Holland America Line Central America: 12 nights from Fort Lauderdale with Rotterdam
Oct 26, 2025

Half Moon Cay

Curacao

Curacao, located in the heart of the Dutch Antilles, is an island that fascinates visitors with its rich history, turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. This unique destination offers a perfect mix of culture, adventure and relaxation, making it ideal for those looking for a different vacation. Cruises to Curacao allow you to enjoy this wonderful island in all its beauty, offering travelers the opportunity to discover a Caribbean paradise where local hospitality meets breathtaking landscapes.

The island of Curacao is famous for its colorful and lively cities, where Dutch colonial architecture mixes with Caribbean and Latin American influences, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere. Willemstad, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and enchants with its historic pastel-colored buildings that are reflected in the calm waters of the harbor. Exploring the city center offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture, discover craft markets and savor Creole cuisine that blends African, European and Asian flavors.

In addition to its fascinating urban culture, Curacao invites you to discover its natural resources. The island is surrounded by a coral reef accessible directly from the beach, making it a paradise for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. The crystal clear waters hide an underwater world rich in biodiversity, with colorful corals and a variety of marine life that makes every dive an unforgettable experience. For those seeking terrestrial adventures, Christoffel National Park offers hiking trails through desert landscapes and endemic flora and fauna.

Opting for a cruise that stops in Curacao means choosing a journey that perfectly combines relaxation, discovery and adventure. The island, with its sober but charming style, promises to give its visitors unforgettable moments, between unspoiled nature, fascinating history and vibrant cultures, making every stay a unique and enriching experience.

Cartagena

Carthage is a city with more than 2000 years of history. It was founded by the Carthaginian General Asdrubale in the years 227 B.C. and today is one of the most visited touristic cities in Spain.

If you visit its beautiful city center and monuments, you will immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere. The port of Cartagena, on the Mediterranean Costa Cálida, has been valued since the time of the Carthaginians. Thank to its strategic location along the Murcia coast, the city has been a meltingpot of different cultures and traces of their artistic heritage are still visible. Cartagena offers its visitors many activities, both cultural and leisure. Don't miss the ancient Roman theater with its thousand-year history and a huge site of archaeological excavations. You can also go trekking and diving, enjoy the excellent local cuisine, and visit churches and important museums. A holiday aboard a cruise offers the opportunity to visit this beautiful city and partecipate in one of these unique activities.

Carthage offers the tourists many activities, both cultural and for leisure. You cannot miss out the old Roman theatre with its thousand-year-old history and a huge archeological site. It is possible to practice trekking and immersions, taste excellent food of the local cuisine and visit Churchse and important Museums.

 

Gatun Lake

Colon

Colón is the ideal crossroads for a walk through the rainforest or a close look at the Panama Canal. Colón lies at the heart of the country's rich history and innovation. This important port city is less than an hour from Panama's most famous attractions, so it is easy to visit sites such as the Panama railway, Gatun and the old Spanish fortress Fort San Lorenzo. There, everything is graced by the crystal-clear waters and white sand that are always a sweet setting for an unforgettable holiday.

Capital of the province of Colón on the Caribbean coast of Panama, Colón is located in the heart of the rich history of the country and its innovation. This important port city is less than an hour from Panama's most famous attractions, so it's easy to visit sites such as the Panama Railroad, Gatun and the old Spanish fortress Fort San Lorenzo. All embellished naturally by crystal clear waters and white sand which always represent a very popular sweet frame for an unforgettable vacation.

Limón

Colorful open-air markets, intense perfumes and spectacular colors, all seasoned by the contagious good humor of the population.

Puerto Limon or simply Limon was founded in 1502 when Columbus stopped here during his exploration of the new world. Located 165 km east of San José, it has an authentic and less touristy air than other cities. Costa Rica, one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world, is renowned for its wonderful tropical scenery; a corner of paradise that offers adventures in the jungle and a pristine tropical forest. The possibilities here are many: return to nature and admire the giant sea turtles laying their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero; coral bottoms in Cahuita; sail to Puerto Viejo; Drift along the canal in the jungle from Tortuguero to Barra del Colorado or look for animals and birds among the mangroves.

George Town

Capital of Grand Cayman, one of the three magnificent tropical islands, which Christopher Columbus called "Las Tortugas" (the turtles) for the sea creatures he found abundant in the crystal clear waters of the ocean.

Georgetown is the capital of the Cayman Islands and one of the most popular cruise ship stops in the Caribbean, thanks to its white sand beaches, year-round tropical climate, and crystal-clear blue waters. Don't miss Stingray City and diving and snorkeling near the coral reef. Georgetown offers an abundance of duty-free shopping, restaurants, and cafes. If you can get away from the beach on your own, try an excursion to one of the few tropical rainforests in the Antilles.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is in Florida, USA. It is one of the main ports for the cruise market and it is a holiday resort for many tourists coming from anywhere in the States and from other Countries in the world.

 

The majority of the cruises to the Caribbean leave from Ft. Lauderdale, due to its strategic position. The city is the ideal destination for the beach life enthusiasts: you can’t miss out Hollywood Beach, near the city centre and lively beach. If you are shopping lovers, you’re in the right place. You can find plenty of shops in malls or in the city centre, that also offers many bars and clubs where you can enjoy the best night life. Visit the Flamingo Gardens, 60 acres of fields where you can observe flamingos and alligators enjoying a lush and verdant flora. Explore all the species of animals and plants during an unforgettable safari. Ft. Lauderdale is a comfortable and relaxing place and the best place where you can spend a few days before your cruise. Here you can find cruises with the best companies such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises and many more.