Holland America Line has announced an enhanced Asia programme for winter 2018/19.
Holland America’s refreshed ms Westerdam will offer sixteen 10-16 night Asia cruises for winter 2018/19, departing from exciting locations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Yokohama.
Having Westerdam in Asia means increased capacity of more than 500 extra beds per cruise
The itineraries feature adventurous days ashore in diverse destinations such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, as well as overnight stays in cities such as Beijing, Seoul and Bangkok.
Guests will also enjoy enhanced destination experiences through Holland America Line’s new EXC (“Explorations Central”) programme, as well as regional culinary and culture demonstrations.
On these in-depth EXC cruises, guests may choose the lens through which they would like to experience these destinations, be it arts and culture, photography, nature and science, food, history or onshore adventure, then enjoy fascinating lectures, interactive workshops with local artisans and memorable shore experiences that bring this focus to life.
Says Holland America Line’s UK managing director Lynn Narraway: “Having our Vista-class Westerdam in Asia means increased capacity of more than 500 extra beds per cruise and five decks of balcony accommodation, including beautifully enhanced suites.
“With a series of new enrichment opportunities for guests, Westerdam is the perfect way to explore Asia and experience exotic destinations in an inspiring and enthralling way. Furthermore, our intimate Maasdam will offer some incredibly immersive voyages – which we are calling “EXC In-Depth” as they are designed to really will ramp up the destination experience even more for guests.”
Example itineraries
- 14-night cruise Far East Discovery cruise departing Hong Kong visits Sanya (Hainan, China), Vietnam’s stunning Halong Bay, with its iconic limestone stacks, Da Nang, for the ancient city of Hue, Nha Trang, then Phu My, gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, then Kompong Som, Cambodia, and Laem Chabang (Bangkok) for an overnight stay, before sailing to the island of Ko Samui and ending in Singapore. Departing 12 November, 2018.
- 14-night China, South Korea & Japan cruise departing Shanghai 18 February 2019 (after an overnight stay onboard) visits Qingdao, Tianjin – for an overnight stay in Beijing, then stays overnight in Incheon (South Korea), gateway to Seoul. There are full day calls into Jeju (Cheju), Fukuoka (Japan), Nagasaki before the cruise ends in Yokohama.
- Maasdam offers four immersive 20-21 night Asia and beyond cruises. A 20-night Indian Ocean Explorer roundtrip Singapore departing 27 January 2019 (after an overnight stay onboard) visits Malacca (Malaysia), Georgetown (Penang), Phuket (Thailand), Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), Hambantola, Male (Maldives), Uigamu, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Langkawi (Malaysia) and Port Kelang (Kuala Lumpur).
The Westerdam’s Asia season starts and ends with a leisurely North Pacific crossing from Vancouver to Yokohama or reverse.
The ship carries 1,964 guests and features spacious accommodation, with more than 65 per cent of rooms benefiting from a private veranda. The luxurious suites were all also refreshed in summer 2017.
You must be logged in to post a comment.