If you love going on cruises and you’re looking for a new and different destination, you may want to explore Holland America’s Down Under cruises to Australia and New Zealand. Holland America has two cruise ships that will make trips to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific islands. In the 2013-2014 cruise season, the ms Oosterdam and the ms Volendam will have more than 50 ports of call.
Both ships feature the luxurious Greenhouse Spa and Salon, where you can spend a relaxing time enjoying massages, facials, and steam rooms, or have your hair and nails done in anticipation of an elegant night out. Eat at the Pinnacle Grill for a five-star dining experience that includes excellent wines and fantastic seafood served with designer stemware and china. Passengers will also enjoy the onboard show lounges that offer singers, dancers, comedians, and variety shows for entertainment. The cruise ships feature The Loft, a hang-out space designed for teens from 13-17 to have fun with other teens onboard the ship. The staterooms on the two ships feature beds with comfortable Euro-top mattresses, premium massage showerheads, and flat-panel TV and DVD players. Suites include a mini-bar and concierge service.
The ms Oosterdam will be making four 14-day trips to from Auckland to Sydney. The ports of call along the way include Melbourne, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Christchurch, New Zealand. The trip will also include a scenic cruise at Fiordland National Park. The Oosterdam will also make its Pacific Treasures cruise on November 24, December 22, January 5, and March 2 and 30. This round trip-cruise from Sydney offers stops at tropical locales like Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.
On the ms Volendam, you can book a 19-day Great Barrier Reef cruise. This voyage leaves from Melbourne on November 20, and will travel to Singapore. Stops on the way will include Sydney, Burnie, Hamilton Island, Cairns and Darwin in Australia and Komodo Island, Bali and Semarang in Indonesia. The Voldendam also offers the 34-day Australia Circumnavigation cruise. This cruise leaves on October 20 and is a round-trip tour leaving from Sydney. Among the more than 20 ports of call that will be a part of the trip are stops at Freemantle, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island in Australia and at Hobart, Tasmania and Komodo Island, Indonesia. This is in addition to the ship’s visit to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the world and definitely a must-see destination.
Holland America also offers trans-Pacific crossing itineraries and collector’s voyages for travellers who are looking for a more extensive cruise experience. Australia and its surrounding region is becoming more and more popular with cruise goers because of its beauty and diversity. If you’re looking for a unique cruise experience this year, be sure to give Holland America’s Down Under cruises a try.
