New ship and new exotic itinerary for Australian cruisers
Holland America Line’s ms Maasdam will be deployed to Australia this October joining ms Noordam for sailings around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific throughout 2016 and 2017. It will be the first time the 1,259 capacity vessel has visited local shores.
In a brand new itinerary for Holland America Line, ms Maasdam will be departing on 22 November 2017 for the inaugural 31-day Pacific Explorer. This will be a highlight of ms Maasdam’s stay, with the itinerary taking guests on a journey to some of the region’s most beautiful destinations such as Tauranga, Nuku’alofa, Moorea and more. There will be no shortage of pristine landscapes, crystal clear waters and cultural experiences on the month long sailing, and overnight stays in many ports will ensure cruisers have ample time to explore and experience them all.
“We’re so pleased to be welcoming ms Maasdam to our region for the upcoming season. She’s a much loved ship, and one, in fact, that Holland America Line Mariners consistently name as one of their favourites in the fleet,” said Tony Archbold, Holland America Line Director of Sales, Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s also great news that she’ll be back again later in 2017 for the 2017/18 season. With this is mind, we felt it only fitting that the Maasdam be the first of our ships to sail the new Pacific Explorer itinerary. We know our guests are going to be delighted and excited by this culturally rich and spectacular sailing.”
In keeping with Holland America Line’s tradition of ship themes, ms Maasdam is themed around treasures collected by the merchants of the Dutch East Indies. On board items that reflect the theme includes a golden gilt bronze figure of a Boddhisattva from China’s Qianlong period (1736-1795), charts on the walls depicting maritime navigation of the time and a portrait of a nobleman.
As always, cruisers will be delighted by the excellent enrichment, culinary and entertainment initiatives that the line has become so well known for including the Culinary Arts Center, Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto Restaurant, Explorations Café and Rembrandt Show Lounge to name a few. Holland America Line’s extensive Journeys Ashore™ program will also continue to inform and engage guests at each port throughout their cruise.
2016–17 Maasdam departure highlights
17-day Australia and New Zealand Christmas and New Year from $2,199 pp
Departing 16 December 2016, this festive season sailing from Sydney to Auckland offers an in-depth exploration of the stunning eastern coasts of New Zealand’s South and North islands. Making her way to New Zealand via Eden, Melbourne, Burnie and Hobart, ms Maasdam will visit some of the land of the long white cloud’s most spectacular places, including Milford Sound, Akaroa and the Coromandel Peninsula.
13-day Australia and New Zealand from $2,899 pp
For those looking for a slightly shorter but still comprehensive exploration of New Zealand, the 13-day Australia and New Zealand sailing is sure to suit. Departing Auckland on 2 January 2017, ms Maasdam will make her way down the eastern coasts of New Zealand with calls including Napier, Wellington and Akaroa before embarking on scenic cruising through the incredible Fiordland National Park. From here, she makes her way across the Tasman to stop in at Hobart, Melbourne and Burnie before sailing into Sydney Harbour for a spectacular end to a spectacular cruise.
31-day Pacific Explorer from $6,999 pp
Departing 22 November 2017 from Sydney, this roundtrip sailing will call in at ports throughout Tonga, Tahiti, the Cook Islands and Fiji. A shorter 22-day roundtrip segment will depart Auckland on 27 November from $5,749 pp.
For more information about Holland America Line, contact a Travel Professional, call 1300 987 322 or visit hollandamerica.com
SOURCE: Holland America Line