Holland America Line Continues Weekly Bermuda Cruises in 2011

I was happy to see this. In my opinion the Veendam is currently the best
Bermuda cruise.


Holland America Line Continues Weekly Bermuda Cruises in 2011

SEATTLE, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will offer 24
seven-day cruises to Bermuda aboard ms Veendam in 2011, continuing the
schedule established this year with weekly cruises to the popular
vacation destination.
Holland America Line returned to regular Bermuda service departing from
New York in 2010 after more than 25 years. The 2011 voyages begin May 1
and will sail roundtrip from New York through Oct. 9, calling at St.
George's and Hamilton.
"Bermuda offers our guests an outstanding warm-weather vacation
experience, with pristine beaches, cultural charm and world-class
shopping and golf," said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president,
marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our roundtrip departures from New
York also provide exciting pre- and post-cruise stay and sightseeing
opportunities, making this a unique and very attractive itinerary."
The 1,350-guest Veendam will spend one day at St. George's and two
nights at Hamilton, providing guests with multiple opportunities to
experience the island's British charm, world-renowned pink-sand beaches
and abundant cultural heritage sites by day and to sample its lively
evening restaurant and nightclub scene.
Bermuda offers vacation activities for the entire family, from the
historic Globe Hotel in St. George's — a center for Confederate blockade
runners during the American Civil War and today a museum — to water
sports including kayaking, deep sea fishing and snorkeling. Guests can
choose from more than 40 shore excursions, including Atlantic Reef
fishing, scuba diving and dolphin encounters in Hamilton and horse and
carriage tours and a glass-bottomed kayak eco-tour in St. George's.
The weekly itineraries will call first at St. George's, Bermuda's
original capital. Founded in 1609, the town of St. George's in the
northeast area of Bermuda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest
continuously inhabited English settlement in the Americas. Narrow,
twisting streets and pastel-painted houses create a European feel. Its
diverse historic and cultural sites include St. Peter's Church, the
oldest continually used Anglican Church in North America, and Fort St.
Catherine, with displays of weapons, artifacts and a replica of the
British Crown Jewels. More than a dozen forts dating to the 17th century
command the surrounding hills.
Following St. George's, guests will have the opportunity to explore the
island's capital, Hamilton, which is the commercial hub and seat of
government located at Bermuda's geographic center. From Veendam — docked
at the center of town — guests can take a short walk to Front Street and
explore its array of colorful shops and restaurants. Hamilton also is
home to a massive 19th-century, neo-Gothic cathedral and the
Georgian-style Sessions House, built in 1815.
Cruise fares begin at $699 per person plus taxes, double occupancy. For
more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL
(877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America
Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick
link at www.hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc
(NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to
350 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two-
to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include
Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a
Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean,
Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a
commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary
Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art
onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and
culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes —
Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop
powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom
amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s
Dream Beds.
World’s Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines.
Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line,
Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a
passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value,
World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best
vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and
enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.
Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

--
Charles

Excellent!

I know I'm not the only one who has wondered for years why HAL didn't
try bringing one of their S-class ships to Hamilton & St. Georges
earlier.

While (for so many reasons) no return cruise will match the experience
of our first wonderful trip there on the Zenith in 2000, the Veendam
docking at at those ports should capture some of the warmth and
convenience of that fabled itinerary.

On 7/20/10 10:25 PM, Charles wrote:
I was happy to see this. In my opinion the Veendam is currently the best
Bermuda cruise.


Holland America Line Continues Weekly Bermuda Cruises in 2011

SEATTLE, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will offer 24
seven-day cruises to Bermuda aboard ms Veendam in 2011, continuing the
schedule established this year with weekly cruises to the popular
vacation destination.
Holland America Line returned to regular Bermuda service departing from
New York in 2010 after more than 25 years. The 2011 voyages begin May 1
and will sail roundtrip from New York through Oct. 9, calling at St.
George's and Hamilton.
"Bermuda offers our guests an outstanding warm-weather vacation
experience, with pristine beaches, cultural charm and world-class
shopping and golf," said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president,
marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our roundtrip departures from New
York also provide exciting pre- and post-cruise stay and sightseeing
opportunities, making this a unique and very attractive itinerary."
The 1,350-guest Veendam will spend one day at St. George's and two
nights at Hamilton, providing guests with multiple opportunities to
experience the island's British charm, world-renowned pink-sand beaches
and abundant cultural heritage sites by day and to sample its lively
evening restaurant and nightclub scene.
Bermuda offers vacation activities for the entire family, from the
historic Globe Hotel in St. George's — a center for Confederate blockade
runners during the American Civil War and today a museum — to water
sports including kayaking, deep sea fishing and snorkeling. Guests can
choose from more than 40 shore excursions, including Atlantic Reef
fishing, scuba diving and dolphin encounters in Hamilton and horse and
carriage tours and a glass-bottomed kayak eco-tour in St. George's.
The weekly itineraries will call first at St. George's, Bermuda's
original capital. Founded in 1609, the town of St. George's in the
northeast area of Bermuda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest
continuously inhabited English settlement in the Americas. Narrow,
twisting streets and pastel-painted houses create a European feel. Its
diverse historic and cultural sites include St. Peter's Church, the
oldest continually used Anglican Church in North America, and Fort St.
Catherine, with displays of weapons, artifacts and a replica of the
British Crown Jewels. More than a dozen forts dating to the 17th century
command the surrounding hills.
Following St. George's, guests will have the opportunity to explore the
island's capital, Hamilton, which is the commercial hub and seat of
government located at Bermuda's geographic center. From Veendam — docked
at the center of town — guests can take a short walk to Front Street and
explore its array of colorful shops and restaurants. Hamilton also is
home to a massive 19th-century, neo-Gothic cathedral and the
Georgian-style Sessions House, built in 1815.
Cruise fares begin at $699 per person plus taxes, double occupancy. For
more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL
(877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America
Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick
link at www.hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc
(NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to
350 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two-
to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include
Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a
Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean,
Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a
commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary
Arts Center presented by Food& Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art
onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and
culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes —
Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop
powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom
amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s
Dream Beds.
World’s Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines.
Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line,
Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a
passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value,
World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best
vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and
enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.
Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.


