HAL Announces Fall 2011 and 2012 Grand Voyages

[mercedes]

In fall 2011 and early 2012, Holland America Line again will offer grand voyages that touch all seven continents. The ms Amsterdam and ms Prinsendam each sail two itineraries designed to discover and explore remarkable destinations -- from famous landmarks to smaller, lesser-known ports. 

Amsterdam sails a 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage in fall 2011 and then returns to world cruising in January 2012 with a 112-day Grand World Voyage that visits the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and the Mediterranean. Following its 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January, Prinsendam will depart in March to the Mediterranean and the HolyLands for a 62-day Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage.

"Based on extensive research on our previous grand voyages and a survey of past guests, we created itineraries that feature the most coveted sights and experiences the world has to offer," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "From creative and varied menus that reflect ports of call, to tailored activities and unique amenities, Grand Voyages guests will experience Holland America Line at its finest."

Without requiring international air travel, Holland America Line's Grand Voyages make taking a dream vacation easy and more affordable. The voyages feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites, first-time calls at new destinations and extended time in port with late departures, overnights and overland tours.

Grand Voyages offer an enhanced onboard cruise experience with the opportunity to fully experience the pleasures of life at sea. Activities are enhanced with local cultural entertainment and special guest headliners and lecturers. Grand Voyage dining is distinguished by a different experience every day, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine and wines. The premium, mid-size ships selected for sailing Grand Voyages are large enough to offer the diverse amenities today's discriminating travelers expect, yet small enough to preserve an ambiance of sophistication and an extra measure of personal space. And service levels are at their highest, with nearly one crew member for every two guests, with top staff hand-selected from across the Holland America Line fleet.

Grand Asia & Australia Voyage

In fall 2011, Amsterdam wraps up the year with a 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage sailing from Seattle, Wash., to Los Angeles, Calif., departing Sept. 26. Following calls throughout Asia, the cruise continues to Western Australia and then explores the South Pacific. Overnights include Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, China; Tokyo and Kobe, Japan; Singapore, and Sydney and Perth, Australia.

Grand World Voyage

Amsterdam will sail its seventh circumnavigation with a Grand World Voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., departing Jan. 6. The 112-day adventure first calls in the Caribbean, then moves on to South America, sailing around Cape Horn for a scenic cruise through the Chilean Fjords and then south to Antarctica. Amsterdam then sails west to Tahiti, followed by calls in Australia, the Far East and Indian Ocean, before transiting the Suez Canal and sailing through the Mediterranean and back to South Florida.

Overnight calls include the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney, Hong Kong, Mumbai, India; Barcelona, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Singapore, and Piraeus (Athens), Greece.

The voyage also features a maiden call at Mangalore in Southern India. Hundreds of shore excursions, overland tours and the opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites add color to this world cruise.

Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage

Prinsendam returns to South America, Antarctica and the Amazon in 2012 on a 68-day itinerary departing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale Jan. 4. The ship will transit the Panama Canal to South America's Pacific coast then circumnavigate the continent.

Prinsendam will spend eight days cruising the Amazon River and four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica. The itinerary also features five maiden ports of call: Bocas del Toro, Panama; Matarani, Peru; Cabedelo, Brazil, and Ancud, Chile. Overnight calls include Manaus, Brazil, in the Amazon; Rio de Janeiro; Buenos Aires, and Callao (Lima), Peru.

Guests sailing on this voyage also will enjoy a scenic daylight cruise past the Romanche, Alemania, Francia and Italia glaciers in Chile.

Grand Mediterranean & Black Sea Voyage

Upon its return to Fort Lauderdale, Prinsendam embarks March 12 on a 62-day journey to the Mediterranean and Holy Lands roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

For the first time, Prinsendam will call at Durres, Albania's second-largest city and one of Europe's oldest cities, Saint Raphael in the beautiful Cote d'Azur region of France, and Castellon de la Plana, in the Costa del Azahar region of Spain.

Overnight calls at Seville, Spain; Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Piraeus (Athens); Venice, Italy; Barcelona, and Lisbon, Portugal, allow time for exploration of some of the world's most interesting destinations. This voyage can be combined with the Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage for a 130-day cruise.