SEATTLE, May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — In a move that’s a first for the premium cruise line, Holland America Line will deploy ms Rotterdam from Europe year-round starting in September, 2012, on a series of extended sailings round-trip from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The line selected the homeport of Rotterdam because of the company’s deep historical connection to the city as well its easily accessible location in Northwest Europe.

Itineraries being released through spring 2013 include several regional sailings ranging from 14 to 18 days, and two extended voyages that sail 34 and 90 days.

“The city of Rotterdam is where Holland America Line has its roots, and for us to place a ship there year-round is sentimental, exciting and ground-breaking for our line and our guests,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Sailing from Rotterdam is going to be a wonderful homeport for many of our European guests, but these longer itineraries also will appeal to travelers coming from all over the world.”

After concluding its previously announced summer season throughout Europe, ms Rotterdam sails Sept. 15, 2012 on a 14-day Spain & Portugal Explorer cruise that takes guests through the Strait of Gibraltar to Barcelona, Spain, also calling at ports in Portugal along the way there and back.

Two 17-day explorations in September and October take different routes. The Sept. 29 Moorish Empire voyage sails through the Strait of Gibraltar to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, and back, calling at popular ports in Spain and Portugal, while the Oct. 16 Canary Island Adventure heads south to the Canary Islands and Morocco, with overnight calls at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal and Tenerife, Canary Islands. The 18-day Canary Island Holiday departs Dec. 22 and offers the same ports of call with an additional overnight at Tenerife to celebrate the New Year. The April 9, 2013, 19-day Canary Island Adventure takes the same route as the holiday cruise but adds a call at Portimao, Portugal.

Departing Nov. 2, 2012, ms Rotterdam sets sail from the port of Rotterdam on a round-trip 34-day Caribbean Odyssey adventure that takes the ship across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean and back. After calling at the Azores, the ship sails to the Caribbean, with calls at Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Barbados and all three “ABC” islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao — before returning to Rotterdam via calls at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal and Southampton, England.

Guests looking for a unique adventure can embark on ms Rotterdam’s 90-day Passage to the Far East cruise that departs Jan. 9, 2013. The round-trip Rotterdam voyage takes an easterly route to Asia, passing through the Suez Canal and calling at ports in Spain, Greece and India, both before and after a far-reaching journey to the Far East. Guests will enjoy several overnight stays and extended time in port during calls throughout Dubai, Malaysia and Singapore. Another cruise highlight includes an in-depth two-week exploration of Indonesia, a place rich in Dutch heritage, as well as home to many Holland America crew. In addition to the full 90-day voyage, segments ranging from 12 to 53 days are available.

Westerdam in 2008

The USCG just issued a statement that they are investigation and incident that recently took place in Alaska.

The United States Coast Guard is investigating an allision between the 935-foot cruise ship Westerdam and ice in the vicinity of Yakutat Bay Wednesday, May 11.

The Westerdam was reportedly maneuvering through ice near Hubbard Glacier Tuesday evening when it sustained damage approximately 15 feet below the waterline. The hull was reportedly not breached and no injuries or pollution were reported.

The Westerdam continued on her voyage to Sitka, where she was met by Coast Guard officials, along with the classification society for the ship, Lloyd’s Register, according to a spokesperson for the Coast Guard.

That next morning the captain made an announcement about the incident and asked that anyone with information come forward. When no one did, the captain rang the ship alarms and forced everyone to the muster stations. Then, using a still captured from the security video, they successfully identified him.

He faces a $250,000 fine for each count of damage to property and endangering a vessels safe navigation. He also faces 20 years of possible prison.

This is pretty alarming, that if a drunk passenger can stumble and find his way into a secure area, what kind of trouble could a competent sober passenger cause.

This event occurred last moth in Italy with the Nieuw Amsterdam. The new Holland America vessel is currently being fitted out in Fincantieri yards in Marghera, Italy.

The HollandAmericaBlog just posted the photos from the event. They can be found here.