OzCruiseClub.com.au - All You Ever Wanted to Know About Cruising!

Extra to a solid rumour announced on Gene Sloan's column on USA Today last week, the following story has circulated today from Cruise Weekly.
www.OzCruiseClub.com.au
Holland America Line will base another ship in Australia next year while also expanding its Sydney season, including more roundtrip cruises to New Zealand and the South Pacific.

A week after Royal Caribbean revealed that Radiance of the Seas will join Rhapsody of the Seas in Sydney from October 2011, Holland America Line has indicated it will also deploy an additional ship here next season. Speaking to Cruise Weekly, Joseph Slattery, vice president, international sales and marketing, HAL, said Australia was its top international market and would “see more ships more often.” “We have made a commitment to more departures and more roundtrips from Sydney, and we hope to make an announcement in a few weeks,” Slattery said.

The name of the new ship and itinerary details are expected to be released in April. HAL currently bases the 1,432-passenger Volendam in Sydney during the international season and this year added 10 home-port sailings from the city to attract more local passengers. Up to 50% of passengers on Sydney roundtrips are Australians, with domestic bookings increasing last year by 45%.

To celebrate this success, HAL is offering a 45% saving and shipboard credits for bookings made before the end of this month on its Australia/New Zealand summer 2010- 11 program. Cruises aboard Volendam include five Sydney roundtrips to NZ or the South Pacific, such as a 16-day voyage spending Christmas and New Year at sea.

The season will begin on 05 November 2010 with a 14-day Pacific Treasures cruise to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji – earlybird prices start at $2,060 per person twin share.

Source: Cruise Weekly

While nothing is yet to be announced/released by HAL, it looks like our 2nd "dam" ship will be Zaandam, as she has recently added multiple entries on the Sydney Ports cruise page.

Wow - fancy Oz getting a ship that is dedicated by the Olsen Twins!!

Hi David,
I have only noticed these recently, and with an announcement not far away it seems, I think it is more likely to be the final choice booked in.

Another thought is to see where Zaandam will be this year, and whether there is heavy discounting for those cruises. Zaandam is doing 15 night loop cruises from the US West Coast to Hawaii. Pricing on the HAL site seems to suggest that there is not a huge demand, as by this example-- October 2nd 2010 - MM Inside from $AU1990pp twin for 15 nights, including fees & charges.

I am hoping that they name something officially soon, but figure the prices will double for cruises when based in our neck of the woods though.

welove2cruise wrote: [View Post]

Hi David,I am hoping that they name something officially soon, but figure the prices will double for cruises when based in our neck of the woods though.

Dont they always,
but having said that Geoff, must confess that the 2 best deal cruises we have been on,
have been with HAL.
The first was a WC segment on Amsterdam, but must also add, it was just after 9/11 ,
and the ship was only 1/3 full,
Got the best ever deal for a 30 day cruise on that one.
The other was the South America to Med relocation on Rotterdam which we booked early ,
then watched the prices nearly double.
However for the Au/NZ Christmas cruise on Statendam,
no discount,
and paid top dollar for that one.

welove2cruise wrote: [View Post]

While nothing is yet to be announced/released by HAL, it looks like our 2nd "dam" ship will be Zaandam, as she has recently added multiple entries on the Sydney Ports cruise page.

If it’s the Zaandam she’s not going around NZ or at least not calling in to Auckland. (As she’s not listed on the ports of Auckland website)

Kiwi_cruiser wrote: [View Post]

If it’s the Zaandam she’s not going around NZ or at least not calling in to Auckland. (As she’s not listed on the ports of Auckland website)

I did a quick check of some of the other NZ ports,
and Napier and Port of Otago have Zandaam listed.
I think they are still fine tuning their programme.

Mariner wrote: [View Post]

Kiwi_cruiser wrote: [View Post]

If it’s the Zaandam she’s not going around NZ or at least not calling in to Auckland. (As she’s not listed on the ports of Auckland website)

I did a quick check of some of the other NZ ports,
and Napier and Port of Otago have Zandaam listed.
I think they are still fine tuning their programme.

The other ports may have the info but not displayed, as their cruise ship schedule doesn't extend that far on Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga port sites.

I did notice that Zaandam does have only one booking in Otago though, and wonder if she may be cruising other itineraries.

PS - Celebrity Century does have lots of bookings in Otago, so hopefully they will follow through this time instead of just being a contingency.

welove2cruise wrote: [View Post]

I did notice that Zaandam does have only one booking in Otago though, and wonder if she may be cruising other itineraries.
PS - Celebrity Century does have lots of bookings in Otago, so hopefully they will follow through this time instead of just being a contingency.

I think you find that will change as time goes by, as Volendam has a booking and is then booked in again 2 days later.

Confirmed on the HAL web site now....

The first itineraries are up for Zaandam,

Looks like we all picked it right.

WooHoo!!!

I will have to check out the itineraries for early 2012, as it looks like a nice extra in our market.