Cruises range from seven to 21 days; Veendam repositions to
Tampa
SEATTLE, June 24, 2015 /CNW/ -- With longer
itineraries and a unique mid-size ship experience, Holland America
Line's 2015-16 Caribbean season
features a diverse range of options up to 21 days that include
not-to-be-missed calls and ports not regularly found on typical
Caribbean cruises.
Seven of the line's premium ships will explore the entire region
on cruises that sail roundtrip from Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., while ms Veendam returns to the
Caribbean in January 2016 to take over the roundtrip
Tampa, Fla., departures.
"Holland America Line provides the most port intensive and
exclusive experience in the Caribbean, with a breadth of itinerary options
to highlight the diversity of the region to our guests," said
Orlando Ashford, president of
Holland America Line. "The Caribbean is a popular destination because
it's a relaxing, tropical paradise that's accessible to so many
travelers, and by offering a wide range of ships and itineraries,
we're able to offer a dream vacation at a great value."
From October 2015 through
April 2016, ms Eurodam, ms
Maasdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Veendam, ms
Westerdam, ms Prinsendam and ms Zuiderdam sail a total
of 98 seven-, 10-, 11-, 12- and 14-day cruises that can be combined
into longer Collectors' Voyages ranging from 14 to 21 days. The
itineraries span the Caribbean on
eastern, western and southern routes, as well as a partial transit
of the Panama Canal.
All Fort Lauderdale itineraries
feature a call at Half Moon Cay, the line's award-winning private
Bahamian island known for its pristine beaches, exciting shore
excursions, exclusive beach cabanas and child-friendly
activities.
Roundtrip Fort Lauderdale Itineraries
During the
season, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam will sail a
series of seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries that can be combined to
form 14-day Collectors' Voyages spanning both regions.
Westerdam maintains a weekly schedule of seven-day eastern
Caribbean cruises, while
Maasdam sails seven- and 10-day eastern routes, as well as
longer 11-day southern itineraries. Oosterdam also features
10- and 11-day southern Caribbean
cruises ideal for guests looking for a longer vacation.
The Nieuw Amsterdam will also feature a new seven-day
Tropical Caribbean itinerary in 2016 that calls on maiden port
Amber Cove, Carnival Corporation's
new $85 million cruise center in the
Dominican Republic. Located near
the historic town of Puerto Plata,
Amber Cover will provide access to a
purpose-built facility with a welcome center, craft marketplace,
eateries, a swimming pool and transportation hub for access to
inland shore tours for a wide variety of interests.
In addition to the 14-day Collectors' Voyages, other itineraries
can be combined to form a diverse range of options, including a
21-day southern cruise on Oosterdam, a 21-day southern and
eastern option on Maasdam and a 17-day nonrepeating
double-eastern route, also on Maasdam.
Partial Panama Canal Transits
Guests looking to
explore the Panama Canal without going through to the West Coast
can embark on a convenient roundtrip Fort
Lauderdale partial transit aboard Zuiderdam. The ship
makes its way to Gatun Lake and spends the day leisurely scenic
cruising. During the 10- and 11-day departures the ship also visits
several Caribbean ports.
Zuiderdam recently underwent an extensive drydock to add
25 new staterooms and enhance several public areas — including the
dining room, Neptune Lounge, Canaletto restaurant, The Greenhouse
Spa and Salon, and the Dive-In outdoor grill serving signature
burgers — with new furniture, signage, carpet and design
updates.
Roundtrip Tampa Itineraries
Beginning in January 2016, Veendam spends the
Caribbean season cruising
roundtrip from Tampa on seven-day
western and 12- and 14-day southern itineraries. The seven- and
14-day options can be combined to form a 21-day western/southern
Caribbean Collectors' Voyage.
Celebrate the Season with a Festive Holiday Cruise
For travelers who like to get away from the hustle, and chill of
December, the holiday season is a special time onboard. A total of
13 holiday sailings will ply the warm waters of the Caribbean on far-reaching itineraries ranging
from seven to 16 days. Several non-repeating itineraries can be
combined to form 14- or 21-day Holiday Collectors' Voyages.
Prinsendam also offers a 16-day southern Caribbean cruise, departing Dec. 19, 2015, sailing during both Christmas and
New Year's Day.
During the holiday cruises, guests can take part in a Christmas
tree lighting ceremony, enjoy traditional holiday meals with all of
the trimmings and indulge in a special Royal Dutch High Tea with fanciful holiday
cookies and pastries. The ships' international crew chorus performs
a magical holiday show, while caroling and sing-alongs take place
around the ship. Kids will delight in a visit from Santa Claus and
holiday-themed crafts.
The New Year's Eve sailings are
the ideal setting to ring in a new year, featuring a festive
holiday ball with a Champagne toast.
Go On Location in the Caribbean
On each cruise, regional
cultural experiences are brought onboard, such as the Island Magic
Steel Drum Band, learning to weave and craft with palm leaves and
local rum tastings – all part of Holland America Line's On Location
program. The itinerary sets the stage for guests to indulge in
localized experiences that makes the journey as enriching as the
ports of call through lectures, demonstrations and
performances.
For more information about Caribbean itineraries and Holland America
Line, consult a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL
(1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Editor's note: Photos and detailed PDF fact sheets
of cruise itineraries are available at:
https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/tq7cm8qs.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland
America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online
Communities quick link on the home page at
www.hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland
America Line's fleet of 15 ships
offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries,
territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries
visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South
America, Australia/New
Zealand and Asia voyages;
four annual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the
Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently
has a new 2,650-guest ship, ms Koningsdam, on order for
delivery in April 2016 from
Fincantieri shipyard, as well as a second Pinnacle Class ship due
for delivery in November 2018.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence
enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 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, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only
activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by
flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
CONTACT:
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Sally
Andrews
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PHONE:
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800-637-5029
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EMAIL:
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pr@hollandamerica.com
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SOURCE Holland America Line