HAL Plans Seven Ships in Europe and Alaska in 2011

Holland America Line announced its Europe and Alaska cruise schedule for summer 2011, which increases sailings from the homeports of Dover, England, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

In 2011, Holland America will feature seven ships cruising the Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe from Civitavecchia (Rome), Venice, Barcelona, Dover (London), Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Athens and Amsterdam. Both Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam will sail the Mediterranean all season.

The Nieuw Amsterdam, which debuts on July 4, will offer 12-day sailings while the Noordam will feature seven- and 10-day cruises. The Ryndam will sail a series of Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises ranging from seven to 21 days. The Rotterdam also will sail Northern Europe and Mediterranean itineraries of seven to 12 days, including some that feature the Black Sea and the Holy Land.

The Rotterdam will also sail two nine-day trans-Atlantic cruises mid-season. The Eurodam begins its 2011 season with two seven-day Mediterranean sailings and then offers 10- and 12-day cruises in the Baltic.

Both the Prinsendam and Maasdam also will feature Europe cruises, the Maasdam again sailing its traditional trans-Atlantic roundtrip from Boston that visits Greenland and Iceland. Many cruises can be combined into Collectors’ Voyages ranging from 17 to 39 days. Holland America will begin accepting 2011 Europe cruise bookings late January.