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Why Holland America's Panama Canal Cruise Is So Popular

Ritzy Travel Guide
Ritzy Travel Guide
πŸ…Authority
πŸ‘οΈ 60K viewsπŸ“… 1 years ago⏱️ 39:34

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

In the final installment of this series, the creators document the concluding legs of a twelve night sailing aboard the Holland America Rotterdam. The journey begins with a visit to Costa Rica, where the creators explore local villages, cocoa plantations, and the Tortuguero canals while noting the vibrant cultural influence of the region. The itinerary then moves to the Panama Canal, providing a detailed look at the transit process, the engineering of the locks, and the importance of choosing ships with sufficient outdoor viewing decks. The creators also highlight the dining experience, specifically mentioning a specialized Panama roll served during the transit. Following the canal, the trip continues to the Grand Caymans, where the creators evaluate the accessibility of Seven Mile Beach and recommend a stingray tour as a superior alternative. The video concludes with an overview of shipboard life, including the themed orange night and the festive carnival night. The creators ultimately recommend Holland America for travelers seeking a traditional cruising experience characterized by visible senior officers and a warm, social atmosphere.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Holland America Line
Bacon Bliss
All-time creator consensus for Holland America Line
A Nibble

This review is more positive than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsCruise VlogπŸ…Authority Creator
Other Β· 12 nightsFrom FloridaVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

So far, we've been really impressed with the Rotterdam. And after this, you can go back and watch the first two episodes.

The crew aboard the ship that sailing were amongst the happiest and smiest that we've seen for many a year.

It's a magical almost surreal atmosphere that greets you as we approach the Panama Canal.

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Select a ship with a lot of outside decks for the best Panama Canal viewing vantage points.
βœ“For the Panama Canal, try to book a full transit rather than a partial one for the complete experience.
βœ“In Grand Cayman, consider Stingray City as a great alternative to the crowded public beaches.

πŸ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Ship size and viewing positions β€” Choose ships with sufficient outdoor space and viewing positions, as some modern ships lack them.
Panama Canal transit types β€” Be aware that the largest ships (like Icon of the Seas) can only do a partial transit; check this before booking.

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs Holland America a good cruise line for a Panama Canal itinerary?
QWhat is it like to transit the Panama Canal on a cruise ship?
QIs Costa Rica a good destination for cruise passengers?
QWhat are the pros and cons of 7 Mile Beach in Grand Cayman?

Topics Covered

Port Destination4Β½ Happy BaconItinerary Route4 Happy BaconService Crew4Β½ Happy BaconEntertainment Activities4 Happy BaconDining Main4 Happy BaconShip Condition4Β½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Costa Rica4Β½ Happy Bacon
Top: Costa Rican canals and Tortuguero canals tour
Grand Cayman3 Happy Bacon
Top: Stingray City
Panama Canal4Β½ Happy Bacon
Top: Gaton Lakes jungle cruise
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube