Holland America Cruises Europe 2006: A Record Five Ship Deployment, New Ports, Itineraries
September 22, 2005
More ships, including the new ms Noordam are being deployed for European cruises next year from Holland America Cruises—a record five—and will be offering more itineraries, new ports of call and better cruising in the region for 2006. The premium cruise line introduced new ports of call that will allow passengers to travel to destinations as far as the Arctic Circle.
Brand new and breezy, the ms Noordam ship from Holland America Cruises is part of this elite assemblage of ships, and is slated for an extraordinary full summer term in the Mediterranean. Joining her are the intimate explorer, ms Prinsendam, designed for longer cruises with less passengers, along with the line's twin flagships the ms Rotterdam and ms Amsterdam, and the newly renovated ms Maasdam.
"We have increased our 10- to 12-day sailings and added more 15- to 16-day itineraries, with a special focus on sailing the Mediterranean for the entire summer," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "We've added new ports and more time in ports including late departures and overnights, and our onboard culinary arts and guest-speaker programs enhance the unparalleled value of a premium cruise to Europe."
Holland America Cruises is offering a combined total of 27 unique itineraries encompassing the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Russia, Greenland and Iceland, North Cape and Polar Icecap, the Black Sea, North Africa, the British Isles and Transatlantic voyages. Since Holland America Cruises has negotiated an unbelievable 14 maiden ports into these voyages, 2006 is practically the season of discovery. In addition to new ports in the Arctic Circle, new ventures closer to the European cruising region include ports in Libya, northern Turkey, and coastal cities in Spain.
Holland America Cruises has prepared cruise itineraries that allow for one- and two-night stays in Amsterdam, Athens, Gdansk, Istanbul, Marseille, St. Petersburg, and Venice, as these cities have so much to offer they just couldn't be tackled in one day. Extended evening stays in lively cities like Barcelona, Monte Carlo, and Santorini are offered so guests are able to enjoy the night-life.
An exciting collection of shore excursions are available in each port, from adventurous tours like Mallorca kayaking or safari four-wheeling in the Sintra Mountains to exploring the art, cultural and historical surrounding for which Europe is particularly famous. An exclusive set of shore excursions from Holland America Cruises known as "Medallion Excursions" offer some truly amazing, once in a lifetime experiences like Formula One racing in Barcelona, or hiring a private luxury car to cruise around the countryside.
Culinary experts hailing from cities across America including New York Ciry, Aspen, D.C. and more, will sail on European cruises, conducting demonstrations and classes in the new Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine.
Sources:
www.TravelDailyNews.com
