Overview

Our group of gay men and women will be sailing on the luxurious Zuiderdam for a 10 night sailing to the Panama Canal and into Lake Gatun. The canal is one of the great wonders of the world. Built more than 100 years ago it is truly an engineering masterpiece.

While in Panama we will also have the chance to take excursions to visit old Spanish Colonial towns and fortresses or spend the day with the native Embrera Indians who live just as they did centuries ago. One might feel as if they have stepped back in time. They live in straw and mud huts with no electricity or modern conveniences.

Will also visit glorious Costa Rica where you may explore the natural beauty of the rain forest and see crocodiles, sloth and possibly even a jaguar. For the more adventurous I strongly suggest white water rafting or zip lining above the canopy of trees below. Both are truly exhilarating experiences that you will not forget.

We also have the please of visiting two of the Dutch Antilles with stops in Aruba, known for wonderful beaches and dramatic desert scenery, plus charming Curacao which boasts quaint pastel colored buildings with the typical Dutch architecture including the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Each island has a very different feel.

Our final stop will be Half Moon Cay, a private Bahama island owned by Holland America. Here is a day to relax, sip Margaritas, swim & snorkel, horseback ride and enjoy a fabulous beach barbeque.

Itinerary

Day	Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
0	14 Oct 2011	Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US		05:00 PM
1	15 Oct 2011	At Sea
2	16 Oct 2011	At Sea
3	17 Oct 2011	Puerto Limon, Costa Rica	08:00 AM	06:00 PM
4	18 Oct 2011	Enter Panama Canal Cristobal	06:00 AM
4	18 Oct 2011	Gatun Lake, Panama	10:00 AM	11:00 AM
4	18 Oct 2011	Exit Panama Canal Cristobal	02:00 PM	02:00 PM
4	18 Oct 2011	Colon, Panama	04:00 PM	08:00 PM
5	19 Oct 2011	At Sea
6	20 Oct 2011	Willemstad (Curacao), Antilles	09:00 AM	11:00 PM
7	21 Oct 2011	Oranjestad, Aruba	07:00 AM	02:00 PM
8	22 Oct 2011	At Sea
9	23 Oct 2011	Half Moon Cay, Bahamas	08:00 AM	04:00 PM
10	24 Oct 2011	Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US	07:00 AM

Pricing

Rates:
Interior Cabin	$999.00
Window Cabin	$1,199.00
Balcony Cabin	$1,399.00
Mini Suite	$1,899.00

Gallery

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US

There is an abundance of things to see and do in the Fort Lauderdale area: visit the newly redesigned Fort Lauderdale Beach and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las Olas Boulevard or venture to the Everglades for an intriguing air boat excursion.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

From Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast go in search of iridescent blue morpho butterflies, sloths, turtle nesting grounds and wise old shamans. Explore the capital city of San Jose, where museums beckon and markets burst with luscious local tastes – mangoes, bananas, pineapples, papayas.

Gatun Lake, Panama

Gatun Lake is key to supplying the water necessary to operate the locks system. Formed by an earthen dam across the Chagres River to keep the water 85 feet above sea level, the water runs downhill to fill the locks. No pumps, no power other than the force of gravity! Fact: It will take about 52 million gallons of water to float your Holland America ship through the locks.

Colon, Panama

Colon lies on the stunning Caribbean coast of Panama, where unparalleled beaches and lush tropical scenery are de rigueur. In nearby Portobello, discover the ruins of Spanish forts, watch the colorful yachts sailing in the bay or hunt for treasures in the local markets. Travel to the Gatun Locks for a bird’s eye view of the immense ships passing through the Panama Canal.

Willemstad (Curacao), Antilles

Amsterdam-like canals, gabled Dutch colonial buildings, an exotic floating market. This bustling duty-free port has it all. Plus the world-famous Curaçao Liqueur Distillery and an intriguing coral reef teeming with parrotfish and queen angelfish. Sample shore excursions: Curaçao Dolphin Encounter; Curaçao See & Sea Tour; Highlights of Curaçao with Folkloric Show; Canoe Safari; Willemstad Trolley Train.

Oranjestad, Aruba

Colorful floating markets, wondrous coral reefs and landscapes dotted with curiously bent divi-divi trees await on this, the “A” of the Netherlands Antilles’ famous ABC islands. (Bonaire and Curacao round out the trio.) Sample shore excursions: Natural Wonders ofAruba; Spanish Lagoon Kayak Adventure’ Jolly Pirates Sail, Snorkel, Swim & Swing.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Holland America Line’s pristine private island offers everything you need for a day of play in paradise: a two-mile crescent of perfect beach; an interior lagoon; private beachside cabanas with butler service, showers and misters; and all manner of watersports and activities, including a children’s aqua park and a buoyed personal watercraft course. Sample shore excursions: Horseback Riding by Land and Sea; Deep-sea or Flats Fishing; Stingray Adventure; AquaTrax Watercraft Adventure.