Cruise From Quebec City To Boston From Just $398.44!

The summer cruising season is getting underway and what better than to tour from Quebec City to Boston on a luxury liner like Holland America’s MS Veendam? Pricing for the May 10 sailing is nearly half what it’ll be a month later. You can save even more if you make it a 14 night round trip.

The Cruise

 

MS Veendam officially embarks from Quebec City, Quebec on Saturday, May 10, 2014 but actually leaves port at 4pm on Sunday, May 11. This means you can park you luggage on the ship and enjoy all this historic Canadian city has to offer. Veendam arrives at Boston, Massachusetts at 7am on Saturday, May 17. Along the way, she makes four port calls.

After cruising up the St. Lawrence, the first stop is in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and more specifically on the Northumberland Strait at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. MS Veendam is docked at the PEI capital from 8am until 5pm on Tuesday, May 13.

The following day, Veendam stops at another island. This time, it’s Sydney, Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island. She is docked here on Wednesday, May 14 from 8am until 4pm. Next up is Halifax, Nova Scotia on Thursday, May 15 from 8am until 5pm. The final port of call is Bar Harbor, Maine on Friday, May 16 from 8am until 5pm.

If you opt for the 14 night return trip, MS Veendam turns around and leaves Boston at 4pm on Saturday, May 17 and arrives back in Quebec City on Friday, May 23. The return follows the same itinerary, just in reverse and with slightly different times at port.

The Price

Right now, Holland America is offering Canadian residents a special fare for this cruise, although it’s only about a dollar less than the already spectacular flash special rate. An inside stateroom can be had for as low as $398.44 per person, based on double occupancy. There is an additional $212 in government fees and taxes added per person. This makes the total for two for an inside stateroom as low as $1,220.88.

From there, the rates go up with the level of stateroom. An ocean view cabin starts at $498.28 per person. A room with a balcony goes for as low as $1,099 and a suite can be had for as low as $1,148.44 per person. The same taxes and fees apply regardless of the level of stateroom.

For the 14 night itinerary, an inside stateroom goes for as low as $748.70 per person. This equates to $2,203.74 for two when the $353.17 in taxes and fees are added in. An ocean view cabin starts at $918.10 per person while a balcony stateroom starts at $2,148.60 per person and a suite starts at $2,198.50 per person.

The Ship 

MS Veendam was built by Fincantieri in Italy and has been in service for Holland America Line since 1996. This is a small ship with a gross tonnage of 57,093. Veendam is 219 metres or 719 feet in length and has ten decks accessible to passengers. Capacity onboard is for 1,350 guests and 580 crew members.

On July 12, 2014, MS Veendam will leave Boston to cross the Altantic Ocean. However, she will not stay long. Veendam returns to Boston to restart the Quebec/New England cruises on August 16.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Pacific Coastal Cruise On MS Statendam From Just $198.34!

On May 14, 2014, ms Statendam of the Holland America Line makes her way north from San Diego, California to her summer home. Statendam repositioning from Southern California to Vancouver, British Columbia results in a one of a kind four night Pacific Coastal cruise. Holland America has a flash special on this cruise right now and an inside stateroom can be had for as low as $198.34 per person.

The Cruise

 

MS Statendam embarks from San Diego, California on Wednesday, May 14 at 4pm for this four night Pacific Coastal cruise. She arrives at Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday, May 18 at 7am. Along the way, she makes one stop. The one port of call will have a special place in the hearts of Denver Broncos fans.

On Saturday, May 17, ms Statendam docks at Port Angeles, Washington. She remains in port from 2pm until 10pm. Port Angeles is on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, within sight of Victoria, British Columbia, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Port Angeles is the birthplace and home of Football Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

Between San Diego and Port Angeles, there are two full days at sea to enjoy the luxury of this Holland America ship as it makes its way up the Pacific Coast, past California and Oregon.

The Price

Much of this ship is already sold out for this Pacific Coastal cruise. However, with the latest flash special, an inside stateroom onboard ms Statendam can be had for as low as $198.34 per person, based on double occupancy. With the additional $104.72 per person in government fees and taxes, the lowest priced inside cabin goes for $606.12 for two.

