Holland America Line Opens Bookings for 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii Cruises
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Holland America Line, a premium cruise line renowned for its longer and destination-focused voyages, has announced the opening of bookings for its 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises. The cruises will depart from five North American homeports and sail on five different ships, offering a variety of new ports and ways to transit the Panama Canal.
This season, six different Panama Canal cruises are on offer, including several firsts for the company. Most notably, the port of Acajutla, El Salvador, has been added to most Panama Canal sailings. Guests will also have the unique opportunity to sail aboard the Pinnacle-Class ship Koningsdam as she makes her inaugural transit through the canal. For those looking to transit the canal aboard Zuiderdam, new this season are departures from Miami. Voyages range from 15 to 22 days, catering to those seeking both shorter and longer vacations.
“We know a Panama Canal transit is a once-in-a-lifetime experience many of our guests are seeking, and by adding Acajutla to select voyages, we’re making it even more memorable,” said Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America Line’s chief commercial officer. “Guests can discover the ‘Pompeii of the Americas’ with a shore excursion to Joya de Cerén archaeological site, where they’ll explore a Mayan farming village remarkably preserved under volcanic ash.”
Nieuw Amsterdam will debut in Hawaii, cruising roundtrip itineraries from San Diego, California. Koningsdam and Zaandam will join the ship on island-hopping adventures that nearly all include an overnight at Honolulu, Hawaii’s iconic capital. Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises are offered from October 2025 through April 2026 and range from 15 to 22 days.
Natural and man-made marvels are prominently featured on cruises to Hawaii and the Panama Canal. Guests can expect to see cascading waterfalls, ancient Mayan ruins, and the famous locks of the Panama Canal. Shore excursions are culturally immersive, showcasing the destinations’ natural beauty and rich history. The cuisine on board highlights local flavours with golden pineapple, locally sourced fresh fish like Pacific mahi-mahi, fresh homemade salsa, and other regional specialties sourced directly from port to plate.
Highlights of the 2025-2026 Panama Canal Cruise Season:
- Panama Canal cruises are aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam and Zuiderdam.
- Cruises start or end in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Seattle, Washington; San Diego, California; or Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Guests enjoy a daylight transit of the Panama Canal, with commentary on the open decks detailing the amazing feat of the man-made marvel.
- Itineraries range from 15 to 22 days and include a combination of calls in Aruba, California, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Turks and Caicos.
- Several cruises offer multiple embarkation or disembarkation options, such as Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, Seattle, or Vancouver.
- Select Panama Canal sailings include a call at Acajutla, a new port for Holland America Line. This port offers excursions to remarkably preserved Mayan ruins, volcanoes, and cacao plantations and provides a gateway to see more of El Salvador, including San Salvador and Nahuizalco.
- Many Panama Canal cruises include a call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas.
- Cruises to Hawaii are aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Zaandam. This will be Nieuw Amsterdam’s first season in Hawaii.
- Guests sailing aboard Nieuw Amsterdam will be able to experience the culinary delights of the ship’s newest restaurant, Morimoto by Sea. Guests sailing on Koningsdam or Zaandam can also share the restaurant menu during special pop-up dinners.
- Itineraries are roundtrip from San Diego, Vancouver, or Vancouver to San Diego.
- The 17-day “Circle Hawaii” from Vancouver to San Diego visits Nawiliwili, Kahului, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight), and Kona. The roundtrip from San Diego features either an overnight or late departure from Honolulu, a call to Ensenada, Mexico and more Hawaiian ports like Kona and Kahului.
- 18-day “Circle Hawaii” is roundtrip from San Diego or Vancouver and calls at Kahului, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight), Nawiliwili and Kona. Roundtrip San Diego adds a call at Ensenada, and roundtrip Vancouver includes Victoria, Canada.
