Ms Amsterdam will cruise south around Africa to Rio De Janeiro on 100-day around-the-world cruise in Jan. 2002 (Oct. 9, 2001)

Ms Amsterdam will cruise south around Africa to Rio De Janeiro on 100-day around-the-world cruise in Jan. 2002
Holland America introduced new ports of call to its world voyage aboard the 1,380-passenger flagship ms Amsterdam, which will now sail a half-circumnavigation of lower Africa followed by a trans-Atlantic in the Southern Hemisphere to Rio de Janeiro before charting a course north to Fort Lauderdale and New York. More than 600 guests - some for the fifth, sixth and even tenth time on a world cruise - plan to make the ëround-the-world journey in January on the revised itinerary. Many more will join segments of the voyage.

"In light of recent events, we felt it best to provide our globetrotting guests with an itinerary that would be more comforting to them, while maintaining the uniqueness of visiting ports off the beaten track," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "We've added some fantastic shore excursions and tours to the program to enhance the experience, too. Our guests have welcomed the revisions."

The Amsterdam will depart on its maiden three-month Grand World Voyage on Jan. 20, 2002, Holland America's 37th world cruise since 1958. Departing Los Angeles, Calif., the Amsterdam embarks on a trans-Pacific crossing that calls at Hawaii, the south seas islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, and proceeds to New Zealand and Australia before circling Africa to cross the Atlantic to end its inaugural world cruise in Fort Lauderdale or New York.

The new itinerary replaces previous ports of call from Mumbai (Bombay), India, through the Suez Canal and Mediterranean, with Madras, India, the paradisiacal Seychelles, South Africa, Brazil, and several Caribbean islands. Fifteen new ports of call were added to replace 15 previous ports of call. Two are maiden calls for a Holland America ship: Richards Bay, South Africa, and St. Helena, a British dependency located off West Africa and the final home of Napoleon.

Shore Activities and Tours Broaden World Cruise Experience
Complementing the new ports of call, several shore excursions and overland tours have also been added to the list of more than 125, catering to culture, art, history, adventure, shopping, and sight-seeing. Newly added highlights along the journey include an overland tour from Durban, South Africa, to Cape Town with visits to Shamwari and Ngala Game Reserves, as well as an option from Richards Bay to Capetown featuring an African safari and visit to Victoria Falls.

With the itinerary revisions, new World Voyage segment cruises from 13 to 28 days have been created between Hong Kong and Madras, India; Singapore and Cape Town, South Africa or Rio de Janeiro; Madras and Cape Town or Rio; Cape Town and Fort Lauderdale or New York; and Rio and Fort Lauderdale or New York. Typically providing about 25 percent of the ship's guests, segments are popular among global travelers with less time but an appreciation for the Grand World Voyage camaraderie and experience.

On Board, Passengers Receive Flagship Service
Since cuisine is an important aspect on a world cruises, Holland America Line makes a commitment to world cruise guests that it will not repeat a meal during the course of the 100-day cruise. Expansion of the menu provide opportunities to introduce dishes that reflect cuisine and ingredients from the regions of the world the ship visits. Further, all full-cruise guests have the opportunity to dine at the captain's table during the voyage.

On-board entertainment is another important aspect of a Grand World Cruise with performances of the best Broadway-style shows from across the fleet, including "Barry Manilow's Copacabana," and singer/celebrities such as John Davidson, Susan Anton and Marvin Hamlisch who join the Amsterdam at various points along the itinerary to delight guests. Local performers also are brought on board in different ports for folkloric performances.

Aboard ship, guests can broaden their horizons and deepen their knowledge of destinations through a series of on-board cultural and lifestyle lectures by world-renowned experts in art, history, literature, politics and wildlife of the various countries visited on the cruise. Lectures on such lifestyle topics as health, fitness, nutrition and well-being also are offered.
While addressing the intellectual curiosities of its guests, Holland America also sees to their spiritual needs by having clerical staff on board throughout the cruise ministering to Catholic, Protestant and Jewish guests. In addition, gentleman hosts are available to provide companionship and dance partners to female guests traveling alone.

Grand World Voyage guests receive an abundance of memorable gifts throughout the voyage. Surprise gift souvenirs, including mugs, books, tiles, handicrafts and luggage, appear each evening when the cabin steward turns down each bed. The line also provides personalized stationery for each guest as well as travel guides for each port of call.

Cruise fares for the Grand World Voyage start at US$29,987 per person, double occupancy, including first class air and limousine transfers between airport and ship and port charges. Governmental taxes are additional at US$886.50 per person. Segments start at US$4,151 per person, double occupancy, including port charges. Taxes start at $88.20 per person. Guests booking suites receive priority disembarkation, exclusive receptions and luncheons, and complimentary laundry and dry-cleaning.

(Source: Holland America Line-Westours Inc. )