There are limited staterooms available for this cruise. The ship is small so space is limited right from the start. However, there are Ocean View cabins still available from $228.17 per person and suites are available for as low as $397.92 per person. The same $104.72 in taxes applies to these rates, as well.

The Ship 

Built by Fincantieri on Italy’s Adriatic Coast, ms Statendam has been in service since 1993 and is Holland America Line’s oldest ship currently sailing the high seas. Statendam is a S Class, or Statendam Class, ship and is the oldest of four S Class vessels.

This is not a large ship with a gross tonnage of just 55,451. Statendam is 219 metres or 719 feet in length and there are ten decks accessible to passengers. Capacity is for 1,258 guests and 557 crew members.

MS Statendam will spend the summer exploring Alaska. She will run seven night, one-way Alaska cruises with Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska as her home ports.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Holland America MS Westerdam 3 Night Pacific Coastal Cruise From $148.38!

For those with not a lot of time but who are looking to get on a cruise ship, why not take a three night journey up the Pacific Coast from San Diego, California to Victoria, British Columbia? There are no distracting ports of call along the way, allowing you to fully enjoy all the luxury MS Westerdam of Holland America Line has to offer. Even better, the pricing right now is outstanding!

The Cruise

 

MS Westerdam embarks from San Diego, California on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 on this three night cruise up the coast to Victoria, British Columbia. There are no stops along the way, just the ocean and the coastlines of California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Westerdam arrives in Victoria on Friday, May 2 at 12 noon.

Guests board Westerdam at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal in downtown San Diego. Upon arriving in Victoria, guests get off the ship at Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal, right in the centre of the historic Canadian city and the capital of the province of British Columbia.

In essence, this is an extension to a 14 night Panama Canal cruise that originates in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and, in essence, this is Repositioning Cruise. After wintering in the Caribbean, MS Westerdam makes this April journey to her summer home port of Seattle, Washington. After adjusting a bit south from Victoria to Seattle, Westerdam settles into a routine of seven night roundtrip Alaska cruises for the summer months.

The Price

Holland America is having a ‘flash sale’ and an interior stateroom can be had for as low as $148.38 per person, based on double occupancy. With the additional $63.80 per person in government fees and taxes, which apply to all passengers regardless of stateroom level, an interior cabin for two can be had for $424.36, including taxes.

From there, the prices don’t move up too quickly. You can have an ocean view for as low as $208.25 per person. A balcony stateroom (Deluxe Ocean View Verandah) starts at $248.20 per person. A Superior Verandah Suite will run $937.88 per person.

The Ship 

Built by Fincantieri in Italy, MS Westerdam has been in service since 2004 for Holland America Line. Westerdam is one of four Vista Class ships in the fleet. Together with MS Zuiderdam, MS Oosterdam and MS Noordam, the Vista Class ships are named for the four main compass points.

For Holland America, Westerdam is a large ship with a gross tonnage of 82,500. She is 285 metres or 936 feet in length and has eleven decks accessible to passengers. There is a capacity for 1,916 guests and 800 crew members onboard.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Holland American ms Nieuw Amsterdam Tranatlantic Repositioning Cruise From $599!

There’s not a whole lot of space left on the ms Nieuw Amsterdam for its April 6, 2014 Transatlantic Repositioning cruise. What is left, Holland America wants to sell of quickly. That being said, inside staterooms can be had for as low as $599 per person for this 14 night journey across the Atlantic Ocean from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain.

The Cruise

 

MS Nieuw Amsterdam embarks from Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on her 14 night Transatlantic Repositioning cruise at 4pm on Sunday, April 6, 2014. She arrives at Barcelona, Spain at 7am on Sunday, April 20, 2014. Along the way, Nieuw Amsterdam stops at five ports of call, all on the eastern side of the Atlantic.

After six full days at sea, Nieuw Amsterdam stops at Horta on the island of Faial in the Azores. Typically, ships stop a little further east at Ponta Delgada on the Azores island of San Miguel. So, already this cruise is unique. She is in port at Horta on Sunday, April 13 from 8am until 4pm.

