Holland America’s 2008 European Season

 

Holland America Line’s 2008 Europe cruise season will be its most expansive and most innovative, with 57 unique itineraries from March through November that visit nine inaugural ports and feature six ships, including the debut of Eurodam.  Next year also will mark the 135th anniversary of the line’s first voyage from Rotterdam to New York.

“We are introducing our first Signature Class ship with the launch of the Eurodam, and we have the Zuiderdam sailing in Europe for the first time,” stated Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programmes. “With six ships and nine maiden ports, we have a 35% capacity increase in cruises and the opportunity to see every region of Europe.   From the polar ice across the Arctic Circle to the shores of North Africa and the Black Sea, we offer an in-depth view of the continent and beyond.”

The European fleet includes the flagship ms Rotterdam,  ms Eurodam, two Vista-class ships, ms Noordam and  ms Zuideram; ms Prinsendam and ms Maasdam sailing to Greenland, Iceland, and Northern Europe. All ships offer the Explorations Speaker Series, Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon and one-of-a-kind Medallion Shore Excursions, which allow travellers to customize time ashore and discover Europe at their own pace.

The season offers 57 unique itineraries of seven to 35 days covering classic Europe from the North Cape of Norway to Egypt and the Black Sea.  Nine new maiden ports include Lulea, Hudiksvall and Karlskrona, Sweden; Aalborg, Denmark; Newcastle upon Tyne and Barrow in Furness, England; Santander, Spain; Portimao, Portugal; and Split, Croatia.

Northern Europe

Eurodam will spend her inaugural season on alternating 10-day Northern Europe itineraries, sailing roundtrip from Copenhagen. The new 10-day Norwegian Fjords & Scotland cruise combines breathtaking Norwegian fjords with Invergordon ( for Loch Ness) and Edinburgh, (home of the famous Castle & Scottish Crown Jewels as well as HMY Britannia), Scotland; and the inaugural port Newcastle upon Tyne, England (gateway to the city of York).  The 10-day Gems of the Baltic combines an overnight stay on board in St. Petersburg, Russia with Scandinavia and northern Germany.

Four popular Kiel Canal & Baltic itineraries are offered aboard Prinsendam, including a new 16-day Midnight Sun Explorer itinerary that includes a first-time exploration of the Gulf of Bothnia, between Sweden and Finland.  The draught of  Prinsendam allows the ship to cruise the Kiel Canal’s spectacular lock system where few other major cruise lines venture.

Rotterdam sails a new 14-day Norwegian Highlands, Fjords and North Cape cruise, combining Scotland with an in-depth exploration of Norway’s breathtaking fjords.  For the first time, Prinsendam visits Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Scotland on a 21-day sailing roundtrip from Europe (between England and Amsterdam).   The 14-day Celtic Kingdoms itinerary circles the United Kingdom, with calls in Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales and the Channel Islands.

The Mediterranean

Zuiderdam premiers in Europe with three new 12-day Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises, sailing between Barcelona and Venice or roundtrip from Venice.   All include extended stays with an overnight in Venice, plus an overnight in either Barcelona or Istanbul.  These port-intensive cruises include calls such as Florence (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia) and Santorini with less-visited gems like Split, Mykonos, Argostoli and Navplion.  Plus, passengers will enjoy the nightlife in Santorini, Mykonos, Messina and Monte Carlo, where departures are set at 23hrs.  Two of the three itineraries may be combined for a 24-day cruise between Venice and Barcelona.

Noordam returns to the Mediterranean on alternating 10-day roundtrip Rome itineraries, sailing the Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles or Western Mediterranean and North Africa. Perfect for those who’ve previously enjoyed the Mediterranean, Holland America Line offers seven Black Sea sailings, which also feature options for visiting the pyramids of Egypt and the Holy Lands:  four 12-day and one new 14-day Rotterdam departure and two 14-day options on Prinsendam.

European Treasures & Collectors Voyages

For those who want a taste of several diverse European regions in one cruise, Holland America Line offers three European Treasures itineraries.  These sailings include ports in Northern and Western Europe, as well as the Mediterranean.  A new 11-day Heart of Bordeaux cruise on  Prinsendam includes a daylight transit of France’s Gironde Estuary with an overnight in the heart of the scenic Bordeaux wine region.

