4 Extraordinary Offers from Holland America

Cruise the world with four extraordinary offers

Make your next voyage an incredible value with the new Explore 4 Offers. 

When you book select 2014 sailings - and Dec 2013 Holiday cruises - you will receive all four offers listed below:

1. Free Signature Beverage or Beverage Card
2. Free Specialty Restaurant Dinner
3. Free or Reduced Cruise Fares for 3rd/4th Guests
4. 50% Reduced Deposit

Get all the details
http://www.hollandamerica.com/explore4

HAL Cancels Entire Western Mediterranean Cruise Season

Holland America Lines has canceled an entire cruise season next year as a result of ongoing unrest in Egypt

The line has redeployed ms Noordam to the central and western Mediterranean for spring and summer 2014 rather than the Eastern Mediterranean.

In July, HAL cancelled all port calls to Egypt throughout the rest of the season, prompting the line to alter all the ship's itineraries. HAL is notifying passengers and travel agents of the changes. 

Passengers can select any 2014 Europe 11- to 14-day itinerary and receive the same stateroom category for the original cruise fare paid, plus a shipboard credit based on the stateroom category previously booked. 

Passengers booked on longer voyages will also be offered comparable sailings and a shipboard credit.

A statement from HAL said: “We sincerely regret impacting the travel plans of those guests already booked and are committed to making the process of re-booking to another sailing as smooth as possible. All guests may choose to receive a full refund if they elect not to re-book.”

Source: Cruise Critic

Holland America Canada/New England 2014 Sailings

Cruise fares for 2014 Canada and New England itineraries begin at $799 per person, double occupancy for a seven-day sailing.

Photo Credit - Mommy Musings

Holland America announces 48 Canada and New England cruises on three ships in the spring, summer and fall of 2014

Scheduled May through October, the Eurodam, Maasdam and Veendam will operate nine seven- to 15-day itineraries from Boston, Montréal, Québec City, Fort Lauderdale and New York City.

The cruises range from seven to 15 days and include family-friendly summer cruises and visits during the height of the fall foliage season as summer turns to autumn and the jewel-toned leaves offer one of nature’s most impressive showings.

The Veendam will operate 17 seven-day cruises between Québec City and Boston from May 10 through the Oct. 11 departure. Ports of call include Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax and Bar Harbor, with scenic cruising on the St. Lawrence River. These sailings include an overnight at Québec City, Holland America Line’s number-one rated port of call.

Maasdam will sail seven-day cruises from May 24 through the Oct. 11 departure between Montréal and Boston, with calls at Québec City, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax and Bar Harbor.

In September and October, Eurodam will sail three 10-day fall foliage cruises between New York and Québec City.

Holland America is offering the Explore4 early booking promotion that features a free Signature Beverage Package or beverage card, a free specialty restaurant dinner, free or reduced fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom and 50% reduced deposits for bookings on select 2014 cruises made before Oct. 15, 2013. Guests can receive all four offers when booking a qualified itinerary. Visit Holland America for details

Source: TravelPulse

Four Extraordinary Cruise Offers from Holland America

Make your next voyage an incredible value with Holland America's new Explore 4 offers

When you book select 2014 sailings (and December 2013 Holiday cruises) you will receive all four offers below:

1. FREE Signature Beverage Package or a Beverage Card (depending on cruise selected)

• Signature Beverage Package Signature Beverage Package:
• A value of $100 per day, per stateroom ($50 per person)
• Includes wine, beer, spirits, cocktails (including non-alcoholic), sodas and coffee (a daily limit applies)
• Applies to beverages priced up to $7 (menu price)
• Beverage service charge covered by Holland America Line
• Excludes Caribbean and Mexico sailings, and the land portion of Alaska Land+Sea Journeys (other exclusions apply)

Beverage Card:
Guests sailing on select Caribbean and Mexico sailings will receive a Beverage Card

• A value of $100 per stateroom ($50 Beverage Card per person)
• The Beverage Card applies to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

2. FREE specialty restaurant dinner in Pinnacle Grill or Canaletto

• Guests booking an Ocean-view Stateroom or above will receive one free dinner (per person**) in the elegant and sophisticated Pinnacle Grill.
• Guests booking an Interior Stateroom will receive one free dinner (per person**) at Canaletto restaurant, home to classic Italian fare.

