Holland America Line’s Westerdam Sets Sail for the Far East in 2018-19 for Immersive Explorations of China, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan
Cruises from 10 to 31 days offer overnights, late departures and overland adventures
Seattle, Wash., July 17, 2018 —
The mysteries of the Far East unfold for guests on Holland America Line's Westerdam when the
ship embarks on its robust 2018 -19 season in Asia. From September 2018 through
April 2019, the 1,916-guest Westerdam
extensively explores China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore,
Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam on cruises ranging from 10 to 31 days.
Departing from Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan; Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; and
Singapore, ancient temples and cultures steeped in tradition collide with
soaring skyscrapers and bustling capitals. Ten different itineraries showcase
the diversity of the countries while celebrating their histories that have been
thousands of years in the making. Late departures and nine overnight ports
allow extra time for exploration, while Hong Kong and Singapore departures provide
an incredible opportunity for Holland America's exclusive Signature Experience
pre-cruise tours.
"As travelers seek more meaningful and experiential vacations, our Asia
itineraries remain in high demand for their depth of cultural exploration and
once-in-a-lifetime experiences," said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line's
president. "For many, a cruise to the Far East is long-awaited and highly
anticipated. To ensure we exceed their expectations, we designed Westerdam's season to
be among the most comprehensive and memorable in the industry."
Westerdam
kicks off the season with a 14-day North Pacific Crossing from Vancouver,
British Columbia, to Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan. The ship then begins a series of
voyages that explore the Far East, from Japan to Vietnam.
Westerdam's
16-day Far East Discovery cruise between Singapore and Hong Kong calls at
Sanya, China; four ports in Vietnam, including an overnight stay in Halong Bay;
Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Ko Samui and an overnight at Laem Chabang (Bangkok),
Thailand. A 13-day Far East Discovery option eliminates Nha Trang in Vietnam
and Sanya, while a 15-day Far East Discovery eliminates the overnight stay in
Halong Bay, Vietnam.
The shortest itinerary of the season, Westerdam's
10-day East Asia roundtrip Hong Kong cruise, departs Dec. 10 and explores
Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Celebrating the first cruise of 2019, a 15-day Thailand & Vietnam itinerary
sails roundtrip Singapore and offers an extensive exploration of Vietnam.
Guests will experience four calls in the country, including an overnight in Da
Nang (Hue). The cruise also includes an overnight at Laem Chabang (Bangkok) and
calls at Ko Samui and Sihanoukville.
Westerdam's
14- or 15-day Taiwan & Japan cruise between Hong Kong and Shanghai features
an overnight at Hong Kong or Shanghai, depending on embarkation port, and
visits the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
A Series of 14-Day
Itineraries Round out the Ship's Asia Offerings
Cruising roundtrip from Shanghai, the China, South Korea & Japan cruise
features two ports in each country, including overnight calls in Shanghai,
Tianjin (Beijing) and Incheon (Seoul). The China Explorer from Hong Kong to
Yokohama includes two ports in Japan and three ports in China, with overnights
at Shanghai and Tianjin (Beijing).
Westerdam's
Japan Explorer is a roundtrip Yokohama (Tokyo) journey with five ports in
Japan, including an overnight at Kobe (Osaka); two calls in Taiwan; and a visit
to Jeju (Cheju), South Korea. The final cruise of the season is a Japan &
Russia itinerary roundtrip from Yokohama visiting an incredible eight ports in
Japan and a northerly exploration to Vladivostok, Russia. The season concludes
with a 15-day spring North Pacific Crossing between Yokohama (Tokyo) and
Vancouver, encompassing ports in Japan and Alaska.
Collectors' Voyages
Up to 31 Days Offer Longer Explorations of Several Countries
Back-to-back cruises can be booked together to form a longer Collectors' Voyage
that provides a more in-depth exploration of the region. Combining up to two
itineraries, the Asia Collectors' Voyages range from 23 to 31 days.
Grand Asia Voyage
Offers an 82-Day Circumnavigation of the Pacific
Travelers looking to fulfill their ultimate bucket list adventure should take
note of Holland America Line's 2018 Grand Asia & Pacific Voyage aboard Amsterdam. This 82-day
cruise departing Sept. 30, 2018, circumnavigates the Pacific Ocean roundtrip
from Los Angeles, Calif., and calls at 33 ports, with six overnight visits.