Any word on whether there were plans (or discussions) to widen the town
cut so that the ship can actually dock in St. Georges?

--Tom

Tom K wrote:

Any word on whether there were plans (or discussions) to widen the
town cut so that the ship can actually dock in St. Georges?


It is still under discussion. As you can read in this article the
widening or dredging has some support as the situation of local business
has become dire. A few years ago they had the pie in the sky idea that
St. George did not need the ships. That mega yachts would replace the
lost cruise ship business.


http://www.theroyalgazette.com/sifto...0&sectionId=60




--
Charles

On Jul 21, 4:29*pm, Charles wrote:
Tom K wrote:
Any word on whether there were plans (or discussions) to widen the
town cut so that the ship can actually dock in St. Georges?

It is still under discussion. As you can read in this article the
widening or dredging has some support as the situation of local business
has become dire. A few years ago they had the pie in the sky idea that
St. George did not need the ships. That mega yachts would replace the
lost cruise ship business. *

http://www.theroyalgazette.com/sifto...rticle/article...

--
Charles

I could not get the story to come up. Is there that many MEga Yachts
to support St Georges?
I am glad that HAL is going back to Bermuda...

Susie

On 8/2/10 3:36 PM, Susette wrote:
On Jul 21, 4:29 pm, wrote:
Tom wrote:
Any word on whether there were plans (or discussions) to widen the
town cut so that the ship can actually dock in St. Georges?

It is still under discussion. As you can read in this article the
widening or dredging has some support as the situation of local business
has become dire. A few years ago they had the pie in the sky idea that
St. George did not need the ships. That mega yachts would replace the
lost cruise ship business.

http://www.theroyalgazette.com/sifto...rticle/article...

--
Charles

I could not get the story to come up. Is there that many MEga Yachts
to support St Georges?

Other than Michael Bloomberg's?

No....


I am glad that HAL is going back to Bermuda...

Susie

Even that's not much. They would only spend 1 day there.

In the past, Norwegian Majesty spent 4 days there, and between the
Zenith, Horizon, Pacific Princess and Nordic Empress, they'd fill
another week there. At least that kept the area hopping.

They need a week long NCL ship there, and another couple of ships at the
other pier in St. Georges. That would revitalize St. Georges.

--Tom

In article
,
Susette wrote:

I could not get the story to come up. Is there that many MEga Yachts
to support St Georges?
I am glad that HAL is going back to Bermuda...

Getting mega yachts to dock at St. George was and still is a pipe dream.

--
Charles

In article , Tom K
wrote:

Even that's not much. They would only spend 1 day there.

In the past, Norwegian Majesty spent 4 days there, and between the
Zenith, Horizon, Pacific Princess and Nordic Empress, they'd fill
another week there. At least that kept the area hopping.

They need a week long NCL ship there, and another couple of ships at the
other pier in St. Georges. That would revitalize St. Georges.

And that one day is tendering which has not gone well from what I have
read. On my sailing we could not tender and went directly to Hamilton.
On the days when they have been able to tender there have been long
lines for the tender.

--
Charles

On 8/2/10 5:45 PM, Charles wrote:
In article
,
wrote:

I could not get the story to come up. Is there that many MEga Yachts
to support St Georges?
I am glad that HAL is going back to Bermuda...

Getting mega yachts to dock at St. George was and still is a pipe dream.


Even if they don't make the town cut large enough for Explorer size
ships, at least they should make it so that Summit, the HAL ship, and a
Panamax NCL ships can fit there. Then maybe even RCI might think about
one of the Radiance class ships for there. And the two docks in St.
Georges are pretty far apart. So it's not like in Hamilton where
fitting 2 ships was a problem.

--Tom