Holland America Line is set to travel Down Under in 2009 with nine voyages throughout Australia and New Zealand aboard the 1,432-passenger Volendam, a ship new to the region. The 14- to 19-day sailings depart from Auckland, Sydney or Singapore; pre- and post-cruise tours are also available.
Two new 15- and 19-day itineraries include four days of cruising the Great Barrier Reef, including two days of daylight cruising through the world's largest coral reef system. Highlights in the reef include viewing the sunrise or sunset - depending on itinerary - while anchored off Lizard and Bobby islands, an overnight anchorage in the reef near Sherrard Island and cruising Torres Strait. Several ports will be visited in Indonesia, including Komodo Island; Padang Bai, Bali, with its abundance of shopping opportunities; and Semarang, a city with ancient temples. The 19-day itinerary from Auckland to Singapore departs March 16, 2009, and the 15-day Singapore-to-Sydney cruise departs Nov. 21, 2009.
Fourteen-day voyages explore Australia and New Zealand. Cruises between Sydney and Auckland call at Burnie, Australia; and Christchurch, Tauranga, Dunedin and Picton, New Zealand. Also included is scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Itineraries between Sydney and Auckland depart January through March, and December 2009, and a 16-day holiday sailing departs Dec. 20, 2009.
Starting fares are $1,999 per person, double occupancy, for the 14-day cruises and $2,999 for the 16-day holiday voyage. The 15-day Great Barrier Reef voyage is priced from $2,249 while the 19-day Barrier Reef cruise starts at $2,599. Guests can add on a pre- or post-cruise tour to the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock or the Waitomo Caves.
Holland America Line also will feature voyages to the Asia Pacific region in 2009, including a new round-trip from Hong Kong. For the first time next fall through spring 2009, the Volendam will sail to China, Southeast Asia, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Russia. For more information, call 800-300-4567 or visit www.all-travel.com/hollandamericaline
