The two fire boats in Tokyo Harbour greeted our ship with powerful fountains of water shooting high in the air. It was our first stop and an appropriate, symbolic start to a special “Pacific Ring of Fire” cruise.
Each year, the Holland America cruise ship Statendam repositions itself from Osaka, Japan to Vancouver to begin its Alaska service. For those lucky 1,200 trans-Pacific passengers, it was a rare treat to take a northerly route along the Ring of Fire passing more than 60 active volcanoes and hundreds of lofty cone-shaped peaks that were once active but are now considered dormant or extinct. The whole region is along the edge of several continental plates where huge pressure is built up in subduction zones causing regular earthquakes and lava-spewing volcanoes.
Japan, comprised of four large mountainous islands, is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and is home to about 10 per cent of the world’s active volcanoes. The highest and most spectacular is Mount Fuji (3,776 metres).
This symbol of Japan dominates the skyline near Tokyo and forms a perfect volcanic cone with a crown of white snow that attracts thousands of hikers and millions of photographers each year. Mount Fuji last erupted 300 years ago but geologists think it’s capable of re-erupting at any time. We took a tour halfway up the gentle slope where hotels, gift shops, horse rides and fast-food vendors (fish and meat satay sticks were especially popular) competed for tourist yen while expensively-outfitted climbers trudged through the nearby snow.
Topics: 'Statendam'
“Holland America’s 2009 South America and Antarctica cruises are teeming with ideal opportunities to journey to exotic destinations and explore the ends of the earth. With new
itineraries and more sailings than ever before, guests can choose from an impressive 18 cruises on ms Statendam, ms Prinsendam or flagship ms Amsterdam.
The diverse itineraries, which range from 13 to 68 days, include spectacular scenic cruising through the fjords and glaciers of Chile, the opportunity to visit some of the most remote sites in the world like Deception Island in Antarctica and Iguazu Falls, and experience two of the New Seven Wonders of the World chosen in a consumer poll in July: Machu Picchu in Peru and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Overnight stays in several port favorites allow guests plenty of time to become immersed in local culture and traditions.
“Our South America and Antarctica itineraries are extremely popular because more travelers are seeking cruises with an adventurous edge that take them to unique and interesting locations,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, for Holland America Line.
“By having three ships in South America in 2009, we are able to offer the most extensive program in the region of any major cruise line.”"
Photo by Accretion Point
www.cruisetravelermagazine.com:
“Since the first sailing ships from Europe dropped anchor among French Polynesia’s turquoise lagoons and coral atolls, these 118 magical islands have symbolized romance and natural beauty. Vacationers on South Pacific cruises can take in volcanic peaks shrouded in wispy clouds, mysterious rainforests, white-sand beaches, a profusion of flowers, including Tahiti’s spectacular black pearls.
Following is a rundown of South Pacific itineraries available aboard CLIA member lines in 2006 and 2007.
CELEBRITY CRUISES: Celebrity Cruises introduces six 14-night sailings between
Auckland and Sydney from December 2007 through March 2008 aboard Mercury. Highlights include New Zealand’s Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Milford Sound; and Australia’s Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney and Hobart.
CUNARD LINE: Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth 2 calls at New Zealand’s Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch; and Australia’s Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns during her world cruise. Sister Queen Mary 2 calls at Auckland and Sydney, also during her world cruise.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE: Holland America Line’s Statendam sails the South Pacific half the year on Australia and New Zealand cruises during summer down under, as well as 24- to 28-day sailings that add Fiji, American Samoa and Hawaii. Ryndam’s 30-day itinerary incorporates ports in French Polynesia.
PRINCESS CRUISES: Four Princess Cruises’ ships offer a comprehensive South Pacific program in 2006/2007 featuring itineraries to Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti and an extended Pacific crossing. In addition, the popular “Islands of the Pacific Theater” cruise features a new port - the WWII battle site of Chuuk (Truk) in Micronesia.”
Photo by TravelWizard
“With sailings up to 20 days, Holland America Line’s 2008 Caribbean itineraries feature 121 varied departures that focus on longer, port-intensive options for premium cruise
guests. The line continues to lead major cruise lines with sailings of 10 days or more and will introduce the new 2,104-guest ms Eurodam to
“Holland America Line once again offers more choice, longer itinerary options and greater port diversity in the
Holland America Line will sail ten ships to the Caribbean in 2008 from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and New York: ms Noordam, ms Zuiderdam, ms Westerdam, ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam, ms Statendam, and the new ms Eurodam.
Sailing from
Photo by Chris&Steve
Announcing an expanded 2008 season, Holland America Line continues to explore the colorful culture of South America. Included in the new program are additional sailings, new itineraries and more cruises to Antarctica than ever before.
“No one offers more diverse and remarkable views of South America than Holland America,” said
Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The popularity of this exotic and complex region continues to grow and Holland America once more offers new itineraries, extended stays and maiden ports. From the captivating tropics of the Panama Canal to the ethereal icy beauty of South Chile, we have the continent covered.”
New itineraries for 2008 include an expanded 20-Day South America Explorer and Antarctica cruise aboard the ms Rotterdam, a 26-Day Inca Discovery cruise on the ms Statendam, a 22-Day Americas Discovery Cruise on the ms Amsterdam, a 26-Day Amazon Explorer cruise on the ms Prinsendam, and a 32 to 36-Day Panama Canal and Amazon Explorer cruise aboard the ms Veendam.
via About.com.
“Announcing an expanded 2008 season, Holland America Line continues to 
explore the colorful culture of South America. Included in the new
program are additional sailings, new itineraries and more cruises to
Antarctica than ever before.“
Cruising from South America to Antartic will be even better with the planned expansion.
“New itineraries for 2008 include an expanded 20-Day South America
Explorer and Antarctica cruise aboard the ms Rotterdam, a 26-Day Inca
Discovery cruise on the ms Statendam, a 22-Day Americas Discovery
Cruise on the ms Amsterdam, a 26-Day Amazon Explorer cruise on the ms
Prinsendam, and a 32 to 36-Day Panama Canal and Amazon Explorer cruise
aboard the ms Veendam.“
Through the expansion, Holland America just may offer some of the best possiblities to cruise South America.
According to the Vice President of Holland America,”We’ve got the continent covered.”
Photo by: Ranismmm
Announcing an expanded 2008 season, Holland America Line continues to explore the colorful culture of South America. Included in the new program are additional sailings, new itineraries and more cruises to Antarctica than ever before.
“No one offers more diverse and remarkable views of South America than Holland America,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The popularity of this exotic and complex region continues to grow and Holland America once more offers new itineraries, extended stays and maiden ports. From the captivating tropics of the Panama Canal to the ethereal icy beauty of South Chile, we have the continent covered.”
New itineraries for 2008 include an expanded 20-Day South America Explorer and Antarctica cruise aboard the ms Rotterdam, a 26-Day Inca Discovery cruise on the ms Statendam, a 22-Day Americas Discovery Cruise on the ms Amsterdam, a 26-Day Amazon Explorer cruise on the ms Prinsendam, and a 32 to 36-Day Panama Canal and Amazon Explorer cruise aboard the ms Veendam.
Photo from Holland America Line.
