Cruise the Panama Canal with Cynthia Rutledge!

And along the way visit Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico!

 

January 1 – 16, 2027

What an opportunity to take a 14-day cruise on Holland America's Zuiderdam during which you will visit six countries; traverse between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via an engineering marvel; have three days of workshop with Cynthia Rutledge; and still have another three days relaxing at sea—how can it get any better?!? Day 1. Friday, January 1, 2027. Arrive in Miami.

Today you’ll start the new year by arriving in Miami, FL (airport code MIA). From here you’ll transfer to the Pullman Miami Airport for the evening and then to the ship the following day (hotel and transfers included). Day 2. Saturday, January 2. Set sail.

In the morning, we will be transported via Holland America to our ship, the Zuiderdam. After boarding the ship, you’ll have time to check out the ship and become familiar with your new “home” for the next two weeks. Meals included: Lunch, dinner on board.

Day 3 & 4. Sunday & Monday. January 3 & 4. Sea Days & Workshops!

Class 9:30a to 4p

Our ship we will be at sea for the next two days—and there couldn’t be two better days to get started on Cynthia’s new project! We’ll have our workshop from 9:30a to 4p with a break for lunch. Day 5. Tuesday, January 5. Cartagena, Columbia.

Ship arrives 7a; departs 1p

Though a brief visit, you’ll have a great introduction to Cartagena with its well-preserved colonial architecture, flavorful cuisine, and the legacy of Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez. It will be an opportunity to wander through the streets of this walled city, tasting local delicacies, exploring Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, and enjoying the vestiges of its rich literary past. Day 6. Wednesday, January 6. Transit the Panama Canal!

Cruise canal from approximately 6a to 6p

A journey from Colón, at the Caribbean end of the canal, to Balboa, at its Pacific end, allows you to marvel at this world wonder, as well as see colonial towns, historic fortresses and sanctuaries for Panama’s wildlife along the way. Measured by miles, the journey along the canal is relatively short, but it is one with an epic sweep. You will follow in the footsteps of giants from Balboa to the workers who built the canal. When you think of the Panama Canal, the image that may come to mind is of the world’s huge tankers and cruise ships passing through a series of locks. That, however, reflects only one aspect of this part of the world. As ships travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific, they also pass colonial towns, historic fortresses and manmade lakes that are today home to sanctuaries for hundreds of different animal and plant species. At the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón evokes the old Panama of yesteryear, with its historic buildings gradually being restored. Some 48 miles to the south, at the canal’s Pacific entrance, Panama City's glittering skyline of office towers and condominiums reflects the country’s dynamic present and future. Traveling between these two cities, an epic tale unfolds before you—an old-school feat of engineering, ambition and courage. As David McCullough recounts in his sweeping history The Path Between the Seas, it was a combination of sheer human might and engineering prowess that today allows ships to cross the Panama isthmus, saving sailors from making the dangerous, almost 8,000-mile journey around the tip of South America. The construction of the Panama Canal is one of those epic tales from the past, an old-school feat of engineering, ambition and courage. A cruise along it today is a journey through the centuries, from the Spanish fortifications near Limón Bay to the glittering skyline of Panama City, not to mention the canal itself. Over the course of a decade a little more than a century ago, tens of thousands of workers drilled dynamite holes, drove belching steam shovels and labored with pickaxes, all the while fighting off malaria. While the French builders of the Suez Canal ultimately gave up in Panama, American crews persevered and created a route allowing ships to travel across a continent. In 2016 an expansion more than doubled the canal's capacity, ensuring it will continue to be central to the world's maritime traffic. While many think of the Panama Canal only as a remarkable manmade achievement, the area is also of interest to naturalists. Panama’s rain forest suffered great biodiversity loss during the canal's construction, but today more than 100 species each of mammals and reptiles, as well as some 500 different birds, thrive in the nature reserves along the length of the canal. At the end of your journey along the Panama Canal, you’ll reach Balboa, the town that sits at the Pacific entrance of the canal. Its namesake is Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the famed Spanish explorer who was the first European to see the Pacific from the New World. Balboa’s journey was historic, a legendary feat of the age of exploration. The construction of the canal that crosses the isthmus today was also a historic achievement, to this day the largest civil engineering project ever. Over the course of a decade at the beginning of the 20th century, a combination of sheer human might, and engineering prowess was responsible for the construction of the canal. Day 7. Thursday, January 7. Sea Day.

Today will be yours to relax and enjoy all that the ship has to offer—from the spa to lectures about local culture—or continue to work on your bead project! Day 8. Friday, January 8. Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica.

Ship arrives 8a; departs 6p

One of the stops along the Panama Canal Zone route, Puntarenas on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is nicely positioned within easy day-trip distance of several national parks and activities from snapping photos of gushing waterfalls, sightseeing near active volcanoes, to birdwatching in nature reserves and sanctuaries. Visitors also can enjoy shopping for the handicrafts that local artists sell at their cooperatives, as well as sampling traditional Tico cuisine. Day 9. Saturday, January 9. Sea Day & Workshop.

Class 9:30a to 4p

Our third and final day of instruction from Cynthia on our project!

