Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Holland America and thought it
would be of interest.
--
Ray Goldenberg 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
Lighthouse Travel http://www.lighthousetravel.com
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Holland America Line's 2011 Grand Voyages Set to Explore Seven
Continents, 65 Countries
SEATTLE, Nov. 4
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 Limon, 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.
Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to
320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies.
Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights
include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia
voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the
Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama
Canal. A 15th ship is scheduled to join the fleet in July 2010.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements,
a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the
Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a
state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated
guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and
classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only
activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by
flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America
Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines
alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises,
Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion
to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these
lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's
Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to
the world's most desirable destinations. |