Cruise Holidays Irish Cruise Blog

It's here! The Cruise Holidays & Tour America Red Cow Annual Holiday Sale Day.

Tour America & Cruise Holidays, Ireland's leading tour operator to the USA and Cruise Holidays, are this week launching our Annual Sale Day at The Red Cow Moran Hotel to take place on Sunday 7th October.

 

This is the 12th year Tour America & Cruise Holidays have run this holiday show, and we have organised for suppliers from all over the USA to join us on the day. From cruise companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line with a host of special offers and top tips for our cruise clients. Some of the key tourist boards from the USA will also be there including Florida Beaches, Las Vegas, Massachusetts, California, Deep South and much more.

There will be at least 30 exhibitors, with lots of gifts for you and your family; there will be a children's area, and all the Tour America experts there to bring you all the exclusive offers of the day. In addition, we will have key guest speakers to keep you up to date with all that is travel, and to provide you with additional information on all the destinations available to book in the USA wih tips, advice and special offers on the day.

And if you're a technology savvy person, you'll be able to connect with us on the day through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Foresquare. We'll be taking pictures and videos so you can tag yourself, we'll be tweeting event information (Q times, deals on the day etc.) and much more. And we'll have a competition on the day to give one lucky person a €100 One4All gift voucher just for checking in on their mobile phone either through Facebook or Foresquare. If you have been before, you will know how busy it is, so arrive early. If you have not been before, now is your chance to take advantage of the best holiday prices for the USA and cruising. Doors open at 10am (admission is free) and the fun continues till 6pm.

Holland America planning ports of call in Galway and Donegal

Holland America Line has announced plans to deploy seven cruise holiday ships to Europe for the 2013 summer season, while also revealing new ports of call on its itineraries.

The seven ships - ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam and ms Veendam - will together cover 107 departures throughout the region.

Covering trips around Scandinavia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, they will also sail to a collection of ports, ranging from iconic European cities to little-known gems.

New ports of call for 2013 include Alanya in Turkey, Alcudia in Spain, Hydra and Igoumenitsa in Greece, Sassnitz in Germany and Galway and Killybegs in Ireland.

Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes for the cruise line, said: "While the popularity of European cruising continues to grow, the region is opening new ports, which enable us to offer more maiden calls and exciting new itineraries."

In total, Holland America Line will offer 53 different European itineraries ranging from seven to 64-day soujourn.

Top Chefs create dishes for Holland America

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Holland America cruise line has asked its advising Culinary Council to provide signature dishes that showcase their specialties.

Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster in Harlem), who won Bravo TV's Top Chef Masters last year and has appeared as a judge on both Top Chef and Food Network's Chopped, came up with a dish of grilled salmon with miso, garlic, sesame and cilantro, served in a spiced tomato broth with kale. He also created a dessert of rich chocolate cake accented with bourbon- and blueberry-infused whipped cream.

David Burke (New York's David Burke Townhouse), who competed against Samuelsson on Top Chef Masters, developed roasted chicken with sausage cornbread stuffing served alongside roasted vegetables with bacon, green beans and apple cider-chicken gravy. Burke also created a spice-crusted prime rib.

The line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has his name on a seared Cajun tuna steak with plum tomato confit and horseradish potatoes. He also contributed a veal chop with creamy Porcini sauce served with baby vegetables and homemade spaetzle.

Cruise holiday passengers can also sample new signature dishes from Jacques Torres, one of the world's top chocolatiers, and a Food TV regular; Dutch Chef Jonnie Boer (De Librijie in Zwolle); and 10-time James Beard award winner Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter's Chicago).

"When we came together on the Culinary Council, it was our vision to bring unique dishes to our guests that would expose their palates to new and exotic flavors," Sodamin said. "All of the chefs developed outstanding dishes that our guests are going to be talking about long after their cruise is over."

The chefs are also consulting on Holland America's Culinary Arts Center enrichment program, where passengers can pickup cooking tips.

Holland America Line selects trans-Atlantic essay contest winner

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Holland America Line announced today that it has selected Maria Henderson’s essay as winner of the contest held to commemorate the line’s 40th anniversary of its transition from offering scheduled trans-Atlantic crossings to becoming entirely dedicated to pleasure cruising. A panel of judges chose the winning essay from more than 400 entries.

For her literary winning story, Henderson will receive a cruise for two on ms Rotterdam’s July 12, 2011, celebratory trans-Atlantic voyage from New York to Rotterdam.

“We were touched by how many wonderful and moving essays we received from people who were so greatly affected by Holland America Line and our historic crossings,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “Maria’s story was especially emotional with the many twists of fate she encountered.”

The “Your Trans-Atlantic Story” contest focused on classic Holland America Line crossing experiences during the line’s nearly 140-year history, whether told firsthand or through a family member or friend.

Henderson’s essay told the story of her family’s crossing from Rotterdam to New York City in 1956 aboard ss Groote Beer, a Holland America Line ship at the time. She, her four sisters and her parents made the journey to America to fulfill her father’s desire to become a U.S. citizen after being liberated from Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945. Throughout the years Henderson and her family continued to take Holland America Line cruises, including one in December 2010 where she met two American men who served in Gen. George S. Patton’s army that liberated her father in 1945. Making the tale even more incredible was that she also met a fellow guest who, she discovered after a chance encounter in the dining room, was on the same trans-Atlantic crossing aboard ss Groote Beer in 1956.

Upon hearing that her essay had won, Henderson said the news was yet another emotional twist of fate in her relationship with Holland America Line.

“It was on April 13, exactly 55 years ago, that my family and I sailed past the Statue of Liberty and into our American life,” she recalled. “I am excited to cruise back, hopefully with my siblings, to greet our cousins in Holland that as children waved good-bye to us from the banks of Rotterdam’s River Maas those many years ago. I feel I have come full circle, this is a dream come true!” added Henderson.