3. FREE or reduced cruise fares for 3rd/4th guests

• Special FREE or reduced pricing for 3rd and 4th guests make it easier to share your cruise with the entire family.

4. 50% reduced deposit

• Your cruise deposit (the first payment due) will be reduced by 50%, giving you more flexibility and more time before paying the full amount for your cruise.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/explore4

Holland America and Avalon Waterways Avoid Egypt

Avalon Waterways has cancelled its river cruises in Egypt through September given the current unstable situation in Cairo. Avalon, which previously cancelled operations through August, said it will continue to monitor the situation.

Holland America's Noordam 11-day itineraries departing Aug. 15 from Athens and Aug. 26 from Istanbul will visit Ashdod (Jerusalem) and Haifa (Tel Aviv, Nazareth), Israel, instead of Port Said and Alexandria. The ship’s 11-day cruise departing Athens on Oct. 20 will instead visit Haifa and Limassol, Cyprus.

The Rotterdam’s 10-day cruises departing Athens on Oct. 31 and Nov. 20 will visit Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey, and Limassol, Cyprus. And the Prinsendam’s 14-day cruise from Athens on Oct. 28 will call at Rhodes, Greece, and Katakolon (Olympia), Greece. The order of ports visited may also have changed. Affected travel agents and guests are being notified.

The two companies said they will continue to monitor the situation. “And should there be further changes or developments, we will reach out to our travelers and their agents to ensure we provide enough time for alternate arrangements, as necessary,” Avalon said. There has been unrest in Cairo in recent weeks while undergoing a political transition. A particularly violent clash last week killed 50 people.

Article Source: TravelPulse

Holland America Bases Eight Ships in Caribbean For 2013-14

Holland America Line is basing eight ships in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa for its 2013-14 Caribbean season

 Half Moon Cay

All Fort Lauderdale itineraries will call at Half Moon Cay, the line’s private Bahamian island. 

From October through April, Eurodam, Maasdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Ryndam, Veendam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam will sail a total of 109 seven-, 10-, 11- and 14-day cruises that can be combined into voyages up to 25 days. The itineraries explore the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, as well as a partial transit of the Panama Canal.

• New to the region, Veendam will sail one seven-day Eastern Caribbean round-trip from Fort Lauderdale departing April 24 to Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.
• Eurodam returns to the Caribbean on alternating round-trip Fort Lauderdale seven-day Eastern and Western itineraries. The Wastern Caribbean itinerary visits Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay, while the western route calls at Half Moon Cay, Grand Cayman, Key West and Falmouth or Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

• The Maasdam offers a range of seven-, 10-, 11- and 14-day round-trips from Fort Lauderdale; the 14-day route calls at St. Thomas, St. Bart’s, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, Bonaire and Half Moon Cay.
• Also departing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Nieuw Amsterdam sails alternating Eastern and Western routes. The eastern route calls at Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay, while the western itinerary visits Cozumel, Half Moon Cay, Grand Cayman and Key West.
• Noordam offers seven-, 10- and 11-day round-trips from Fort Lauderdale cruises. The 11-day Southern Caribbean itinerary includes St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, Dominica, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.
• The only ship sailing round-trip from Tampa, Ryndam offers seven-day Western Caribbean cruises and two 14-day Southern Caribbean itineraries. The 14-day itineraries call at Key West, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. John’s, St. Lucia, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Curaçao or Bonaire.
• Westerdam sails a repeating round-trip Fort Lauderdale seven-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary to Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay.
• Zuiderdam features 10- and 11-day Panama Canal itineraries round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. The 10-day route includes a partial canal transit and calls at Half Moon Cay; Aruba; Curaçao; Colon, Panama; and Puerto Limón, Costa Rica. The 11-day cruise features Half Moon Cay; Aruba; Curaçao; Cartagena, Colombia; a partial Panama Canal transit; Colon and Puerto Limón.

The voyages are available for booking. Cruise fares range from $499 per person, double occupancy, for a seven-day itinerary cruise to $2,799 for a 25-day journey.

