Ryndam & Statendam Bid Adieu to Holland America Line with Exotic Farewell Cruises
In the fall of 2015 Holland America Line’s ms Statendam and ms Ryndam will transfer to sister Carnival Corporation & plc brand P&O Cruises Australia. To celebrate the ships and give their loyal fans a chance to cruise one last time under the Holland America Line brand, the company has planned two special farewell voyages that will send them to their new home in style.
A wide range of events and amenities have been organized for the farewell voyages, including specialty menus, extravagant Black & White Galas and charity auctions of Statendam memorabilia and Ryndam maiden port plaques on the respective ships. Statendam guests also will enjoy evening performances by the 16-piece Harry James Orchestra.
Cruise to the Far East on Ryndam’s Farewell Voyage
Ryndam says goodbye to Holland America Line with a 28-day Far East Explorer voyage departing Venice, Italy, Oct. 3, 2015, en route to Singapore. This special sailing includes calls in seven countries and a daylight transit of the Suez Canal.
Visits to Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Corfu, Greece, mark the final calls in the Mediterranean, followed by a call at Aqaba, Jordan, that enables guests to explore the famed city of Petra. The ship makes two stops in Oman and then calls at Marmagao (Goa), Mangalore and Cochin, India; before visiting Colombo, Sri Lanka. The farewell journey concludes with calls at Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and ends at Singapore.
Say Goodbye to Statendam on a 30-day Voyage to Singapore
Statendam’s farewell voyage is a grand 30-day Transpacific Crossing from Seattle, Washington, to Singapore departing Sept. 21, 2015. After a call at Vancouver, British Columbia, guests will explore three ports in Hawaii before crossing to the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. The ship calls at Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands; and Guam before landing at the Philippines. Two final calls at Malaysia wrap up the voyage before the ship says farewell to Holland America Line at Singapore.
Now is the perfect time to book this voyage because it’s featured in the Fall Finale savings program. Under “Fall Finale” guests can save up to $1,000 per stateroom on at least 60 sailings over the next 60 days secured with a $60 deposit. Bookings must be made by Sept. 10, 2015 (60 days from the program’s launch date).
Statendam sets sail for Singapore on its farewell voyage.
On Statendam’s cruise, Holland America Line’s “On Location” enrichment program brings Hawaiian culture to life as four native Hawaiians share the “aloha” spirit through hula lessons, fresh flower lei making, language lessons, cultural presentations, traditional Hawaiian ukulele lessons and performances.
Travelers looking to spend even more time on Statendam before the ship leaves the fleet can combine the 30-day Transpacific Crossing with a 14-day Seattle Explorer Alaska cruise to create a 44-day Alaska Explorer and Transpacific Crossing Collectors’ Voyage. The 14-day cruise departs on a roundtrip Seattle voyage Sept. 7 and includes Alaska’s top ports: Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak and Sitka. Scenic cruising around Vancouver Island, Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm make it the perfect final Alaska cruise for Statendam.
Plentiful Days at Sea Give More Time to Enjoy the Ships’ Amenities
Throughout these longer journeys, guests on Statendam will enjoy 17 days at sea and guests on Ryndam will have 15 sea days to fully experience all of the ships’ amenities. Guest chefs will show off their skills in cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine, while dance lessons keep the mood energized.
From culinary and computer classes to the spa, there are a variety of activities to enjoy on sea days.
Those who want to share special photos from the farewell voyages can learn how to do so in classes at the Digital Workshop powered by Windows. Extensive lecture programming provides insightful information on a variety of topics, while those who simply want to relax on deck and watch the world sail by can do so with ease. From a pampering treatment at the spa to amusing team trivia, the activities planned are sure to be memorable.
Are you booked on one of the farewell voyages? What do you think will be most memorable? Tell us below!
Saying Farewell to my favorite ship, the Ryndam. My husband and I will board in Venice.
I really had to search for this information, never noticed the blog link before.
Is there any more information on the special events? I would love to see Barbara back in the Culinary Arts Center…and can we have The Temptations back, please? (TA Nov. 2013) talk about rocking the ship!
See you soon.
looking for a scandanavian cruise
Our very first cruise was 15 years ago on the Ryndam. A one week Western Caribbean cruise with Louis Rukeyser in November 2000. The Presidential election had not been decided and everyone was glued to the news as the hanging chads were being counted in Florida. We will be on the Oct 3rd farewell voyage. We also took it to Alaska in 2006.
My first HAL cruise was on the Statendam, 30 days round trip in 2008 to French Polynesia from my hometown San Diego. A great cruise, especially for a devoted snorkeler. Now I am leaving in a week on her final voyage to say farewell. I’m sure to get some great photos to share.
40 years ago Maggie, my travel companion and I worked together at Oceanair Travel in Ottawa, Ont. Last year, we met up again and realized that we both had a sea voyage similar to the Ryndam’s final sailing with HAL was on our respective bucket list. Maggie has sailed on a few HAL ships, while I taught on the old Statendam for CLIA and was on the Westerdam last year. We’re very excited about the itinerary and the incredible opportunity we have to reconnect and share our experiences of the last 40 years and the journey we will have for the 28 days we’ll be on board the beautiful Ryndam. The absolute highlight for me will be seeing Petra. I have dreamed of this experience and finally will have every detail of it embedded in my memories. Can’t wait to be in Venice for a few days and finally board our “home” for the next month.
Where do all those Cruises Start ???
With my wife and friends, we always enjoy Holland America ships, built just right. Not too big or small either. My wife and I are Mariners. They always have very friendly crew. Entertainment are kept decent and presentable. Even the crew have their own musical shows.
We’ve cruised with two other competitors, the Royal Caribbean and the Celebrity. Huge ships and no intimacy. So, we always prefer HAL.
While scrolling through some old HAL voyages we noted the farewell write-up of the Statendam. Elaine Fisher and I are both 3 star mariners and warm memories came back reading the article. Skirting a major storm and having a little engine trouble made everything just a little more exciting. The hula dance, dancing to and singing with the Harry James Orchestra in the Crows Nest are unforgettable times and will always be with us. How sad it was when we saw the ship depart Singapore while we were way above it in a gondola ride. She just faded away, but the memories will stay forever!
Fortunately, we are leaving soon on the 18-day San Diego, Hawaii, San Diego trip. We are booked on the February 19, 2018 journey. Can’t wait!