For true explorers who appreciate longer, in-depth itineraries, there are 10 unique Collectors’ Voyages — 20-to 30-day cruises that combine non-repeating itineraries with special pricing.  Other highlights include extended stays with overnights in Barcelona, Spain; Bordeaux, France; Venice, Italy; Istanbul, Turkey; and St. Petersburg, Russia.

With more than 300 choices, Holland America Line’s European shore excursions offer something for everyone.  For the wine lovers and connoisseurs, there is a Taste of Croatia, a Taste of Tuscany or perhaps a Taste of the Riviera in Monte Carlo. For the art and architecture enthusiasts, there are opportunities to discover Gaudi’s Barcelona, explore rich art traditions in Florence, tour ancient cities in Turkey, and visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.  For those who want to venture off the beaten track, tours explore rarely visited parts of Malta via four-wheel drive vehicles, canoe along the Mallorca Coast or hike through Ichkeul Natural Park in Tunisia.

European cruise fares start at US$999 per person, double occupancy.  For a 2008 European cruise brochure or for more information, consult aThe Cruise People, Ltd. on 1-800-268-6523.

Encore Cruise Specials for Canada as of 08 Aug 07

AZAMARA CRUISES

12 NIGHT CARIBBEAN
Oct 12/07
Miami Roundtrip
Port Antonio, Santa Marta, Cartagena,
Colon, Puerto Limon, San Andres
Island, Playa del Carmen
$1,599CAD pp
Outside Cat. 7
Departure taxes additional $86 CAD pp
Canadian Residents Special!
THEY YACHTS OF SEABOURN
Seabourn Pride
7 DAY YACHTSMAN’S
CARIBBEAN
Dec 8/07
Barbados Roundtrip
Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia,
Grenada, St. Vincent
$3,079CAD pp
Suite Cat. A1
Departure taxes additional $37 CAD pp
Save 50%
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal Serenity
12 DAY SUNSETS & SPICES
Oct 28/07
Civitavecchia (Rome) to
Lisbon (overnight)
Barcelona, Malaga, Casablanca,
Tenerife, Las Palmas, Funchal (Madeira)
$5,445CAD pp
Ocean-view Cat. C
Departure taxes additional $71 CAD pp
Save 50%
AIR IS AVAILABLE FROM
19 CANADIAN GATEWAYS
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Seven Seas Navigator
12 DAY WESTERN CARIBBEAN
Nov 15/07
Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip
Grand Cayman, Cozumel (overnight),
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Roatan, Costa Maya, Key West
$4,659CAD pp
Window Suite Cat. H
Departure taxes additional $15 CAD pp

Each of two. Refer to Encore brochure for booking/travelling conditions

The Hills…and Coastlines, Bays and Coves…Are Alive With Colour on Maritimes/New England Cruises Thus Autumn

A summery of cruises from CLIA.

From Baltimore, New York, Boston, Southampton, thousands of “leaf peepers” this year will go in search of a natural phenomenon found nowhere else in the world, at least in such a magnificent display. But, unlike many others, they will travel by cruise ship, taking in the unique spectacle of fall foliage in ideal comfort, sailing from one extraordinary colour display to another along the New England coast and through the Canadian Maritimes.

Though leaves change the world over, most changes of season are only a pale imitation of that in New England and Eastern Canada. This is primarily because of the significant presence of maple trees in the area and between the months of September and November, their leaves to burst into vivid reds, oranges and golds.

Ten member lines of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) are offering an alternative to driving hundreds of miles through hills, mountains and valleys in search of the perfect leaf. Instead, passengers on cruises as short as four days and as long as three weeks can journey through Mother Nature’s most impressive wardrobe change while also enjoying comfortable accommodations, a wide variety of dining experiences, onboard sports and enrichment programmes, nightly entertainment and diverse shore excursions to some of the continent’s most picturesque, and in the autumn, colourful destinations.

The following CLIA members offer cruises to Canada and New England this fall:

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES
American Cruise Lines will offer eight-day “Maine Coast & Harbors” cruises on its new, 100-passenger American Star through September. Sailing between Bucksport and Bangor, the itinerary includes Bar Harbor, Rockland, Castine, Camden and Belfast. The company’s “New England Islands” eight-day roundtrip itinerary from Providence in American Glory features New Bedford, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; and Bristol, Newport and Block Island, Rhode Island; and is offered on three dates in September.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES Carnival Victory will offer a variety of four-, five- and seven-day cruises to Canada and New England from New York through September. The shorter voyages feature Halifax, Nova Scotia and/or Saint John, New Brunswick, while the week-long itineraries add Boston and Portland, Maine to the trip. The last sailing is September 29.