Source: Theresa Norton Masek via Travel Pulse

Holland America Dance Contest to Win Free Cruise

Holland America Line has a dance competition in which 15 guests can win a free cruise and a chance to compete for a Mirror Ball Trophy on the “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Champions Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam Jan. 12, 2014.

The contest began February 23, 2013, and continues through November 25, 2013.

Every sailing will feature a “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” program that includes complimentary dance lessons with the ship’s dance professionals and a competition.

On every Holland America Line cruise* guests will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in complimentary dance classes based on dance routines from the ABC smash hit show: “Dancing with the Stars.” This is your chance to learn the basics or new steps.

• Compete in the Dancing with the Stars: At Sea competition. Following an early elimination process, finalists will have the opportunity to take to the main stage with Holland America Line professional dancers. One Cruise Champion will emerge, based on the highest combined point total from a panel of three judges as well as audience participation.

• At the end of 2013, the Cruise Champion with the highest score from each ship will have an opportunity to perform as a finalist on the Champions Cruise in January 2014. 

Finalists, and a guest, will be invited on a complimentary 7-day Champions Cruise to the Caribbean, where the 15 finalists will dance for the coveted mirror ball trophy and title of Holland America Line’s Dancing with the Stars: At Sea Grand Champion.

More Dancing with the Stars info

Holland America Dancing With The Stars at Sea

Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep, Paso Doble, or sit back and enjoy watching the sizzling performances, this program offers guests an entirely unique experience on the seas.

Six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events including dance lessons; a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos; and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show. 

Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson; pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer - More dance pros and celebrities to be announced.

In addition to the theme cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the Holland America Line fleet will feature an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” program including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance center stage in an exciting dance-off performance. These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show’s dancers and choreographers.

Currently scheduled to appear on our 2013 Theme Cruises

February 16, 2013, ms Eurodam, 7-Day Eastern Caribbean 
Professional Dancers: Lacey Schwimmer and Mark Ballas 
Stars: Joey Fatone and Sabrina Bryan.

June 22, 2013, ms Veendam, 7-Day Canada & New England 
Professional Dancers: Chelsie Hightower and Mark Ballas 
Stars to be announced.

June 30, 2013, ms Oosterdam, 7-Day Alaska 
Professional Dancers: Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus 
Star: Carson Kressley. Additional star to be announced 

July 7, 2013, ms Oosterdam, 7-Day Alaska 
Professional Dancers: Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus 
Star: Carson Kressley. Additional star to be announced


2014 Theme Cruises: (Pros/celebrities to be announced)
January 5, 2014, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, 7-Day Eastern Caribbean

January 12, 2014, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, 7-Day Western Caribbean

Professionals and celebrities are subject to change.

Holland America Line

Holland America “Sail & Save”

Holland America Line just announced “Sail & Save” sale on select cruises 

“Sail & Save” offers up to 50% off select cruise fares and free or reduced third and fourth fares on select voyages. A free hotel stay is also offered on select Canada/New England and Alaska cruises and cruise-tour departures.

Cruise destinations featured in the sale include Alaska cruises and cruise-tours, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Grand Voyages, Hawaii/Tahiti, Mexico, Panama Canal and South America.

Holland America

Dancing With The Stars On Board Holland America

Holland America Cruise Line has announced a new “Dancing with the Stars” experience which will be featured on board its premium cruise ships next year. 

Six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events including dance lessons; a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos; and a production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show.

Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson, pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer, and some of your favorite celebrity competitors. More dance pros and celebrities will be announced.

In addition to the theme cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the Holland America fleet will feature an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” program, including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance center stage in an exciting dance-off performance. 

These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show’s dancers and choreographers.

The “Dancing with the Stars” theme cruise sailings: 

• Feb. 16, 2013, Eurodam, seven-day Eastern Caribbean
• June 22, 2013, Veendam, seven-day Canada and New England
• June 30 and July 7, 2013, Oosterdam, seven-day Alaska
• Jan. 5, 2014, Nieuw Amsterdam, seven-day Eastern Caribbean
• Jan. 12, 2014, Nieuw Amsterdam, seven-day Western Caribbean

Source: TravelPulse

Cruise Lines Access Private Island Hurricane Damage

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Holland America have reported damage to their private islands in the Bahamas. 

Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay will reopen next week after accessing damage to structures, landscasping as well as beach erosion. Visits to Great Stirrup Cay by cruise ships Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Pearl were cancelled this week.

Princess Cruises private beach report Princess Cays on Eleuthera, Bahamas experienced beach erosion, roof damage to structures and landscaping, and also the observation pier was lost in the storm. Princess Cays is expected to be open for visits by November 11th.

Holland America's Half Moon Cay located off the Southeast coast of Nassau sustained minor damage to structures, beach erosion and landscaping.

Royal Caribbean's CocoCay suffered minor damage to facilities and the beach area. RCL reports the island will be open for cruise guests.

Disney Cruise Line is still assessing damage on its island, Castaway Cay. The big story this past week was the damage on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.

Cruise passengers reported being terrified aboard the Disney Fantasy as it sailed back to Port Canaveral last week during Hurricane Sandy. Other cruise lines managed to stay out of harms way during Hurricane Sandy, and one Norwegian cruise was extended due to not being able to get into port.

I personally cannot imagine why the cruise line decided to return to Florida in dangerous high seas. The video taken by one passenger has over 600,000 views - and it's pretty scary. Disney is known for being family friendly, and this particular cruise was a really bad PR nightmare.

Steal of the Week: Cruise Eastern Caribbean From $57 Per Night

Wow - this is an awesome deal for a 7 night Caribbean cruise - especially a "suite" for under $1K! 

THE DEAL: American Discount Cruises & Travel is offering a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard Holland America’s Eurodam, sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on December 8, 2012. 

Fares start from $399 per person for an inside cabin, $449 for an outside cabin, $599 for a balcony and $999 for a suite.

Get more details at Cruise Critic 
Steal of the Week: Cruise the Eastern Caribbean From $57 Per Night : The Lido Deck

Cruise Lines Arrange for Couples to Jump Ship to Tie the Knot

If you can’t decide if you want your destination wedding to be on a cruise ship or a sunset beach ceremony, why choose?

Cruise lines are increasingly offering a complete wedding experience that is part cruise, part beach paradise. Cruise passengers board vessels with their betrothed in hand and their wedding parties in tow -  all of whom will jump ship to celebrate the big event on, and then re-board where the party continues.


“It is a great trend and it’s cost effective.  They can have their wedding in a beautiful venue on land while local wedding planners do the paperwork and make all arrangements in advance and the couple gets back on the ship for the honeymoon,” says Susie Wagner, founder and publisher of Honeymoons.com

Always ahead of the pack, Disney Cruise Lines’ Fairytale Weddings has been organizing off-the-ship weddings since 1998 when the cruise line purchased a Bahamian island, Castaway Cay.

Royal Ocean Events coordinates weddings for many of the cruise lines, including Holland America, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises.

Holland America offers a wedding destination for the couple and 10 guests at its own chapel on Half Moon Cay, the cruise line's private island, as well as at Bluebeard’s Castle or Lime Tree Beach on St. Thomas, Pigeon Point Beach on St. Lucia, Cockle Shell Beach on St. Kitts, Valley Church Beach on Antigua and Grand Old House on Grand Cayman.

Carnival also offers destination wedding packages at just about any port of call in the Caribbean from Barbados, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau.

Read entire article

Holland America Facebook Sweepstakes

Holland America Line has launched a sweepstakes on Facebook that will award one fan a seven-day summer cruise for two in an ocean-view stateroom to Europe, Canada/New England or Alaska.

To enter, users must “like” Holland America’s Facebook page, while current fans will click on the “win a cruise” icon. The entry form must be completed for a chance to win the cruise.

The sweepstakes runs through Oct. 31, 2012.

Source: TravelPulse

Holland America 2013 Early Advantage Savings

Holland America Line announces free upgrades and Early Advantage savings on a selection of 2013 cruises/cruise-tours. 

Save up to 50% by combining two cruise itineraries on select Collectors Voyages in Europe. On some sailings, third and fourth cruise guests in the same cabin can qualify for free or reduced cruise fares.

Early Advantage savings on a 14-day Collectors Voyage is priced from $1,799 per person, double occupancy, for an inside stateroom - includes a free upgrade to an ocean-view while staterooms are available.

