Zuiderdam Sets Out on 21-Night Ultimate Caribbean Voyage

Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam recently departed PortMiami to begin a 21-night cruise to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Marketed as the “Ultimate Caribbean Escape,” the sailing is among the longest itineraries the cruise line offers in the region and features visits to 16 destinations.

After leaving Florida, the Zuiderdam first headed to the Bahamas, calling at Holland America Line’s private island, Half Moon Cay. The three-week itinerary then continued through the Eastern Caribbean, with scheduled stops in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Basseterre in St. Kitts.

Additional ports on the route include Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Philipsburg in St. Maarten, St. John’s in Antigua, Fort-de-France in Martinique and Bridgetown in Barbados. In the Southern Caribbean, the 2002-built ship is also set to visit Scarborough in Tobago, St. George’s in Grenada, Oranjestad in Aruba and Willemstad in Curaçao.

Before heading back to Miami, the Zuiderdam will sail through the Western Caribbean, calling at Ocho Rios in Jamaica, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel in Mexico.

After returning to Florida in late January, the ship is scheduled to offer another Caribbean cruise before embarking on a repositioning voyage to the US West Coast. That 15-night sailing, offered in partnership with the History Channel, includes a full transit of the Panama Canal and operates between Miami and San Diego.

Following the canal crossing, the 1,440-passenger vessel will offer a distinctive 12-night cruise to the Mexican Riviera and Baja California.

Sailing roundtrip from San Diego, the “Historical Baja Peninsula” itinerary includes calls at Loreto, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, along with additional stops at Topolobampo, Guaymas and Ensenada on the return journey.