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Krazy Kruizers
September 3rd, 2009, 08:52 AM
Holland America Line's ms Zaandam to Navigate the Hawaiian Islands in Fall 2010




Seattle, WA (Sept. 1, 2009) — Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam is set to discover the Hawaiian Island chain in 2010 with Circle Hawaii itineraries that offer guests the best of both worlds: luxuriously relaxing days at sea and exotic islands to explore. The 1,432-passenger ship will sail five 14-day roundtrip San Diego, Calif., cruises and one 15-day voyage from Vancouver, British Colombia, to San Diego. The sailings are from October through December.
Nestled between two stretches of sea days are back-to-back calls at Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai and Maui — plus a call at Ensenada, Mexico — before returning to San Diego. Included in the Hawaii cruise roster is a holiday sailing departing Dec. 19.
“Our Hawaiian itineraries combine the appeal of warm-water cruising and a port-intensive Pacific island experience,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. “Guests will have time to enjoy our shipboard amenities and activities, and the convenience of visiting four ports in four days without multiple flights or the packing and unpacking associated with island hopping.”
Departing Sundays from San Diego, guests will have several relaxing days at sea before arriving at Hawaii. During this time, they can enjoy a day at the Greenhouse Spa, channel their inner chef at the Culinary Arts Center for a hands-on cooking class or attend a Digital Workshop powered by Windows® to learn how to share memorable photos taken on the voyage. The Speaker Series offers exciting insights into upcoming ports and includes destination-related topics such as Polynesian music and dance traditions.
The first port call is to Hilo on the big island of Hawaii where guests can visit one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks — Kilauea Volcano — with its impressive molten lava flows. Other highlights include world-class botanical gardens and the awe-inspiring Akaka Falls. As Zaandam makes it way to Honolulu, the state capital, guests can enjoy an evening at the Polynesian Cultural Centers or other Hawaiian must-dos: whale watching, a traditional Hawaiian luau, a stroll down Waikiki beach or even surfing. For a more reflective view into Hawaii’s past, guests can visit the USS Arizona Memorial from World War II.
On route to Nawiliwili, Kauai, cruisers are in for spectacular views as Zaandam sails along the island’s dramatic Na Pali Coast. Upon reaching Nawiliwili guests can visit Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) or get an aerial view of the island on a helicopter tour. Thrill-seekers can book a zipline tour through the forest canopy for a unique perspective of the island’s inspiring natural setting.
At Lahaina, Maui, guests can explore the stunning beaches and a magnificent volcano, or spend the day shopping at chic boutiques and galleries.
Those sailing on the 15-day voyage departing Oct. 2 have an added call at Kona, once known as the playground of Hawaii's royalty. Kona is synonymous with the famous coffee that grows on the slopes of dormant Hualalai volcano, a definite must-see for coffee aficionados. Another highlight of this longer voyage is an evening scenic cruise past the famous Kilauea volcano.
Cruise fares begin at $1,499 per person for the full 14-day Circle Hawaii and $1,699 per person for the 15-day voyage.
For a cruise brochure or for more information on Holland America Line’s Grand Voyages, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com (http://www.hollandamerica.com/).
Editor’s Note: Photography available at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/Wy3z:s7H:tzC (http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/Wy3z:s7H:tzC)

- www.hollandamerica.com (http://www.hollandamerica.com/) -

booboo29
September 3rd, 2009, 09:50 AM
This is a little strange. I thought all of the Circle Hawaii cruises were 15 days. The way I read this, only one is. We are sailing on Nov. 22 and it is supposed to be 15 days. Maybe I ought to double check.........

Jennifer

booboo29
September 3rd, 2009, 11:29 AM
I'm just saying that the press release doesn't make sense, based on what I think I have booked. I have had to change my plans about 5 times, so I just hope I haven't missed something.

Jennifer

IRL_Joanie
September 3rd, 2009, 11:33 AM
I'm just saying that the press release doesn't make sense, based on what I think I have booked. I have had to change my plans about 5 times, so I just hope I haven't missed something.

Jennifer


Jennifer, the best thing, in my opinion, is to call HAL directly and ask them.

bcd2010
September 3rd, 2009, 11:46 AM
This is a little strange. I thought all of the Circle Hawaii cruises were 15 days. The way I read this, only one is. We are sailing on Nov. 22 and it is supposed to be 15 days. Maybe I ought to double check.........

Jennifer

From your countdown clock, it looks like your cruise is in November of 2009. The 14 day cruises start in Fall 2010 and everything up 'til then is 15 days.

booboo29
September 3rd, 2009, 12:01 PM
From your countdown clock, it looks like your cruise is in November of 2009. The 14 day cruises start in Fall 2010 and everything up 'til then is 15 days.


DUH!!! Well there you go. That will be my blond moment of the day. Thanks for pointing that out.

Jennifer

sassyredhat
September 3rd, 2009, 12:24 PM
By the way Jennifer~~We have taken this cruise twice.

