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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 044
15- and 19-day itineraries sail the Great Barrier Reef and Asia
Volendam’s two new Great Barrier Reef itineraries are firsts of their kind among major cruise lines in the region. On
these select sailings, guests enjoy four days of cruising the Great Barrier Reef, including two days of daylight cruising
through the world’s largest coral reef system. Scenic highlights in the reef include viewing the sunrise or sunset —
depending on itinerary — while anchored off Lizard and Bobby Islands, an overnight anchorage in the reef near
Sherrard Island and cruising Torres Strait. Several interesting ports also will be visited in Indonesia, including Komodo
Island, part of the Komodo National Park; Padang Bai, Bali, with its abundance of shopping opportunities, and
Semarang, a bustling city teeming with ancient temples. The 19-day itinerary from Auckland to Singapore departs
March 16, 2009, and the 15-day Singapore-to-Sydney cruise departs Nov. 21, 2009.
Discover the many wonders of New Zealand on a 14- or 16-day cruise
Guests are treated to a picturesque backdrop and extraordinary ports of call on 14-day voyages throughout Australia
and New Zealand. Volendam brings cruisers from Sydney’s famous harbor to Auckland’s bustling city with calls along
the way at Burnie, Australia; and Christchurch, Tauranga, Dunedin and Picton, New Zealand. The verdant landscape of
New Zealand welcomes guests as they encounter breathtaking sights while cruising through Fiordland National Park, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The lush forests and enchanting waterways will continue to charm guests, even as they sample the region’s many
culinary delights including Picton’s wine country, Tauranga’s kiwi farms and Burnie’s Lactos Cheese Factory. Additional
adventures can be experienced on Picton’s waterways, which are perfect for kayaking, and Tauranga’s bubbling hot
springs. Itineraries between Sydney and Auckland depart January through March, and December 2009, and a special
16-day holiday sailing departs Dec. 20, 2009.
Starting fares (per person, double occupancy) for the 14-day cruises are $1,999 and for the 16-day holiday voyage,
$2,999; also, $2,249 for the 15-day Great Barrier Reef journey, and $2,599 for the 19-day Great Barrier Reef
experience. Guests can make the most of their time down under by adding a pre- or post-cruise tour to further explore
sites such as the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock or the Waitomo Caves.
Lectures in Holland America’s Explorations Speaker Series further enhance the experience by providing guests the
opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the region. When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse
shore excursions including the exclusive Medallion Collection featuring Overland Adventures; Signature Collection
private-car touring; visits to natural, architectural and technical masterpieces from the Wonders of the World
Collection; and rare and unusual experiences with the Encore Collection excursions.
Holland America Line also will feature a selection of unique voyages to the Asia Pacific region in 2009, including a new
round-trip Hong Kong itinerary. For the first time next fall through spring of 2009, Volendam will sail to destinations
throughout the Pacific, calling at exotic locales in China, Southeast Asia, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Russia.
For a 2009 Australia/New Zealand and Asia/Pacific cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional
travel agent, visit www.hollandamerica.com
Offshore Runner Vessel Launched
The Offshore Runner vessel (Yard No 358) for Raj Shipping Agencies Ltd, Mumbai was launched on February 11 at
Dempo Shipbuilding and Engineering Pvt Ltd, Old Goa. Among the dignitaries present were, Mr Naushir Mehta, director
of Raj Shipping Agencies Ltd, Ms Mehta, Mr Dilip Sawant, design consultant, Mr Yatish S Dempo, director, Mr Sanjeev
A Kanekar, general manager (works), Mr Vivek Phadte, works manager and other members of staff and contractors.
source: Navhind Times
Distribution : daily 3800+ copies worldwide Page 16 2/14/2008