Settle in for two more full days at sea before stopping at Gibraltar on Wednesday, April 16. Gibraltar is a territory of the United Kingdom at the southern tip of Spain, at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. This port call is unique, as well, in that the ship arrives at 1pm and doesn’t leave until 11pm.

For the following day, Nieuw Amsterdam goes a relatively short distance up the Spanish Mediterranean coast to Motril in the province of Granada. She is docked at this location on Thursday, April 17 from 8am to 6pm.

For the final couple of days, the ship does little work with the final two port calls located quite close to the final destination. On Friday, April 18, Nieuw Amsterdam stops at Alicante, Spain on the Costa Blanca from 8am to 5pm.

Her last stop before reaching Barcelona is on the island of Majorca. Nieuw Amsterdam docks at Palma de Mallorca, Spain from 8am to 5pm on Saturday, April 19. Palma de Mallorca is the main city in Spain’s Balearic Islands.

The Price

While supplies last, an inside stateroom can be had for as low as $599.40 per person, based on double occupancy. Government fees and taxes result in an additional $99.48 per person being tacked on. The total for two for an inside cabin can be purchased for as low as $1,397.76, taxes included.

Other levels of stateroom still available are reasonably priced, as well. Ocean View rooms start at $699.96 per person. Add a balcony and cabins start at $700.40. A suite can be had from $1,701.80 per person.

The Ship 

MS Nieuw Amsterdam was built by Fincantieri on the Adriatic coast of Italy. She is a Signature Class ship that made her maiden voyage on July 4, 2010. For Holland American, this is a large ship. For the rest of the cruise world, it’s more of a medium sized vessel. With a gross tonnage of 86,700, Nieuw Amsterdam is 285 metres or 935 feet in length. There are eleven decks accessible to the capacity 2,106 passengers with an additional 929 crew members onboard.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Just $500 PP To Cruise Across The Atlantic On ms Noordam of Holland America!

There’s no time to waste if you want to take advantage of this great deal from Holland America Line. On Friday, March 21, 2014, ms Noordam embarks on her Transatlantic Repositioning cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. There is limited space available and an inside cabin can be had for as low as $500 per person for this 14 night journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Cruise

 

Holland America’s ms Noordam leaves Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at 4pm on Friday, March 21, 2014 for a 14 night cruise to Barcelona, Spain. She arrives at her final destination at 7am on Friday, April 4, 2014. Along the way, she makes four port calls, all on the Eastern end of the journey.

First up is Ponta Delgada in Portugal’s Azores Islands after over a week at sea. Noordam remains at Ponta Delgada from 8am until 4pm on Saturday, March 29. She follows that up by two more full days at sea before her next port of call.

On Tuesday, April 1, 2014 it’s no April Fool’s joke, the ship finally arrives on mainland Europe. Noordam docks at Cadiz on the Atlantic Coast of Spain. Cadiz is northwest of Gibraltar and the entrance to the Mediterranean. She is docked her from 8am until 6pm.

The following day, Noordam rounds Gibraltar and enters the Mediterranean Sea. Her next stop is at Malaga, Spain on Wednesday, April 2. Malaga is northeast of Gibraltar, sort of in the mirror position as Cadiz. The ship parks here again from 8am until 6pm.

The final port of call occurs on Thursday, April 3 from 7am until 1pm at Cartagena, Spain. After this short stop, Noordam overnights to her final destination of Barcelona.

The Price

All that remains are inside staterooms and they may be gone by the end of the day. The price is excellent at from $500 per person, based on double occupancy. The extra government fees and taxes result in an additional $98.81 tacked on per person. The result is a inside cabin for two for as low as $1,197.62, including taxes.

The Ship 

MS Noordam is a Holland America Vista Class ship that was built by Fincantieri in Italy. Noordam was christened in February of 2006. She is a medium sized vessel with a gross tonnage of 82,500 and is 285 metres or 936 feet in length. There are eleven decks accessible to the capacity 1,916 guests. Typically, there are 800 crew members onboard.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Round Cape Horn Via Luxury Cruise Ship From $997

Heading out of Buenos Aires via luxury cruise ship and rounding Cape Horn and the tip of South America before arriving in Valparaiso, Chile is on the bucket list of the world’s rich and famous. With Holland America Line and their fine ship MS Zaandam, this can be an affordable tick off the bucket list for those not so rich and famous.

