Holland America comes to New York in 2006

Jason · December 11, 2004

Holland America Line Comes Home To New York In 2006

Thursday December 9, 1:58 pm ET

Premium Line Plans Caribbean Cruises From Former Headquarters

SEATTLE, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line announced that in 2006 it will deploy the 1,848-passenger ms Noordam for its inaugural Caribbean season sailing from New York City, the line's former headquarters. The premium cruise line will sail 13 Caribbean cruises from its new North American homeport beginning with the Noordam's inaugural cruise on February 22. Two transatlantic sailings also include New York as a gateway.

"We have wanted to return to New York for some time now and the Noordam presents a wonderful opportunity to introduce our premium product and a new ship to another North American homeport," said Rick Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "As our fleet expands, we capitalize on attractive new homeports and new deployment.

"We are thrilled to return to New York. We operated from Pier 40 in the sixties and seventies and our company headquarters was there from 1978 to 1983," added Meadows. "And, following the company's founding in 1873, the original Rotterdam made the journey from Rotterdam to New York, the first of many during the great period of immigration to the United States."

The addition of New York completes Holland America Line's Caribbean homeports in 2006 with Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Norfolk, and, now, New York.

New York Caribbean cruises feature a 10-day Eastern Caribbean program that visits Grand Turk, Turk and Caicos; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Departures sail on February 22, March 15, April 5, October 25, November 15, and December 6 and 27, 2006.

An 11-day Southern Caribbean itinerary calls at Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sailings depart Mr. 4 and 25; Oct. 14; Nov. 4 and 25; and Dec. 16, 2006.

In addition, two 16-day transatlantic cruises sail between New York and Rome, departing New York on April 5 for Rome and returning on September 28. Ports of call feature Bermuda; the Azores; Cadiz, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Livorno, Italy.

Holland America Line features a shore excursion program with more than 500 Caribbean offerings. Optional activities for cruise passengers feature such tours as the America's Cup Regatta experience at Philipsburg, Tortola Dolphin Swim at Road Town, Tortola, and the Champagne Catamaran Sail and Snorkel to St. John at St. Thomas. The latter offering is part of the Medallion Collection shore excursions, designed by Holland America Line to provide discerning guests with unique experiences and in-depth perspectives.

Pricing for Holland America Line's new 2006 New York-based Caribbean cruises start at US$1,199 per person, double occupancy, and can be booked starting December 20, 2004.

Scheduled for delivery in January 2006, the ms Noordam is the fourth and last in a series of 81,769-ton Vista class ships. Eighty-five percent of its staterooms will offer ocean views, with 67 percent of all staterooms sporting verandahs. The ship will be delivered with Signature of excellence amenities in place, including plush Euro-top mattresses and flat panel TVs and dvd players in all cabins, new dining options, and the pampering Greenhouse Spa and Salon.