On a weeklong cruise, travelers will certainly get a flavor for the many enrichment options provided to Holland America Line guests. But to truly leave your everyday cares behind, and further immerse yourself in life at sea, a Grand Voyage is a must.
When you’re going to be away from home for extended periods of time, you naturally want a cruise line that offers a wide range of enlightening and entertaining onboard activities, innovative cuisine that changes daily; and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Holland America Line makes very special and precise preparations for World and Grand Voyages to make you feel right at home.
Who better to tell us about it than Henk Mensink, Hotel Director of ms Amsterdam, who has 14 Grand World Voyages under his belt aboard this lovely ship.
“We ‘deep-dive’ into our past guests’ history and experiences, as well as future requests, to optimally prepare for the upcoming lifestyle needs of our guests on board. Then, we try to reinvent our operation every time a tad better than last season, and think through the events and activities to also create special festive moments at the right times during the voyage.
Time and time again, guests and crew say that the sense of family is greatest on board ms Amsterdam. There are so many of us returning with great regularity, guests and crew, that one cannot help but create a life-long bond. Through real life experiences, we come out closer and closer each time.”
As for itineraries, Grand Voyage port calls are extensive and varied, with extended stays that allow for comparisons of cultures and geography.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2018
On January 4, 2018, the mid-size ms Amsterdam will embark on her Grand World Voyage – a 113-day extravaganza hosted by Tom Mullen. As many of you know, Tom is no stranger to world cruises; this will, in fact, be his 22nd global voyage.
The jovial escort is a wealth of information (i.e., what to see and do, what to avoid, what to wear, what to bring home). Sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, you’ll transit the Panama Canal and explore the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Southern and Western Africa.
MORE GRAND VOYAGES
For an in-depth exploration of Europe’s most iconic cities and cultural attractions, along with festive theme nights and grand cuisine that Grand Voyages are known for, consider the 2017 Grand Mediterranean Voyage. Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer will be on hand to escort special tours and partake in regular chat times with Cruise Specialists guests.
Tom Mullen will host Cruise Specialists guests on a sweeping exploration of the Pacific Rim on the 2017 Grand Asia Voyage. The 80-day roundtrip cruise from San Diego departs the first of October and gets you home just in time for Christmas. You’ll call on superstar cities in Japan, China and Vietnam – including overnights in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore – then drop below the equator to explore Indonesia, the Great Barrier Reef, cosmopolitan Sydney, New Zealand and the seductive South Pacific.
If you’ve yet to circumnavigate South America, consider the 2018 Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage, which explores every key region of the continent, plus the Peruvian Andes, Brazilian Amazon and the White Continent. The itinerary includes a four-day Antarctica Experience.
Overnights allow more time for shore excursions in Callao (Lima), Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. If you wish, you can opt for an overland tour from Callao to Machu Picchu and meet up with the ship later.
HOSTED VOYAGES
At Cruise Specialists we also treat our guests to a happy medium – cruises that are not quite Grand Voyages, yet longer in length and to fascinating destinations.
Our hosts are onboard to enhance our clients’ experience – available to chat or answer questions, and build the camaraderie that Cruise Specialists is renowned for. The Atlantic Adventurer and Voyage of the Vikings are two of our most popular hosted voyages.
HOSTED GRAND VOYAGES
56-Day Grand Mediterranean Voyage
ms Prinsendam | Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale | Mar 11, 2017
Voyage Hosts: Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Fares From $7,999 pp.
80-Day Grand Asia Voyage
ms Amsterdam | Roundtrip San Diego | Oct 1, 2017
Voyage Host: Tom Mullen
Fares From $13,199 pp.
68-Day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage
ms Prinsendam | Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale | Jan 3, 2018
Voyage Host: to be announced
Fares From $14,399 pp.
113-Day Grand World Voyage
ms Amsterdam | Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale | Jan 4, 2018
Voyage Host: Tom Mullen
Fares From $18,899 pp.
Talk with a Cruise Specialists consultant for more details!