A family of four can take advantage of free or reduced third and fourth guests in the Caribbean, with fares starting at $699 for the first two guests, and the third and fourth sailing free. Guests who book an ocean-view category for $999 qualify for a complimentary verandah upgrade.

A 14-day Australia/New Zealand cruise starts at $1,699 for an inside stateroom and $1,999 for an ocean-view stateroom for the first and second guests, with reduced fares for the third and fourth guests starting at $1,049. While staterooms are available guests who book an ocean-view statement qualify for a verandah category.

Seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver start at $699 for inside staterooms or $999 for verandahs, with free upgrades available. Alaska cruise tours are also available from 10 to 20 days, and prices start at $999 for inside staterooms and ocean-view staterooms.

Visit Holland America's site for more info on Early Advantage 

Top Large Ship Cruise Awards

Travel & Leisure Magazine has posted their annual awards for the best travel in the world 

For the category of "Top Large Cruise Ships", here are the full results . . .

• Crystal Cruises 89.90
• Regent Seven Seas 89.36
• Azamara Club Cruises 87.31
• Oceania Cruises 86.05
• Disney Cruise Line 84.96
• Cunard Line 83.26
• Celebrity Cruises 81.61
• Holland America Line 80.37
• Royal Caribbean 79.40
• Princess Cruises 79.08

The scores are results of reader surveys from the Travel & Leisure Magazine.

Visit the site, and check out the award winners of the Small-Ship Cruise Lines, River Cruises, Domestic Airlines, International Airlines, Car Rental Agencies, Safari/Tour Operators, as well as the top Hotels, Cities, and Islands. 
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2012/air-cruise-more

HAL Introduces Master Chef's International Dinner

Holland America Line introduced a new Master Chef's International Dinner in the main dining room of its ships, showcasing signature dishes from around the world. 

The exotic menu is offered once during a cruise, and features cuisine from six continents by Holland America Line's award-winning Master Chef Rudi Sodamin in collaboration with several of the line's expert chefs.

Guests can design their international three- or four-course meal by choosing each course from selections that represent a variety of cultures.

The 20-dish menu includes appetizers, entrees and desserts from Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, as well as wine pairings from each region. Guests also can choose Chef Rudi's Tour Around the World, a pre-selected three-course meal by the master chef.

The international menu includes Scandinavian-style Seafood and Potato Chowder, Lebanese Lamb Shank, Argentinean Guiso Soup, Bourbon Glazed Beef with Grilled Portabella Mushrooms and Tofu and Vegetable Korma. Desserts include New York-style Cheesecake, Viennese Mohr im Hemd and Kiwi and Passion Fruit Pavlova, a traditional meringue-based Russian dessert.

Holland America's Summer Culinary Arts Program

During Holland America Line’s summer cruise season, the Culinary Arts Center program presented by Food & Wine magazine will host five of the world’s most celebrated chefs who will showcase their expertise and share tips with guests.

Chef Kevin Sbraga, Food Stylist Denise Vivaldo, Entrepreneur Sonia Hunt, Chef Angelo Sosa, and Chef Jonathon Sawyer will be aboard five of the line’s premium ships in July and August as part of the line’s robust Culinary Arts program that offers culinary enrichment opportunities for guests on more than 500 cruises annually.

During their cruises, the experts will perform complimentary cooking demonstrations in the Culinary Arts Center, the line’s state-of-the-art show kitchens aboard each ship. The interactive sessions include recipe handouts, food tastings and the opportunity for questions and answers and photos with the culinary celebrities.

Read full article at Cruise Industry News
Holland America's Summer Culinary Arts Center Program 

Holland American South American Fall 2012 Lineup

Holland America Line is offering exciting cruises to South America on ms Veendam, ms Maasdam and ms Prinsendam for the Fall Cruise Season of 2012.

Itineraries range from 13 - 68 days, plus cruisers can include a new 49-day extended, port-intensive Amazon and Carnival Voyage aboard Maasdam in early 2013.

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A 23-day Amazon Explorer Cruise in Nov. 2012 and a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in Jan. 2013 aboard Prinsendam are additional highlights of the line’s 2012-13 South America cruise schedule.