The Cruise

 

MS Zaandam embarks on a 13 night South America Cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 6pm. The ship takes nearly two weeks rounding the bottom of the continent and cruising up the western side before arriving at Valparaiso, Chile on Monday, March 17 at 6am. Along the way, Zaandam makes five port calls. There are several other amazing natural features that can be seen from the ship.

Zaandam doesn’t travel far the first night, docking across the Rio de la Plata at Montevideo, Uruguay on Wednesday, March 5 from 8am until 6pm. Two days later, it’s back to Argentina with a stop at Puerto Madryn on Friday, March 7 from 10am until 6pm.

After a weekend at sea, Zaandam stops at Punta Arenas, Chile on Monday, March 10 from 6am until 6pm. She then backtracks a bit to Ushuaia, Argentina for a port call on Tuesday, March 11 from 2pm until 8pm. The final port of call is at Puerto Montt, Chile on Saturday, March 15 from 9:30am until 6pm.

Along the journey, MS Zaandam travels through or around the Strait of Megellan, the Beagle Channel, Chile’s Glacier Alley, Cape Horn, Amalia Glacier and the Chilean Fjords.

The Price

Right now, there is a flash sale with some inside staterooms, large outside staterooms with fully obstructed views and large interior staterooms available for as low as $997 per person, based on double occupancy. This is equal to about $400 off per person.

Government fees and taxes are steep for this cruise with $365.05 tacked onto each guest’s fare. A cabin for two can be had from $2,724.58, including taxes, for this truly once in a lifetime experience. As stipulated with this flash sale, the full price is due at the time of booking.

The Ship 

MS Zaandam is one of four Rotterdam Class (R Class) ships in the Holland America Fleet. She has been in service for HAL since 2000. In May of 2000, Zaandam was christened by the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley. The ship was built by Fincantieri in Italy.

This is a small and agile ship, meant for journeys just like this one. Zaandam has a gross tonnage of 61,396 and is 237 metres or 778 feet in length. There are ten decks accessible to the capacity 1,432 guest. There are typically 615 crew members onboard.

The Rotterdam Class consists of four ships built between 1997 and 2000. MS Rotterdam was the first, put in service in 1997. MS Volendam came next in 1999 and MS Amsterdam joined the fleet the same year as Zaandam.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Classic Holland America Transatlantic Dream Cruise From Just $699.80 Per Person

With last minute deals a little thin as we get knee deep in the high season, let’s take another look ahead at a season with some of the lowest priced cruising. Every spring and fall, cruise ships reposition across the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean to Mediterranean or vice versa.

Holland America Line has one of the deepest histories among the present day high seas passenger cruise lines. MS Eurodam is HAL’s second newest ship and the largest in the fleet until 2016. Eurodam makes her Transatlantic Repositioning cruise from Caribbean to Mediterranean on Sunday, March 30, 2014 and a stateroom can be had onboard for as low as $699.80 per person, based on double occupancy.

The Cruise

 

MS Eurodam embarks from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at 4pm on Sunday, March 30, 2014 for a 14 night journey across the Atlantic. She arrives at Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 7am. Along the way, she makes four port calls, all on the eastern side of the Atlantic.

After six full days at sea, Eurodam makes a stop in Portugal’s Azores Islands at Ponta Delgada on Sunday, April 6. She remains docked from 10am until 6pm.

The next three ports of call are on the European mainland and all three are in Spain. First up is Cadiz on Wednesday, April 9 from 7am until 5pm. The following day, Eurodam stops at Almeria, Spain from 8am until 6pm. The ship’s final stop is at Cartegena, Spain on Friday, April 11 from 8am until 4pm.

The Price

An inside stateroom onboard the MS Eurodam can be had for as low as $699.80 per person, in Canadian dollars. There is an additional $100.27 per person in government fees and taxes. The total for two in an inside stateroom, including taxes, can be as low as $1,600.14 for this 14 night romantic adventure across the Atlantic Ocean.

