Holland America Line will position the Volendam and Rotterdam in Asia for the 2013-2014 cruise season, increasing capacity and adding more itineraries in the region.

New expanded Singapore sailings make it easier to sail round-trip from the bustling port and experience exotic calls at destinations like Myanmar and India.

The diverse 14-day itineraries and longer Collectors’ Voyages — that combine back-to-back itineraries into longer cruises — also feature extended and overnight stays at some of Asia’s most iconic cities and provide travelers with ample time to explore the region’s diverse historical and notable landmarks.

Two extensive 51- and 53-day Collectors’ Voyages in January and March, respectively, provide comprehensive explorations of the region with visits to Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia while sailing from and to Europe.

“Asia continues to flourish as a popular cruise destination, so the timing is right to increase our capacity in the region and provide our guests with a variety of exciting travel options to this magical area of the world,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “The enhanced itineraries offer guests an opportunity to take in the rich Asian culture and even go inland to see some of the most well-known sites.”

New 14-Day Asian Adventure Voyage

Departing Feb. 17, 2014, from Singapore, Volendam sails on a new round-trip itinerary that stretches up to Myanmar and explores Malaysia, Thailand and India. The 14-day cruise calls at Malacca, Penang, Porto Malai and Port Klang (overnight), Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand; Rangoon (overnight), Myanmar, and Port Blair, India. Port Klang is the gateway to the city of Kuala Lumpur, famous for its diverse architecture, Malay mosques, Hindu temples and 222-acre Lake Gardens. With an overnight at Rangoon, guests will have time to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda — one of Asia’s greatest religious sites — with its gilded domes that hover over the city protectively.

New 14-day Indonesian Discovery Voyages

Rotterdam will sail a series and Volendam will offer one departure of new round-trip Singapore itineraries in 2014. The 14-day voyages include calls at Jakarta; Semarang (Java); Lembar (Lombok); Komodo Island; Makassar (Sulawesi); Probolinggo and Suabaya (Java), as well as an overnight stay at Bali. Guests will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with the infamous Komodo dragon on Komodo Island, while an overnight at Bali gives time ashore to take in a traditional fire dance performance or visit Besakih Temple, considered by the Hindu Balinese to be their mother temple. Departure dates are Jan. 6, Feb. 14 and 28, and March 14, 2014.

14-day Far East Discovery Voyages

Volendam’s 14-day Far East Discovery voyages sail between Hong Kong, China, and Singapore and feature calls at Koh Samui and Bangkok (overnight), Thailand; Sihanoukville, Cambodia, and Phu My, Nha Trang, Da Nang and Halong Bay, Vietnam. Departure dates are Dec. 9, 2013 (12-day sailing), Jan. 6 and 20, and Feb. 3, 2014. The ship also offers a special 16-day Holiday voyage Dec. 21, 2013, with overnights at Hong Kong, Phu My and Laem Chabang (Bangkok). The overnight at Bangkok enables guests ample time to do some shopping at the spectacular Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, or those looking for a more peaceful experience can explore the serene golden temples and the Grand Palace.

14-day China and Japan Voyages

For Volendam’s China and Japan voyages, guests can choose to sail between Hong Kong and Kobe (Osaka), Japan, or round-trip from Kobe. The 14-day cruises include overnight calls at Xingang (Beijing) and Shanghai, China, and day calls at Dalian, China; Pusan, South Korea, and Nagasaki, Japan. Departure dates are March 17 and 31, 2014. South Korea is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations in Asia, and guests will have the opportunity to visit the country’s Beomeosa Temple or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gyeongju. Beijing brings millennia of history with a variety of sites in and around the city, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the 2008 Olympic Games National Stadium (aka the “Bird’s Nest”).

19-day Great Barrier Reef

Travel Melbourne to Singapore on the Volendam departing Nov. 20, 2013.  Featuring two days of scenic cruising in The Great Barrier Reef with stops at Sydney, Burnie (Tasmania), Hamilton Island, Cairns and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Bali and Semarang, Indonesia before arriving Singapore.

28-day Far East Adventure Collectors’ Voyage

Volendam’s 28-day Far East Adventure Collectors’ Voyage from Hong Kong to Singapore departs Feb. 3, 2014, and combines back-to-back Far East Discovery and Asian Adventure itineraries. The trip includes overnight calls at Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Rangoon and Port Klang, as well as extended stays in many of the region’s favorite destinations. The itinerary includes ports in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and India.

51-day Spice Route to Singapore Collectors’ Voyage

Departing Jan. 8, 2014, from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or Jan. 9 from Southampton (London), England, Rotterdam sets course for Singapore on a 51- or 50-day Collector’s Voyage that calls at ports in Portugal, Spain, Malta, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Highlights include a daylight transit of the Suez Canal, a late departure from Safaga, Egypt, and overnight calls at Muscat, Oman; Mumbai (Bombay), India, and Bali, Indonesia. On this extended journey, guests have the chance to visit some of the world’s most impressive landmarks, including Ephesus in Turkey, the Acropolis in Greece, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India and the temple of Borobudu in Java. Additional Collectors’ Voyage segments of 25-, 36-, 37- and 39-days are available on this cruise.

53-day Indonesia, Arabia and India Discovery Collectors’ Voyage

Departing March 14, 2014, Rotterdam will sail a 52- or 53-day day Collectors’ Voyage from Singapore back to Southampton (London) or Rotterdam visiting ports in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal, including a daylight transit of the Suez Canal. Highlights include Java and Komodo Island, Indonesia; Port Klang, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand; Colombo, Sri Lanka, and overnight calls at Bali, Mumbai (Bombay) and Muscat. Additional Collectors’ Voyage segments of 25-, 38- and 39-days are available on this cruise.