Expanded European presence for Holland America

 

More ex-UK sailings are planned by Holland America Line as part of meeting increased demand for European cruises in 2011.

 

An increased number of departures from Dover and Rotterdam have been scheduled.

 

Seven ships will be deployed in the region with departures from Dover, Civitavecchia (Rome), Venice, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Athens and Amsterdam to the Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe.

 

Both Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam will sail the Mediterranean all season.

 

Nieuw Amsterdam, which enters service on July 4 next year, will offer 12-day sailings while the Noordam will feature seven- and 10-day cruises.

 

Ryndam will sail a series of Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises ranging from seven to 21 days.

 

Rotterdam will also sail Northern Europe and Mediterranean itineraries of seven to 12 days, including some featuring the Black Sea and the Holy Land. Rotterdam will also sail two nine-day transatlantic cruises mid-season.

 

Eurodam begins its 2011 season with two seven-day Mediterranean sailings and then offer ten- and 12-day cruises in the Baltic.

 

Prinsendam and Maasdam will also feature Europe cruises, with Maasdam sailing a traditional transatlantic itinerary from Boston that visits Greenland and Iceland.

 

The line will open bookings for 2011 Europe cruises later next month.

 

Marketing sales and guest programmes executive vice-president Richard Meadow said: "We'll offer more sailings in Europe in 2011 to meet the increase in demand for European itineraries.

 

"Our guests are finding a cruise to be the best value for their money in Europe, and interest in Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries continues to grow."

 

Meanwhile, HAL’s 2011 Alaska season will feature a total of 50 cruises from Seattle.