Upgraded staterooms are still reasonably priced. An Ocean View stateroom goes for as low as $820.24 per person and a Balcony stateroom goes from $1,000.20 per person. These prices are also based on double occupancy and are subject to the same $100.27 in government fees and taxes.

The Ship 

MS Eurodam was built by Fincantieri in Italy and made her maiden voyage on July 5, 2008. Eurodam is one of two Signature Class ships in the Holland America Line fleet. MS Nieuw Amsterdam came into service in 2010.

Although certainly not the largest cruise ship on the high seas, MS Eurodam is currently the largest in the Holland America fleet. In 2016, an as of now unnamed ship will be put in service that is larger than Eurodam by 14,000 gross tons.

Eurodam has a gross tonnage of 86,273, and is 285 metres or 935 feet in length. There are eleven decks accessible to the capacity 2,104 passengers. Running the ship and providing first class service are 929 crew members.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Catch Holland America's MS Maasdam From Montreal Starting May 31, 2014

Living in Eastern Canada and don’t want to stray too far from home to experience a world class cruise ship? No problem. MS Maasdam of Holland America Line will spend from the end of May, 2014 to mid October, 2014 calling Montreal, Quebec its home port.

Currently, the lowest price to get on board MS Maasdam at Montreal is from $699.94 per person for a seven night cruise. This price applies to an inside stateroom on the May 31 sailing from Montreal to Boston, Massachusetts. This is the first sailing of the year out of Montreal.

The Cruise

 

The seven night Canada / New England cruise on Holland America’s MS Maasdam embarks from Montreal, Quebec at 4pm on Saturday, May 31, 2014. The ship arrives at Boston on Saturday, June 7 at 7am. Along the way, the ship makes five port calls, four in Canada and one in the United States.

The first stop is on day two at Quebec City. On Sunday, June 1 from 7am to 5pm, Maasdam is docked at one of Canada’s most historic cities. After a day leaving the St. Lawrence River and entering the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Maasdam arrives at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on Tuesday, June 3. She stays at the PEI capital from 8am to 5pm.

Next up is Sydney, Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island from 8am to 4pm on Wednesday, June 4. The following day, Maasdam heads down the Nova Scotia coast to the provincial capital of Halifax. She docks at Halifax from 8am to 4pm on Thursday, June 5.

The only U.S. port of call is visited on Friday, June 6. Maasdam is docked at the summer paradise of Bar Harbor, Maine from 8am to 5pm.

Why is this cruise so inexpensive? Normally, the same cruise runs anywhere from just over $1,000 per person to over $5,000 for just an inside stateroom. However, May 31 can still be a little unpredictable weather wise and the leaves may not even be out on the trees yet for some stretches of the journey. However, you would get a chance to visit five great ports just outside of the busy summer season.

The Price

This cruise can currently be had for as low as $699.94 per person for an inside stateroom. Government taxes and fees are a little steep at $240.08 per person. After all, Canada is still doing its best to be the highest taxed country in the world. Total for two, including taxes and fees, for an inside stateroom starts from $1,880.04.

Other rates include Ocean View staterooms starting at just $819.66 per person. The lowest priced suite on board the MS Maasdam starts from $1,901.90 per person.

The Ship

MS Maasdam and MS Statendam are the oldest active vessels in the Holland American Line fleet, both put in service in 1993. Maasdam is one of four Statendam Class ships, along with MS Ryndam and MS Veendam.

Built by Fincantieri in Italy, Maasdam is a small ship with a gross tonnage of just 55,575. The ship is 220 metres or 722 feet in length. There are nine passenger decks accessible to the capacity 1,258 guest. 580 crew members are on board to make things run smooth.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

Holland America Luxury Transatlantic Cruise From Just $700!

In April, 2014, the classic Holland America ship ms Ryndam crosses the Atlantic Ocean, switching from her winter home to her summer home. After calling Tampa, Florida her home port for the winter months, Ryndam moves east to spend most of the summer out of Dover in the U.K.

