the sun go down over the Atlantic as you cruise south.

Day 4

Call at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas - Your first shore excursions await today in Half Moon Cay, a serene private island in the heart of the idyllic Bahamas. Known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and the cabanas that dot its palm-lined beaches, the island is a popular port of call on any cruise itinerary, and you’ll be well-placed to enjoy its finest coastal vistas. While exploring this Bahamian island, you can also join a range of optional activities offered by Holland America Line, including boat snorkelling, horseback riding and a stingray feeding experience in a nearby cove.

Day 5

Day at sea - Wake up to views of the glittering Caribbean Sea ahead of a full day at leisure as your ship travels south. Take advantage of the ship’s on-board amenities, from its live entertainment venues and sundeck cinemas to its fitness suites and swimming pools. You’ll also have access to a range of award-winning restaurants, whether you’re in the mood for casual street food or a more refined dining experience.

Day 6

Day at sea - Another full-day's sailing awaits this morning and you’ll be free to spend it as you see fit. If you haven’t already, be sure to visit one of the ship’s entertainment areas for daily interactive shows, including sing-alongs and quiz evenings, or settle in for a seminar at The World Stage theatre.

Day 7

Call at Willemstad, Curaçao - On departures in 2026, tropical Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean haven, will be yours to explore this morning with a call at colourful Willemstad. Known for its pastel-coloured houses, this impressive coastal town promises the perfect setting for laid-back Caribbean exploration. While ashore, you’ll be free to explore on your own time, taking in the city’s easy-going atmosphere, or sampling some of the nation’s famous blue liqueur. If you’d like, you can also join an optional excursion, covering the best of Curaçao’s rich cultural highlights. Pay a visit to one of the island’s rural ostrich farms, with an additional stop at a nearby aloe plantation and time to witness the town’s most significant landmarks under guidance. After an engaging day's exploration in Willemstad, continue west to Colombia. Please note: 2027 departures will visit Aruba, with a stop at the town of Oranjestad, instead of Cuaracao today. Boasting a number of pristine white-sand beaches and rugged cactus-lined terrain in land, Aruba’s striking natural landscapes will be yours to enjoy with a full day at leisure. Vibrant Oranjestad, with its pastel-coloured buildings also offer exciting opportunities to explore, and there will be a host of options available too.

Day 8

Day at sea - Relax with another full day at sea today, perhaps sipping a cocktail on the sundeck or catching some live entertainment in the Rolling Stone Lounge. If you haven’t already, you can also find a number of shops below deck, or try your luck at a few rounds of cards in the ship’s casino.

Day 9

Call at Cartagena, Colombia - Today’s shore excursion will introduce you to Cartagena, one of South America’s oldest original settlements. With its convenient access to the Caribbean, and the string of defensible island forts that guarded its shores, Cartagena was one of the continent’s most affluent trading ports throughout the Age of Exploration. See the city’s maritime heritage reflected in the grand architecture and imposing walls of the city’s old town and explore its bustling street markets and historic landmarks at leisure. You can also join another range of optional activities, including guided walking tours of the city, a traditional jewellery-making class and a visit to the National Aviary of Colombia for sights of some of South America’s most exotic native birds. Later this afternoon, return to sea and continue your journey west.

Day 10

Cruise to Panama Canal Cristobal, Gatun Lake, and included stop at Colón - One of your cruise’s unmissable highlights awaits today, sailing along the historic Panama Canal. You’ll arrive at the harbour town of Cristobal in the early morning before passing through the canal’s impressive series of locks - each one weighing over 750 tonnes! As you move through the Canal’s walls, your crew will be on hand to offer intriguing insights into the history, function and cultural importance of this engineering marvel. Built in the late 19th century, the canal is a symbol of modern engineering and has become one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, offering sailors a safer and more efficient route between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. After some time, you’ll enter the open waters of Gatun Lake, which was once the world’s largest man-made body of water, for the next leg of your voyage through Panama. As you pass along its banks, keep an eye out for Gatun’s intriguing local wildlife, from the American crocodiles that prowl its waters to the sloths and monkeys that reside in the nearby trees. Towards the end of today’s cruise, you’ll pass the national capital, Panama City, where towering modern skyscrapers seamlessly blend with the centuries-old architecture of Casco Viejo, the city’s historic Spanish old town. MS Rotterdam will then turn around and offer you more incredible views as she heads back to Cristobal for a brief evening’s visit to Colón. You’ll be free to see the city’s coastal landmarks under the setting sun. Later, settle back into your cabin for an overnight sailing north.

