Jetsettersblog

Holland America Cruises Early-Booking Amenities

May 12, 2008 on 9:12 am | In Uncategorized |

Holland America Line in 2009 will offer four Grand Voyages of 50 to 117 days on three ships — the Rotterdam, Prinsendam and Amsterdam. Guests who make full Grand Voyage cruise reservations by May 31 will receive early booking amenities. Early-booking amenities vary depending on cruise and cabin category, and may include first-class or economy air, limo or motorcoach transfers, shipboard credit, pre-paid gratuities, luggage delivery, an exclusive shoreside event, initial in-suite bar set-up and a bottle of champagne.

The four Grand Voyages in 2009 include the Rotterdam’s Grand World Voyage departing Jan. 19 and the Grand South America Voyage departing Jan. 2. The Prinsendam will operate the Grand Mediterranean Voyage departing March 11 while the Amsterdam will operate the Grand Australia and New Zealand cruise departing Sept. 26.

Rotterdam sails a 117-day westbound route Jan. 19, 2009, from Los Angeles through the Pacific Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands, on to the South Pacific, Australia, Asia and Africa before making calls in the Caribbean en route to Fort Lauderdale and New York.

Calling at 39 ports in 27 countries across five continents, Rotterdam will cover more than 35,100 nautical miles while sailing on 15 oceans, seas, bays, channels and straits. Prinsendam departs Jan. 2, 2009, on a 68-day South America and Antarctica cruise round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. During the voyage, the ship will circumnavigate South America and spend seven days exploring the Amazon River. On the other end of the continent, Prinsendam spends three days cruising Antarctica. The ship will visit 32 ports of call in 14 countries, including 13 ports in Brazil.

For guests who want to explore Europe without flying overseas, Prinsendam departs Fort Lauderdale March 11, 2009, for a 50-day round-trip cruise to the Mediterranean and Black Sea. After calls in the Caribbean, the ship sails eastbound across the Atlantic to Europe. The ship sails westward back across the Atlantic, calling at Bermuda before the cruise ends in either New York or Fort Lauderdale.

The Amsterdam departs Seattle Sept. 26, 2009, on a 67-day voyage westward to the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Amsterdam returns to Los Angeles via Hawaii Dec. 2, 2009.

On the Grand Voyages, local fare is often featured on the menu and theme nights reflect the sailing region. For guests who want to brush up on the history and background of their sailing destinations, Holland America Line sends out a list of suggested reading materials prior to Grand Voyage departures.

Additional highlights on the Grand Voyages include themed balls such as the “Sweethearts Ball” on Valentine’s Day and “Green and White Ball” on St. Patrick’s Day, pillow gifts on each segment and an exclusive shoreside event including a grand dinner in a select port of call.