Holland America Line Announces Extensive 2007 Caribbean Season with 22 Diverse Itineraries

Nearly half of the line’s Caribbean cruises – 59 in all – are 10 days or longer, allowing savvy travelers more time to experience the culture, wildlife and natural beauty of each destination.  From January through April and again from October through December, Holland America Line will explore all corners of the southern, western and eastern Caribbean as well as the Panama Canal on cruises ranging from three to 14 days.  Aboard eight ships departing from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and New York City, guests will enjoy the hospitality and destination expertise that has earned Holland America Line its reputation for excellence and innovation. 

“Our ships offer the full Signature of Excellence amenities and enhancements, carry fewer guests than any other major cruise line, and in 2007 will offer an unprecedented variety of Caribbean itineraries,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales.  “Making a Caribbean vacation with Holland America Line even more enriching are the Signature of Excellence enhancements now featured on all of our ships, including the new Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine, the Explorations Café – powered by The New York Times, and stateroom amenities from ultra-comfortable beds to flat screen TVs.”

Holland America Line Will Focus on Longer Cruises in Southern Caribbean
With an emphasis on choice and variety, the Southern Caribbean is explored with the easy luxury of longer voyages, most ranging from 10 to 14 days.  Five ships journey to 18 different ports of call on 36 cruises:

• The ms Maasdam offers the line’s popular 10-day Seafarer and new Wayfarer itineraries on 18 different departures round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale;
• The ms Veendam departs Tampa on five 14-day cruises;
• Traveling from Ft. Lauderdale, the ms Amsterdam offers a 10-day cruise as well as a 12-day journey into the deep southern Caribbean;
• An 11-day cruise is offered aboard the ms Noordam; and,
•  The ms Westerdam hosts four 7-day escapes from Ft. Lauderdale that sail as far south as Aruba and Curaçao from a drive-up homeport in Florida instead of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Depending on the itinerary selected, southern Caribbean ports of call may include Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries and Soufrière, St. Lucia; George Town, Grand Cayman; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; El Buamache, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela; Kralendijk, Bonaire; scenic cruise near Mount Pelée; Oranjestad, Aruba; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten; Pointe-a-Piedre, Guadeloupe; Port-of-Spain, Trinadad; Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. George’s, Grenada; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Willemstad, Curaçao.

Eastern and Western Caribbean – 7 to 10 Days From Ft. Lauderdale
Featuring Saturday and Sunday departures, Ft. Lauderdale serves as Holland America Line’s main gateway to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.  Aboard the new Vista-class sister ships the ms Zuiderdam, Westerdam, and Noordam, as well as the ms Volendam, the waters of the Caribbean are explored on 39 itineraries that balance enriching port calls with rejuvenating sea days.  The Noordam also offers seven 10-day cruises through the Eastern Caribbean from New York City, the newest of the line’s Caribbean homeports.

To the east, itineraries feature the following port calls:  Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and, St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands.  All feature a visit to Half Moon Cay.

To the west, cruises may include stops at Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; Key West, Florida; Roatan, Honduras; and, Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala.  All feature a visit to Half Moon Cay.

7- and 8-day Western Caribbean – From Tampa
The Veendam travels from Tampa on 10 week-long cruises and an 8-day journey that feature port calls in Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Key West, Florida; Roaton, Honduras, and Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala.

10-day ‘Sunfarer’ Panama Canal
A must-see on many world traveler lists, Holland America Line’s history in exploring the Panama Canal is without peer among premium cruise lines.  The Volendam travels round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale on 16 Southern Caribbean itineraries showcasing the marvels of the canal.  With visits to Half Moon Cay, Oranjestad, Aruba, and Willemstad, Curaçao, the ship enters at Cristóbal to transit the canal and cruise Gatun Lake with a stop in Colón, Panama, before sailing on to Puerto Limón, Costa Rica.

Getaways to The Bahamas
For a quick rejuvenating escape, the Westerdam offers four short getaways to The Bahamas with four 4-day departures and four 3-day cruises.  Ports of call include Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; Half Moon Cay and Nassau, Bahamas.

Caribbean Holiday Cruises
Twelve Holiday cruises ranging from seven to 14 days are offered throughout the Caribbean aboard eight different ships.  Itineraries are carefully planned to ensure the Christmas and New Year’s holidays are spent at sea, allowing ample time for festive celebrations.

Caribbean Highlights:  Newest Port Call and Holland America Line Private Island
Several Caribbean cruises feature visits to the newest port in the Caribbean, Grand Turk, where swimming and snorkeling beaches with complimentary chairs and a large swimming pool and lounge area are near the cruise terminal.  Nearly every itinerary also plans a day at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s acclaimed private island.  With its horseback riding and swimming excursion, guided AquaTrax watercraft tour, stingray adventure, and fun-filled family aqua park, Half Moon Cay continues as the line’s highest rated Caribbean port of call.   

Caribbean cruise fares begin at $499 per person for a three-day Bahamas cruise and $649 per person for a 7-day Eastern or Western Caribbean itinerary.   For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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