Holland America Offers More Intinerary Choices

Jason · July 11, 2006

Holland America Line Offers More Itinerary Choices to Experience the Panama Canal in 2007

SEATTLE, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- With 28 cruises, 12 different itineraries and five ships, Holland America Line will lead premium lines with an extensive collection of Panama Canal cruises in 2007, featuring more New York departures, new February full transit crossings and a new port of call, Puerto Chiapas, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Savvy travelers will appreciate the variety with cruises ranging from the popular 10-day Sunfarer and 14- to 22-day full transit crossings to a new 23-day Pan-America and Panama Canal cruise.

"Holland America Line was among the first to explore this spectacle of engineering, and we continue to lead the way today, offering several cruise lengths and many different port mixes in our itineraries," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales.

14- to 22-day Full-Transit Panama Canal -- Winter, Spring & Fall

From January through April and September through December, the awe-inspiring eighth wonder of the modern world is explored aboard the ms Amsterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Volendam, ms Noordam and ms Zuiderdam. This one of a kind voyage offers a full transit of the Panama Canal and explores the Mexican Riviera, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Guests may choose from 11 different itineraries ranging from 14 to 22 days departing from New York, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Vancouver, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego. Holland America Line's newest ship, the Noordam, will make its first Panama Canal crossings in spring and fall. Flagship Amsterdam will also make a November full transit of the Panama Canal.

Ports of call may include: Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Santa Cruz Huatulco and Zihuatenejo, Mexico; San Blas Islands and Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama; Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Cartagena and Santa Marta, Colombia; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands; Oranjestad, Aruba; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, California; Astoria, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia; and Key West, Florida.

New 23-day Panamerica & Panama Canal

New in 2007, the Ryndam offers a rare opportunity to explore the Americas, sailing roundtrip from convenient San Diego on November 20, 2007. The 23-day cruise features six countries including Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Port visits include Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Santa Cruz Hualtulco, Zihuatanejo, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Puntarenas and the scenic Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica; Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama; Manta, Ecuador; San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; and Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.

10-day 'Sunfarer' Panama Canal

In January and March and again from October through December, the Volendam travels round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale on 15 ten-day 'Sunfarer' Southern Caribbean itineraries showcasing the marvels of the Canal. With visits to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas -- the line's award-winning private island, Oranjestad, Aruba, and Willemstad, Curacao, the ship enters at Cristobal to explore the canal and cruise Gatun Lake with a stop in Colon, Panama, before sailing on to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, and ultimately returning to Ft. Lauderdale. In addition to the 10-day Dec. 23 holiday sailing on the Volendam, the Amsterdam will sail a 14-day roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale on December 21 with additional calls in Bonaire, Honduras, Mexico and Grand Cayman.

Enrichment Aboard and Adventure Ashore

A Panama Canal historian travels on every sailing, providing insight and answering questions about one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Ashore, extensive exploration awaits with Holland America Line's exclusive Medallion Collection of shore excursions including gourmet cooking lessons with Jamaica's finest chefs, a visit to Guatemala's colonial La Antigua with lunch at the convent Casa Santo Domingo, or a champagne catamaran cruise to St. John.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc ]

With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grew to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. The award-winning premium cruise line excels at providing gracious and attentive service. Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements feature new programs and amenities including product and service enhancements in stateroom accommodations, dining, service, enrichment programs and activities, and worldwide itineraries. Twelve ships are completed with the final to be finished by fall 2006

World's Leading Cruise Lines

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, Costa Cruises and Windstar 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.