Tag Archives: South Pacific

Here Are Holland America Line’s Homeports For 2023

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MS Nieuw Amsterdam arriving in the port of Vancouver, Photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

With its entire fleet in service again, Holland America Line is planning an expansive global deployment in 2023.

In addition to strong programs from its traditional homeports in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, the company is also returning to its long-haul, intercontinental itineraries during the year.

Offering round-trip cruises from U.S. ports, Holland America is also returning to the Amazon, the South Pacific, Africa and more.

Other highlights of the year include a summer program in Canada and New England, as well as returns to South America, Asia, the Far East and more.

Here’s a look at the company’s planned homeports and their ships for 2023:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Ships:

– Eurodam (January to April/October to December);
– Nieuw Amsterdam (January to April/October to December);
– Nieuw Statendam (January to April/November and December);
– Rotterdam (January to March/October to December);
– Volendam (January to April);
– Zaandam (January to April/October to December);
– Zuiderdam (January to May/October to December).

Seattle, Washington

Ships:

– Eurodam (April to September);
– Westerdam (May to October).

San Diego, California

Ships:

– Koningsdam (January to March);
– Volendam (October and November);
– Zaandam (January to April).
 

Whittier, Alaska

Ships:

– Nieuw Amsterdam (May to September);
– Noordam (May to September).

Boston, Massachusetts

Ships:

– Zaandam (May to September);
– Zuiderdam (August and September).

Canada

Ships:

– Koningsdam: Vancouver (April to October);
– Nieuw Amsterdam: Vancouver (April to September);
– Noordam: Vancouver (May to September);
– Volendam: Vancouver (May to September); 
– Zaandam: Montreal (April to September);
– Zuiderdam: Quebec City (September).

Europe

Ships:

– Nieuw Statendam: Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Copenhagen, Piraeus and more (April to October);
– Noordam: Barcelona, Lisbon, Trieste, Piraeus and more (April to October);
– Rotterdam: Amsterdam and Rotterdam (April to September);
– Zuiderdam: Rotterdam (May to July).

Australia and New Zealand

Ships:

– Noordam: Sydney and Auckland (January to April/October to December).

Asia and Pacific

Ships:

– Westerdam: Singapore, Yokohama and Hong Kong (January to April/October to December). 

South America

Ships:

– Oosterdam: San Antonio and Buenos Aires (January to March/November and December). 

Holland America Line extends cruise cancellations until December

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ms Nieuw Statendam, Holland America Line, cruise, cruising, offer, promotion

Holland America Line has become the latest cruise line to extend its pause of cruise operations, cancelling departures on all ships in its fleet until 15 December 2020.

The extended pause affects the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Pacific Coastal, South America, Antarctica, Hawaii, South Pacific, Australia and Asia itineraries.

The line said the pause was due to “the continuation of travel and port restrictions due to global health concerns”.

Those guests with impacted cruises automatically will be cancelled, and no action is needed for guests opting for the future cruise credit (FCC).

Guests who paid in full will receive 125 per cent FCC of the base cruise fare, while those with bookings not paid in full will receive an FCC of double the amount of the deposit paid for the cruise. The minimum FCC is $100 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid.

The FCC is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through 31 December 2022. All other funds paid to Holland America Line may be transferred to a new booking or will automatically be refunded via the method of payment used to purchase the services.

Guests who prefer a 100 per cent refund can visit the cruise line’s Cancellation Preferences form to indicate this preference no later than 15 September 2020.

Holland America Line has said that it will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full and for the total amount of the FCC when rebooked.

Holland America Line previously paused global cruise operations and cancelled all Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England cruises for 2020; additional departures from the port of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 2020; and select Hawaii itineraries for early 2021.

This week, both P&O Cruises and Seabourn announced that they too would be extending their cruise cancellations due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 crisis.

Royal Caribbean reveals new South Pacific private island destination

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Image result for Perfect Day at Lelepa

Vanuatu in the South Pacific as been confirmed as the location for Royal Caribbean International’s latest private island destination.

Confirmation of Perfect Day at Lelepa in Vanuatu was made last night.

It is expected to be the first carbon-neutral private cruise destination in the world.

While details remain sketchy, it was revealed that the island will be created in partnership with the local community to showcase the natural ecological beauty and diverse local culture of the island nation as well as provide employment and education opportunities.

Perfect Day at Lelepa will have a different look and feel from Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Caribbean, the line’s president and CEO Michael Bayley said “because our guests around the world all have different definitions for their perfect day – and all of them are right. Our designers and nature have created the ideal South Pacific experience and we expect the results will be stunning”.

The cost and opening date were not disclosed but Perfect Day at Lelepa will be built with sustainability features designed to safeguard the island’s ecosystems.

Cox Architecture, a sustainable, design-focused contemporary architectural firm based in Australia, will serve as the lead architect on the project.

Bayley said: “We believe our destinations should be sustainably designed.

“That idea goes beyond simply protecting the ecological features of Lelepa and includes showing respect for the people and traditions that make this a special place.

Image result for Perfect Day at Lelepa

“Anyone who has encountered the tremendous natural beauty of Lelepa can understand why it is the perfect setting for ‘Perfect Day.’

“Our guests who travel to the South Pacific are seeking authentic adventures and genuine relaxation, and they will find both here.”

Vanuatu prime minister Charlot Salwai added: “Vanuatu is a true paradise for both our people and the visitors we welcome to our shores each year.

“Today marks a major step forward in our island nation’s close relationship with Royal Caribbean and one that will support sustainable growth for future generations.

“The Ni-Vanuatu people look forward to welcoming Royal Caribbean guests from around the world to enjoy extraordinary adventures and relaxation during their Perfect Day at Lelepa.”