Holland America Line has announced a brand new 79-night Grand Africa Voyage for 2020 that circumnavigates much of the continent and offers more than a dozen epic safari experiences and wildlife encounters.
The cruise line’s grand dame Amsterdam will depart Boston, Massachusetts on October 3rd, 2020 and make 19 port calls in Africa, as well as at islands in the Atlantic and several destinations in the Middle East, including Aqaba and Salalah.
Amsterdam is a sister ship to Rotterdam (pictured)
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“Our longer Grand Voyages are the pinnacle of worldly exploration in the most immersive way, and for years guests have asked for Africa so we set out to deliver the most authentic itinerary that delves deep into the continent,” said Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line.
The cruise line is also offering 2020 and 2021 Grand South America and Antarctica voyages in which an Amazon River exploration and in-depth Antarctica cruising anchor the itineraries, and according to Ashford, those are selling well too.
“The Grand South America & Antarctic Voyage continues to be popular for the variety of cultures it offers,” he said. “The ship goes from the tropics to glaciers and everything in between, all in one cruise. The 2020 itinerary is selling well and we’re excited to open 2021 for our guests who are ready to start planning.”
Volendam sets sail on January 5th, 2020, on a 77-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, while the 2021 journey departs January 4th and will be a 74 day itinerary.
The several dozen African safaris are a huge draw on this itinerary
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Holland America is offering a host of exclusive perks valued at more than US $4,000 per person for passengers who book the 74- or 79-day Grand Africa Voyage by February 28th, 2020.
The bonus rewards include pre-paid gratuities, luggage delivery service, a welcome aboard bottle of sparkling wine and an onboard spending credit of US $300 per person for select ocean-view staterooms.
This goes up to US $1,000 per person if you book a suite, as well as a complimentary shore excursion, a Signature Internet Package and an initial in-suite liquor set-up.
If the Grand Africa Voyage is paid in full by the same date, guests also receive a 3 percent savings off the cruise-only fare.
Holland America Line’s Amsterdam
The itinerary for Amsterdam’s Grand Africa 2020 Voyage
Holland America’s Grand Africa Voyage will follow the coast of Africa clockwise. After departing Boston on October 3rd, 2020, Amsterdam will visit Newport, New York and Fort Lauderdale where guests can embark on a 74-day roundtrip version of the cruise.
She’ll then set off into the Atlantic, calling at the islands of Madeira and Lanzarote. Passengers will then be able to explore Moroccan traditions at Agadir and Casablanca, take in a kaleidoscope of colors at La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia, and visit the island of Malta.
Amsterdam will transit the Suez Canal en route to Aqaba, Jordan, for an overnight call and the opportunity to travel to the Lost City of Petra, before cruising the length of the Red Sea bound for Salalah, Oman.
The Seychelles
Heading out into the Indian Ocean, she’ll stay overnight at the idyllic port of Victoria in the Seychelles, boasting pristine natural beauty and a vibrant Creole heritage, before embarking on the Safari-focused segment of the grand voyage.
Mombasa, Kenya
It starts with an overnight in Mombasa, Kenya, where trips to the Serengeti National Park or Maasi Mara Reserve are on offer, as well as an overland side trip to Ngorongoro Crater or a day safari at Tsavo National Park.
At Zanzibar, Tanzania, guests can visit the Jozani Forest Reserve and see the rare red colobus monkey, while a call at Mamoudzou, Mayotte, offers world-class snorkeling and diving. Lokobe National Park and the Black Lemur Sanctuary can be visited during a call at Andoany (Hell-Ville), Nosy-Be, Madagascar; and the call at Maputo, Mozambique, is the gateway for an overland to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa.
Arriving in South African waters, Amsterdam will call in Richards Bay, where an abundance of wildlife excursions are offered, including overland tours to Phinda Mountain Lodge and Thanda Private Game Reserve.
Cape Town, South Africa
Amsterdam then arrives in Cape Town, South Africa, for two full days so passengers can visit world-famous wineries, explore Table Mountain, view Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, coast along Chapman’s Peak Drive, go overland to Kulala Desert Lodge, or head out on a local safari.
The final leg of the Grand Africa Voyage is spent cruising up the west coast of the continent to Luderitz and Walvis Bay, Namibia; Luanda, Angola; Banjul, Gambia; Dakar, Senegal; and Mindelo, Cape Verde.
The ships spends five leisurely days crossing the Atlantic Ocean to San Juan, Puerto, Rico, before arriving in Fort Lauderdale on December 21st.
Categories: SA Cruise News
