Holland America Line announces three new global voyages for 2015

Holland America Line has released three new grand voyages for 2015.

These include MS Prinsendam that visits South America and the Mediterranean in addition to the MS Amsterdam’s annual World Cruise.

Holland America Line’s MS Prinsendam descends in the New Year on Jan 3 2015 with a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage followed by a 55-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage.

These two voyages are designed to take guests on extended adventures to some of the most interesting ports in the world and is an extraordinary addition to MS Amsterdam’s 114-day Grand World Voyage that visits 45 ports in 25 countries.

“A Grand Voyage is like no other cruise experience. We asked our guests which destinations they would like to visit on a Grand Voyage to be sure we included what was important to them,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line.

“We took their suggestions and carefully crafted these three exceptional itineraries with more overnight visits and more ports of call, making these the most exciting and in-depth Grand Voyages we’ve ever offered.”

Holland America Line’s Grand Voyages allows for easier and more affordable holidays and features explorations of famous landmarks, new destinations and extended time in port with late departures, overnight calls and overland tours.

Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage

Departing January 3 2015, Prinsendam travels to South America, Antarctica and the Amazon on a 68-day itinerary sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

The cruise calls into 31 ports in 11 countries and includes seven full days cruising the Amazon River and three days cruising the Antarctica.

The 2015 itinerary also features overnight calls at Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Manaus, Brazil, in the heart of the Amazon; and two full nights at Callao (Lima), Peru.

Guests sailing on this voyage will enjoy scenic cruising past the Romanche and Alemania glaciers in Chile, Drake Passage, Cape Horn and Argentina’s Glacier Alley.

Segments of 31 and 37 days between Fort Lauderdale and Buenos Aires are available.

Grand Mediterranean Voyage

Immediately following the Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage, Prinsendam departs March 12 on a 55-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage that sails from Fort Lauderdale to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.

Visiting 32 ports in 12 countries, the voyage features many “boutique” ports of call throughout the Mediterranean and Balkan Peninsula.

The ship visits Caribbean destinations before crossing over to the Canary Islands and spending the night alongside at Tenerife.

Prinsendam then explores Spain with five calls, including overnights at Cadiz (Seville) and Barcelona.

Following an overnight at Valletta, Malta, the ship makes way for Crete, Greece and the Holy Land of Israel.

Prinsendam continues exploring the eastern Mediterranean with calls throughout Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Greece and Italy.

Overnights at Istanbul, Turkey, and Piraeus (Athens), Greece, allow time for shopping, exploring and experiencing the culture and history of the cities.

A 17-day segment Istanbul to Civitavecchia (Rome), 24-day segment from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona, 31-day segment from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome), and a 38-day segment Ft. Lauderdale to Istanbul is available.

Guests looking to explore both South America and the Mediterranean can combine the Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage with the Grand Mediterranean Voyage to form an extended 123-day exploration.

MS Amsterdam’s Grand World Voyage

MS Amsterdam departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 5 January 2015 and spans 114 days with 45 stop offs in 25 countries on six continents.

Offering a refined and elegant “home away from home,” the around the world journey is the pinnacle in travel, and this cruise truly the most luxurious of the Grand Voyages.

A Grand Onboard Experience

On each Grand Voyage, Holland America Line ships provide warm service, a wide array of amenities and a few surprises along the way.

Guests can relax during leisurely days at sea, taking advantage of the extra time to do many activities, including indulging in a massage at the Greenhouse Spa, watching a movie in the theater, taking in a lecture by a renowned expert, enjoying a cooking demonstration by a famous chef in the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, learning how to share photos at a class in the Digital Workshop powered by Windows or lounging on deck and taking in the serene surroundings.

The evenings also come alive with local cultural entertainment, special guest headliners, festive gala balls and formal nights as well as an exclusive Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner for full-cruise guests.

Each Grand Voyage is known for its fine dining, including menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine.

Through a “On Location” enrichment program, local traditions and culinary and cultural experiences come to life both on board and ashore to allow for true appreciation of each unique destination.

Reservations can now be booked for 2015 Grand Voyages

Rates start at $22,999 for Amsterdam’s full 114-day Grand World Voyage, $16,999 for Prinsendam’s 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage and $6,999 for Prinsendam’s 55-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage.

Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy.

The three grand voyages are available to book for the full cruise or in segments ranging from 17 to 57 days.

Book the Grand Mediterranean Voyage by September 30, 2014 and enjoy early booking amenities.

For more information about Holland America Line, contact a travel professional, call 1300 987 321 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.au