Ryndam’s Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise does not go from Tampa to Dover but from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. Holland America Line has special pricing on this 15 night cruise right now with an inside stateroom going for as low as just $700 per person, or just under $47 per night per person before government taxes and fees.

The Cruise

 

Ryndam embarks from Port Everglades at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 4pm sharp. She arrives at Barcelona on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 7am. Along the way, the does a bit of an island tour with three of her five ports of call located off the mainland. All port calls are either in Portugal or Spain.

After several days at sea, guests on ms Ryndam can get out and stretch their legs and minds at Ponta Delgado on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. The ship docks on Monday, April 14 and is in port from 10am to 6pm. Ponta Delgado is the capital of the Azores Islands and has a population somewhere around 70,000.

On Thursday, April 17, Ryndam makes a stop on the mainland of Spain. From 8am to 6pm, she will be docked at Malaga on the southern coast. This is a large tourist area on the Mediterranean and has a metro population over one million.

The following day, ms Ryndam moves east along the coast to Cartagena, Spain. She is docked from 8am to 5pm at this city with a population about a fifth that of Malaga.

The final two stops are out in the Mediterranean Sea. Ibiza is a small island with a population of around 135,000. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, belonging to Spain. Ryndam will be at Ibiza from 8am to 5pm on Saturday, April 19.

The final stop is Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands region. Ryndam docks at Palma from 8am to 5pm on Sunday, April 20.

The Price

For the moment, Holland America Line has reduced some inside staterooms to as low as $700 per person. Typical of any flash sale, the choice of stateroom is limited and will be assigned at the time of check-in.

Additional government fees and taxes come to $115.24 per person. This means an inside stateroom for two can be had for as low as $1,630.48 with the fees and taxes added in.

Just to give an idea of what a great deal this is, let’s look at Ryndam’s return to Tampa from Barcelona in November, 2014. The lowest price for that cruise is currently $1,500 per person! The price for two, including government taxes and fees, would be $3,236.64. The itinerary is nearly identical, except the ship goes straight to Tampa, not stopping in Ft. Lauderdale.

The Ship

A Statendam Class (S Class) ship, ms Ryndam has been in service for Holland America since 1994. She is the third of the four Statendam Class ships. Statendam and ms Maasdam both came into service in 1993 and ms Veendam came along in 1996.

Ryndam is a smaller ship with a gross tonnage of 55,819. She is 220 metres or 720 feet in length and has ten decks accessible to the capacity 1,258 passengers. 602 crew members are also on board.

As mentioned, her home port in the winter is Tampa, Florida with her summer home mainly in Dover. She makes the return Transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to Tampa on November 1, 2014.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

That's Right! A Luxury Cruise Up The Amazon River

Think the Amazon can only be cruised by black smoke-sputtering, rusted out diesel ships with no air conditioning and pirates following close-by? Think again. In 2014, six different luxury cruise lines will make the journey from the Atlantic Ocean, up the Amazon River, to Manaus, Brazil, and back. These cruises are not cheap but Holland America Line is doing their best with a ‘Flash Rate’ on their cruise in March, 2014.

The Cruise

 

HAL’s ms Maasdam departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, March 2 on a 26 night repositioning cruise to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Along the way, Maasdam makes several port calls along the Brazilian coast and in the Caribbean. As well, she takes seven days to travel up the Amazon and back. This is considered a repositioning cruise but the Amazon River cruise is definitely the highlight.

After stopping at Buzios, Salvador and Fortaleza up the Atlantic Coast, Maasdam enters the Amazon River on Thursday, March 13. Before reaching Manaus, nearly 1,500 kilometres up the river in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, the ship makes two stops along the way. Maasdam stops at Santarem and Boca da Valeria before an overnight at Manaus.

On her way back to the Atlantic, the ship makes port calls at Parintins and Alter do Chao, along the Amazon. Maasdam returns to the Atlantic Ocean on Thusday, March 20.

Before arriving at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, March 28, the ship makes stops at Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica and Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

The Price

Typically, a cruise that involves the Amazon starts in price from no less than $8,000 per person. For a limited time, an inside stateroom on the ms Maasdam can be had for as low as $3,493.89 per person. Keep in mind, this is a 26 night cruise. Additional government fees and taxes of $441.06 per person need to be added to total. All-in, a inside stateroom for two can be had for $7,869.90.