Day 10. Sunday, January 10. Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Arrive 7a; depart 4p

Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala's largest port on the Pacific Ocean side of this Central American country, important for both cargo and cruise ships. While there's not a great deal to see and do in Puerto Quetzal itself, it is an ideal point of departure for exploring several corners of the country on various day trip options. Choose how you want to take in Guatemala's stunning, volcano-studded landscape; one of the country's Maya sites; the UNESCO–recognized colonial city of Antigua (the former capital); a coffee plantation; or one of the many beguiling bodies of water. There's also Lake Atitlán, which 19th-century German explorer Alexander von Humboldt described as the most beautiful lake in the world. Day 11. Monday, January 11. Huatulco, Mexico.

Arrive 11a; depart 5p

Huatulco, situated on Mexico's Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca, has nine bays and 36 beaches, offering more than enough opportunities for fun in the sun. But Huatulco's attractions aren't limited to sand and surf; there are also archaeological sites to explore, rivers to raft, and beautiful waterfalls that invite childlike splashing. Bird lovers will find Huatulco to be especially captivating as the region is home to more than 225 bird species, including many rare ones. And then there’s the food--the state of Oaxaca has some of the most iconic dishes in Mexico's culinary repertoire. Day 12. Tuesday, January 12. Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Arrive 8a; depart 5p

Acapulco, Mexico, is a famed Pacific resort town known for its golden beaches, lush rainforests, and historic sites. The La Quebrada cliff divers are a draw for travelers who watch with bated breath as they plunge from towering heights into the roiling sea. Other things to do in Acapulco include exploring the 17th-century Fort of San Diego or strolling along the seafront Malecón, admiring street art. Day 13. Wednesday, January 13. Sea Day.

Another day to relax and enjoy!

Day 14. Thursday, January 14. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Arrive 8a; depart 3p.

Los Cabos sits at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Here you can ride a camel, or enjoy more predictable pursuits including fishing, golfing and whale-watching. On your Cabo cruise you can visit picture-perfect El Arco, an arch that may look familiar thanks to its cameo on postcards and advertisements. Los Cabos also offers plenty to enjoy at the dining table as well, with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and, of course, seafood. Day 15. Friday, January 15. Sea Day.

Your final day of ultimate relaxation as you enjoy your final day at sea.

Day 16. Saturday, January 16. Disembark in San Diego.

Today we arrive in San Diego from where you’ll disembark the ship. It is recommended your flight be scheduled to leave after 11a. Transfer from the ship to the airport is included. About the project . . .

Cynthia is designing a project inspired by the trip's itinerary. Check back for details!

About our Teacher . . . Cynthia Rutledge

Cynthia is a contemporary seed bead artist and has been teaching for over 27 years. She specializes in peyote stitch and off‐loom weaving techniques, with an emphasis on developing sculptural unsupported shapes in beadwork. Her work has been exhibited in national and international shows, many books and publications including her first solo book, “Timeless Beadwork Designs”. Cynthia shares “My path to being an artist has always been driven by my desire to create something that is beautiful to me. I bead for myself, to satisfy my desire to create, to feed my soul. That others admire my work is a gift. If they see something in my work that appeals to them, that calls to them, then I am blessed indeed, as maybe they can see a glimpse of the part of me that is just following my heart.” Learn more about Cynthia at her webpage.

Trip Cost

$4,595.00 for a shared hotel room in Miami and shared interior ship cabin (Category MM); single supplement is an additional $2,045.

Non-beader savings: $195.00

Cost includes:

• One pre-cruise hotel night in Miami, FL
• 14-day cruise aboard Holland America's Zuiderdam
• All breakfasts, lunches, dinners aboard the ship
• Transportation from the Miami airport to the hotel
• Transportation from the hotel to the ship
• Transportation from the ship to San Diego airport
• Tuition for workshop with Cynthia

Cost Does Not Include:

• Airfare
• Meals on day of arrival in Miami
• Trip insurance (highly recommended)
• Shore excursions/tours
• Kit for Cynthia’s workshop

To Sign Up

To guarantee your spot on this trip, send in a $1,000 deposit and completed registration form after reviewing Beadventures' Conditions & Responsibilities information. Final payment will be due 120 days prior to the start of the trip. Trip Notes . . . IMPORTANT!

Travel Insurance

You are making a big investment in your upcoming travel. Despite all your planning, travel can be unpredictable--from cancelled flights to last minute illness. To help protect the investment you are making in your upcoming trip, you are strongly encouraged to purchase trip insurance. Research coverage options by clicking here. Other Trip Notes . . .

About your activities while in port / shore excursions

Beadventures does not arrange separate tours or shore excursions while on the cruise. Holland America has a wide number from which you can select, the cost for which is not included in the Beadventure package. Passport

You will need a passport for Costa Rica. Check your passport expiration date to make certain it is valid for at least six months beyond the dates of this trip. About Cruising on a Beadventure

Beadventures doesn’t structure group activities on the days that the ship is in Port. You can enjoy a shore excursion based on your area of interest; or you can relax with a spa appointment or otherwise enjoy some down time. There also will be lots of opportunities to informally get together to bead, knit, and visit. In the evening the group will come together for dinner, or if you chose, you could enjoy in-room dining or have dinner at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants. We’re flexible—you can have as much together time/or on-your-own time as you prefer! Bead Workshop Gear

Remember to bring your customary bead supplies (beading mat, needles, thread, scissors, magnification, and task light). A task light is important (because lighting in the classroom isn’t that great). It’s best if your light is battery-powered because we may not have electric extension cords in the classroom. Your best option is to have a rechargeable power source for your light.