Page 16 - AAA Central Penn - AAA Now! May/June 2015

AAA
Panama Canal – 100 Years and Counting
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The 100 year Panama Canal opening celebration was held last year, and the whole world was watching and celebrating. This engineering marvel is one of the most amazing man-made wonders of our world, and the story is one of hard work, perseverance, tragedy and eventually triumph as the project to join the Atlantic and Pacific oceans was completed in 1914. A Panama Canal transit focuses on the beauty, technology and history of this 51-mile passage through Central America.
Construction of the waterway to cross the Isthmus of Panama was actually begun by the French in 1881. After many difficult years that included construction challenges, engineering problems, and mortality among the workers, the job was given over to the United States. The challenges continued, but after
10 more years of effort the canal was opened in August 1914. It features a series of three massive
sets of locks at Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores that raise vessels approximately the 85 feet needed to transition from the Atlantic Ocean (and the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific. Completion has not only eased the transit of cargo but has created an amazing tourist opportunity for visitors who enjoy the tropics of Central America and all that this beautiful region has to offer.
Long before the Panama Canal opened in 1914, Holland America Line had been sailing both the Atlantic and the Pacific. Once the structure was complete, Holland America realized that a canal transit would be a unique and beautiful cruising experience. This year, six Holland America ships
will sail 28 full and partial transits of the canal throughout the season. Each cruise will offer a slightly different approach to exploring and touring the canal and the region. AAA Travel can help
you choose from the many options available on Holland America.
Do you plan to depart from the East or the West? When would you like to set sail? Whether you decide on a 10-day tour or a full transit cruise of 14 to 22 days, Holland America and AAA can make all of the arrangements. Perhaps a Fort Lauderdale departure
in the East, or a Seattle, San Diego or Vancouver departure in the West is just the right start. If a transit does not fit into your plans, then perhaps
a 10- or 11-day Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal cruise round trip from Fort Lauderdale will fit the bill. Sail into the
massive Gatun Locks and serene Gatun Lake while enjoying the celebration of culture and cuisine on board your Holland America vessel. Take part in island-inspired cooking classes, or learn
how to play a steel
drum. Dance to the
rhythms of a mariachi
band while enjoying
a delightful fruity
beverage. Choose a
dinner entree featuring
mango gazpacho,
chicken Trinidad with orange rum sauce, or even conch fritters. All the while, enjoy the tropical beauty of your trans-isthmus passage throughout your cruise.
As you cruise and enjoy the past, you will also be reminded of the future as you see evidence of the need to grow and expand. The Canal is undergoing further renovations and construction to handle
the increasing volume of maritime traffic and the growing number of today's colossal ocean-going vessels.
Plans include the addition of two more enormous sets of single-lane, three-step
locks, one on the Atlantic side
and one on the Pacific. Each
chamber will be 1,400 feet long and 180 feet wide, with the lock complexes measuring more than one-and-one-half miles. Imagine the increased traffic and access once these sections are complete. And imagine
the improved construction processes that should allow
for completion of the project without the challenges of 100 years ago. “The Panama Canal is a must-see for travelers because of the historic technology
and beautiful scenery,” says Richard Meadows, executive vice president of Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs for Holland America Line. “The Panama Canal changed travel by enabling an easy transition between oceans. It is exciting for us to make several cruises in the season celebrating its 100th
year.” AAA Travel is pleased to partner with Holland America for this historic season as well as for the many years of Panama Canal travel to come.
Call your nearest AAA office to learn more about the opportunities to celebrate 100 years of existence along with the future expansion of the colossal waterway that exudes the culture, technology and history of our country and the role it played in this world-impacting project. Honor the first 100 years, and look forward to the future of this amazing engineering marvel. Call AAA today – do not miss out on the opportunity to experience the beauty and history of the Panama Canal.
PANAMA CANAL FULL TRANSIT CRUISE
September 29 - October 16, 2015 • $4,029 per person, double occupancy
CRUISE ITINERARY: San Francisco, CA • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • Huatulco, Mexico • Puerto Chiapas, Mexico • Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica • Panama Canal (scenic cruising) • Cartagena, Colombia • Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
INCLUDED FEATURES:
• Free parking with round-trip transfers to Baltimore/Washington International Airport
• Round-trip airfare to San Francisco/back from Ft. Lauderdale
• Round-trip transfers airport/hotel/pier
• One-night pre-cruise hotel accommodations
• 16-night Panama cruise aboard the
m/s Oosterdam
• All onboard meals and entertainment (specialty restaurants have nominal fees)
• Welcome reception • Baggage handling • AAA Group Leader
in San Francisco
For more information or reservations, contact your local AAA Central Penn office.
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MAY/JUNE 2015
Now!