CELEBRITY CRUISES On September 27, October 10 and October 23, Celebrity’s Constellation departs on 13-day Canada/New England roundtrip cruises from Cape Liberty, New Jersey. Ports along the way include Newport, Bar Harbor, Quebec City, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Portland, Maine and Boston. The timing should be ideal for peak fall foliage throughout the entire trip.

CRYSTAL CRUISES Crystal Symphony offers four New England cruises this year. A seven-day “New England Celebration” roundtrip voyage from New York features Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston, and Newport, while three one-way, 11-day trips between Montreal and New York include such ports as Quebec City, Montreal, Saint John and Newport. Departure dates are September 14 and 21; October 2 and 13. Crystal Symphony also will sail on an 11-day repositioning cruise from Montreal to Miami on October 24.

CUNARD LINE Cunard Line’s two “Queens” will be in New England and Canada almost simultaneously this year. Queen Elizabeth 2 makes a 19-day roundtrip from Southampton, England departing September 23 that includes Quebec City, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport, New York and Saint John, between two transatlantic crossings. RMS Queen Mary 2 offers a nine-day voyage, departing September 28, roundtrip from New York featuring Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax and Quebec City.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE Maasdam makes a series of seven-day cruises to Canada/New England throughout August and September. Operating between Montreal and Boston or roundtrip from Boston, the itineraries feature such ports as Bar Harbor, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Halifax and Quebec City. On September 9, 19 and 29,  Veendam will offer ten-day “Colors of Canada & New England” voyages between New York and Montreal at the peak of fall foliage season.  Veendam also sails from Montreal to Tampa on a 12-day voyage departing October 9.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Norwegian Spirit embarks on a series of nine six-day Canada and New England sailings starting Sept. 2 through Oct. 28, roundtrip from New York with stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston and Martha’s Vineyard. Norwegian Dawn features longer 10- and 11-day sailings roundtrip from New York on Sept. 2, 13, 23 and Oct. 4; along with one 12-day sailing on Oct. 14. Ports of call include Boston; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Quebec City and La Baie, Quebec; and Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

PEARL SEAS CRUISES Look ahead to 2008 when Pearl Seas’ new ships offer a variety of itineraries, including a seven-day “Canadian Maritimes Choice” cruise from Portland; seven-day trips from Halifax titled “Grand Nova Scotia” and “Atlantic Canada” and three itineraries that feature Newfoundland. The line will also offer ten-day “Splendor of Canada” itineraries and voyages highlighting the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Thousand Islands when it starts service next year.

PRINCESS CRUISES Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John and Halifax are the featured attractions in Canada and New England on several Princess ships this year. Crown Princess makes seven-day roundtrips from New York departing September 15, 22, 29 and October 6 and 13; Grand Princess sails from New York on September 18, 28 and October 8 on ten-day roundtrip itineraries. On October 18, Grand Princess sails from Quebec to Fort Lauderdale on a 16-day repositioning voyage.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Explorer of the Seas will offer nine-day Canada/New England voyages sailing roundtrip from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey. Departing August 31, September 14 and 28 and October 12, the ship will call on New London, Portland, Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor and Boston. Grandeur of the Seas will also make nine-day voyages to New England and Canada from her base in Baltimore. The roundtrips will include Bar Harbor, Halifax, Saint John, Portland and Boston and depart August 24 and September 7 and 21.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE Seabourn Pride travels to some of Canada’s and New England’s less visited ports on two, ten-day voyages between Gloucester (Boston), Massachusetts and Montreal. Sailing September 29, the ship will visit Saint John; Lunenburg and Baddeck, Nova Scotia and stop in Summerside, Prince Edward Island; Port Saguenay and Quebec City, Quebec. The reverse itinerary leaves Montreal on October 9 and visits Quebec and Gaspe, Quebec; St. Pierre & Miquelon, France; Louisbourg and Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving back in Gloucester October 19, then continues to Nassau, The Bahamas on a 12-day repositioning voyage.