Holland America Line is to spend $200 million in upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of its ships. The work will begin when Veendam enters an extended dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for completion in late 2010. Over the next two years, the ms Statendam, ms Ryndam, ms Maasdam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new decor and more. Enhancements will include a new resort pool concept, on Lido deck called The Retreat, with a shallow area where guests may lounge in chairs with their toes in the water. Each ship also will have an additional 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with verandahs and the remaining will be inside staterooms. "In an era where cruise lines are building ships to carry more than 5,000 passengers, Holland America Line remains focused on mid-sized vessels," said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest services. |
P&O Cruises’ adults-only ship Arcadia is to embark on its first world cruise in winter 2010. The world circumnavigation departs on January 10, 2010, sailing westbound via the Caribbean, Mexico, US, New Zealand and Australia, with two weeks in Asia and a return sailing to the UK via India and Egypt, passing through the Suez Canal. Key ports of call are: San Francisco, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney, Whitsunday Islands, Hong Kong, Sihanoukville, Ko Samui, Singapore and Aqaba. Prices for the 94-night itinerary start at £8,599, including a 45% early booking discount. Meanwhile, Aurora will undertake a 104-night Grand Voyage departing from Southampton on January 5, 2010. The vessel will sail via the Mediterranean, pass through the Suez Canal to visit Egypt, India, the Far East, Japan, Australia and the Indian Ocean, before returning via South Africa. Prices lead in at £9,549, including the 45% off offer for bookings made by November 30. Double on board credit of up to £750 per person is also available before that date. Line voyages ranging from 38 to 66 nights in duration are priced from £4,099. P&O Cruises’ managing director Nigel Esdale said: “These two world voyages complete our most varied winter programme yet, with two week Caribbean fly-cruises and month-long Southampton round trip sailings already on offer for winter 2009/10. “Our expanding fleet means we can offer more variety and choice for our passengers, in terms of deployment, destinations, length and cost of holiday. “Winter cruising and longer voyages are particularly popular with experienced cruisers and present a significant commission opportunity for agents. “But we are finding that an increasing number of first time cruisers are opting for world voyages as their first cruise, so should by no means be overlooked when working with ‘new to cruise’ customers.” More than 2,000 passengers are already booked on complete world sailings for 2009, according to the company. Courtesy of TravelMole |
