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Holland America unveils four Grand Voyages for 2013

Holland America Line's ms Amsterdam and ms Prinsendam will each sail two Grand Voyages in 2013, adding up to an impressive 322 cruising days.

The cruises will visit more than 120 ports of call in 65 countries.

Flagship Amsterdam will sail a 115-day Grand World Voyage in January and a 75-day Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage in the fall, while Prinsendam departs on a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January, immediately followed by a 64-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage.

Amsterdam will set sail on its eighth Grand World Voyage

“We’ve designed Holland America Line’s 2013 Grand Voyages itineraries to feature some of the most sought-after sights and experiences in the world,” said HAL executive vice president Richard Meadows.

“Even the most experienced traveller will be inspired and impressed by our carefully crafted selection of port calls, maiden visits and extended stays.”

Grand World Voyage

Departing January 5, 2013, and sailing roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, Amsterdam will ring in the New Year with its eighth Grand World Voyage and marking 55 years since the line began world cruising. 

The 115-day journey features eight overnight calls, visits to some of the world’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites and two maiden ports of call - Makassar, Indonesia, and Penneshaw, Australia.  Shorter segments ranging from 24 to 51 days also are available.

Amsterdam will call at Cartagena, Colombia, before a daylight transit of the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most sophisticated man-made engineering marvels. The ship continues westbound where guests will experience memorable calls at Bora Bora and Papeete, Tahiti, home to the famous Vaipahi Garden, rugged mountains, lush rain forests and deserted beaches.

After exploring New Zealand, Australia and Asia, Amsterdam heads west through the Indian Ocean, taking a southerly route to the continent of Africa for a journey around the Cape of Good Hope. An African exploration presents the opportunity for guests to take an overland safari .

Amsterdam continues its voyage across the Atlantic to South America and the Caribbean before returning to Ft Lauderdale.

Prisendam is designed to explore the most remote corners of the world

Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage

Designed to explore the most remote corners of the world, Prinsendam returns to South America, Antarctica and the Amazon on a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage that sails roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, also departing January 5. The itinerary offers in-depth exploration with overnight calls at Callao (Lima), Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina Rio de Janeiro and Manaus, Brazil.

The South America circumnavigation includes seven full days of cruising the Amazon River down to Manaus, the furthest navigable point for cruise ships, and a daylight passage through the Panama Canal. There are three days of scenic cruising in Antarctica where the pristine beauty and diverse sea life are showcased during the continent’s austral summer.

For those with less time, 32 or 36-day segments to or from Buenos Aires are available.

Grand Mediterranean Voyage

Following its Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage, Prinsendam will return to Fort Lauderdale and embark on a 64-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage. This roundtrip sailing takes guests on a journey across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

Prinsendam calls at several “boutique” ports in the region that are not accessible to larger vessels, including Agadir, Morocco; Marmaris, Turkey; and Korcula, Croatia.

Guests will be able to visit attractions such as the Acropolis, Constitution Square, Hadrian’s Arch and the Olympic Stadium at Piraeus (Athens), Greece, and explore the Hassan II Mosque in the economical capital of Morocco, Casablanca. Travellers can explore this area in greater depth when Prinsendam docks overnight at seven ports of call: Istanbul, Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Sorrento and Venice, Italy; Funchal, Madeira; and Barcelona, Spain.

Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage

Amsterdam closes out the year with a new 75-day Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage sailing from Vancouver or Los Angeles to Los Angeles departing Sept. 20/23.

The itinerary features a more in-depth exploration of Micronesia, China, Japan, the Philippines and French Polynesian islands, as well as maiden calls at the exotic ports of Majuro, Marshall Islands, and Pohnpei, Micronesia. The cruise also offers extensive time in port, allowing guests to visit historical landmarks and experience local culture.

Following calls throughout Asia and Indonesia, the itinerary circles back through the South Pacific to the tropical island jewels of Fiji, Bora Bora and Moorea before arriving in Los Angeles. During the voyage the ship overnights in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; Kobe (Osaka), Japan; and Singapore.

Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy. Rates start at $19,999 for Amsterdam’s 115-day Grand World Voyage; $12,999 for Prinsendam’s 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage; $11,499 for Prinsendam’s 64-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage and $10,999 for Amsterdam’s 75-day Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage.