Holland America Line Increases Capacity In Asia With Two Ships For 2013-14 Season

ms Rotterdam and ms Volendam to sail new 14-day round-trip Singapore itineraries - one including Myanmar - and exciting series of Collectors' Voyages

SEATTLE, March 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Holland America Line will position ms Volendam and ms Rotterdam in Asia for the 2013-14 season, increasing capacity and adding more robust itineraries in the popular region. New expanded Singapore sailings make it easier to sail round-trip from the bustling port and experience exotic calls at destinations like Myanmar and India.

The diverse 14-day itineraries and longer Collectors' Voyages — that combine back-to-back itineraries into longer cruises — also feature extended and overnight stays at some of Asia's most iconic cities and provide travelers with ample time to explore the region's diverse historical and notable landmarks. Two extensive 51- and 53-day Collectors' Voyages in January and March, respectively, provide comprehensive explorations of the region with visits to Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia while sailing from and to Europe.

"Asia continues to flourish as a popular cruise destination, so the timing is right to increase our capacity in the region and provide our guests with a variety of exciting travel options to this magical area of the world," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "The enhanced itineraries offer guests an opportunity to take in the rich Asian culture and even go inland to see some of the most well-known sites."

New 14-day Asian Adventure Voyage

Departing Feb. 17, 2014, from Singapore, Volendam sails on a new round-trip itinerary that stretches up to Myanmar and explores Malaysia, Thailand and India. The 14-day cruise calls at Malacca, Penang, Porto Malai and Port Klang (overnight), Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand; Rangoon (overnight), Myanmar, and Port Blair, India. Port Klang is the gateway to the city of Kuala Lumpur, famous for its diverse architecture, Malay mosques, Hindu temples and 222-acre Lake Gardens. With an overnight at Rangoon, guests will have time to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda — one of Asia's greatest religious sites — with its gilded domes that hover over the city protectively.

New 14-day Indonesian Discovery Voyages

Rotterdam will sail a series and Volendam will offer one departure of new round-trip Singapore itineraries in 2014. The 14-day voyages include calls at Jakarta; Semarang (Java); Lembar (Lombok); Komodo Island; Makassar (Sulawesi); Probolinggo and Suabaya (Java), as well as an overnight stay at Bali. Guests will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with the infamous Komodo dragon on Komodo Island, while an overnight at Bali gives time ashore to take in a traditional fire dance performance or visit Besakih Temple, considered by the Hindu Balinese to be their mother temple. Departure dates are Jan. 6, Feb. 14 and 28, and March 14, 2014.

14-day Far East Discovery Voyages

Volendam's 14-day Far East Discovery voyages sail between Hong Kong, China, and Singapore and feature calls at Koh Samui and Bangkok (overnight), Thailand; Sihanoukville, Cambodia, and Phu My, Nha Trang, Da Nang and Halong Bay, Vietnam. Departure dates are Dec. 9, 2013 (12-day sailing), Jan. 6 and 20, and Feb. 3, 2014. The ship also offers a special 16-day Holiday voyage Dec. 21, 2013, with overnights at Hong Kong, Phu My and Laem Chabang (Bangkok). The overnight at Bangkok enables guests ample time to do some shopping at the spectacular Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, or those looking for a more peaceful experience can explore the serene golden temples and the Grand Palace.

14-day China and Japan Voyages

For Volendam's China and Japan voyages, guests can choose to sail between Hong Kong and Kobe (Osaka), Japan, or round-trip from Kobe. The 14-day cruises include overnight calls at Xingang (Beijing) and Shanghai, China, and day calls at Dalian, China; Pusan, South Korea, and Nagasaki, Japan. Departure dates are March 17 and 31, 2014. South Korea is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations in Asia, and guests will have the opportunity to visit the country's Beomeosa Temple or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gyeongju. Beijing brings millennia of history with a variety of sites in and around the city, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the 2008 Olympic Games National Stadium (aka the "Bird's Nest").

19-day Great Barrier Reef

Travel Melbourne to Singapore on the Volendam departing Nov. 20, 2013. Featuring two days of scenic cruising in The Great Barrier Reef with stops at Sydney, Burnie (Tasmania), Hamilton Island, Cairns and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Bali and Semarang, Indonesia before arriving Singapore.

28-day Far East Adventure Collectors' Voyage

Volendam's 28-day Far East Adventure Collectors' Voyage from Hong Kong to Singapore departs Feb. 3, 2014, and combines back-to-back Far East Discovery and Asian Adventure itineraries. The trip includes overnight calls at Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Rangoon and Port Klang, as well as extended stays in many of the region's favorite destinations. The itinerary includes ports in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and India.

51-day Spice Route to Singapore Collectors' Voyage

Departing Jan. 8, 2014, from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or Jan. 9 from Southampton (London), England, Rotterdam sets course for Singapore on a 51- or 50-day Collectors' Voyage that calls at ports in Portugal, Spain, Malta, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Highlights include a daylight transit of the Suez Canal, a late departure from Safaga, Egypt, and overnight calls at Muscat, Oman; Mumbai (Bombay), India, and Bali, Indonesia. On this extended journey, guests have the chance to visit some of the world's most impressive landmarks, including Ephesus in Turkey, the Acropolis in Greece, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India and the temple of Borobudu in Java. Additional Collectors' Voyage segments of 25-, 36-, 37- and 39-days are available on this cruise.

53-day Indonesia, Arabia and India Discovery Collectors' Voyage

Departing March 14, 2014, Rotterdam will sail a 52- or 53-day day Collectors' Voyage from Singapore back to Southampton (London) or Rotterdam visiting ports in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal, including a daylight transit of the Suez Canal. Highlights include Java and Komodo Island, Indonesia; Port Klang, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand; Colombo, Sri Lanka, and overnight calls at Bali, Mumbai (Bombay) and Muscat. Additional Collectors' Voyage segments of 25-, 38- and 39-days are available on this cruise.

Cruise fares begin at $1,699 per person, double occupancy for the 14-day Far East Discovery sailings; $1,499 for the 14-day China and Japan cruises; $1,799 for the 14-day Indonesia Discovery departures; $2,299 for the 19-day Great Barrier Reef; $3,599 for the 28-day Far East Adventure Collectors' Voyage; $5,699 for the 51-day Spice Route to Singapore Collectors' Voyage and $5,999 for the 53-day Indonesia, Arabia and India Collectors' Voyage.

For more information on Holland America Line's cruises and CruiseTours, consult a professional travel seller, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc. (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently has a new ship on order from Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in fall 2015.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

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Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

SOURCE: Holland America Line

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