Nieuw Amsterdam: 21-Night Cruise from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) - October 30, 2026

With roughly 7 hours hours in Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic - arriving at 8:00 AM and departing at 3:00 PM - you'll want to be strategic. A ship-arranged shore excursion is a smart choice here - the ship will wait for its own excursions to return. Stick to attractions close to the port. Playa Cabo Rojo is the main draw and delivers exactly what many cruisers hope for.

The Nieuw Amsterdam is a mid-sized ship, which means excursion options in Willemstad, Curacao are plentiful. Plan your top priorities in advance and you'll generally find services accessible without long waits. Visit the Floating Market where colorful boats from Venezuela sell fresh produce and fish directly from the harbor.

Your ship arrives in Port of Oranjestad, Aruba, Caribbean at 8:00 AM, one of the most common arrival windows. If you've booked a morning excursion, aim to be among the first off. If your plans are flexible, waiting 30-45 minutes lets the initial wave pass. Walking through downtown Oranjestad provides a mix of colonial Dutch architecture, colorful shops, and waterfront views.

With roughly 7 hours hours in Half Moon Cay (Little San Salvador Island), Bahamas - arriving at 8:00 AM and departing at 3:00 PM - you'll want to be strategic. A ship-arranged shore excursion is a smart choice here - the ship will wait for its own excursions to return. Stick to attractions close to the port. Bring reef safe sunscreen, a hat, and swimwear you can stay in all day.

The Nieuw Amsterdam is a mid-sized ship, which means excursion options in Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida are plentiful. Plan your top priorities in advance and you'll generally find services accessible without long waits. Las Olas Boulevard is the heart of the city for shopping, dining, and people watching.

Your ship arrives in Half Moon Cay (Little San Salvador Island), Bahamas at 8:00 AM, one of the most common arrival windows. If you've booked a morning excursion, aim to be among the first off. If your plans are flexible, waiting 30-45 minutes lets the initial wave pass. The main beach at Half Moon Cay is wide, clean, and beautifully calm.

You'll have 9 hours hours to explore Port of Oranjestad, Aruba, Caribbean, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM - a solid full day ashore. That's enough for 2-3 attractions and a sit-down lunch without rushing. Tackle the most distant spot first, then work your way back toward the port. The port area is compact and visitor friendly, with clear signage and facilities that streamline arrivals, departures, and sightseeing options, making independent exploration or guided tours convenient for all.

The Nieuw Amsterdam is a mid-sized ship, which means excursion options in Cartagena, Colombia are plentiful. Plan your top priorities in advance and you'll generally find services accessible without long waits. Walking the old city is the essential Cartagena experience.

With an early arrival in Panama Canal, Panama at 6:00 AM, your group has a real advantage - you'll be among the first off the ship, ahead of the crowds that build by mid-morning. Use this window to reach popular spots in Panama Canal, Panama before congestion sets in. The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center offers observation decks and exhibits detailing the canal's operation.

Arriving in Panama Canal, Panama at 2:00 PM with only 1 hours hours before your 3:00 PM departure is a tight window. A ship-arranged shore excursion is the safest play here - you'll get priority disembarkation, and the ship will wait for its own excursions to return. Focus on one or two experiences close to the port. The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center offers observation decks and exhibits detailing the canal's operation.

Arriving in Colon, Panama at 5:00 PM with only 4 hours hours before your 9:00 PM departure is a tight window. A ship-arranged shore excursion is the safest play here - you'll get priority disembarkation, and the ship will wait for its own excursions to return. Focus on one or two experiences close to the port. Seeing the canal in action is the highlight for many visitors.

Your ship arrives in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica at 7:30 AM, one of the most common arrival windows. If you've booked a morning excursion, aim to be among the first off. If your plans are flexible, waiting 30-45 minutes lets the initial wave pass. Take a guided boat tour through canals and waterways to see green turtles, monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds.

You'll have 8 hours hours to explore Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM - a solid full day ashore. That's enough for 2-3 attractions and a sit-down lunch without rushing. Tackle the most distant spot first, then work your way back toward the port. Bring comfortable shoes for uneven terrain and swimming gear for waterfalls and beaches.

Your cruise ends in Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida, where the Nieuw Amsterdam is scheduled to dock at 7:00 AM. On a smaller ship, the disembarkation process moves quickly - most passengers are off within one to two hours. If you're flying out, book your flight at least four hours after the ship's scheduled arrival. Las Olas Boulevard is the heart of the city for shopping, dining, and people watching.