Due to continued unrest in Egypt and surrounding areas Holland America Line's ms Noordam will now sail cruises with central and western Mediterranean itineraries in spring and summer 2014. The new itineraries will allow for longer voyages, including the introduction of three new 11-day itineraries with several departures each and numerous Collectors' Voyages up to 33 days.
From April through October 2014, the ship will sail between Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, and Barcelona, Spain, or Venice, Italy. The 11-day itineraries feature a combination of calls in Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Tunisia, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and Turkey. Guests who want a longer vacation can combine two or three back-to-back voyages to form a 22- or 33-day Collectors' Voyage. These extended itineraries offer a more in-depth cruise and allow for extra time ashore to become immersed in the culture and history of the Mediterranean.
"The central and western Mediterranean cruises feature a variety of popular ports in 10 countries so our guests can explore the top highlights of the region," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest programs. "For travelers with more time, the different itineraries can be combined into an ultimate Mediterranean cruise experience with few, if any, repeated ports."
Departing April 4, May 18, July 1 and Aug. 14, the "Mediterranean Explorer" voyage sails from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome). The cruise begins with an overnight at Barcelona and continues on to Marseille (Provence), France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Calvi, Corsica; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia, and Palermo and Naples, Italy. The ship sails the reverse itinerary, ending with an overnight at Barcelona, May 7, June 20, Aug. 3 and Oct. 8.
The "Adriatic Dream" itinerary departs April 15, May 29, July 12 and Aug. 25 from Civitavecchia (Rome) and sails to Venice, where guests enjoy an overnight before disembarking. Along the route the ship calls at Messina, Sicily, Italy, after scenic cruising along the Strait of Messina; Valletta, Malta; Argostolion and Kerkira (Corfu), Greece; Kotor, Montenegro, and Dubrovnik, Korcula and Split, Croatia.
The "Mediterranean Dream" cruise departs April 26, June 9, July 23 and Sept. 5 from Venice and sails to Civitavecchia (Rome). This itinerary features six calls throughout the beautiful Greek Isles, including Katakolon (Olympia), Navplion, Piraeus (Athens), Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini. The ship also calls at Kusadasi, Turkey, home to Ephesus, and Naples, Italy.
The Sept. 16 "Venetian Adventure" voyage sails round-trip Civitavecchia (Rome) with an overnight at Venice mid-voyage. The ship also calls at Messina after scenic cruising along the Strait of Messina, Valletta, Kotor, Split, Dubrovnik and Kerkira (Corfu).
A round-trip Civitavecchia (Rome) "Mediterranean Dream" cruise departs Sept. 27 and calls at Katakolon (Olympia), Navplion, Piraeus (Athens), Mykonos, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Santorini and Naples.
Travelers looking to explore more of the Mediterranean can book a longer Collectors' Voyage that combines two or three of the 11-day cruises. For example, the 33-day "Best of the Mediterranean" cruise departs April 4 and combines the April 4, 15 and 26 departures. The 22-day "Mediterranean and Adriatic Explorer" combines the May 18, 29 and June 9 sailings. Each month through September will offer a combination that features 22- to 33-day Collectors' Voyage options.
The new Noordam itineraries replace the previously published cruises that included Egypt, which was cancelled due to continued unrest in the area.