Holland America Line to Offer 121 Caribbean Cruises in 2008

With sailings up to 20 days, Holland America Line’s 2008 Caribbean itineraries feature 121 varied departures that focus on longer, port-intensive options for premium cruise guests. The line continues to lead major cruise lines with sailings of 10 days or more and will introduce the new 2,104-guest ms Eurodam to Caribbean cruising.

Holland America Line will sail ten ships to the Caribbean in 2008 from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and New York: ms Noordam, ms Zuiderdam, ms Westerdam, ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam, ms Statendam, and the new ms Eurodam.

Sailing from Fort Lauderdale in October 2008, the Maasdam takes over the 14-day southern Caribbean cruise previously offered on the Veendam, which will focus on seven-day western Caribbean itineraries. The Noordam will pick up the Maasdam’s former 10-day Wayfarer and Seafarer cruises using Fort Lauderdale as a gateway.

Ranging from seven to 14 days, southern Caribbean itineraries feature a full season of seven-day itineraries aboard the Westerdam to Aruba, Curacao and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. A New Year’s departure of Dec. 27, 2008, sails on the new Eurodam.

The Maasdam will sail a series of alternating, 10-day Seafarer and 10-day Wayfarer itineraries roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale January through April. with the Noordam sailing the routes from October through December 2008.

Seafarer cruises explore popular ports such as Aruba and Curacao, while Wayfarer sailings highlight the islands of St. Lucia and Barbados. The itineraries can be combined to create a 20-day cruise experience that only repeats Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk, two popular ports for Holland America Line’s Caribbean.

The Veendam will feature 14-day winter/spring cruises roundtrip from Tampa. This itinerary delves deep into Southern ports in Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Venezuela, Bonaire and Aruba.

In fall 2008, a 14-day Southern Caribbean itinerary will depart roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on the Maasdam and include San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, Tortola and Half Moon Cay.

A 14-day Statendam itinerary departs Dec. 6, 2008 with highlights including St. Lucia, Trinidad, Venezuela, Antigua, Barbados, Curacao, Aruba, Grand Turk, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.

The Noordam will sail 11-day Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from New York from January 5 through March 8. This itinerary calls at Tortola, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan, Dominica and Barbados.