Cruise itinerary
15-Night Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego, California
15 nights · Panama Canal · 10 ports of call
15-night Panama Canal cruise aboard Zuiderdam, departing San Diego, California and calling at Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco), Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Quetzal, Panama City and Panama Canal Transit and 3 more.
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- No booking fees
- 10,000+ sailings
At a glance
- Ship
- Zuiderdam
- Cruise line
- Holland America Line
- Duration
- 15 nights
- Region
- Panama Canal
- Departs
- San Diego, California
- Returns
- Miami, Florida
How NestCruise works:we're advisor-led, not a booking engine. No fares are listed and there are no booking fees — tell an advisor your dates and party and they price your exact Zuiderdam sailing, typically within 24 hours.
Where this voyage takes you
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
San Diego, California
Depart 17:00
A relaxed harbour city in southern California, known for its mild climate and broad natural bay. The waterfront holds the historic Gaslamp Quarter and maritime museums, with the green expanse of Balboa Park and its zoo just inland.
- Balboa Park
- Gaslamp Quarter
- San Diego Zoo
- Day2At sea
- Day3At sea
- Day4
Puerto Vallarta
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00
A resort city on Mexico's Pacific coast, set where the Sierra Madre meets Banderas Bay. Its cobbled Zona Romántica and the seaside Malecón promenade anchor an old town of churches and galleries, with whale-watching in the bay through the winter months.
- The Malecón
- Zona Romántica
- Banderas Bay
- Day5At sea
- Day6
Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco)
Arrive 10:00 · Depart 17:00
- Day7
Puerto Chiapas
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00
- Day8
Puerto Quetzal
Arrive 06:00 · Depart 16:00
Guatemala's main Pacific port, a working harbour backed by volcanic highlands. It opens the way to colonial Antigua with its cobbled streets and ruined convents, the coffee farms on the slopes and Lake Atitlán's volcano-ringed shore.
- Antigua Guatemala
- Lake Atitlán
- Coffee plantations
- Day9At sea
- Day10
Panama City
Arrive 17:00 · Depart 04:00
Panama's capital, where a glass-tower skyline meets the Pacific entrance to the famous canal. The colonial Casco Viejo quarter holds plazas and churches, while the Miraflores locks and the rainforest of Soberanía National Park sit close by.
- Panama Canal
- Casco Viejo
- Miraflores Locks
- Day11
Panama Canal Transit
- Day12
Cartagena
Arrive 12:00 · Depart 18:00
A walled colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast, its old town a maze of pastel houses, balconies and shaded plazas. Massive stone ramparts ring the centre, with the San Felipe fortress guarding the harbour above.
- Walled old town
- San Felipe fortress
- Plaza Santo Domingo
- Day13At sea
- Day14At sea
- Day15
Half Moon Cay
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 15:00
A private island in the Bahamas used by cruise lines as a beach day, set on a crescent of pale sand and shallow turquoise water. The day centres on swimming, watersports, a horseshoe lagoon and a barbecue lunch ashore.
- Crescent beach
- Stingray lagoon
- Watersports
- Day16
Miami, Florida
Arrive 07:00
The cruise capital of the world — Miami sends more ships to sea than any port on earth. Most sailings board mid-afternoon, leaving the morning for South Beach, Little Havana or the Wynwood murals before you cast off.
- South Beach
- Little Havana
- Wynwood murals
Upcoming departures
- 30 Jan 2027
Upcoming sailings of this itinerary — a NestCruise advisor confirms current availability and your fare.
15-Night Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego, California FAQ
Which ports does this cruise visit?
This 15-night Panama Canal cruise calls at San Diego, California, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco), Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Quetzal, Panama City, Panama Canal Transit, Cartagena, Half Moon Cay and Miami, Florida.
How many days are spent at sea?
6 days are spent at sea; the rest are in port.
Where does this cruise depart from?
It departs from San Diego, California and ends in Miami, Florida.
How long is this cruise?
15 nights aboard Zuiderdam.
When does this itinerary sail?
Upcoming departures include 30 Jan 2027. A NestCruise advisor can confirm current availability.