The 2018 Grand Asia & Pacific Voyage explores Alaska, Russia, Japan, China,
Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, several South Pacific islands
and Hawaii. Guests interested in expanding their cruise to explore more of the
West Coast also have the choice of 89- and 87-day itineraries departing from
Seattle, Wash., and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
For travelers who prefer a shorter vacation, the 2018 Grand Asia & Pacific
Voyage features 12 segments: 39 days from Vancouver to Hong Kong; 41 days from
Seattle to Hong Kong;15 days from Los Angeles to Yokohama; 34 days from Los
Angeles to Hong Kong; 64 days from Seattle to Sydney; 62 days from Vancouver to
Sydney; 57 days from Los Angeles to Sydney; 42 days from Yokohama to Sydney; 19
days from Yokohama to Hong Kong; 23 days from Hong Kong to Sydney; 48 days from
Hong Kong to Los Angeles; and 25 days from Sydney to Los Angeles.
Singapore and Hong
Kong Signature Experiences Offer Exclusive Pre-Cruise Tours
Holland America Line's culturally immersive Signature Experiences were
exclusively created for the cruise line and include an evening event, two-night
luxury hotel stay and transfers. Guests who book a suite on the eligible
cruises receive the Signature Experiences complimentary, but space is limited
and reservations are required.
In Singapore, guests can take the An Evening at the National Gallery Singapore
tour with a behind-the-velvet-rope evening at the National Gallery Singapore,
featuring a private tour of the museum's impressive collection of Southeast
Asian art. In a grand, glass-enclosed space, guests enjoy drinks and appetizers
while watching a traditional lion dance performance. They also will see a snake
charmer, henna artist, master Chinese calligrapher and palm reader work their
magic.
During Hong Kong's A Taste of Hong Kong — Dai Pai Dong Experience, guests will
explore one of the world's great cuisines the way the locals do: with
traditional street food. This exclusive event features an array of delectable
dishes served from food stalls, and traditions such as calligraphy, knotting,
paper cutting and grasshopper weaving highlight the experience.
Explorations Central
Brings Asian Culture on Board
Throughout the voyages, EXC programming brings Asia's local traditions,
culinary tastes and cultural experiences to life on board. Through EXC
Encounters, guests can participate in activities like transforming a piece of
paper into origami art, perfecting chopstick skills, learning the etiquette of
local tea ceremonies, and exploring the poses and postures of the statues of
Buddha. Guests who want to learn more about the region and cultures can attend
an EXC Talk by an EXC Guide or head to America's Test Kitchen for a cooking
demonstration, cooking class or themed mixology class featuring local fare.
The EXC Team will provide further customized guidance for the Asian calls as
well as online EXC Port Guides. For guests who enjoy exploring on their own,
printed EXC Port Maps present a simple view of the best each port has to offer.
The in-stateroom EXC Channel will feature a selection of curated films,
documentaries and TV shows exploring destinations on the ship's itinerary.
For more information, contact a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
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About
Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:
CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers more than 500 cruises to more
than 400 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies around the world.
From shorter getaways to 113-day itineraries, the company's cruises visit all
seven continents, with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South
America circumnavigations, Cuba cruises and exotic Australia/New Zealand and
Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to the Caribbean,
Alaska, Mexico, Canada and New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal.
The line welcomed Koningsdam
in 2016 and has a second Pinnacle-class ship,
Nieuw Statendam, to
be delivered in December 2018. A third Pinnacle-class ship is due for delivery
in 2021.
The company is undergoing $300 million in brand enhancements to secure its
position as the leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships feature
innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on
destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand their
knowledge through an exclusive partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine; during
an America's Test Kitchen show; at Explorations Café presented by The New York
Times; and by taking a Digital Workshop powered by Windows. Outstanding
entertainment fills each evening at venues including Lincoln Center Stage,
Billboard Onboard and B.B. King's Blues Club. The dining experience can be
savored at a variety of restaurants with menus that feature selections from
Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council, comprising world-famous chefs
who design dishes exclusively for our guests.
CONTACT: Sally Andrews PHONE: 800-637-5029 EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com