HOLLAND America Line will continue to deploy two of its ships in Asia for the new season from winter 2014 to spring 2015.
The 1,432-passenger Volendam will sail a series of 14- and 17-day cruises and non-repeating itineraries, while the 1,404-passenger Rotterdam will take a 90-day Passage to the Far East journey.
Jerrol Golden, manager for international public relations, revealed the cruise line’s plan toTTG Asia e-Daily last Friday.
Last season, both ships were also deployed in the region to sail 14-day roundtrip Singapore itineraries.
Volendam’s Asian Adventure cruises from Singapore will call at ports in Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and India, while its Far East Discovery cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong will call at Koh Samui, Sihanoukville and several ports in Vietnam.
In the spring, it will depart Hong Kong and end at Kobe, calling at ports in Shanghai and Xingang (Beijing), Jeju and Busan, and Nagasaki.
Rotterdam will start 2015 with a 90-day roundtrip Passage to the Far East voyage from Rotterdam, the Netherlands with calls at Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Malta, Greece, Muscat, Oman, Dubai, India and Thilawa (Rangoon).
Golden said the company’s major markets include North America, Australia, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.
Asked what percentage of its business Asia contributes to, she said: “While I can’t share guest numbers or percentages as a publicly traded company, I can say that our presence in the market is an indication we understand the value and importance of the Asian market. We are extremely optimistic this sector will continue to grow.”
She added: “We have been sailing in Asia for several years and have increased port calls/turnarounds in Singapore to 11 this year, up 36 per cent from 2013.
“Three ships have graced the waters in Asia: Amsterdam is currently operating a world cruise, the Rotterdam and Volendam.”
Holland America Line is headquartered in Seattle and has satellite sales offices in Sydney, Rotterdam and Southampton. Asked whether it has plans to set up offices in Asia, she said: “As of now, we depend on local sales agents to sell Holland America Line.”
