In 2008 Holland America Line features four grand voyages aboard 2 ships – our twin flagship ms Amsterdam will host the company’s 44th world cruise in January as well as a 64-day Asia & Australia Voyage in the Fall. The intimate 793-guest ms Prinsendam will sail on two other grand voyages, a 68-day South America & Antarctica Voyage departing January 3rd followed by a 73-day journey around the African coast in March.

2008 Grand World Voyage “50th Golden Anniversary� Summary

Holland America Line is the leader in world cruising having operated more than forty world cruises since 1958. In fact, our 2008 world voyage is the 44th Grand World Voyage in our history and marks 50 years since our first world cruise in 1958!

Back by popular demand in 2008, our twin flagship ms Amsterdam returns once again to world cruising for what will be her fourth world cruise- having previously sailed on our 2002, 2003 and 2007 voyages. Departing on January 4, 2008 she will sail 114 days roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida returning on April 27, 2008. As an added convenience, guests may also disembark three days earlier in New York for a total of 111 days. Several exciting segment options are also available for those with less time ranging from 17 to 60 days. Segments may also be combined for a more comprehensive experience.

Following extensive research on our successful grand voyages of the past and incorporating results of an invaluable survey of our past world cruise guests, the Amsterdam’s 2008 itinerary has been fashioned creatively by Captain Simon Douwes to be a true circumnavigation of the globe. The voyage encompasses 39 unique ports found in 29 different countries across six continents. The entire voyage encompasses more than 35,800 nautical miles as it sails through the Panama Canal on the way to, the South Pacific, Far East, India, Arabia, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and North Africa, before crossing the Atlantic via Bermuda on the way back to New York and Ft. Lauderdale.

The 2008 itinerary includes visits to the classic, well-known cities along with calls at unspoiled, lesser-known ports offering our guests unsurpassed opportunities to explore their world. Many ports feature extended stays or multi-day visits.

Click here to see the Itinerary

Grand World Voyage Highlights

• Flagship cruising aboard the ms Amsterdam completely outfitted with all of Holland America Line’s Signature of Excellence enhancements
• Phu My, Vietnam is a maiden port of call for Holland America Line
• Eight new ports not previously visited on Grand World Voyages including Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Fuerte Amador, Panama; Christchurch & Dunedin, New Zealand; Sochi, Russia; Sevastopol, Ukraine; Split, Croatia and Tripoli, Libya.
• Overnights in Papeete, Tahiti; Sydney, Australia; Hong Kong, China; Singapore; Mumbai, India; Istanbul, Turkey; and Venice, Italy
• Extended stays (late-evening departures) are featured in Perth, Australia; Safaga and Alexandria, Egypt
• Extensive Black Sea experience
• Daylight passage through the Panama Canal, Suez Canal and the Bosporus Strait – the only connection between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean
• Scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park; Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound – a first on a Grand World Voyage.
• Crossing both the Equator (featuring the King Neptune Ceremony) and International Date Line (January 28th does not exist!)
• Sailing on a total of 20 different oceans, seas, bays, sounds, or straits
• Comprehensive itinerary with very rich port experiences, offering—

Approximately 1 port every 2.9 days
Average of 15.1 hours per port
A total of 590 total hours in port

2008 Grand Voyages of the ms Prinsendam Summary

Holland America Line’s most intimate ship, the 793-guest ms Prinsendam will sail on two unique back-to-back Grand Voyages in 2008. The Prinsendam is a ship which was designed for worldwide cruising and in fact, has sailed on three prior Grand World Voyages with Holland America Line. The ms Prinsendam is made even more comfortable than when she first sailed as a result of her Signature of Excellence enhancements.

In January, back by popular demand she will depart on a 68-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage. This sailing will be followed by a 73-day Grand Africa Voyage. Both of these sailings allow for exotic explorations and once again the Grand South America voyage is conveniently roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The Grand Africa Voyage completes its journey in Lisbon, a perfect opportunity to extend your cruise to Amsterdam while cruising on the Basque and Biscay Explorer voyage featuring Bordeaux, France – the largest fine-wine district on earth. This voyage will also lend itself well to incredible scenic cruising along the Gironde River making it an 84-day voyage.

Each itinerary is unique and the full voyages should be booked for the most comprehensive exploration. Shorter segments will be available, however for those with less time or interest in a particular region. For the ultimate experience, both voyages may also be booked back-to-back; guests choosing this option will receive additional savings.

