Holland America plans first round-trip cruise from Hong Kong

[mercedes]

Holland America will offer a round-trip cruise out of Hong Kong in 2009 -- a first for the line.

The 14-day voyage to China and Vietnam, on the Holland America Volendam, will include an overnight stay in Shanghai and the line's first call at Sanya, Hainan, a popular resort area in China. The trip will begin on Oct. 26, 2009.

The Hong Kong voyage is one of nine the line plans in Asia in 2009 as it joins other lines in expanding in the region. Other itineraries planned for the Volendam:

-- Singapore to Hong Kong. This new Southeast Asia itinerary includes stops in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. A 14-day version of the cruise starts April 4, 2009; a 12-day version of the cruise starts Nov. 7, 2009. Highlights of the 14-day itinerary include a maiden call at Puerto Princesa in the Philippines, famous for its crocodile farms, underground rivers and dive spots. The trips include an overnight stay in Laem Chabang, gateway to Bangkok, Thailand.

-- China, Japan and Korea. Volendam will sail two voyages (one 14 days, the other 16 days) to the three countries that will include overnight stays in Shanghai and Beijing with optional shore excursions to the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs and the Great Wall of China. Volendam departs on the 14-day itinerary on April 18, 2009, the 16-day itinerary on Oct. 10, 2009.

-- Japan, Eastern Russia and Alaska. Volendam will sail between Kobe, Japan and Vancouver, exploring Russia’s Far East as well as the scenic Kurill Islands off the coast of Russia and Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and Inside Passage. The 16-night trip includes an overnight stay in Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan and the line's first call in Otaru, Japan. The voyage departs May 2, 2009, with a 16-day cruise in the reverse direction departing Vancouver on Sept. 23, 2009.

No word yet from Holland America on pricing for the cruises.

[JoeyandDavid]

Interesting.. Thanks Mercedes...

[Rat]

Mercedes, thans for the info. IMHO, I would say HAL has by far the best overall cruise itineraries. I can see in the near future for us that they will be our line of choice because of their exotic offerings.