Holland America Line’s ms Oosterdam and ms Volendam will return to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands for the 2013-14 season with a series of sailings that will visit more than 50 ports of call. During the voyages, guests will have a chance to experience the region's wildlife on land and in the sea, including Australia's outback and the Great Barrier Reef.
Guests can also select from a series of multiple departures ranging from 10- to 14-day sailings round-trip from Sydney, Australia, or Sydney to or from Auckland, New Zealand, between October 2013, and March 2014. New Zealand itineraries give guests the opportunity to experience the Fiordland National Park and the beaches of Bay of Plenty. Trips to the North and South Islands of New Zealand with calls at the ports of Wellington, Napier and Tauranga, are also on the itineraries.
"Over the past few years the popularity of the Australia region has grown tremendously because of its beauty, diversity and friendly citizens, with many travelers making it their top ‘must-do’ trip of a lifetime,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “Our array of itineraries includes popular ports, stunning island visits, extended stays, overnight calls and enticing pre- and post-cruise options to make the trip ‘Down Under’ a memorable experience."
Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Voyages
On Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, 2013, and Feb. 2 and Feb. 16, 2014, Oosterdam will sail four 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruises from Auckland to Sydney or reverse. Featured ports of call include Melbourne, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Christchurch, New Zealand, and scenic cruising at Fiordland National Park. Cruise fares begin at $1,599 per person, double occupancy.
Departing on Dec. 8, 2013, and Jan. 19 and March 16, 2014, Oosterdam sails on three 14-day New Zealand Discovery round-trip voyages from Sydney. Throughout the New Zealand voyages, port calls will include Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Akaroa, Gisborne, Milford Sound, Napier, Tauranga and the Bay of Islands. Cruise fares begin at $1,499 per person, double occupancy.
Additionally, five sailings to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific include Oosterdam's 14-day Pacific Treasures cruises round-trip from Sydney on Nov. 24 and Dec. 22, 2013 (holiday voyage), and Jan. 5 and March 2 and 30, 2014. Those cruises feature tropical ports at the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji. Cruise fares begin at $1,499 per person, double occupancy.
Longer Unique Itineraries including Australia Circumnavigation
Holland America Line is offering a 34-day Australia Circumnavigation on Volendam. The voyage is round-trip from Sydney on Oct. 20, 2013, featuring more than 20 ports and scenice cruising in Ribbon Reef and Far North Regions. Calls during the counterclockwise trip around the continent include Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Exmouth, Freemantle (Perth overnight), Esperance, Port Lincoln, Adelaide (overnight), Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and Burnie, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Komodo Island, Indonesia; Lizard Island and Booby Island. The ship also visits the Great Barrier Reef, one of the sevene wonders of the natural world. Cruise fares begin at $4,999 per person, double occupancy.
19-day Great Barrier Reef
Departing Melbourne on Nov. 20, 2013, voyagers can travel to Singapore on the Volendam, featuring two days of scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef with stops at Sydney, Burnie, Hamilton Island, Cairns and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Bali and Semarang, Indonesia before arriving in Singapore. Cruise fares begin at $2,299 per person, double occupancy.
Trans-Pacific Crossing Itineraries
Volendam’s 21- or 24-day South Pacific Crossing departs Los Angeles, Calif., or Vancouver, B.C., for Sydney Sept. 25 and Sept. 28, 2013. Oosterdam’s 24- or 27-day South Pacific Crossing departs Los Angeles, Calif., or Seattle, Wash., for Sydney Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, 2013, and includes an overnight call at Honolulu, Hawaii. Oosterdam returns to North America on a 28- or 29-day South Pacific Crossing from Sydney to Seattle or Vancouver April 13, 2014. Cruise fares for the trans-Pacific sailings begin at $1,899 per person, double occupancy.
Collectors’ Voyages
Ranging from 28 to 58 days, Holland America Line sails a total of 17 Collectors' Voyage aboard Oosterdam and Volendam to Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. Cruise fares for the Collectors' Voyage begin at $2,799 per person, double occupancy.
Extended Stays and Pre- and Post-Cruise Tours
Voyages also feature a late departure or overnight visit allowing guests to take evening shore excursions or longer independent explorations. Extended-stay ports include Hobart, Tasmania; Noumea, New Caledonia; Honolulu and Lahaina, Hawaii, and Suva, Fiji.
Cruisers can also add a three- or five-night pre- or post-cruise land tour to the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock/Uluru National Park or The Blue Mountains National Park.
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