National Cruise Week news from Holland America Line

Holland America Line is celebrating National Cruise Week 2013 with the launch of its new 2014 European season, announcing six new itineraries and seven maiden calls. The line will now be sailing eight of its 15 ships in Europe, offering 57 unique itineraries on 105 departures. Plus, the new season also sees more overnight calls, allowing for more in-depth destination experiences.

Maiden calls

The new ports of call for 2014 include Antalya, Turkey; Burgàs, Bulgaria; Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), the Netherlands; Itea and Kavala, Greece; La Palais on Belle-Ile-en-Mer, France, and Montoir-de-Bretagne (Nantes), France. This diverse range of established and more unusual destinations means there is a Holland America Line cruise for everyone, and showcases the line’s increasing commitment to destination diversity within its itineraries.

New Itineraries

D-Day 70th Anniversary cruise
Commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day, this unique 12 day cruise departs on 29 April 2014 from Rome, on ms Eurodam. The ship will visit Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and the UK before journeying onto Normandy, where the infamous World War II battle took place on 6 June 1944. The cruise then calls at Brussels before concluding at Copenhagen. Cruise prices start from £1,349pp based on two sharing an inside stateroom.

12 day Baltic Adventure
Ms Eurodam will be sailing a new 12 day Baltic roundtrip from Copenhagen which features three overnight stops in the cities of St. Petersburg, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. Running from May to August 2014, this itinerary also includes calls at ports in Estonia, Finland and Germany. Cruise prices start from £1,349pp based on two sharing an inside stateroom.

14 day Iberian & Gallic Explorer
Perfect for exploring European wine lands, this 14 day cruise on ms Prinsendam departs on 10 May 2014 from Rome and finishes in Amsterdam. The cruise enjoys an overnight call in Bordeaux, where the extended visit allows for an exclusive dinner at a vineyard or extra time to sample local cuisine. The cruise also takes in Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, and Belgium. Cruise prices start from £1,899pp based on two sharing an inside stateroom.

14 day Bourgundian Explorer
Starting from Amsterdam on 7 September 2014, this cruise on ms Prinsendam explores 11 ports in six countries. Starting with a call at Vlissingen in the Netherlands, guests will enjoy a day of cruising along the scenic Scheidt River. The itinerary includes an overnight call in Antwerp before continuing on to La Palais, Belle-Ile-en-Mer, as well as Gibraltar before concluding in Barcelona. Cruise prices start from £1,849pp based on two sharing an inside stateroom.

16 day Black Sea Explorer
2014 sees the extension of this Athens roundtrip cruise on ms Prinsendam from 14 to 16 days. Departing on 5 October 2014, this cruise now enjoys two full nights at Istanbul and an overnight stop at Sevastopol, Ukraine. The cruise also includes maiden calls Kavala and Burgàs, in addition to stops in Turkey, Ukraine, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania. Cruise prices start from £2,899pp based on two sharing an inside stateroom.

14 day Mediterranean Enchantment
Ms Ryndam will be sailing from Istanbul to Barcelona calling at nine stops throughout Turkey, Egypt, Greece and Italy. Departing 18 October 2014, guests can visit some of the most historical sites in the region, including Ephesus at Kusadasi, Turkey; the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx at Alexandria (Cairo), and Mount Etna in Italy. This trip also features the line’s maiden call at Antalya. Cruise prices start from £1,499pp based on two sharing an inside stateroom