I’m currently sitting on my verandah looking out over Bimini. As someone who cruises almost monthly, I know how magical it can be. But there’s something almost cinematic about the golden age of travel. I think that’s what drew me to writing about travel so many years ago. I dreamed of men in tailored suits, the silk scarves fluttering in the breeze, the soft clink of champagne glasses mid-flight. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Pan Am! I’m old enough to have flown the airline (and one of my good friends was a “stewardess”). Pan Am wasn’t just an airline it was a symbol of possibility, of sophistication, of stepping boldly into a world that was suddenly smaller, shinier, and filled with promise. And now, a century after Pan American World Airways changed the way we see the world, Holland America Line is paying homage to that legacy not from the skies, but from the sea.
A Voyage 100 Years in the Making
Launching just about 2 years from now (October 30, 2027), from Miami (Pan Am’s original home base), the 28-Day Pan Am 100th Anniversary Legendary Voyage aboard Zuiderdam promises to be more than just a cruise. I imagine it’s going to feel more like a time capsule, a love letter to the golden age of travel. Imagine retracing the iconic Clipper flying boat routes across 18 ports of call in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America, sipping a perfectly chilled martini as the ship sails into ports that once echoed with the sound of propellers skimming the water.
For those of us who remember the aura of Pan Am or perhaps only know it through vintage ads and our parents’ stories, this cruise feels like a chance to relive that bygone glamour. Holland America Line, with its century-and-a-half-long legacy of refined travel, is the perfect modern-day host for this journey through nostalgia.
Zuiderdam will sail roundtrip from Miami, Florida.
The Route: Where the Clippers Once Soared
Departing from Miami, the Zuiderdam will set a southeast course toward Nassau, Bahamas — one of Pan Am’s earliest Caribbean stops and the very definition of paradise. From there, guests will explore Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island (where you’ll find me on a lounger or swimming in that perfect teal ocean), before heading off to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and a flurry of enchanting islands that will make even the most seasoned traveler swoon.
Picture this: six ports in six days — Santo Domingo, San Juan, Charlotte Amalie, St. John’s, Castries, and Port of Spain. Each port is a jewel in the necklace of Pan Am’s history, linking cultures and coastlines that once represented the edge of adventure. The Zuiderdam then glides westward toward Curaçao, Aruba, and the Colombian gems of Santa Marta and Cartagena, before sailing through Colon (Panama), Puerto Limón (Costa Rica), Belize City, Cozumel, and Progreso (Merida), all before returning home to Miami.
That’s 28 days of pure, elegant exploration. And it’s about half of the stops featured on Pan Am’s original Clipper routes.
Model of Pan Am’s Yankee Clipper
History, Heritage, and High Style
The Pan Am Clipper flights were not like anything else in their day. Those massive flying boats, sleek, ocean-bound aircraft that landed directly on the water, carried passengers on what I imagine were glamorous multi-day journeys across the Caribbean and beyond. They were the original luxury cruises, only in the sky. With cabins dressed like hotel suites and dining experiences that rivaled those of fine restaurants, Pan Am transformed travel into an experience.
And that’s exactly what this voyage promises, a full immersion into that glamorous spirit. Guests will be greeted by period-inspired décor, vintage Pan Am memorabilia, and themed dining experiences reminiscent of mid-century jet-set style. Imagine sipping a “Clipper Cocktail” as jazz floats through the air, or joining a lecture about aviation history while cruising past the turquoise waters where the original flying boats once landed.
Immersive Storytelling at Sea
This isn’t your typical cruise. It’s experiential storytelling. Every day will offer a new chapter. From the colonial streets of Cartagena to the rhythmic energy of Port of Spain. Holland America’s onboard enrichment programs are set to complement the itinerary, featuring talks on Pan Am’s pioneering impact, cultural workshops, and destination-focused experiences that celebrate the vibrant diversity of the Caribbean and Latin America.
And, of course, there’s that unmistakable Holland America touch (one of my favorites), the fine dining, the sophisticated entertainment, the impeccable service. Guests can look forward to world-class performances, spa treatments, and culinary delights that nod to the regions being visited. It’s the perfect mix of learning, leisure, and luxury.
America’s 250th Anniversary: A Celebration of Legacy
This special sailing is part of Holland America Line’s broader celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The partnership with Pan Am is just one of several collaborations the cruise line is rolling out with iconic American brands.
For anyone who loves a sense of nostalgia mixed with the excitement of discovery, this voyage feels like both a history lesson and a dream vacation rolled into one elegant experience.
Booking the Journey: The Perks of Planning Ahead
For those already dreaming of this once-in-a-lifetime voyage, Holland America Line is offering an irresistible Have It All Early Booking Bonus. Guests who book early receive the cruise line’s premium package perks—shore excursions, specialty dining, the Signature Beverage Package, and Surf Wi-Fi, plus free prepaid crew appreciation, free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package, and Premium Wi-Fi.
Mariner Society members, Holland America’s loyal repeat guests, can also enjoy up to $400 in onboard credit per stateroom, which is a nice bonus to spend on excursions, spa treatments, or perhaps a few rounds of champagne in the Crow’s Nest as the sun melts into the horizon.
And let’s be honest, if you’ve ever wanted to take a true grand voyage, one that merges history, heritage, and haute style, this is the one to splurge on.
RelaxAway Half Moon Cay
The Spirit of the Golden Age Lives On
In a world that often prizes speed over experience, this voyage feels like an exhale. It invites you to slow down, to linger, to connect with the romance of the journey itself. It’s travel as it was meant to be—elegant, intentional, and joyfully indulgent.
When Pan Am’s first flying boat took to the skies in 1927, it carried more than passengers; it carried dreams. A century later, Holland America Line is carrying those same dreams forward across turquoise waters, under starlit skies, and into the hearts of those of us who still believe in the magic of travel.
So pack your vintage-inspired best, slip on your sunglasses, and get ready to sail where the Clippers once soared. Because some journeys aren’t just about where you go—they’re about remembering why you fell in love with travel in the first place.
- For more information or to book the Pan Am 100th Anniversary Legendary Voyage, visit HollandAmerica.com, or call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425).
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be first in line for this one. Because history, elegance, and exploration never go out of style.
