by: Harry Johnson |
Holland America Line’s 2024-2025 Caribbean season opens for booking today, and the premium cruise line is continuing its trend of longer, more immersive cruise itineraries with the introduction of three new voyages that are 14 and 21 days. Also new for this season is adding Boston, Massachusetts, as a Caribbean departure port — in addition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida — and the return of calls at Bermuda.
The 2024-2025 season puts the spotlight on longer voyages, offering travelers more time in the Caribbean and the opportunity to visit more islands on one itinerary.
“Holland America Line is meeting the desire of our guests who want more immersive experiences, and we’re excited to offer new itineraries and a new departure option for this Caribbean season,” said Gus Antorcha, Holland America Line’s president. “With sailings covering the entire region and combinable itineraries up to 35 days, our Caribbean cruises extend to lesser-visited islands and are among the most diverse in the industry.”
Holland America Line’s Caribbean cruises sail from October 2024 through March 2025 and feature five- to 21-day options to the eastern, western and southern regions, including sailings that spend a day discovering the Panama Canal. Six Holland America Line ships will head to the Caribbean — including two Pinnacle Class ships — with the majority of itineraries roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Two of the new itineraries depart from Boston.
Nearly all itineraries feature Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas boasting the finest beach in the Caribbean. On select itineraries, evening departures from Puerto Rico, Curaçao, St. Maarten and Aruba mean more time in port and the chance to experience the vibrant Caribbean nightlife.
Guests can cruise to the Caribbean aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Volendam and Zuiderdam.
New and Notable Longer Cruises:
New is a unique 21-Day “Perfect Caribbean Escape” cruise roundtrip from Boston aboard Zuiderdam. Departing Oct. 19, 2024, this extended tropical adventure includes a partial Panama Canal transit and a call at Bermuda. Following Bermuda, the ship makes its way to Half Moon Cay; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Curaçao; Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Port Canaveral, Florida; and Bimini, Bahamas.
Following the 21-day roundtrip Boston cruise, Zuiderdam offers a new 14-day “Southern Caribbean” itinerary from Boston to Fort Lauderdale departing Nov. 9 that also includes a call at Bermuda. The ship then heads to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Curaçao and Half Moon Cay. The 21- and 14-day departures can be combined to form a destination-rich 35-Day Collectors’ Voyage for the ultimate Caribbean experience.
Another new 21-day Caribbean exploration sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale aboard Volendam. Departing Jan. 4, 2025, this in-depth “Ultimate Caribbean” journey deeply explores the area, with calls at Half Moon Cay; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tortola; St. Maarten; Antigua; Dominica; St. Lucia; Barbados; St. Vincent; Grenada; Bonaire; Aruba; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.
Western Caribbean:
Holland America Line’s western Caribbean itineraries include six-, seven- and 10-day options. The seven-day cruise calls at Cozumel, Mexico; Half Moon Cay, Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman. The three 10-day itineraries span the region and are combination of ports that include Montego Bay or Falmouth, Jamaica; Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Grandy Cayman, Cozumel, Half Moon Cay, and Bimini.
Eastern Caribbean:
The seven-day eastern Caribbean itinerary includes Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Juan and Half Moon Cay. A longer 11-day “Eastern Caribbean Wayfarer” itinerary calls at St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.
Southern Caribbean:
In addition to the new Boston to Fort Lauderdale cruise, the southern Caribbean itineraries range from nine to 14 days. The nine-day cruise makes way to the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao before visiting Half Moon Cay, while the 10-day itinerary also adds Grand Turk and Amber Cove. The 14-day “Southern Caribbean Holiday” cruise departing Dec. 21, 2024, explores St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and Half Moon Cay.
Tropical Caribbean:
Guests looking for a shorter getaway can embark on the five-day itinerary that visits Half Moon Cay and Amber Cove. The popular seven-day Tropical Caribbean returns with calls at Grand Turk, Amber Cove and Half Moon Cay.
Partial Panama Canal:
Guests looking to visit the Panama Canal without a coast-to-coast transit can embark on the 12-day “Panama Canal Sunfarer” itinerary. In addition to venturing around Panama Canal’s Gatun Lake and a partial transit, the itinerary includes Curaçao, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon, and Half Moon Cay.
Full article: Holland America Line Adds Boston, Bermuda, Longer Itineraries
Copyright: eTurboNews – Travel Industry News – World Travel News
