Holland America Line Ship

Photo Courtesy of Holland America Line

With Europe an ever popular cruise destination, Holland America Line is adding a fifth ship, the new ms Noordam, to sail the Mediterranean throughout the summer.  The Noordam makes her European debut starting with a 16-day Atlantic crossing from New York to Rome followed by a full summer of 10-day cruises exploring the romantic and beautiful Mediterranean round trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) from May through September. 

The Noordam offers two itineraries for guests to choose from: the Mediterranean Enchantment, which features the Western Mediterranean, and the Roman Empire, which showcases the Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles.  Each 10-day cruise may be combined back-to-back for a 20-day complete Mediterranean adventure. 

Mediterranean Enchantment Sails Western Mediterranean

The works of Gaudi, Picasso and Michelangelo, ancient cities and lost civilizations, bustling markets of Italian leather and north African treasures - these are just a few of the highlights of a 10-day cruise featuring the Western Mediterranean aboard the Noordam.  The itinerary includes visits to the tiny principality of Monte Carlo, Monaco; Livorno, Italy for excursions to Florence and Pisa; Gaudi and Picasso's mesmerizing Barcelona, Spain; the island of Palma de Mallorca, Spain; La Goulette, Tunisia; Sicily's intriguing Palermo; and Naples, Italy with optional excursions to Capri, Pompeii or Sorrento.  Cruises depart May 1 and 21, June 10 and 30, July 20, August 9 and 29 and September 18, 2006.

Medieval art and architecture, magnificent ruins of ancient temples and baths, dazzling white houses clinging to 1,000 foot-high cliffs - these are a few of the highlights of a 10-day cruise featuring the Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles aboard the Noordam.  The itinerary includes visits to enchanting Dubrovnik, Croatia; the idyllic islands of Corfu, Katakolon and Santorini, Greece; the ancient wonders of Kusadasi, Turkey; Valletta, Malta; and sailing the Strait of Messina off Italy's southern tip.  Cruises depart May 11 and 31, June 20, July 10 and 30, August 19 and September 8, 2006.

10-day Mediterranean cruises are priced from $1,749 and depart between May 1 and September 18, 2006.  Combination 20-day Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruises start at $2,999.

Departing April 15 and September 28, 2006, the Noordam's 16-day transatlantic cruises feature the sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie and Benny Goodman, to name a few.  On April 15, 2006, Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians with Al Pierson will share their distinctive style with over 500 hit songs to their credit including "Auld Lang Syne."  On September 28, 2006, the Nick Ross Orchestra will perform each night of the cruise with a line-up of classic Big Band sounds of the 1940s.  The Noordam's 16-day transatlantic cruises start at just $1,999.

Holland America Line welcomes acclaimed culinary experts Gerald Dawes and Charles Dale aboard the Noordam this summer to headline the Noordam's Culinary Arts Center, a state-of-the-art "show kitchen at sea."  Gerald Dawes will share his expertise on Spanish food, wine and culture aboard the Noordam's July 20, 2006 Mediterranean cruise and Charles Dale, culinary visionary and founder of Aspen's Range and Rustique, will entertain and enlighten with his expertise on rustic yet modern cuisine aboard the Noordam's September 18, 2006 Mediterranean sailing.