Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Holland America Line is increasing the number of southern Caribbean cruise departures to double what it currently has scheduled in 2008. Because of the popularity of its seven-day deep southern Caribbean itinerary, Holland America decided additional deep southern itineraries were necessary. In January the company will deploy ms Westerdam on seven cruises and ms Eurodam on a special New Year’s Eve cruise. The latter departure visits Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao and the company’s award winning private island Half Moon Cay. Holland America also specializesin longer Caribbean cruises by implementing a number of back to back itineraries, offering discounts for the second leg.

“We are the only major cruise line to offer a seven-day itinerary that sails so far south from Florida,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “It is a popular cruise among our guests for the unique ports of call and the extra day at sea.”

The first port call is at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private Bahamian island, where guests can unwind on white sandy beaches and enjoy the aqua blue waters. For the more adventurous, the island offers guided Aqua Trax® tours, deep-sea fishing, kayak tours, horseback riding, parasailing and snorkeling.

Another highlight of the cruise includes a late night departure from Oranjestad, Aruba, where guests can enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the island. During the day guests can try scuba diving without the gear on a submarine adventure. The Atlantis submarine dives to depths of up to 150 feet viewing exotic marine life and shipwrecks that surround the island.

At the final port call, Willemstad, Curacao, visitors can tour the Distillery at Chobolobo Mansion, where famous Blue Curacao liqueur is still made by hand. Other sightseeing on the island includes 17-century Fort Amsterdam, Mikve Emmanuel Israel, the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, Pietermaai Cathedral, the Franklin D. Roosevelt House and the many distinctive examples of Dutch colonial architecture.