Thanks to HAL guests Bert Hoekman and Renée Hoekman-Sulman for sending in this beautiful photo that was taken in Antarctica, while on their cruise with Veendam.

I wanted to share this picture of Glacier Alley taken last year on board Veendam. We were able to catch these spectacular light and dark contrasts while sailing on this wonderful cruise! — Jan Bert Hoekman and Renée Hoekman-Sulman

Topics: Antarctica, ms Veendam, Postcards from... | | No Comments

Thanks to guest Vera Gibault for sending in her stunning photos from her Veendam cruise to Antarctica.

The Chilean station in Antarctica.

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Topics: Antarctica, ms Veendam, Postcards from..., South America | | No Comments

In celebration of our 140th Anniversary this month, we’re dedicating a post a day to the wonderful destinations and attributes that make a Holland America Line cruise so special. Today’s post is about:

Antarctica

On the bucket list of every avid traveler, a cruise to Antarctica is filled with wonder, majesty and breath-taking views. During the scenic cruising, guests might witness several million Adélie penguins nesting on every available beach. Or on Elephant Island learn about Shackelton’s ill-fated expedition and the crew’s heroic daily struggle to survive. Glorious glaciers abound in one of the most remote parts of the world, best viewed from the deck of a Holland America Line ship. Join us on Zaandam’s 21-Day South America and Antarctica Explorer Voyages.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Director Bert van Mackelenbergh.

Topics: Antarctica, HAL History, ms Zaandam | | 2 Comments

Special thanks to Prinsendam’s Techspert Kristin who posted this on HAL’s Digital Workshop blog.

Hi there folks! Kristin here, writing from our elegant explorer the ms Prinsendam, currently docked in gorgeous Buzios, Brazil. We are currently towards the end of our magical 68-day Grand South American and Antarctic Voyage and boy have we seen some amazing places! South America and Antarctica have some of the most gorgeous and unique scenery, wildlife and cities that I have ever seen in my four years here as a Techspert. And speaking of wildlife, much of the southern part of South America and Antarctica is home to one of the cutest, fuzziest, lovable, quirkiest and sometimes smelly animal … the penguin! I would like to share with you some of the best pictures submitted by a few of the guests attending the Digital Workshop of our fuzzy friends in Punta Arenas, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica.

Cheers from the Prinsendam,

Kristin

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Topics: Antarctica, Art, Activities & Entertainment, Grand Voyages, ms Prinsendam, Postcards from..., South America | | No Comments

Thanks to HAL guest Rebecca Thomsen for sending in these great photos from her South America & Antarctica Grand Voyage on Prinsendam.

One of many “small” icebergs we encountered.

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Topics: Antarctica, Grand Voyages, ms Prinsendam, South America | | 2 Comments

Carsten Korch, Chief Editor and Founder of Peru this Week, recently sailed aboard Veendam’s 21-Day South America and Antarctica Holiday Voyage with his family. While aboard the ship he chronicled his cruising experience for us on the blog. Here is his final post … Enjoy!

February 15, 2013:

It has been about a month since my family and I returned from one of the most wonderful vacations we have EVER taken. Yesterday, while celebrating Valentine’s Day, my oldest son Nicolas asked me when will we go on another Holland America Line cruise. The staff onboard shared and offered us an excellent experience, while traveling from Rio de Janerio through Antarctica to Santiago de Chile during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. We all have so many great memories from this wonderful trip and would like to thank everyone on board, who took the time to serve and entertain us during those three weeks. We will never forget what you did for my family. Anton and Nicolas both send a special greeting to Emily and Nicole from ClubHAL, who made sure that they had fun every day on ms Veendam.

Thank you Captain Peter Bos, Bart, Andres, Martin, Jennifer, Barbara, Irsan, Kholik and all of the wonderful people who did an outstanding job to make sure we will always remember this extraordinary trip and turned us into HAL fans for life. We look forward to seeing you all again and the Veendam here in Lima on April 17-18, 2013. More importantly we look forward to traveling with you again in the near future.

Best wishes,

Virginia, Nicolas, Anton and Carsten Korch
Lima, Peru

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Topics: Antarctica, Cruise Diary, Holidays, ms Veendam, South America | | No Comments

Special thanks to HAL’s Vice President of Nautical Operations Cees Deelstra for this post.

On February 6, the Veendam and Prinsendam met each other in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Veendam was on her way from Port Stanley, Falkland islands, to Antarctica, and the Prinsendam was on her way north from Antarctica to the Falklands. The ships passed 0.5 miles away from each other and the traditional horn salutes were exchanged.

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Topics: Antarctica, ms Prinsendam, ms Veendam, Postcards from... | | No Comments

During our visit to Antarctica, while cleaning the outside decks of the snow, our sailors brought out their artistic nature and had some fun. This is one fish that definitely didn’t get away!

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Topics: Antarctica, ms Prinsendam, Staff & Crew | | 2 Comments