Plus itineraries include a new series of 14-day Sydney, Australia, roundtrip sailings -- and 34-day Australia circumnavigation voyage that includes two days' daylight scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef
SEATTLE, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2010, Holland America Line will feature new itineraries throughout the Southern Hemisphere aboard the 1,432-guest, ms Volendam, including--for the first time--a circumnavigation of the continent departing in Sydney, Australia. The 34-day sailing will spend two days cruising the Great Barrier Reef during daylight hours and visit 18 ports of call. Holland America is the only premium cruise line to offer daylight scenic cruising along the Reef's magnificent coastline. A new series of 14-day, Sydney, Australia, roundtrip cruises throughout the region offer explorations focused on the cultures and the raw magnificence of Australia's and New Zealand's diverse landscapes. And, in the spring, Volendam will sail to the South Pacific for a leisurely 26-day cruise, visiting some of the world's most captivating islands from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, British Columbia.
"We recognize that for many travelers a trip to Australia and New Zealand is a cruise-vacation must," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. "And Holland America Line offers more itineraries and more time cruising throughout Australia and New Zealand than any other premium cruise line."
14-day, Sydney round-trip sailings highlight Down Under and the South Pacific in 2010
For the first time, Holland America Line has created a series of round-trip Sydney, Australia, 14-day cruises for travelers. Two cruises, departing Jan. 20 and Feb. 28, are set to spend more time discovering the multifaceted terrain of New Zealand than any other premium cruise line. A third cruise, departing Jan. 6, highlights the South Pacific's exotic beauty. Fares for all 14-day, Sydney roundtrip cruises begin at just $1,599 per person, double occupancy.
On the Jan. 20 and Feb. 28 sailings, the North and South islands of New Zealand, each with incredibly vibrant and lush scenery, will be explored with six different port calls. Both itineraries feature extensive scenic cruising opportunities in Fiordland National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- as well as Queen Charlotte Sound. Additionally, Holland America Line is one of the few premium cruise lines calling at Picton, the gateway to the South Island and the hub of Marlborough Sounds' thriving wine country. Picton, a lively and picturesque resort town, will most assuredly delight the wine aficionados.
Guests joining Volendam for the Jan. 6, 14-day Pacific Treasures cruise will kick-start the year sailing through the breathtaking vistas of the South Pacific. As the ship departs Sydney it makes a beeline for Noumea, New Caledonia, known for its blend of French and Melanesian culture and often referred to "as the place where the French Riviera meets the South Pacific." Here, guests will leisurely explore the region's culture with additional calls at Mouli and Ile des Pins, New Caledonia; Port Vila and Luganville, Vanuatu, and Lautoka and Levuka, Fiji, before returning to Sydney.
Australia circumnavigation features a two-day Great Barrier Reef experience
Departing March 14, Volendam will celebrate a first for the line when the ship sails a 34-day voyage circumnavigating Australia. This new itinerary, developed out of the growing popularity of the region, will feature an unforgettable two-day Great Barrier Reef daylight scenic cruise experience through Torres Strait and The Far North Region before anchoring for an overnight at Sherrard Island. Fares start from $4,599.
Guests also will enjoy overnight calls at Hobart, Perth and Sydney, Australia, where they can spend time sampling the local cuisine or explore the versatile culture and nightlife of the cities. Other ports of call on the 34-day voyage include Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, Exmouth, Darwin, Cairns, Whitsunday Island and Brisbane, Australia. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to take in an optional, fully escorted shore excursion of Komodo National Park (Indonesia) in search of one of the fewer than 300 Komodo dragons which make their habitat there amidst squawking cockatoos, flowerpeckers and noisy friarbirds.
Collectors' Voyages sail to the Great Barrier Reef and includes port-intensive visits in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific
For travelers who enjoy time aboard ship as well as the unique experiences that Down Under offers, Holland America Line provides the opportunity to explore Australia, New Zealand and the Fijian islands with four Collectors' Voyages: a 28-day, Pacific Treasures and New Zealand, roundtrip Sydney, Australia, departs Jan. 6, 2010, with fares beginning at $3,599; a 48-day, New Zealand and Australia Circumnavigation, roundtrip Sydney, Australia, departs Feb. 28, 2010, with fares starting from $5,599; a 74-day, New Zealand, Australia and South Pacific cruise from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, B.C., departs Feb 28, 2010, with fares from $7,999; and a 60-day, Australia Circumnavigation and South Pacific sailing, from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, B.C., departs March 14, 2010, with fares from $6,599.
Traverse the Pacific and Enjoy the Polynesian lifestyle
Volendam takes guests from Sydney to Vancouver, British Columbia, on a memorable 26-day cruise to the islands of the South Pacific and through some of the most pristine waters in the world. Guests board the ship April 17 and enjoy an overnight in Sydney where they will have ample time to visit the iconic opera house or perhaps catch a glimpse of a koala or kangaroo at the Sydney Zoo before departing April 18. This unforgettable odyssey includes Noumea and Ile des Pins, New Caledonia; Port Vila, Vanuatu; the Fijian islands of Lautoka, Viti Levu, and Levuka. From Fiji, Volendam will cross the equator and International Date Line, continuing to Apia, the capital of the Independent State of Samoa. After a full day in Apia, where guests have the option of swimming in the placid, warm waters at the Beach of Saleapaga, shopping with the locals, taking part in a kava ceremony or visiting the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, the ship will spend five relaxing days at sea before paying calls at Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; Lahaina, Maui and Hilo, Hawaii. Hawaii's exotic beauty and deep history can be enjoyed at each port, from Kona's world-famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- to the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. Guests wishing to soak up the sun or take in the natural surroundings can spend the day at a black-sand beach in Kona or a lush fern grotto in Nawiliwili.
Before reaching Vancouver, travelers will have relaxing days at sea filled with enriching activities such as cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Arts Center, pampering at the Greenhouse Spa or simply sipping a coffee while reading the news at the Explorations Cafe. Fares for this 26-day South Pacific cruise start at $2,699.
Those looking to make the most out of their time in Australia and New Zealand, pre- or post-cruise land tours are offered to further explore sites such as Ayers Rock or Alice Springs.
For more information featuring Holland America Line's Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-724-5425 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
-- www.hollandamerica.com --
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
CONTACT: John Primeau, Rose Abello
PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-262-5870
FAX: 206-262-5934
EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com
