The beautiful scenery, tropical weather, diverse activities and laid-back atmosphere continue to make the Caribbean the ideal winter destination. Beginning October, travelers looking to soak up the Caribbean sun will have their pick of eight of Holland America Line‘s premium, mid-sized ships – including Nieuw Statendam – and more than 100 cruises to choose from.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S CARIBBEAN: Best. Nieuw. Most. More.
From October 2018 through April 2019, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Veendam and Zuiderdam will sail more than 100 three- to 14-day cruises from Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, Florida. The itineraries can be combined into longer, back-to-back Collectors’ Voyages ranging from 13 to 21 days. The ships will explore the eastern, western and southern regions of the Caribbean, with some sailing to Cuba and others spending a day discovering the Panama Canal. Most Fort Lauderdale departures will include a visit to Half Moon Cay, the “best private island in the cruise industry”, while Rotterdam will take over the roundtrip Tampa, Florida, departures.
FROM FORT LAUDERDALE TO CUBA AND BEYOND
In October 2018, Veendam will kick off the Caribbean season with a series of Cuban Explorer cruises. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in Cuba’s natural beauty and rich cultural history on a variety of seven-, 10-, 11- and 12-day itineraries through March 2019. Along with Havana and Cienfuegos, Cuba, the ship will call at several other Caribbean ports in Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Mexico. Veendam will also offer a seven-day eastern Caribbean Holiday cruise in December and an 11-day southern Caribbean itinerary in January that does not visit Cuba.
Nieuw Statendam will kick off its maiden Caribbean season with a four-day cruise to the Bahamas in December. Following its inaugural Caribbean sailing, the ship will feature seven-day itineraries that offer both eastern and western routes. Nieuw Statendam will also offer a 10-day itinerary in January for guests interested in exploring lesser-visited ports in the southern Caribbean such as Kralendijk, Bonaire; Amber Cove, Domincan Republic; and Barbados. Other seven-, 10- and 11-day southern Caribbean itineraries will be available on Nieuw Statendam’s sister ship, Koningsdam, beginning in November 2018.
Guests looking to experience the eastern or western regions of the Caribbean will be able to do so aboard Nieuw Amsterdam on a series of seven-day cruises that showcase each region, featuring calls at St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk, Cozumel, Georgetown, Ocho Rios and more. Similarly, Oosterdam will offer a series of seven-day cruises that spotlight both eastern and western routes, as well as seven-day Tropical Caribbean itineraries that feature calls at ports in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic.
PARTIAL PANAMA CANAL TRANSITS
Guests looking to explore the Panama Canal can experience a partial transit aboard Zuiderdam, sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on 10- and 11-day cruises. The ship will visit several Caribbean ports as it makes its way to Gatún Lake, where cruisers will enjoy a day of spectacular scenic cruising throughout the canal.
ROUNDTRIP TAMPA ITINERARIES
From October 2018 through April 2019 Rotterdam will sail roundtrip from Tampa on eight seven-day western itineraries and five 14-day southern itineraries. The ship will visit some of the most beautiful ports and islands in the region including Key West, Curaçao, Mahogany Bay (Honduras), Costa Maya (Mexico), Aruba and St. Lucia.
BACK-TO-BACK FOR LONGER COLLECTORS’ VOYAGES
Many of the cruises can be extended into Collectors’ Voyages, which offer the ultimate Caribbean exploration with more economical fares than if booking the cruises individually. Ranging from 14 to 21 days, these artfully crafted longer journeys combine back-to-back itineraries, enabling guests to span more than one Caribbean area and have the ultimate island-hopping journey.
Throughout the voyages, Explorations Central programming, or EXC as Holland America calls it, will bring the region’s local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences to life on board. Guests can participate in activities to learn unique practices to the ports of call and attend discussions on history, culture and attractions. The EXC Team will provide further customized guidance as well as online EXC Port Guides. For guests who enjoy exploring on their own, the printed EXC Port Maps present a simple view of the best each port has to offer. To learn more about Holland America Line’s visit “Holland America goes interactive with Explorations Central and Rijksmuseum at sea“.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH A FESTIVE HOLIDAY CRUISE
For travelers who like to get away for the winter holidays, a total of 14 holiday sailings will ply the warm waters of the Caribbean on far-reaching itineraries that range from seven to 14 days. Several non-repeating itineraries can be combined to form a longer Holiday Collectors’ Voyage that can be extended up to 21 days.
Guests in search of a unique and extended itinerary can opt for Prinsendam’s 14-day Caribbean Holiday cruise departing Dec. 21, 2018. The ship will call at ports in the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Barbados, Half Moon Cay, the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
During the holiday cruises, guests can take part in a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, enjoy traditional holiday meals with all of the trimmings and indulge in special holiday events, including holiday cookies and pastries and a visit from Santa Claus. Hanukkah activities will be available on early December cruises.
Holland America Line’s New Year’s Eve sailings are the ideal setting to ring in a new year, complete with a festive holiday ball and a Champagne toast!
For more information visit www.hollandamerica.com.