Holland America Cruises in 2006
November 21, 2005
2006 will be a special year for Holland America cruises. The cruise line will visit Libya for the first time; debut a new ship, the ms Noordam; send eight ships cruising into Alaskan waters; and offer 500 sailings to 7 continents (yes, even Antarctica).
"[Holland America Cruises] will be offering more cruises to more destinations in 2006 and guests will have more choices of itineraries and homeports," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Holland America Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corporation. "Our Signature of Excellence enhancements will be completed on 10 ships at the start of 2006 and all 13 ships by the fall, so guests will enjoy such new amenities as our [Explorations Café powered by the New York Times and Culinary Arts Center]."
The Culinary Arts Center program is part of Holland America Cruises' Signature of Excellence series aboard every sailing, in which Holland America features special chefs from various and exotic ports of call. With Food & Wine Magazine providing expert chefs, wine connoisseurs, and cookbook authors, Holland America will provide guests with a chance to experience demonstrations and learn secrets from the best in the business.
Of course, simply dining in one of the restaurants while on one of the Holland America cruises, tasting the fruits (or vegetables, poultry, fish) of the chefs' labors is a culinary delight in itself for the passengers.
Now, let's take a quick look at the newest Holland America cruise ship, the ms Noordam. She was named for the northern compass point, and it's likely you'll be drawn to her like a needle to the Poles. Weighing just shy of 82,000 tons and able to carry 1,848 passengers and 800 crew members, the ship offers the perfect marriage of comfort and spaciousness. A beautiful teak deck will wrap itself around the ship—ideal for strolling, sunning and enjoying the cruise experience.
The ms Noordam cruises on 10-day-plus Southern Caribbean itineraries, where guests can visit Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominica, and Antigua. Offering several port-intensive options aboard ms Noordam, Holland America's longer itineraries have the option of featuring the Panama Canal.
What's arguably one of the most interesting features of Holland America cruises in 2006 is the fact that the cruise line will be visiting Libya. Tripoli, with its Ottoman-and Spanish-influenced architecture, and Benghazi, rebuilt in post-WWII times as a sophisticated city, are both great places to see. Remnants of the Roman Empire, a stunning Saharan scenery, and inquisitive, friendly people make for a great port of call.
Yet visiting Libya is not exactly like taking a cruise to the Bahamas. The U.S. still lists Libya as a state sponsor of terrorism, and tells citizens to "exercise a high level of caution" there. Cruising to Libya wouldn't be possible at all if the U.S. hadn't lifted its travel ban in February 2004 after Omar Kadafi's government accepted responsibility for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Still, there's still a lot of excitement and maybe even a hint of danger inherent in a trip to Libya, which is one of the reasons why it's such an attractive destination for many people.
The first Holland America cruises to Libya will be in April 2006. The cruise line plans 10 visits the following year, including stops there on its 108-day Grand World Voyage. Holland America Cruises isn't the only cruise line that visits this North African city, but it is in a small group; however, that may be changing as more and more people show the desire to see this storied country.
Of course, there are many other destinations in sight for Holland America in 2006. The islands of Hawaii, as well as many destinations farther south like Tahiti, Fiji, Pago Pago, and Bora Bora, make up the ingredients of Holland America's Voyages of the Pacific—20 Holland America cruises to Hawaii on 5 different ships.
There are also 8 cruise ships sailing to Alaska from cities such as Seattle, WA; Skagway, AK; and Vancouver, British Columbia. From May through September, Holland America cruises through the Inside Passage and to many sights, cities, and towns along the way.
Still, with Holland America, you could almost choose your destination by closing your eyes and throwing a dart at a map on the wall; no matter where it lands, there's likely a Holland America cruise ship sailing through there or to there...yes, even Antarctica.
