When Holland America Line’s Koningsdam sets sail in February 2016, the ship will first head to the Mediterranean on a seven-day Premiere Voyage and then continue on a series of 12-day Premiere Sailings through early May 2016, the company said in a statement.
"The debut cruises will explore some of the region’s most popular capitals, culturally rich cities, charming villages and beautiful beaches. Bookings for the Premiere Voyage and Sailings open on 1 December 2014."
The 2,650-guest ship is scheduled for delivery by Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy on 15 February 2016. Following its repositioning to Civitavecchia (Rome), Koningsdam will sail a seven-day Premiere Voyage roundtrip from Civitavecchia, departing on 20 February 2016 and sailing to Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kérkira (Corfu) and Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; and Naples, Italy.
“Since we announced ms Koningsdam, guests have been anxiously awaiting itinerary details, so we’re pleased to share the spring Mediterranean season,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest relations. “We have a very loyal following and we anticipate these cruises will fill up quickly, so I recommend booking early.”
Following the Premiere Voyage, from the end of February through to early May, Koningsdam will cruise a series of six 12-day Premiere Sailings on two alternating roundtrip itineraries from Civitavecchia. The first itinerary calls at Katakolon, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes and Crete, Greece; Istanbul (overnight) and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; and Naples, Italy. The other itinerary visits Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Cagliari, Sardinia; Gibraltar, British Territory; and Cádiz, Málaga, Cartagena and Barcelona (overnight), Spain.
Holland America Line is working to finalise details on the ship’s summer and autumn 2016 cruises and information will be released in the coming months. Cruise fares on Premier Sailings begin at £699 per person, cruise only, based on two sharing.
Koningsdam represents a new Pinnacle Class of ship for Holland America Line. The vessel will debut several innovative concepts and new public spaces and venues, while still featuring popular features that guests associate with Holland America Line.
To bring a fresh vision to Koningsdam, Holland America Line is working with Adam D. Tihany, one of the world’s pre-eminent hospitality designers. Tihany joins distinguished maritime designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten, who worked with Holland America Line on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. The two firms will create an interior that blends a fresh, contemporary styling in perfect harmony with the line’s renowned classic elegance, Holland America said.
