Holland America is offering three different itineraries for its 2015 Grand Voyages aboard ms Prinsendam and ms Amsterdam. The itineraries include a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage followed by a 55-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage, both aboard ms Prinsendam and both in addition to ms Amsterdam's 114-day Grand World Voyage that visits 45 ports in 25 countries.
The three grand voyages are available to book for the full cruise or in segments ranging from 17 to 57 days. Rates start at $19,999 for Amsterdam’s full 114-day Grand World Voyage, $13,999 for Prinsendam’s 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage and $6,999 for Prinsendam’s 55-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage.
Also in September, Louis Cruises will launch a new brand, Celestyal Cruises, with product details including itineraries and pricing being made available in September. Two of the line's ships, the Louis Cristal and Louis Olympia, will sail for this brand in 2015 from Piraeus and Lavrion, ports accessible from Athens.
The remaining ships in the Louis Cruises fleet will continue to operate the Louis Cruises brand. From Piraeus and Lavrion, Louis Cruises sails to Chios, Crete, Ios, Kos, Milos, Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Symi and Syros, Greece, and to the Turkish ports of Bodrum, Cesme, Istanbul, Izmir and Kusadasi.
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic will be updating the National Geographic Orion, overhauling two public spaces during a scheduled drydock this coming September. The ship's Lounge room have a new circular focal area at the center of the room, and the library area will also be removed, allowing for 20 percent more space in the area. The Lounge will also receive a newly designed bar, updated furnishings and carpets and an an upgrade to all audio and visual equipment.
The ship's Observation Lounge will also be completely refurbished, and will experience a layout change that includes a library, nautical chart table and a self-serve beverage station. The renovations are being done by ICF Singapore, and will be completed in time for the Sept. 16, 2014 Wild Encounters from Borneo to Bali expedition.