This is ‘Flash Rate’ sale pricing. This means that you don’t have a lot of choice on the location of your inside stateroom and that room is not assigned until the time of checkin. This also means that the full amount is due at the time of booking.

The Ship

Ms Maasdam of Holland America Line has been in service since 1993. She is an S Class ship built by Fincantieri on the north shores of the Adriatic Sea in Italy. Maasdam is a small ship with a gross tonnage of just 55,575. She is 220 metres or 722 feet long and has nine decks accessible to passengers. The Capacity on board is for 1,258 guest and 580 crew members.

The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.

ms Zuiderdam Southern Caribbean: Premium Cruise at a Contemporary Price

It might be called a Southern Caribbean cruise but you get the bonus of the Panama Canal. It might be from $45.25 per person per night but it’s nearly half price. You have to act fast to take advantage of this amazing cruise, but it’ll be more than worth it.

The Cruise

 

Holland America Line is under the same corporate umbrella as Carnival Cruises and Costa Cruises but it is certainly a step above when it comes to quality and luxury. That’s why an 11 night Southern Caribbean cruise onboard the ms Zuiderdam from just $497.77 per person is such an amazing deal. Eleven nights of luxury cruising, topped off by six exotic ports of call and a transit of half the Panama Canal – truly the cruise of a lifetime.

However, this ship leaves Ft. Lauderdale’s Port Everglades on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 4pm. So, hopefully you can ditch work on short notice and grab a Westjet flight down to FLL.

The first port call is on Tuesday, December 10 at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. Half Moon Cay is otherwise known as Little San Salvador Island and is owned by Carnival group, functioning as the company’s ‘private island’.

After a day at sea, Zuiderdam then moves way down south, stopping first at Oranjestad, Aruba. She then makes her way west, stopping at Willemstad, Curacao on Friday the thirteenth and Cartegena, Colombia on Sunday, December 15.

On Monday, December 16, it’s time for the piece de resistance. Zuiderdam travels up the Panama Canal until the halfway point at Gatun Lake. She then spins around and heads back down, stopping at Colon, Panama for a visit before getting back out on the Caribbean.

Finally, Zuiderdam makes one more stop but equally exciting as the previous. A full nine and half hours at Puerto Limon, Costa Rica should be enough to enjoy this tropical rainforest environment. After two full days at sea, the ship reaches Ft. Lauderdale at 7am on Friday, December 20, 2013.

The Pricing

Holland America currently has flash special pricing on this cruise. This is similar to Carnival’s Super Saver rates, in that the stateroom is non-refundable, must be paid in full at time of booking and rooms are not assigned until the time of check-in at the ship.

For $497.77 per person, an interior stateroom can be had, based on double occupancy. This equates to $45.25 per night per person. Of course, with the slightest mention of the Panama Canal, government taxes and fees triple in price. Added to the per person rate is another $329.49 for The Man. For a couple taking advantage of this sale, the interior stateroom can be had for $1,654.52 with all taxes included. This is still cheaper than two weeks at a three star All-Inclusive in Cuba.

The Ship

 

One of four Vista Class ships in the Holland America Line fleet, ms Zuiderdam made her maiden voyage on December 14, 2002. She is the oldest of the four nearly identical ships that were built between 2002 and 2006. All were built by Fincantieri on the northern Adriatic coast of Italy, the same company that builds most ships for Carnival, Princess and Costa, among others. The other three ships are the ms Oosterdam (2003), ms Westerdam (2004) and ms Noordam (2006). Each name represents the four main compass points (east, west, north and south) in Dutch.

Zuiderdam is a medium to large ship with a gross tonnage of 82,305. She is 936 feet or 285 metres in length and has 15 decks, eleven accessible to passengers. Guest capacity on the ms Zuiderdam is 1,916 with 817 crew members on board to make the cruise run smooth.

 The Small Print

·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.

·Prices are in Canadian dollars.

·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!

·Also not included are gratuities.

·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.