From fall 2014 through spring 2015, Holland America Line will offer the most comprehensive South America deployment of the season with four ships positioned in the region. The line’s ms Statendam, ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam and ms Zaandam will sail 20 voyages around the continent ranging in length from 14 to 68 days.
With departures from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; San Diego, Calif.; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as sailings originating within South America, the four ships will explore more than 50 exotic and remote ports.
“South America is a big draw for cruisers because it is the most diverse continent in the world with extreme climates, dramatic landscapes and fantastic touring opportunities,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs. “In addition to featuring unique experiences like attending Carnaval, seeing penguins in their natural habitat and rounding Cape Horn, the itineraries take guests to places that are best visited via cruise ship, such as Antarctica and the Amazon River.”
The voyages include Zaandam’s full season of cruising and a 49-day port-intensive “Amazon and Carnaval Explorer” voyage aboard Maasdam that visits Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in time for the annual celebration. The 28-day “Amazon Explorer” cruise returns in November 2014 on Prinsendam, and Statendam sails month-long roundtrip San Diego itineraries in November 2014 and March 2015. The longest voyage of the season is Prinsendam’s 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage that circumnavigates the continent.