From Nov. 2012 to March 2013, the 1,350-guest Veendam will sail a series of six 13-day and one 17-day itinerary between Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sailings include multiple days cruising the fjords of Chile, calls at locations such as Ushuaia, sailing around Cape Horn and a visit to the Magellan Strait, gateway to Antarctica.

Cruise fares begin at $1,399 per person, double occupancy, for the 13-day sailings, and $1,699 for the 17-day voyages.

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In addition to Veendam’s series of cruises, two non-repeating itineraries also are available throughout the season:

14- or 18-day South America cruise departing Boston, Mass.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile, Oct. 20 and 24, 2012, respectively
18- or 21-day South America cruise departing Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale or Boston, April 13, 2013

These itineraries include a full transit of the Panama Canal in addition to extended port calls at Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama, and Callao (Lima), Peru.

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Veendam also sails a 21-day South America and Antarctica Explorer Holiday cruise departing Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso Dec. 20, 2012, and a 20-day South America and Antarctica Explorer cruise departing Valparaiso to Buenos Aires, Jan.10, 2013. A 21-day South America and Antarctica Explorer cruise returns from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso on Jan.30, 2013. All voyages include scenic cruising throughout the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula and an overnight call at Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires.

Cruise fares begin at $1,699 per person, double occupancy, for the 14- and 18-day sailings; $2,099 for the 18- and 21-day sailings departing Valparaiso; and $3,799 for the 20-day Antarctica sailing.

**********

Aboard Maasdam, guests will sail one unique 49-day Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 18, 2013.

Guests will spend 49 days exploring 25 ports throughout all three of the “ABC Islands” — Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — Barbados, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, crossing the equator twice during the voyage.  Extended calls at seven ports  — Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Buenos Aires, Callao (Lima), Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Manaus and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil allow extra time ashore.

Shorter segments of Maasdam’s Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage are available for guests with less time. The 23-day segment departs Fort Lauderdale for Rio de Janeiro Jan. 18, 2013, and a 26-day segment departs Rio de Janeiro for Fort Lauderdale Feb. 10, 2013 that includes cruising down the Amazon River and crossing the equator. The 26-day itinerary also includes a two-night call at Rio de Janeiro where guests can experience exciting Carnival.

Cruise fares begin at $7,999 per person, double occupancy, for the full 49-day Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage; $2,999 per person for the 23-day Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage and $5,199 for the 26-day segment.

**********

Departing Jan. 5, 2013, Prinsendam sails south once again on a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. During the voyage, Prinsendam will circumnavigate the continent and spend seven full days cruising the Amazon River and four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica. Overnight calls include Callao, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. Shorter segments are available.

Cruise fares begin at $12,999 per person, double occupancy, for the 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage.

Selection of Featured Tours Include:

Iguazu Falls: Natural Wonder of the World
This tour enables guests to see the Iguazu Falls, located at the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Guests will ride a train to Devil's Throat (a cliff at Iguazu Falls) and take a guided walk to view the falls.

Cuzco & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure
Fascinating excursion includes a sightseeing drive through colonial Cuzco to see the main square and cathedral, followed by a Vistadome train ride along the Urubamba River and a coach ride to Machu Picchu — the Lost City of the Incas — at an elevation of 7,874 feet.

Patagonian Experience
Otway Sound & Penguin Reserve — During this adventure, guests will take a motor coach ride across unpaved roads and farms bordering Otway Bay for views of the Pinto Range. The tour also allows guests to get up close and personal with thousands of Magellan penguins near their caves and nesting areas.

Drive to Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego encompasses the city of Ushuaia, Cape Horn, the Magellan Strait and is a gateway to Antarctica. This national park was created to protect the southern portion of the sub-Antarctic forest. Today it provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy the Andes and the region’s forests, rivers, lakes and is home to a wide variety of birds. A short stop at Lapataia Bay, the southernmost place that can be reached by road, also is included in this tour.

For more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com

Cruise Line Deals

Cruise Line Deals

• Receive up to $100 Onboard Spending Credit
• Receive a Free Onboard Savings Book
• Save up to $1000 on Air plus Free Transfers and Reduced Deposit
• Receive $50 Onboard Spending Credit
• Receive $50 to $100 Onboard Spending Credit
• Receive $100 Onboard Spending Credit
• Receive up to $85 Onboard Spending Credit