Holland America Line Offers Ultimate Premium Experience in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific for 2019 Season

Cruises range from 10 to 30 days, including Australia circumnavigation

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Nov 27, 2018, 16:32 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2019, Holland America Line's Noordam is set to cruise a variety of unique itineraries in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific that showcase the region's must-visit ports, bucket-list locales and iconic sites. Maasdam also will explore the area on its longer EXC In-Depth Voyages, which include an epic 30-day Australia Circumnavigation.

Offering a premium, mid-sized ship experience, Noordam explores the enchanting islands of the South Pacific, Australia's southern and eastern regions, and the North and South islands of New Zealand on a series of cruises that range from 10 to 26 days. Maasdam's EXC In-Depth Voyages also touch the South Pacific and New Zealand on cruises from 11 to 30 days and reach the entire coast of Australia.

Many of the itineraries can be booked together to form longer, more in-depth Collectors' Voyages of up to 51 days, which combine nonrepeating back-to-back cruises.

"For many travelers, a trip to Australia, New Zealand or the South Pacific is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, so we've planned our cruises to call at some unique ports that aren't on every cruise itinerary, in addition to the iconic places everyone wants to see in that part of the world," said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line's president. "Holland America Line's mission is to deliver the most in-depth, immersive cruise experience so our guests feel connected to those destinations and local cultures when they return home. These two ships offer incredible itineraries that are going to be enticing to many travelers."

Noordam offers cruises roundtrip from Sydney, Australia, or between Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand. During the voyages, guests experience some of the world's most scenic cruising, including Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Shoreside, many of the tours include UNESCO World Heritage Site visits.

The ship kicks off the new year departing Jan. 4 on a 10-day South Australia Discovery cruise roundtrip from Sydney, with a call in Tasmania and Kangaroo Island. Noordam's 14-day Pacific Treasures cruise in January is also roundtrip Sydney but highlights more exotic and lesser-known tropical ports on the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, with four calls at each locale.

The 13- or 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruises between Auckland and Sydney run January through March 2019 and again in November and December, including a special holiday cruise departing Dec. 21. Those itineraries visit seven to 10 ports and include a day of scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park. Several departures also include scenic cruising in Milford Sound.

The 14-day New Zealand Discovery voyages departing in March and April sail roundtrip from Sydney and include nine calls in New Zealand, giving a comprehensive exploration of the country. The cruise includes scenic cruising in Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park.

A Transpacific crossing between the Pacific region and North America is offered at the beginning and end of each season. Departing April 21, 2019, Noordam sets sail from Sydney to Vancouver, British Columbia, on a 22-day journey that calls at seven ports in New Caledonia, Fiji, American Samoa and Hawaii. The ship returns to Australia on a 26-day South Pacific Crossing from Vancouver to Sydney Oct. 13, making calls in Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji and New Caledonia.

Maasdam's EXC In-Depth Voyages
Maasdam's first 2019 cruise in the Australasia region departs in March to the South Pacific. The 17-day Pacific Odyssey itinerary from Brisbane, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand explores several ports on the islands of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Zealand. The ship then heads to North America on a 24-day Polynesian Crossing from Auckland to San Francisco, California, calling at Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Bora Bora, Moorea, Papeete, Rangiroa, Tuamotu, Marquesas and Nuku Hiva.

The ship returns to New Zealand in September 2019 for an 11-day cruise before embarking on an epic 30-day Australia Circumnavigation Oct. 17. During this memorable voyage, the ship will call at 14 Australian ports, infamous Komodo Island and feature scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef, Ribbon Reef, Torres Strait and a sunrise at Lizard Island.

Maasdam then sails a 17-day Australia & Melanesia itinerary departing Nov. 16 up the eastern coast of Australia to Alotau, Kiriwina, Kitava and the Conflict Islands. In December the ship offers a 20-day Pacific Islands Adventure cruise roundtrip from Sydney to New Zealand, Tonga, Niue, Fiji and New Caledonia. Departing Dec. 23, the 14-day Southern Australia Holiday cruise offers Australian ports and can be combined with the 20-day Pacific Islands Adventure cruise to form an ideal 34-day holiday adventure.

Book Back-to-Back Cruises with a Collectors' Voyage
Ranging from 24 to 51 days, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Collectors' Voyages are perfect for avid explorers seeking a more extensive cruise experience. The voyages combine back-to-back itineraries and represent the best per-day value for guests. During the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruise season, Noordam sails six Collectors' Voyages and Maasdam offers seven, affording the most in-depth exploration of this diverse region with extended itineraries visiting multiple destinations.

Explorations Central
Throughout the voyages, EXC programming brings the traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific to life onboard. Through EXC Encounters, guests could learn how to play a didgeridoo or see a performance by a local dance troupe. Guests who want to learn more about the countries 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 port calls, and the in-stateroom EXC Channel will feature a selection of curated films, documentaries and TV shows exploring destinations on the ship's itinerary.

EXC In-Depth Voyages Delve Deeper and Explore Farther
EXC In-Depth Voyages expand on EXC programming by creating a total experience on board and ashore. Onboard enrichment is guided by a special resident team of subject-matter experts — covering such topics as marine and bird life, geology, cultural anthropology and history — who sail on all EXC In-Depth cruises, complementing each adventure with informative talks and insightful discussions of their own field experiences.

Each journey offers guests a variety of themes and choices to tailor their exploration: photography; science and nature; arts and culture; food, wine and spirits; history and perspective; and active exploration. Guests are free to focus on one area of interest or combine their passions through onboard enrichment and captivating shore activities.

Maasdam carries Zodiac inflatable boats, the type popularized by famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, so guests can enjoy opportunities to intimately explore less-accessible sites and wildlife habitats in select ports as part of the ship's EXC Tours program. A mix of onboard experts and local guides co-guide Zodiac outings to enrich the experience for guests.

For more information, contact a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Editor's note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/jebkog2x.

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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, 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 will be delivered 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.