HAL Expands 2009 South America, Antarctica Programs

Holland America Line is offering new itineraries and more sailings to South America and Antarctica with 18 cruises on Statendam, Prinsendam and Amsterdam in 2009.

The itineraries, which range from 13 to 68 days, include scenic cruising through the fjords and glaciers of Chile, the opportunity to visit remote sites such as Deception Island in Antarctica and Iguazu Falls, and visits to two of the New Seven Wonders of the World chosen in a consumer poll in July: Machu Picchu in Peru and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Prinsendam departs January 2, 2009, on a 68-day “Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage” round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. The ship will circumnavigate South America, spend seven days on the Amazon River and three days in Antarctica.

Departing Valparaiso on April 2, 2009, Amsterdam explores Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Mexico. The 18-day itinerary disembarks in San Diego, California., while the 22-day cruise ends in Seattle. The Amsterdam will also offer a 19-day cruise departing December 2, 2009, from Los Angeles to Valparaiso.

Statendam will also depart Fort Lauderdale on January 10, 2009, for San Diego via a full transit of the Panama Canal. Along the way, Statendam will spend two days in Callao, Peru, allowing guests to visit Machu Picchu.

The Amsterdam will also sail a 16-day cruise that calls throughout Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. Departing from Rio de Janeiro February 13 and Valparaiso March 1 and 17, 2009, the cruise includes two full days in Buenos Aires.