HAL's Newest Ship - ms Nieuw Amsterdam - Highlights 2011 Europe Season

[mercedes]

Holland America Line's 2011 Europe season will feature the newest Signature-class ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, on popular Mediterranean sailings and more round-trip and seven-day itineraries than ever before.

Seven ships -- Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Eurodam, ms Noordam, ms Rotterdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Maasdam and ms Ryndam -- will be based in the region with the first voyage departing April 3 on the Nieuw Amsterdam and the final trans-Atlantic sailing departing Nov. 7 on the ms Prinsendam.

"In 2011, we are catering to a broader range of interests as the appeal of cruising Europe continues to grow," said Rick Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "By expanding our cruise opportunities -- both in new ports and varied itineraries -- we expect to entice both first-time and seasoned cruisers."

The 2011 season has something for everyone. Featuring 15 maiden calls and offering overnight visits at 16 diverse ports, it marks the debut of several new European itineraries including two commemorative nine-day historical trans-Atlantic crossings aboard Rotterdam in July.

Two Signature-class ships, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam, will both sail European itineraries during the 2011 season. Eurodam, the line's first Signature-class ship, will start the Europe season with two seven-day Mediterranean sailings before continuing a series of mostly northern Europe itineraries. Nieuw Amsterdam, the newest ship, will sail the popular 12-day Mediterranean Romance, 12-day Tapestry and 12-day Empires itineraries as well as two seven-day Mediterranean cruises mid-season.

Additional round-trip itineraries, which allow time to explore a departure city before or after the cruise, depart from nine European cities -- Tilbury and Dover (London), U.K.; Rome and Venice, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Athens, Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Additionally, the line will offer a round-trip sailing to the continent from Boston, Massachusetts, aboard the Maasdam in July. For those short on time, 18 seven-day sailings provide an array of cruises exploring the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords or the Baltic.

The season also will feature three new itineraries aboard the Ryndam. A 21-day Mediterranean Adventure offers a comprehensive tour of fascinating Mediterranean ports as well as the less-visited Sete, France, and Sardinia, Italy. The 14-day North Cape cruise features a crossing of the Arctic Circle and a sail by the North Cape and Norwegian ports. And an 11-day Canary Island Explorer sailing round-trip Rotterdam visits the Canary Islands, Morocco and Spain.

More ambitious cruisers looking to expand their port collections can combine itineraries for a Collectors' Voyage, which range from 14 to 45 days and are perfect for true explorers who seek an in-depth experience at an exceptional value.

[1shipshape]

My DH and I will be sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam from Ft. Lauderdale on November 7th. Very excited! Our 2nd HAL cruise. Took the Zaandam last year and totally loved it. Hope I will see others who will be sailing on that date. Should be a lovely ship!

1shipshape