SEATTLE — When Holland America Line’s Westerdam ship embarks on its 2018-2019 season in Asia, it will take in all the sights in many of the region’s most enticing destinations.
From September 2018 through April 2019, the 1,916-guest Westerdam will depart from Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan and sail to China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam on cruises ranging from 10 to 31 days. In total, there will be 10 different itineraries featuring late departures and nine overnight ports that allow for extra time for exploration.
On Hong Kong and Singapore departures, passengers can also book exclusive Signature Experience pre-cruise tours.
Westerdam kicks off the season with a 14-day North Pacific Crossing from Vancouver to Yokohama before embarking on a series of voyages that explore the Far East, from Japan to Vietnam.
Here are some highlights:
- The 16-day ‘Far East Discover’ cruise between Singapore and Hong Kong calls at Sanya, China; four ports in Vietnam, including an overnight in Halong Bay; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; and Ko Samui and an overnight at Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand. A 13-day ‘Far East Discovery’ eliminates the overnight stay in Halong Bay.
- The shortest itinerary of the season is the 10-day ‘East Asia’ roundtrip Hong Kong cruise, departing Dec. 10 and visiting Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
- The first cruise of 2019 will be the 15-day ‘Thailand & Vietnam’ itinerary that sails roundtrip from Singapore and features fours calls in Vietnam, including an overnight in Da Nang (Hue). The cruise also includes an overnight in Bangkok and calls at Ko Samui and Sihanoukville.
- Westerdam’s 14- or 15-day ‘Taiwan & Japan’ cruise between Hong Kong and Shanghai includes an overnight at Hong Kong or Shanghai (depending on embarkation port) and visits the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
- The 14-day ‘South Korea & Japan’ cruise, which sails roundtrip form Shanghai, features two ports in each country, including overnights in Shanghai, Tianjin (Beijing) and Incheon (Seoul).
- The 14-day ‘Japan Explorer’ is a roundtrip Yokohama (Tokyo) journey with five ports in Japan, two calls in Taiwan and a visit to Jeju, South Korea.
- The final cruise of the season is the 14-day ‘Japan & Russia’ itinerary roundtrip from Yokohama and visiting eight ports in Japan. It also includes a northerly exploration to Vladivostok, Russia.
Holland America is also gearing up for its 2018 ‘Grand Asia & Pacific Voyage’, an 82-day circumnavigation of the Pacific aboard the Amsterdam. Departing Sept. 30, 2018, it will sail roundtrip from Los Angeles and call at 33 ports, with six overnight visits. Destinations include Alaska, Russia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, several South Pacific islands and Hawaii.
Travellers who prefer a shorter vacation can book the Grand Asia & Pacific Voyage in segments. There are 12 in total: 39 days from Vancouver to Hong Kong; 41 days from Seattle to Hong Kong; 15 days from L.A. to Yokohama; 34 days from Los Angeles to Hong Kong; 64 days from Seattle to Sydney; 62 days from Vancouver to Sydney; 57 days from L.A. to Sydney; 42 days from Yokohama to Sydney; 48 days from Hong Kong to L.A.; and 25 days from Sydney to L.A.