Holland America Heads Down Under

HAL returns to their popular Australia and New Zealand itineraries in 2009, this time with the Amsterdam.

Starting with a 67-day voyage to the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, this "Grand Voyage" departs Sept. 26, 2009, from Seattle, and sails westward to Papeete, Tahiti; Bora Bora; Pago Pago, Samoa; Port-Vila, Vanuatu; Cairns and Sydney, Australia; Christchurch, Napier and Tauranga, New Zealand; Hawaii; and Los Angeles.

Highlights include scenic cruising through New Zealand's Milford Sound, a 12-mile long incision through 5,000-foot hillsides, and Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The voyage also offers more than 20 relaxing days at sea. Holland America Line offers departures from Seattle, Vancouver or Los Angeles, and segments from 31 to 36 days. Reservations are now open. Early-booking bonus amenities for full-cruise guests include airfare, prepaid hotel service charges, shipboard credit, luggage delivery service and limousine transfers when booking select stateroom categories; amenities vary by cruise and booking date. Cruise fares start at $11,399 per person, double occupancy, for the entire 67-day cruise. Taxes and fuel supplement are additional.

For those wishing to cruise in Australia and New Zealand, but who want to avoid long flights, this extended voyage is just the ticket!