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Rotterdam to sail year-round from ... er ... Rotterdam from autumn 2012

It seems only natural that following a summer 2012 season in Europe that ms Rotterdam's will start a year-round programme based from the September in ... Rotterdam.

The line has opted for an opening series of extended winter round-trip sailings from Rotterdam because of its deep historical connection to the city and its easily accessible location in Northwest Europe.

Itineraries leading through to spring 2013 include several regional sailings ranging from 14 to 18 days, and two extended voyages that sail 34 and 90 days.

The stunning atrium that greets passengers on board Rotterdam

“The city of Rotterdam is where Holland America Line has its roots, and for us to place a ship there year-round is sentimental, exciting and ground-breaking for our line and our guests,” said executive vice president Richard Meadows.

“Sailing from Rotterdam is going to be a wonderful homeport for many of our European guests, but these longer itineraries also will appeal to travelers coming from all over the world.”

After concluding its summer season throughout Europe, ms Rotterdam sails September 15, 2012, on a 14-day Spain & Portugal Explorer cruise that takes guests through the Strait of Gibraltar to Barcelona, Spain, also calling at ports in Portugal along the way there and back.

Two 17-day explorations in September and October take different routes. The September 29 Moorish Empire voyage sails through the Strait of Gibraltar to Civitavecchia (Rome) and back, calling at popular ports in Spain and Portugal, while the October 16 Canary Island Adventure heads south to the Canary Islands and Morocco, with overnight calls at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal and Tenerife.

The 18-day Canary Island Holiday departs December 22 and offers the same ports of call with an additional overnight at Tenerife to celebrate the New Year. The April 9, 2013, 19-day Canary Island Adventure takes the same route as the holiday cruise but adds a call at Portimao, Portugal.

Departing November 2, 2012, ms Rotterdam sets sail from the port of Rotterdam on a round-trip 34-day Caribbean Odyssey adventure that takes the ship across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean and back.

After calling at the Azores, the ship sails to the Caribbean, with calls at Tortola, St Maarten, St Lucia, Trinidad, Barbados and all three “ABC” islands - Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - before returning to Rotterdam via calls at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal and Southampton.

Guests looking for a unique adventure can embark on ms Rotterdam’s 90-day Passage to the Far East cruise that departs January 9, 2013. The round-trip Rotterdam voyage takes an easterly route to Asia, passing through the Suez Canal and calling at ports in Spain, Greece and India, both before and after a far-reaching journey to the Far East.

There will be several overnight stays and extended time in port during calls throughout Dubai, Malaysia and Singapore. Another cruise highlight includes an in-depth two-week exploration of Indonesia, a place rich in Dutch heritage, as well as home to many Holland America crew. In addition to the full 90-day voyage, segments ranging from 12 to 53 days are available.