In 2011 and 2012, three Holland America Line ships –– ms Veendam, ms Rotterdam and ms Prinsendam –– will explore South America’s rugged natural beauty, indigenous cultures and contrasting cities during unforgettable cruising expeditions. The itineraries range from 12 to 37 days and include two extended, port-intensive Collectors’ Voyages aboard Veendam. A 66- and 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage aboard the Prinsendam is also part of the line’s 2011 and 2012 cruise schedule.

The recently upgraded Veendam and Rotterdam will sail a combined eight South America itineraries, featuring 44 ports of call.

“South America is one of the most popular, ‘must-see’ destinations in the world,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Holland America Line offers an extraordinary cruise experience as well as in-depth explorations of this vast and diverse continent at an exceptional value.”

From Nov. 2011 to March 2012, the 1,350-guest Veendam will sail a series of 12-, 16- and 17-day itineraries between Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that include multiple days cruising the fjords of Chile, port calls at exotic locations such as Ushuaia — the southernmost town in the world — and a visit to the Magellan Strait, a gateway to Antarctica. A call at the Falkland Islands affords guests the opportunity to encounter penguins up close and personal.

Cruise fares begin at $1,399 per person, double occupancy for the 12-day sailings; $1,799 for the 16-day sailings; and $2,799 for the 17-day sailings.

In addition to Veendam’s series of cruises, two varied itineraries also are available throughout the season: an 18- or 21-day Inca Discovery Cruise departing New York or Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Valparaiso Oct. 16, 2011; and a 19- or 22-day Inca Discovery Cruise departing Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale or New York March 31, 2012.

These itineraries include a full transit of the Panama Canal, in addition to extended port calls at Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama, and Callao (Lima), Peru.

Cruise fares begin at $1,999 per person, double occupancy for the 18- and 19-day sailings.

Veendam’s Collectors’ Voyages  

Veendam’s Collectors’ Voyages — which offer the ultimate blend of combining two back-to-back sailings — depart Valparaiso Feb. 16, 2011, for a 30-day South America adventure and March 4, 2011, for a 42-day sailing. The line offers also offers two awe-inspiring Inca Discovery Voyages with options to sail between either New York or Fort Lauderdale and Valparaiso: a 34- to 37- day sailing departs Oct. 16, 2011, and a 31- to 34-day journey departs March 19, 2012. 

Cruise fares begin at $3,199 per person, double occupancy, for the full 30-day Collectors’ Voyage.

Uncover the Incan Empire, Timeless Wonder of Machu Picchu

Aboard Rotterdam, guests will sail two unique Incan Empire Cruises, conveniently sailing roundtrip from the U.S.

Guests will spend 30 days exploring 15 ports along the west coast of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru during the ship’s Incan Empires voyage. The round-trip San Diego, Calif., cruise departs Feb. 2, 2011, and features extended calls at Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, allowing guests extra time ashore to enjoy the history and local attractions. A two-night call at Callao (Lima) enables guests to take an excursion to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. This popular itinerary will be offered again, departing Feb. 3, 2012.

For the adventurists who wish a blend of the exotic, Rotterdam will also embark on a 60-day round-trip San Diego sailing in January 2011 and again in February 2012. Aptly called Polynesian Paradise & Incan Empires, the itinerary will cover the Hawaiian islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai before crossing the International Date Line and sailing deep into the South Pacific, Central and South America, and Mexico.

Cruise fares begin at $3,099 per person, double occupancy, for the full 30-day Incan Empires cruise. Fifteen-day segments between San Diego and Callao also are available with fares starting at $1,699.

On April 17, 2011, Rotterdam sets sail on a 30-day Secret Civilizations round-trip Fort Lauderdale cruise that visits ports in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru. The itinerary features a double daylight transit of the Panama Canal on the way to and from Callao, where guests can observe the intricate passage through the lakes and locks of the man-made engineering marvel.

Cruise fares begin at $3,299 per person, double occupancy, for the full 30-day Secret Civilizations cruise. Fifteen-day segments between Fort Lauderdale and Callao also are available with fares starting at $1,799. Fares for the full 60-day Polynesian Paradise & Incan Empires voyage begin at $6,649 per person, double occupancy.

Cruise the Mighty Amazon River, Cross the Equator Twice 

Once again, in 2011 and 2012, Prinsendam sails its amazing Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage round-trip Fort Lauderdale with departures on Jan. 5, 2011, and Jan. 4, 2012. During the 66- or 68-day cruise, the ship will circumnavigate South America, cross the equator twice, visit the remote continent of Antarctica and spend eight days exploring the Amazon River. In addition to several Caribbean islands, guests will visit ports in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Antarctica, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Panama. In all, guests will visit 13 countries, 29 ports and all three “Big A’s”: the Andes, the ice of Antarctica and Brazil’s exotic Amazon rain forest.

Fares for the 66-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage begin at $10,199 per person, double occupancy. Shorter segments are available for guests with less time.

The ship returns to South America on a 24-day Amazon Explorer voyage departing Fort Lauderdale Nov. 27, 2011. Guests will call at several ports in Brazil, many of which are only accessible by water. The itinerary also features an overnight stay at Manaus, the furthest navigable point on the river for ocean-going vessels.

Cruise fares begin at $3,899 per person, double occupancy, for the full 24-day Amazon Explorer cruise.