Holland America Offers “Grand Voyages”

Holland American Ship Oosterdam

Holland America Line again will offer voyages that touch all seven continents in fall 2011 and early 2012. The Amsterdam will sail a 70-day “Grand Asia and Australia Voyage” in fall 2011 and then returns to world cruising in January 2012 with a 112-day “Grand World Voyage” that visits the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and the Mediterranean. Following its 68-day “Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage” in January, Prinsendam will depart in March on a 62-day “Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage.”

Without requiring international air travel, Holland America Line’s Grand Voyages make taking a dream vacation easy and more affordable. The voyages feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites, first-time calls at new destinations, and extended time in port with late departures, overnights and overland tours.
Grand Voyages feature an enhanced on-board experience with local cultural entertainment and guest headliners and lecturers. Grand Voyage dining is distinguished by a different experience every day, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine and wines. And service levels are at their highest, with nearly one crew member for every two guests.

The Amsterdam’s 70-day “Grand Asia and Australia Voyage” departs Seattle on Sept. 26, 2011, and concludes in Los Angeles. Following calls throughout Asia, the cruise continues to western Australia and the South Pacific. Overnights include Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, China; Tokyo and Kobe, Japan; Singapore; and Sydney and Perth, Australia.

The Amsterdam’s “Grand World Voyage” is round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Jan. 6, 2012. The 112-day adventure calls in the Caribbean, South America, around Cape Horn through the Chilean fjords and south to Antarctica. Amsterdam then sails west to Tahiti, followed by calls in Australia, the Far East and Indian Ocean, before transiting the Suez Canal and sailing through the Mediterranean and back to South Florida. Overnight calls include the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney; Hong Kong; Mumbai, India; Barcelona, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Singapore; and Piraeus (Athens), Greece. The voyage also features a maiden call at Mangalore in Southern India.
Prinsendam’s 68-day “South America, Antarctica and the Amazon Voyage” sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing on Jan. 4, 2012. The ship will transit the Panama Canal to South America’s Pacific coast then circumnavigate the continent. Prinsendam will spend eight days cruising the Amazon River and four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica. The itinerary also features maiden ports of call: Bocas del Toro, Panama; Matarani, Peru; Cabedelo, Brazil; and Ancud, Chile. Overnight calls include Manaus, Brazil, in the Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Callao (Lima), Peru. Upon its return to Fort Lauderdale, Prinsendam embarks March 12, 2012, on a 62-day journey to the Mediterranean and Holy Lands round-trip from Fort Lauderdale.
For the first time, Prinsendam will call at Durrës, Albania’s second-largest city; Saint Raphaél in the Côte d’Azur region of France; and Castellón de la Plana, in the Costa del Azahar region of Spain. Overnight calls will be made at Seville, Spain; Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Piraeus (Athens); Venice, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. This voyage can be combined with the “Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage” for a 130-day cruise.

Reservations are being taken for all of Holland America Line’s 2011 and 2012 grand voyages, and early-booking bonus amenities for full-cruise guests include prepaid hotel service charges, shipboard credit, luggage delivery service and a complimentary shore excursion or event for select stateroom categories. Amenities vary by cruise, stateroom category and booking date.
Rates start at $9,499 for Amsterdam’s 70-day “Grand Asia and Australia Voyage,” $23,799 for Amsterdam’s 112-day “Grand World Voyage,” $14,399 for Prinsendam’s 68-day “Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage,” and $12,999 for Prinsendam’s 62-day “Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage.” Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy. The four grand voyages can be booked in segments ranging from 18- to 112-day sailings. For more information, call 800-308-3077 or visit Avoya Travel.

Capt Bob