By
Rebecca Gibson |
Eight Holland America Line (HAL) ships are to offer 62 European cruises in 2015, including three new itineraries, four maiden calls and overnight visits to 21 of the continent’s most popular cities.
Ranging from seven to 50 days, the 62 itineraries will be offered by Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam – HAL’s two Signature-class ships – as well as Maasdam, Prinsendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam and Veendam. New to Europe in 2015 is the 1,916-guest Zuiderdam, which will sail in the Mediterranean.
“Having eight ships in Europe enables us to reach every corner of the region – from the top of Norway to the beaches of Turkey and everywhere in between,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programmes for Holland America Line. “The beauty of Europe is that there truly is something for everyone, so it’s the ideal family cruise, romantic getaway or a vacation with friends.”
The ships will sail to various countries within the region including northern Europe and the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the Baltic; the British Isles; Canary Islands; the Italian and French Rivieras; Iberian Peninsula; Black Sea; the eastern and western Mediterranean. They will also make maiden calls at Alta, Norway, Paamiut (Frederikshåb) in Greenland; Igoumenitsa, Greece; and Canakkale, Turkey.
Meanwhile, several roundtrip options will be available from eight ports including Barcelona, Spain; Boston, Massachusetts, US; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Venice, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark; Harwich in London, England; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US; and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Many of the cruises can also be extended into Collectors’ Voyages ranging from 14 to 35 days, which offer an extended European experience. The extended voyages combine back-to-back itineraries, enabling guests to visit more ports.
The three new itineraries include an 18-Day Canary Islands Discovery itinerary on Rotterdam, a 14-Day Northern Isles cruise onboard Ryndam and a 21-Day Mediterranean Adventure on Ryndam.
In addition, on each Europe cruise, HAL’s On Location enrichment programme enables guests to enjoy local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences while onboard the ships. For example, guests can enjoy a Turkish Taraf with live belly dancers, a Nordic Jazz and Food Festival, a German Bierfest with a live ’oompah’ band, regional beer and wine tastings, cultural cooking demonstrations, tapas sail-away parties and more.