Day 11

Call at Puerto Limón, Costa Rica - Wake up on Costa Rica’s delightful Caribbean coast in Puerto Limón, one of the country’s most popular cities. View the lush Balvanero Vargas Park, named after the city’s governor who ordered its construction, or soak up the sun on the city’s beachfront areas. Optional excursions today include an amazing opportunity to cruise through the biodiverse lagoons and turtle-rich nesting grounds of Tortuguero National Park with a short journey further up the coast. Elsewhere, a scenic drive past the stilted houses of Puerto Limón’s Cieneguita neighbourhood promises a taste of traditional Costa Rican and Afro-Caribbean culture, culminating in a live dance performance. For a more relaxing day’s activity, tours of Puerto Limón’s nearby plantations and haciendas are also available.

Day 12

Day at sea - Another full day’s sailing includes more opportunities to enjoy the first-class onboard amenities and you’ll be free to do as much or as little as you like. If you haven’t already, you could try your hand at pickleball on the top deck or learn more about the Caribbean’s storied past with a talk at the World Stage auditorium.

Day 13

Call at George Town, Cayman Islands - Grand Cayman will be yours to explore this morning as you dock in the islands’ elegant capital, George Town. This exquisite seaside town boasts a remarkable collection of original 19th-century buildings, amongst the boutiques of Cardinall Avenue, and is renowned for the untouched natural beauty of its clear-water beaches. If you’d prefer a closer look at life in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands National Museum promises an introduction to the islands’ settlement and modern history. Those looking to tick a few more experiences off their holiday wish-list can opt to board a semi-submersible for a boat tour of the island’s coral reefs or visit the Cayman Turtle Centre to meet the islands’ sea creatures. There will also be the opportunity to discover Grand Cayman’s rum-producing heritage with a tour and tasting at local distillery.

Day 14

Day at sea - Spend your final day at sea as you see fit with a full day under your own steam.

Day 15

Call at Fort Lauderdale - Rise to the sights and sounds of the Floridian coast as you return to Fort Lauderdale. After disembarking, return to your Fort Lauderdale Beach hotel for a further two nights. After checking back in, you’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 16

Optional Everglades airboat tour and Palm Beach visit or day at leisure - Join an optional venture into Florida’s wild Everglades today, the largest subtropical area in the United States, on an airboat excursion. Arriving at the Everglades National Park, step aboard a traditional airboat before heading deep into the heart of the reserve’s mangrove swamps. Amongst these wetland stretches, your expert guide will introduce you to the region’s local wildlife, offering up-close looks at the alligators, water snakes and various bird species. Next, head for the coast with a stop in Palm Beach, one of Florida’s most popular beachfront areas. Separated from the mainland, this artistic haven is a popular winter retreat for locals and snowbirds alike, showcasing a wide range of ornate 1920s architecture amongst its trendy boutiques and galleries. Here, you’ll have also the chance to view the striking Breakers Hotel with its impressive Renaissance-revival facades. Later, back in Fort Lauderdale, wind down on the seafront, and perhaps find dinner in one of the city’s local restaurants.

Day 17

Morning at leisure and fly back to the UK - Spend a final few hours enjoying the sunshine today before heading to the airport for your overnight flight.

Day 18

Land back in the UK - Land back in the UK after your overnight return flight.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Passports and Visas

When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $21 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Tipping

Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver is about $5 per person per day, and for a Tour Manager is about $7 per person per day.

It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.

On your flight

All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Hotel rooms

Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions during the cruise can be booked on board the ship.

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