Holland America Line’s ms Rotterdam to Sail 30-day South America explorations

Holland America Line’s ms Rotterdam will sail three 30-day South America adventures in 2010 and two more in 2011, allowing guests to visit the remote site of Machu Picchu and explore the mysterious and exotic Inca civilization.

With Rotterdam’s “Incan Empires” voyages departing Feb. 6, April 10 and Oct. 23, 2010, and again on Feb. 2 and the “Secret Civilizations” voyage departing April 17, 2011, these voyages sail round-trip from U.S. ports on the East and West coasts, making a cruise to Central and South America more convenient for North American travelers.

“Having these itineraries sail round-trip from a U.S. port is ideal for our guests looking to take an exotic cruise, but who don’t want to travel extensively to get to the port of embarkation,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. “These cruises offer a premium onboard experience, overnight calls, late-night departures and opportunities to explore many different ports and countries.”

Rotterdam’s “Incan Empires” voyage spends 30 days exploring 15 ports along the west coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. Extended calls at Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, give guests extra time ashore to enjoy the culture, history and local attractions of that region.

A highlight of the itinerary is a two-night call at Callao (Lima), Peru, enabling guests to take an excursion to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most mysterious archeological locations in the world. Because of the extended three-day call, guests will still visit all the ports and can easily rejoin the ship in Callao after their adventure. An overnight call at Fuerte Amador, Panama, the gateway to Panama City, is another highlight of the itinerary.

Cruise fares begin at $2,799 per person, double occupancy, for the full 30-day “Incan Empires” cruise. Fifteen-day segments to and from Callao also are available with fares starting at $1,599.

On April 17, 2011, Rotterdam returns to Central and South America, setting sail on a 30-day “Secret Civilizations” round-trip Fort Lauderdale, Fla., cruise that visits 14 ports in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.

The itinerary features a double transit of the Panama Canal on the way to and from Callao. The daylight transits allow guests to observe the intricate passage through the lakes and locks of the man-made engineering marvel. This voyage also has a two-night call at Callao, making it possible for guests to take an excursion to Machu Picchu, as well as an overnight call at Fuerte Amador and an extended stay at Cozumel, Mexico.

Cruise fares begin at $3,299 per person, double occupancy, for the full 30-day “Secret Civilizations” cruise. Fifteen-day segments to and from Callao also are available.

When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse shore excursions including Overland Adventures, off-the-beaten-track explorations, Signature Collection private-car touring and exclusive Medallion Collection excursions.