2008 Grand South America & Antarctica Highlights

For those guests who want to truly experience everything that South America has to offer, this is the ultimate journey. This is a single voyage that will take guests to every key region of this great continent with the added excitement of three days of dramatic scenic cruising in the great white continent of Antarctica all without a single international flight. Limited staterooms on shorter segments between Ft. Lauderdale, Callao (Lima), and Buenos Aires are available.

• Journey more than 17,700 nautical miles and visit 30 unique ports of call and 14 countries
• Overnights in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Callao (Lima), Peru; Manaus, Brazil; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Optional (additional charge) overland tour to visit Cuzco and Machu Picchu
• 7 Full days cruising the Amazon River; sail all the way to Manaus, the furthest navigable point for ocean going vessels
• Explore Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world
• Three days of dramatic scenic cruising in Antarctica
• Scenic cruising in the Darwin Channel, Beagle Channel, Chilean Fjords, Straight of Magellan, and Cape Horn
• Daylight passing Romanche, Alemania, Francia & Italia Glaciers
• 6 unique ports of call in Chile
• 9 different ports of call in Brazil
• Visit unique Devil’s Island, a former French prison
• Daylight passage through the Panama Canal – 51 mile transit with narration
• Cross the Equator three times! (King Neptune Ceremony)
• Lesser visited Caribbean ports of Barbados and Mayaques, Puerto Rico

2008 Grand Africa Voyage Highlights

This is the ultimate journey for those who wish to explore the entire continent of Africa exploring exotic ports. Begin your journey visiting unique Caribbean ports such as Grand Turk before crossing the Atlantic bringing you to the remote Madeira Islands and then continue to the Northwestern tip of Africa. You’ll continue on a southerly course toward South Africa visiting such lovely ports as Cape Town, Durban and Richard Bay. You’ll then venture to Mombassa, Kenya – the gateway to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches as well as the most popular destination for safaris. Your journey continues with explorations in Egypt, Libya and Spain.

• Journey more than 20,500 nautical miles and visit 28 unique ports of call in 18 different countries
• Enjoy the convenience of a single international flight
• Overnight stays in Capetown, South Africa with 3 full days in Mombassa, Kenya.
• Late night departures in Funchal, Madeira; Durban, South Africa; Victoria, Seychelles; Safaga, Egypt; and Malaga, Spain.
• Spend a full day in both Walvis Bay known for it’s huge natural lagoon with an abundance of seabirds
• Explore Cape Town with 2 ½ days in port including African Safari, whale watching, exploring the beautiful Atlantic coastline and botanical gardens
• With 3 full days in Mombassa, Kenya you’ll have ample time to explore beautiful beaches and take an African Safari
• Daylight passage of the Suez Canal – 101 miles long – completed in 1869
• Spend a full day in Alexandria, Egypt with a late night departure offering plenty of time to discover the second largest city in Egypt also known as the “Pearl of the Mediterraneanâ€? for it’s ambience, culture and heritage
• Visit Tripoli, Libya a maiden port of call with it’s Mediterranean-like architecture and North African disposition, you’ll be charmed upon arrival

2008 Grand Asia & Australia Voyage Highlights

This unique voyage on the ms Amsterdam explores three diverse regions for a definitive Pacific Rim experience where you’ll discover unique cultures, ancient treasures and the natural beauty of Asia, Australia, and the Polynesian Islands. From the remote islands of Russia’s far eastern coast, you’ll journey to Japan and China before sailing to ports of call on Thailand and Bali. You’ll then be off to Australia visiting three premier cities. The last portion of the trip takes you to enchanting Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands.

• Journey more than 21,200 nautical miles and visit 21 unique ports in 13 countries across 3 continents
• Longer visits in key ports and overnight stays in Osaka, Japan; Shanghai, Hong Kong, China; Bangkok, Thailand; and Sydney, Australia
• Cross both the Equator and the International Date Line twice – both losing and gaining a day
• Scenic cruising in the remote Aleutian Islands
• Visit lesser-known ports such as Hakodate and Ofunato, Japan
• Spend two full days in Hong Kong to experience the phenomenal energy this city has to offer - explore Victoria Peak, outstanding shopping opportunities, and Lantau Island
• Offering a more in depth, exclusive view of our destinations, the Medallion Collection offers opportunities for our most discerning guests; for example, guests may tour a traditional Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong guided by the Herbalist himself
• Discover Laem Chabang, Bangkok – The Venice of Asia, known as “City of Angelsâ€? is a bustling place with a maze of extensive waterways. In between the royal palaces and office towers are beautiful parks and gardens.
• Explore two of the most premier cities of Melbourne and Sydney, Australia and then venture to the South Pacific taking in Fiji Islands and Samoa before heading to the Hawaiian Islands
• Enjoy the convenience of sailing roundtrip from North America