Holland America Line To Offer Five Ships To Explore Europe From Greenland To Greece In 2021

Whether from Greenland to Greece and Iceland to Israel, five Holland America Line ships are set to explore the cultural nuances of Europe in 2021. The brand’s collection of vessels crossing the pond includes Rotterdam, slated to debut at the height of the summer Europe season. Also joining the fleet’s new flagship will be Nieuw Statendam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam, putting two Pinnacle Class ships in the region. Zaandam will head to Europe on the popular “Voyage of the Vikings” itinerary in July.

From April through November, the five vessels will offer itineraries ranging from 7 to 35 days, as well as longer Collectors’ Voyages up to 29 days. In addition to transatlantic crossings between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Europe, the ships will visit the Baltic, British Isles, French and Spanish Rivieras, the Iberian Peninsula, Mediterranean and Northern Europe including Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the North Cape.

To give guests more immersive experiences in some of Europe’s most popular cities, select cruises feature overnight calls at Istanbul, Turkey; Reykjavik, Iceland; Piraeus (Athens) and Rhodes, Greece; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; St. Petersburg, Russia; Valletta, Malta; and Venice, Italy.

Many of the cruises can be extended into Collectors’ Voyages ranging from 14 to 29 days, offering the ultimate European exploration. These longer journeys also offer the opportunity to experience nonrepeating, back-to-back itineraries, enabling guests to visit more ports and spend extra time discovering centuries of art, history and culture.

Rotterdam to spend its maiden season in Northern Europe
Rotterdam sails a seven-day Premiere Voyage from Venice to Rome on Aug. 1, 2021, and then moves into a season of Northern Europe cruises roundtrip from Amsterdam. Through October, the ship will offer three seven-day itineraries to Norway, one 14-day Baltic cruise and one 14-day Norway, Iceland and British Isles sojourn. A transatlantic crossing completes the ship’s inaugural Europe season with a 14-day voyage from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale.

Nieuw Statendam to cruise Northern Europe and the Mediterranean
In addition to Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam heads to Northern Europe in 2021. The ship will feature seven-day itineraries roundtrip from Amsterdam through August, along with a 14-day Voyage of the Midnight Sun cruise — placing two Pinnacle-Class ships in Northern Europe at the same time. In addition to Norway, Nieuw Statendam will sail to the Baltic and Northern Isles including Ireland, the U.K. and Iceland on 14-day itineraries.

Following its time in Northern Europe, Nieuw Statendam will move to the Mediterranean and cruise roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome) on 10-day itineraries to the western part of the region. The ship also offers singular seven-, nine- and 12-day cruises in the Med.

‘Voyage of the Vikings’ scheduled on Zaandam
The popular “Voyage of the Vikings” that traces the route of ancient explorers returns in 2021. The 35-day journey, departing July 17, cruises roundtrip from Boston on Zaandam. The epic itinerary calls at ports in the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Ireland, making it easy to visit Europe without international air travel. Two shorter segments from Boston to Rotterdam (16 days) or from Rotterdam to Boston (19 days) are available.

Two ships offer full Mediterranean seasons for 2021
Holland America Line is placing two ships in the Mediterranean full-time for the season. The 2021 program will be anchored by Westerdam and Zuiderdam sailing a combination of longer 11- and 12-day cruises from Civitavecchia, Venice, Barcelona and Athens. The ships will visit popular ports like Istanbul; Mykonos, Greece; and Monte Carlo, Monaco; along with bucket-list jewels like Koper, Slovenia; Limassol, Cyprus; and Rijeka, Croatia.

Many of the itineraries have an overnight in Venice or Athens at the beginning or end of the cruise so guests have more time to experience all those cities have to offer.

From April through October, Westerdam offers an extensive season of 12-day Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Venice or between Venice and Athens or Barcelona. Two seven-day itineraries with Saturday departures in July offer weeklong Greece and Turkey adventures, while a 12-day “Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms” itinerary roundtrip from Venice in May charts a course for Haifa (Tel Aviv) and Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel.

Zuiderdam’s full Mediterranean season also includes cruises roundtrip from Venice or between Venice and Athens or Barcelona. The ship explores the Adriatic Sea, Eastern and Western Mediterranean, and Greek Isles on 12-day itineraries.

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