A winner from the Netherlands, Hendrik Verbree, also was selected and won passage on the July 3, 2011, Rotterdam to New York crossing.

Honorable mentions went to Johanna VanGeloof and Yvonne Garcia. Holland America Line received so many interesting and compelling stories that the top 30 entries will be published in a book that will be available for purchase on the two July crossings.

The trans-Atlantic sailings on ms Rotterdam will feature enriching activities, guest lecturers and chefs, giveaway items and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the line’s heritage. Special entertainers and events will ensure that both crossings create memories to last a lifetime. A commemorative keepsake poster—harkening back to classic Holland America Line posters—will be given to guests as a memento of the crossing. Guests seeking to learn more about the company’s history can visit the Crow’s Nest, which will be set up as a temporary “Museum at Sea” during both crossings, or attend a lecture by a renowned maritime historian.

 

Holland America plans more cruises to Hawaii and Tahiti

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Holland America has just announced plans for three more month-long voyages from San Diego to Hawaii, Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands.

The luxury cruise vessel Westerdam will set sail from the US city on September 29, 2011 for a 30-day trip to the island destinations, however passengers can also board the vessel several days early in Seattle or Vancouver, extending the voyage into a 34 or 35-day trip

The 1,404-passenger Rotterdam will operate two more 30-day voyages on the same itinerary starting on January 4, 2012 and March 4, 2012.

All three of the trips include stops at the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Oahu and the Big Island as well as visits to Fanning Island, Kiribati; Rarotonga in the Cook Islands; and Raiatea, Bora Bora, Papeete, Moorea, Rangiroa and Nuku Hiva in French Polynesia.

Cruiser in deep trouble

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

We all know the sign of a great holiday is not wanting to go home, but some people take things a bit too far. 

Take Ryan Ehlert, a passenger aboard Holland America's MS Ryndam. The thought of his Caribbean cruise coming to an end was so distressing, he decided to drop the anchor in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico!

 

 

The 44-year old Californian managed to sneak into a restricted area on the eleventh deck as the vessel made its way from Costa Maya in Mexico, to Tampa, Florida. Then released the rear anchor before throwing a lifebuoy over the railings.

The following day, the captain made an announcement asking passengers for information. Noone came forward, but Ehlert was later identified from CCTV footage. Unfortunately for him, this momentary lapse of judgement may cost him a $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in jail! In future it might be better to suffer in silence like the rest of us.

 

Crystal Cruises voted world's best large-ship cruiser

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

 

Crystal Cruises is the world's best large-ship cruise line according to a survey carried out by Travel and Leisure magazine.

For 15 years now the magazine has been asking its readers to reveal their favourite travel companies, hotels and destinations for its World's Best Awards. This year Crystal Cruises won the category covering large-ship operators with a satisfaction rating of 90.47 out of 100, while Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises completed the top three.

Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean International all featured in the top ten with scores of 81 or above.

The favourite cities category saw Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand taking the top two spots, followed by Florence, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico and Rome.

The Galapagos emerged as readers' favourite island destination, while Kauai, the Cyclades, Bali and Hvar also featured in the top five.

HA to base a second ship in Asia Pacific

 

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Holland America Line has announced it will deploy ms Volendam and ms Zaandam in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific in 2011-12. This will be the first time the line will have two ships sailing a series of cruise itineraries in the region simultaneously.

Itineraries will range from 13 to 26 days, with calls at some of the most popular and exotic ports throughout the Pacific.

“That part of the world has always been popular with our guests, and that greatly influenced our decision to increase our capacity in the region,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, for Holland America Line. “The entire area has such diverse offerings—from the Great Barrier Reef and fiords of New Zealand to the dramatic landscapes of the South Pacific islands and rich and exotic cultures of the Orient.”

Here is one of the exciting cruise holidays available for 2011—12.

14-day Explorations Highlight Australia and New Zealand

Volendam will sail a series of 14-day cruises roundtrip from Sydney, Australia, or between Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand, that explore both the North and South Islands. The nine departures from October 2011 thorough March 2012 feature extensive scenic cruising opportunities in Fiordland National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—as well as Milford, Dusky and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Calls at some of the most popular ports like Wellington, Napier and Tauranga highlight the itineraries, along with several evening departures.

 

Green living for Carnival Cruises

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Posted by Susan O'Driscoll

 

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced it will cut future fuel consumption in bid to help the environment.

The company released its annual cruise report and chairman Mick Arson said it hoped to slash its fuel emissions by as much as three or four per cent each year.

Carnival Corporation is a huge organisation owning Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village and the Holland America Line.

If the fuel cuts are rolled out across the 95-strong fleet it may encourage eco-conscious travellers to board with Carnival.

However Mr Arison told Travolution there is no "silver bullet" solution to the cruise industry’s environmental impact.

However he acknowledged that the fuel cuts coupled with advancements in technology were a step in the right direction.

Whale of a Tale

Posted by Susan O'Driscoll

Vallarta Adventures, an operator of shore tours for the Holland America Line, has helped the Mexican navy in the rescue of an entangled humpback whale.

The unfortunate whale was ensnarled in fishing nets and staff of the local tour company were quick to the scene to free the magnificent creature.

“Our tour operators regularly become involved in these sorts of wildlife rescues,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. “We applaud Vallarta Adventures dedication to wildlife and are proud to work with them. We share their commitment to the environment and nature.”

Vallarta Adventures are based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and are affiliated with Holland America providing cruisers with interactive ecological dolphin encounters, eco safaris, horseback rides and canopy adventures. Vallarta Adventures also works locally with ecological programs and provides sea mammal rescue assistance.