HAL unveils 2013 itineraries
Lucky seven is the magic number for Holland America Line (HAL) in summer 2013 when the line deploys seven ships to Europe and features seven maiden ports of call. The seven ships sailing on more than 53 unique European itineraries — Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Prinsendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam and Veendam — will cruise throughout the region on 107 departures ranging from seven to 64 days that span from the northern tip of Norway to the Black Sea and across the Mediterranean. The 2013 Europe cruise season reflects Holland America Line’s focus on “destination diversity, timeless appeal and quality.”Maiden port calls include Alanya, Turkey; Alcudia (Mallorca), Spain; Galway and Killybegs, Ireland; Hydra and Igoumenitsa, Greece; and Sassnitz, Germany. A total of 20 overnight stays at some of Europe’s most popular ports provide guests with more time to explore. Overnight calls include Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Barcelona, Spain; Bordeaux, France; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dublin, Ireland; Venice, Italy; Hamburg, Germany; St Petersburg, Russia; Istanbul, Turkey and more. One notable new itinerary is Ryndam’s seven-day Turkish Explorer voyage sailing round-trip from Piraeus (Athens), Greece, with calls that enable guests to experience the landmarks and highlights of Turkey and Greece, including an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey. The ship departs Sept. 7, 21 and Oct. 5. Cruise fares begin at US$1,099 p.p., double occupancy. Eurodam’s 11-day Mediterranean Odyssey voyage sails round-trip from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, with an overnight stay at Piraeus (Athens). Guest can explore the best of Greece during port calls at Kerkira (Corfu), Katakolon (Olympia) and Santorini, Greece, as well as two calls at the Italian ports of Messina and Naples. The ship departs April 29. Cruise fares begin at US$1,499 p.p., double occupancy. A highlight of the Mediterranean season comes spring 2013 when Prinsendam, the line’s smallest and most intimate ship with just 835 guests, departs Fort Lauderdale, Fla., March 14 on a roundtrip 64-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage visiting 32 ports in 14 countries. Per-person cruise fares for the full cruise begin at US$7,999, double occupancy. (http://www.hollandamerica.com)
