HAL Grand Voyages Visit All Seven Continents

Holland America Line (HAL) will again offer a series of Grand Voyages that touch all seven continents between fall 2011 and early 2012.

“Based on extensive research on our previous grand voyages and a survey of past guests, we created itineraries that feature the most coveted sights and experiences the world has to offer,” said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for HAL.

Without requiring international air travel, HAL’s Grand Voyages make taking a dream vacation easy and more affordable. The voyages feature UNESCO World Heritage sites, first-time calls at new destinations and extended time in port with late departures, overnights and overland tours.

Grand Asia & Australia Voyage
In fall 2011, Amsterdam wraps up the year with a 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage sailing from Seattle to Los Angeles, departing Sept. 26. Following calls throughout Asia, the cruise continues to western Australia and then explores the South Pacific. Overnights include Beijing; Shanghai; and Hong Kong; Tokyo and Kobe, Japan; Singapore; Sydney; and Perth.

Grand World Voyage
Amsterdam will sail its seventh circumnavigation with a Grand World Voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., departing Jan. 6. The 112-day adventure first calls in the Caribbean, then moves on to South America, sailing around Cape Horn for a scenic cruise through the Chilean Fjords and then south to Antarctica. Amsterdam then sails west to Tahiti, followed by calls in Australia, the Far East and Indian Ocean, before transiting the Suez Canal and sailing through the Mediterranean and back to South Florida. 

Overnight calls include the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney; Hong Kong; Mumbai, India; Barcelona, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Singapore; and Piraeus (Athens), Greece. The cruise also features a maiden call at Mangalore in Southern India.

Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage
Prinsendam returns to South America, Antarctica and the Amazon in 2012 on a 68-day itinerary departing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Jan. 4. The ship will transit the Panama Canal to South America ’s Pacific coast then circumnavigate the continent.

Prinsendam will spend eight days cruising the Amazon River and four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica. The itinerary also features five maiden ports of call: Bocas del Toro, Panama; Matarani, Peru; Cabedelo, Brazil; and Ancud, Chile. Overnight calls include Manaus, Brazil, in the Amazon; Rio de Janeiro; Buenos Aires; and Callao (Lima), Peru.

Guests sailing on this voyage also will experience a scenic daylight cruise past the Romanche, Alemania, Francia and Italia glaciers in Chile.

Grand Mediterranean & Black Sea Voyage
Upon its return to Fort Lauderdale, Prinsendam embarks March 12 on a 62-day journey to the Mediterranean and Holy Lands roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

For the first time, Prinsendam will call at Durres, Albania ’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s oldest cities; Saint Raphael in the Cote d'Azur and Castellon de la Plana, in the Costa del Azahar region of Spain.

Overnight calls include Seville, Spain; Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Piraeus (Athens); Venice, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. This voyage can be combined with the Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage for a 130-day cruise.

Early Booking bonus amenities for full-cruise guests include prepaid hotel service charges, shipboard credit, luggage delivery service and a complimentary shore excursion or event for select stateroom categories. Amenities vary by cruise, stateroom category and booking date.

Rates start at $9,499 for Amsterdam’s 70-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage; $23,799 for Amsterdam’s 112-day Grand World Voyage; $14,399 for Prinsendam’s 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage; and $12,999 for Prinsendam’s 62-day Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage. The four Grand Voyages are available to book for the full cruise or in segments ranging from 18- to 112-day sailings.

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