Five HAL-Holland America Line ships are scheduled to explore Europe in 2021, including ms Nieuw Rotterdam which is expected to debut at the height of the summer European season. Joining the new flagship of the fleet are ms Nieuw Statendam, ms Westerdam and ms Zuiderdam, deploying two Pinnacle-class liners in the region. MS Zaandam heads to Europe on the "Voyage of the Vikings" itinerary in July next year.
From April through November 2021, the 5 ships will offer itineraries ranging between 7 and 35 days, as well as longer Collectors' Voyages of up to 29 days. In addition to transatlantic crossings between Fort Lauderdale FL and Europe, the liners will visit the Baltic, British Isles, Spanish and French rivieras, Mediterranean, Iberian Peninsula, and Northern Europe including Norway, Greenland, Iceland, and the North Cape.
HAL’s departure options include Amsterdam, Athens-Piraeus, Barcelona, Venice, and Civitavecchia (Rome). The "Voyage of the Vikings" sails roundtrip from Boston MA with a segment departure from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Select cruises feature overnights at Istanbul, Reykjavik, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Rotterdam, Saint Petersburg, Venice, and Valletta.
Many of the trips can be extended into Collectors' Voyages ranging between 14-29 days, featuring the ultimate European exploration. The artfully crafted longer cruises combine non-repeating, back-to-back itineraries, enabling passengers to visit more ports and spend extra time in port.
MS Rotterdam sails a 7-day Premiere Voyage out of Venice to Rome on August 1, 2021, and then moves into the Northern European season of cruises round-trip from Amsterdam. Through October 2021, the vessel will offer three 7-day itineraries to Norway, a 14-day Baltic cruise, and a 14-day Norway, Iceland, and British Isles journey. A transatlantic crossing completes the inaugural Europe season of Rotterdam with a 14-day sailing from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale FL.
In addition to ms Rotterdam, ms Nieuw Statendam also heads to Northern Europe next year. The liner will feature 7-day itineraries sailing round-trip from Amsterdam through August, as well as a 14-day Voyage of the Midnight Sun trip placing a couple of Pinnacle-class cruise ships in Northern Europe. In addition to Norway, ms Nieuw Statendam will sail to the Northern Isles and Baltic, including Ireland, Iceland, and the UK on 14-day itineraries. Following her time in Northern Europe, ms Nieuw Statendam will move to the Med and sail round-trip from Civitavecchia on 10-day itineraries to the region’s western part. The vessel also offers singular 7-, 9- and 12-day sailings in the Mediterranean.
The "Voyage of the Vikings" that traces the ancient explorers’ route returns in 2021. The 35-day cruise, departing July 17, sails roundtrip from Boston on ms Zaandam. The itinerary calls at ports in the US, Canada, Northern Ireland and Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and the Netherlands. A couple of shorter segments - 16-day from Boston to Rotterdam and 19-day from Rotterdam to Boston are offered.
Holland America is placing two ships in the Med full-time for the season. The line’s 2021 program features Zuiderdam and Westerdam sailing a combination of longer 11- and 12-day trips from Athens, Rome, Venice, and Barcelona. The cruise ships will visit popular ports, such as Istanbul, Mykonos, and Monte Carlo, along with Koper, Limassol, and Rijeka. A lot of the itineraries feature an overnight in Athens or Venice at the beginning or end of the voyage.
From April through October 2021, ms Westerdam boasts an extensive season of 12-day Mediterranean sailings round-trip from Venice or between Venice and Athens (Barcelona). Two 7-day itineraries with Saturday departures in July feature week-long Greece and Turkey adventures. A 12-day "Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms" itinerary sailing roundtrip from Venice in May 2021 charts a course for Haifa and Ashdod.
MS Zuiderdam's Mediterranean season also features sailings round-trip from Venice or between Venice and Athens (Barcelona). The vessel explores the Adriatic, eastern and western Mediterranean, and Greek Isles on 12-day itineraries.