Holland America to Position Nieuw Amsterdam in Europe

Holland America Line is ushering in the 2010 Europe cruise season with its newest ship, the Signature-class Nieuw Amsterdam. It, along with five other mid-sized ships -- the Eurodam, Maasdam, Prinsendam, Noordam and Westerdam -- will sail 54 cruises and call at 142 ports from Norway to Turkey.

Beginning April 3, the ships will sail to some of Europe’s most popular ports as well as some lesser-known ports, including 11 maiden calls. The line will offer new itineraries, more roundtrip departures and more overnight stays on long and short sailings.

Midway through the 2010 season, the Nieuw Amsterdam will make its debut, departing July 4 on a 10-day inaugural Collectors’ Voyage. The ship will then sail the 12-day Mediterranean Romance, Mediterranean Tapestry and Mediterranean Empires itineraries roundtrip from Venice or between Barcelona and Venice and visit ports throughout Greece, Croatia, Turkey and Italy.

New departures from Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Dover (London), feature the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords and Northern Europe. Other roundtrip European homeports include Civitavecchia, (Rome), Venice, Barcelona, Piraeus (Athens), Copenhagen, Greenwich (London), and Amsterdam.

The Eurodam will begin its Europe season with four 10-day Mediterranean itineraries beginning April 19 followed by seven eight- to 12-day Baltic cruises, including a Scottish Highlands cruise roundtrip from Dover departing June 21. Also sailing Northern Europe is the Westerdam with a seven-day Fjord Explorer cruise roundtrip from Rotterdam, followed by three 12-day Baltic cruises, also roundtrip from Rotterdam.

Seven- and eight-day cruises also are available. In addition to the Nieuw Amsterdam’s inaugural Mediterranean cruise and the Westerdam’s Fjord Explorer sailing, the Noordam will sail on a seven-day Mediterranean Glamour voyage roundtrip from Barcelona on July 26, followed by a seven-day Riviera Romance cruise roundtrip from Rome on Aug. 12.

Departing Aug. 2, the Westerdam sails a 12-day Celtic Legends cruise that features an overnight in South Queensferry (Edinburgh). On Aug. 14, the Westerdam departs on a 12-day Scottish Serenade cruise and spends three days in South Queensferry (Edinburgh). Both cruises offer guests the opportunity to attend the famous Military Tattoo.

The Noordam’s 10-day Mediterranean Allure cruise, departing Aug. 2, features an overnight in Valetta, Malta. And the 12-day Norwegian Fjords & North Cape itinerary on the Westerdam features scenic cruising of Geirangerfjord, a crossing of the Arctic Circle and cruising by the North Cape. The Norwegian Fjords & North Cape roundtrip from Rotterdam itinerary departs July 26.

The Prinsendam returns to Europe with itineraries ranging from 14 to 22 days. The 793-passenger vessel will sail on a daylight transit through the Kiel Canal. The Prinsendam’s visits include overnights in Copenhagen, Greenwich (London), St. Petersburg, Bordeaux and Le Havre (Paris), Lisbon, Barcelona, and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey.

The Maasdam will offer a 35-day Voyage of the Vikings sea odyssey departing July 17, roundtrip from Boston. The 1,258-passenger ship will visit a variety of ports from the northeastern provinces in Canada to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, England and the Netherlands, with overnight stays in Amsterdam and Reykjavik.