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Holland America plots robust 2018/19 Asia program

PHOTO: Holland America Line
Incredible landscapes in HAL's Far East cruise program
From September 2018 through April 2019, Holland America Line's Westerdam extensively explores China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam on cruises ranging from 10 to 31 days.

Yokohama, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore departures

Ten different itineraries are offered, with departures from Yokohama, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. Late departures and nine overnights in port allow extra time for exploration, while Hong Kong and Singapore departures provide the opportunity for 'Signature Experience' pre-cruise tours.

Westerdam kicks off the season with a 14-day 'North Pacific Crossing' from Vancouver, BC, to Yokohama (Tokyo).

The ship's 16-day 'Far East Discovery' cruise between Singapore and Hong Kong calls at Sanya, China; four ports in Vietnam, including an overnight stay in Halong Bay; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Ko Samui and an overnight at Laem Chabang (Bangkok). A 13-day 'Far East Discovery' option skips Nha Trang in Vietnam and Sanya, while a 15-day version drops the overnight stay in Halong Bay.

The season's shortest itinerary, Westerdam’s 10-day 'East Asia' round-trip Hong Kong cruise, departs Dec. 10 and explores Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

The first cruise of 2019, a 15-day 'Thailand & Vietnam' itinerary sails round-trip Singapore and offers an extensive exploration of Vietnam. Four calls in the country are planned, including an overnight in Da Nang (Hue). The cruise also includes an overnight at Laem Chabang and calls at Ko Samui and Sihanoukville.

Taiwan and Japan

Westerdam’s 14- or 15-day 'Taiwan & Japan' cruise between Hong Kong and Shanghai features an overnight at Hong Kong or Shanghai, depending on embarkation port, and visits the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.

A series of 14-day Itineraries round out the ship’s Asia offerings.

Round-trip from Shanghai, the 'China, South Korea & Japan' cruise features two ports in each country, including overnight calls at Shanghai, Tianjin (Beijing) and Incheon (Seoul). The 'China Explorer' from Hong Kong to Yokohama includes two ports in Japan and three ports in China, with overnights at Shanghai and Tianjin.

Westerdam’s 'Japan Explorer' is a round-trip Yokohama journey with five ports in Japan, including an overnight at Kobe (Osaka), two calls in Taiwan and a visit to Jeju (Cheju), South Korea. A 'Japan & Russia' itinerary round-trip from Yokohama visits eight ports in Japan and Vladivostok in Russia. The season concludes with a 15-day spring 'North Pacific Crossing' from Yokohama back to Vancouver, encompassing ports in Japan and Alaska.

Back-to-back sailings can be booked together to form a Collectors’ Voyage. Combining two itineraries, the Asia Collectors’ Voyages range from 23 to 31 days.

82-day 'Grand Voyage'

HAL's 2018 'Grand Asia & Pacific Voyage' aboard Amsterdam is an 82-day cruise departing Sept. 30 that circumnavigates the Pacific Ocean round-trip from Los Angeles and calls at 33 ports, with six overnight stays.

The voyage explores Alaska, Russia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, several South Pacific islands and Hawaii. Optional 89- and 87-day versions departing from Seattle and Vancouver are available, along with 12 segments.

Singapore and Hong Kong 'Signature Experiences' include an evening event, two-night luxury hotel stay and transfers. Passengers who book a suite on the eligible cruises receive these 'Signature Experiences' at no charge, but space is limited and reservations are required.

Lion dance, snake charmer, palm reader, street food
 
In Singapore, 'An Evening at the National Gallery' gives a behind-the-velvet-ropes private tour. Drinks and appetizers are served during a traditional lion dance performance. Participants also will see a snake charmer, henna artist, master Chinese calligrapher and palm reader.
 
During 'A Taste of Hong Kong—Dai Pai Dong Experience,' participants will explore one of the world’s great cuisines the way the locals do: with traditional street food. This exclusive event features an array of delectable dishes served from food stalls, and traditions such as calligraphy, knotting, paper-cutting and grasshopper-weaving.