You will love it. :)

Pat

Krazy Kruizers
September 3rd, 2009, 01:26 PM
Guess I should have put the 2010 in red so that everyone would know that HAL is doing only 14 day cruises on the Zaandam for Hawaii for the fall of that year.

Sorry folks.

Krazy Kruizers
September 3rd, 2009, 01:29 PM
DUH!!! Well there you go. That will be my blond moment of the day. Thanks for pointing that out.

Jennifer

A couple of years we did the Hawaiian cruise on the Amsterdam -- you will love Hawaii if you have never been there.

jimmy2x
September 3rd, 2009, 01:56 PM
According to the website the Zaandam is sailing direct from Vancouver to Hawaii on 10/1/10. Seems to conflict with the info above.

Himself
September 3rd, 2009, 10:37 PM
It is 14 days rather than fifteen because Kona is being dropped from all cruises in fall of 2010.

Brad1185
September 4th, 2009, 10:34 AM
Droping a port (Kona) is not good.

Krazy Kruizers
September 4th, 2009, 10:50 AM
We loved Kona!!

HAL figures that by dropping Kona -- it makes it possible for the ship to always leave on a Sunday and get back on a Sunday.

CRUZBUDS
September 4th, 2009, 10:59 AM
We aren't interested in doing a 14 day - I hope they reconsider for 2011.

Kona - is a great port

Sunday is an awful departure day when you live in San Diego -- too much wasted vacation time!

Look's like it's back to Mexico for us!

Iris5383
September 4th, 2009, 03:05 PM
DUH!!! Well there you go. That will be my blond moment of the day. Thanks for pointing that out.

Jennifer

Jennifer - Your countdown clock is saying the cruise leaves on 11-20-09. We're on the same cruise - it leaves on the 22nd. Not being picky, just don't want you to miss the boat! :)
Laura

booboo29
September 4th, 2009, 03:33 PM
Jennifer - Your countdown clock is saying the cruise leaves on 11-20-09. We're on the same cruise - it leaves on the 22nd. Not being picky, just don't want you to miss the boat! :)
Laura


I always go by the day that I leave for the trip, which makes it that much closer:-)

NMLady
September 7th, 2009, 03:52 PM
We did that cruise on the Zaandam in 2006 and we'd do it again in a heartbeat if we didn't have other places to explore first. We love sea days and that itinerary has some both directions, to and from Hawaii.

We had barely anchored in Kona Harbor when a major earthquake hit the island and the tender of passengers who'd off-boarded had to be found so we could leave. They were all located so that we were on our way out of the harbor area by 10:15am.
That meant that instead of a midnight passing the volcanic ash hitting the surf, we were able to view it during dinner in the dining room. But I was sad to miss Kona. I'd been there before, but my husband hadn't

NM Lady
Pending: 2010 14-night Alaska cruise ~ HAL Amsterdam
2008 Transatlantic/British Isles NCL Jewel
2007 British Isles Celebrity Century
Transatlantic Oceania Regatta
2006 Hawaii HAL Zaandam
Panama Canal NCL Sun
2005 Belize/Roatan NCL
Around the Boot of Italy Radisson Diamond
Transatlantic Oceania Insignia
2004 Caribbean ports RCCL Empress of the Seas
Cayman, Jamaica Carnival Ecstasy
Transatlantic Century Millenium
2001 Mexican Riviera NCL
2000 Bahamas Carnival Ecstasy
1999 Caribbean RCCL Nordic Empress (before remodel to Empress of the Seas)

Krazy Kruizers
September 7th, 2009, 03:56 PM
We did that cruise on the Zaandam in 2006 and we'd do it again in a heartbeat if we didn't have other places to explore first. We love sea days and that itinerary has some both directions, to and from Hawaii.

We had barely anchored in Kona Harbor when a major earthquake hit the island and the tender of passengers who'd off-boarded had to be found so we could leave. They were all located so that we were on our way out of the harbor area by 10:15am.
That meant that instead of a midnight passing the volcanic ash hitting the surf, we were able to view it during dinner in the dining room. But I was sad to miss Kona. I'd been there before, but my husband hadn't

NM Lady
Pending: 2010 14-night Alaska cruise ~ HAL Amsterdam
2008 Transatlantic/British Isles NCL Jewel
2007 British Isles Celebrity Century
Transatlantic Oceania Regatta
2006 Hawaii HAL Zaandam
Panama Canal NCL Sun
2005 Belize/Roatan NCL
Around the Boot of Italy Radisson Diamond
Transatlantic Oceania Insignia
2004 Caribbean ports RCCL Empress of the Seas
Cayman, Jamaica Carnival Ecstasy
Transatlantic Century Millenium
2001 Mexican Riviera NCL
2000 Bahamas Carnival Ecstasy
1999 Caribbean RCCL Nordic Empress (before remodel to Empress of the Seas)

Sorry your husband missed Kona -- now the 2010 cruises won't even be going there.

I remember RevNeal talking about an earth quake on his Zaandam Hawaiian cruise. Sounds like you were on the same cruise as he was.