Antarctic Week: Holland America Line

Did you know Holland America Line sails to Antarctica?  They do - and this year might be your last chance to experience the wintry continent with them.

Here's the main difference between voyages offered by smaller expedition ships and larger cruise ships: you can't get off.  Veendam carries just over 1,300 passengers.  Expedition ships like Silversea's Prince Albert II or Hapag-Lloyd's Hanseatic barely break 200.  So while expedition ships typically allow for shore landings aboard purpose-built Zodiac craft, sailing these polar waters is restricted to "scenic cruising only" for ships like Veendam.

 Holland America's ms Veendam.

Photo courtesy of Holland America Line

Despite this, there are some distinct advantages to sailing on a larger cruise ship to this polar region.  The transit of the Drake Passage - notoriously known as one of the roughest waterways on the planet - is likely to be more pleasurable on a larger ship.  All the regular amenities - spas, full production shows, multiple dining options - are all available.  And these voyages make sense for those looking for a cruise at a lower price-point that sails to more South American ports and focuses less exclusively on the Antarctic Experience.

Sailing aboard ms Veendam, guests are whisked to some of the most fascinating ports in South America, topped off with a few days' sailing the Antarctic Peninsula.

 The new bar concept aboard Veendam and her sisters

has proven to be a real hit for Holland America.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

I've been fortunate to have sailed aboard Veendam three times now.  She's an extremely comfortable, well-laid out and well-maintained ship.  Like her fleetmates, Holland America has been steadily upgrading her over the past six years with new features like an expanded spa area, dedicated wine bar, the line's signature Exploration's Cafe, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, and the installation of a totally new bar and lounge concept that has been a smashing success for the line.  Upgrades to staterooms, the show lounge, and almost every public space have also been added.

 Staterooms aboard Holland America tend to be larger than

their competitors - plus, their beds are some of the best!

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Staterooms are extremely comfortable, and tend to be larger than those on competing lines.  Inside, Oceanview, Veranda, and Suite categories are available.  While we're a big fan of Holland America's outside staterooms for their roomy size and comfortable amenities, if you can swing an S-Suite, go for it.  These spacious staterooms are located high up on Navigation Deck and offer 575 square feet of living space, complete with a separate bathroom with tub, powder area, separate closet, and an expansive balcony.  Can't quite swing that?  Why not try one of the new "Lanai" staterooms?  Located on Lower Promenade Deck, these unique rooms are laid out like a veranda stateroom, but feature sliding glass doors that open onto the Promenade Deck itself, and feature two reserved teak loungers - just for you!

Why not take a dip in one of Veendam's two pools?

Photo © Aaron Saunders

While you might not need to be outdoors so much in Antarctica, this no doubt comes in handy while viewing the Glaciers of Chile. One such itinerary is listed below, and departs on January 6, 2012:

Day	Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
0	06 Jan 2012	Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile		05:00 PM
1	07 Jan 2012	At Sea
2	08 Jan 2012	Puerto Montt, Chile TR	08:00 AM	05:00 PM
3	09 Jan 2012	Chilean Fjords CO
4	10 Jan 2012	Amalia Glacier CO
4	10 Jan 2012	Canal Sarmiento CO
5	11 Jan 2012	Strait of Magellan CO
5	11 Jan 2012	Punta Arenas, Chile	07:00 AM	08:00 PM
5	11 Jan 2012	Cockburn Channel CO
5	11 Jan 2012	Beagle Channel CO
6	12 Jan 2012	Glacier Alley CO
6	12 Jan 2012	Ushuaia, Argentina	02:00 PM	08:00 PM
7	13 Jan 2012	Cape Horn CO
8	14 Jan 2012	Wilhelm Archipelago CO
9	15 Jan 2012	South Shetland Islands CO
10	16 Jan 2012	The Antarctic Sound CO
11	17 Jan 2012	At Sea
12	18 Jan 2012	Pt. Stanley, Falkland Islands TR	07:00 AM	02:00 PM
13	19 Jan 2012	At Sea
14	20 Jan 2012	Puerto Madryn, Argentina	10:00 AM	06:00 PM
15	21 Jan 2012	At Sea
16	22 Jan 2012	Montevideo, Uruguay	09:00 AM	07:00 PM
17	23 Jan 2012	Buenos Aires, Argentina	06:00 AM

Passengers looking to book this particular voyage would be advised to have their travel agent contact Holland America as soon as possible; many categories currently show as "wait list only" at time of printing. There is a similar holiday cruise available on December 20, 2011 that still shows plenty of availability in almost all stateroom categories.

Owing to new rules and regulations brought in just last year governing ships sailing the waters of Antarctica, the first few months of January, 2012 may be the last chance to see Antarctica aboard a "regular" cruise ship. New rules limit both vessel tonnage and maximum passenger loads - all of which will keep expedition ships operating, but could spell the end of mega passenger ship voyages to the region.

For more information on Holland America's South America and Antarctic itineraries, be sure to pay a visit to their website.  Note that you have to search under "South America" to find these Antarctic itineraries; upcoming voyages will be offered in December, 2011 and January, 2012.