Holland America Line to Sail Three Ships Along Mexican Riviera

Holland America Line will sail three ships on the Mexican Riviera next year. From January through December 2019, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Oosterdam will embark on a series of seven-day and 11-day cruises roundtrip from San Diego, California, that include calls at Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Extended sailings will also be available by combining Mexico with more of the West Coast aboard Eurodam sailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, on Oct. 15, on an 11-day itinerary to San Diego that also calls at Santa Barbara, California.

The seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise begins in San Diego on Oct. 19. Eurodam offers eight additional seven-day cruises through 2019; and its sister ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, will explore the region on six sailings starting Mar. 17. Oosterdam will sail into the region Oct. 6 on its first of eight seven-day sailings, including two festive Mexican Riviera holiday voyages departing Dec. 21 and Dec. 28.

During the sailing to San Diego, Holland America said that guests are treated to scenic cruising past Coronado Island, Cabrillo National Monument and Point Loma. The ship docks near downtown, so guests can walk on Coronado Island’s sandy beach, take in the Old Town or visit the San Diego Zoo.

The cruise line said featuring up to three Mexican ports of call on one itinerary gives passengers “a deeply comprehensive and immersive opportunity.”

Expanding the cultural experience, HAL’s Explorations Central (EXC) programming will include onboard dining showcasing the flavors of Mexico, while bars will offer a variety of Mexican liquors and ingredients. Guests can visit America’s Test Kitchen for a cooking demonstration, cooking class or themed mixology class featuring local fare. The ships’ ambiance will be enhanced by Mexican floral varieties, and guests will be welcomed in their staterooms with Mexican towel creations.

2019 Panama Canal program
HAL also announced that it is taking five ships and 30 cruises to the famous lakes and locks of the Panama Canal next year.

Full transits range from 14-23 days and 10-day or 11-day partial explorations aboard the Amsterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam and Volendam. Guests can sail to or from Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, California; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Full transits will visit cities in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and islands in the Caribbean. In addition, some of the sailings include a visit to Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas.

In addition to the full transits, guest can embark on Panama Canal Sunfarer itineraries that feature a partial transit in combination with southern Caribbean ports of call.