Seattle, WA — Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam and the line’s Elegant Explorer, ms Prinsendam, will each sail two spectacular Grand Voyages in 2011. When combined, the four extensive itineraries feature a total of 308 cruising days, 121 ports of call and 65 countries.
Built for world cruising, Amsterdam will sail a 110-day Grand World Voyage in January and a 70-day Grand Asia & Australia Voyage in the fall. Simultaneously, ms Prinsendam will sail a 66-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage followed by a 62-day Grand Africa & Mediterranean Voyage.
“A Grand Voyage with Holland America Line is more than a vacation, it’s an experience of a lifetime,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, for Holland America Line . “These voyages offer guests a unique blend of inspired itineraries, lasting friendships and the pleasures of life at sea while exploring the world.”
Grand World Voyage
Departing Jan. 5 and sailing roundtrip Fort Lauderdale , Fla. , Amsterdam rings in 2011 with its sixth Grand World Voyage. The 110-day journey is a port collector’s dream that includes 10 overnight calls, visits to an impressive collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and three maiden ports of call — Alofi, Niue; Oban, Stewart Island, New Zealand; and Koror, Palau. Several exciting segments ranging from 16 to 48 days also are available.
Sailing westbound, Amsterdam will call on Puerto Limón , Costa Rica , before continuing on its way to a daylight transit of the Panama Canal , one of the most remarkable man-made wonders in the world. Also in store for guests are unforgettable calls at Callao , Peru — the gateway to Machu Picchu — and Easter Island , Chile , known for its famous giant stone statues. As Amsterdam continues its voyage, the ship will journey throughout Australia and Asia, transit the Suez Canal and cruise the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic and heading back to the States.
Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage
Also departing Jan. 5 on a Grand Voyage is Holland America Line ’s most intimate ship, ms Prinsendam, which is designed to explore the most remote corners of the world in elegance and style. Prinsendam returns to South America, Antarctica and the Amazon on a 66-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage that sails roundtrip Fort Lauderdale . The itinerary emphasizes in-depth exploration by offering eight overnight calls, including an overnight at Rio de Janeiro , Brazil and a maiden call at Fernando de Noronha , Brazil . Other memorable moments include eight full days of cruising the Amazon River, navigating around Cape Horn and through the Straits of Magellan, a daylight passage through the Panama Canal and scenic cruising in Antarctica . An option for those with less time is a 33-day segment to or from Buenos Aires, Argentina .
Grand Africa and Mediterranean Voyage
Following its Grand Voyage down south, Prinsendam returns to Ft. Lauderdale March 12 and embarks on a 62-day Grand Africa & Mediterranean Voyage. The roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale sailing takes guests on a journey to West Africa, the Mediterranean and the Holy Lands . Guests will enjoy a call at Haifa (Tel Aviv), Israel , where they may travel to Nazareth and visit the land of miracles: Galilee, the Jordan River , the Mount of the Beatitudes and Tabgha. This exceptional itinerary will especially appeal to guests who have traveled or cruised this region before, as the ship is set to call at many unique ports including Banjul , Gambia ; Dakar , Senegal , and Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands . Four maiden ports of call are scheduled for the Grand Africa and Mediterranean Voyage as well: Havre de Robert, Martinique; Lipari , Italy ; Syracusa , Sicily , Italy and Motril, Spain .
Grand Asia and Australia Voyage
Amsterdam will wrap up the year with a 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage sailing from Seattle , Wash. , to Los Angeles , Calif. , departing Sept. 26. Following calls throughout Asia to Indonesia , the itinerary will continue to Western Australia and the South Pacific. This voyage offers extensive time in port to allow guests to take in the wide-ranging history and culture of the region and includes overnights at Beijing and Hong Kong , China , and Sydney , Australia . Guests on board also can enjoy some tropical sunshine with calls at the exotic islands of New Caledonia , Samoa , Fiji and Hawaii.
2011 Grand Voyages open for reservations
Reservations are now available for all four Holland America Line 2011 Grand Voyages, and early-booking bonus amenities for full-cruise guests may include, prepaid hotel service charges, a shipboard credit, luggage delivery service and an exclusive shore event when booking select stateroom categories; amenities vary by cruise and category booked.
The four Grand Voyages are available to book for the full cruise or in segments as short as 16 days. Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy, and rates start at $16,999 for Amsterdam’s 110-day Grand World Voyage departing Jan. 5, 2011; $10,999 for Prinsendam’s 66-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage departing Jan. 5, 2011; $9,599 for Prinsendam’s 62-day Grand Africa and Mediterranean Voyage departing March 26, 2011; and $9,499 for Amsterdam’s 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage departing Sept. 26, 2011.
Complete details regarding Holland America ’s 2011 Grand Voyages are included in the line’s recently released brochure, “Exotic Voyages 2010-2011.” Along with important itinerary information for both 2010 and 2011, “Exotic Voyages 2010-2011” includes detailed maps, fare information, sample shore excursions, pre-and-post hotel and vacation packages, stateroom floor plans, an “at-a-glance” 2010 -2011 sailing schedule and ship deck plans. The brochure is also available on the Holland America Line website.
For more information on Holland America Line ’s Grand Voyages— consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com