Venturing to the Great White Continent
June 17, 2005
As the first major cruise line to ever visit this extraordinary continent, Holland America will be returning to Antarctica for three incredible sailings during the 2005-2006 cruising season. Holland America will be offering three 20-day South America & Antarctica departures showcasing the largest and most diverse wilderness on earth as the majestic ms Rotterdam ventures through this enchanting land of stunning natural beauty, massive icebergs, towering mountain ranges, vast icy tundra extending as far as the eye can see, and some of the most beautiful, fascinating, and unique species of wildlife on earth. These very special itineraries have three scheduled departure dates in both 2005 and 2006. The Holland America Antarctic Explorer Holiday cruises are scheduled to depart on December 22 of both 2005 and 2006, and the Antarctic Experience cruise itinerary is currently slated for January 11, 2006.
A cruise vacation experience quite unlike any other, guests on board the ms Rotterdam for these exclusive sailings will not only be able to see and experience first-hand a land that most people only dream of seeing, but they will also be able to take advantage of all the magnificent onboard features and amenities that cruise passengers have come to expect from Holland America.
"Guests on South America/Antarctica cruises experience the same sense of adventure that thrilled Cook, Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton and other polar explorers," said senior vice president of marketing and sales for Holland America Richard D. Meadows. "But they also enjoy Dutch high tea, beautiful fresh flowers, wi-fi Internet connections, world-class entertainment, and every modern comfort. It's the most elegant way to experience the wildest place on earth."
Holland America has been praised in the past by environmentalist for the extreme care and respect it shows the fragile environment and ecosystem that exists in the Antarctic region. As travel writer Hugh A. Mulligan describes, "The ship's fog horn did not bellow out the noon hour. No bells clanged the crew watches. Smoking was banned on deck and no meals were served outdoors, lest paper napkins blow overboard. Tennis and volleyball courts were roped off, though a dozen brave souls swam in the heated outdoor pool. The environmental officer prowled the ship, making sure deck chairs and blankets were tied down, and reminding passengers not to feed passing penguins or seals or throw garbage overboard."
This 20-day Holland America Antarctic experience offers passengers the rare opportunity to sail south of the 60th parallel, virtually to the bottom of the world. Commonly referred to as the "White Continent," Antarctica is a land of immense ice shelves, soaring 15,000-foot mountain peaks, volcanic calderas, thermal hot springs, and an incredible array of wildlife. Guests will sail past the mysterious Elephant Island, the penguin colonies on Paulet and Petermann Islands, the volcanic crater of Deception Island, and the ice-laden channels of Errera, Neumayer, and LeMaire.
In South America, guests will cruise between Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Valparaiso, Chile, sailing past Cape Horn, the Strait of Magellan, and the Chilean fjords, and visiting the amazing port cities of Uruguay, Argentina, and Tierra del Fuego. For more information on these spectacular Holland America Antarctic itineraries, give your certified Cruise Network Cruise Specialist a call today at 1-888-267-1232. This is truly like no other vacation option you have ever had, and will most certainly be one that you will remember for a lifetime!
