Bookings have opened for the maiden voyage and 2018-19 inaugural Caribbean cruises of new Holland America Line ship Nieuw Statendam.
The sister Pinnacle Class ship to Koningsdam, which was introduced a year ago, is due for delivery in Venice on December 1, 2018.
Currently is under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy, the 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam will then depart from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on December 5 on a 14-day transatlantic crossing to its winter base at Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
The 99,500-ton ship will then spend the winter cruising from the south Florida port on seven-day Caribbean itineraries, together with selected three-, four- and 10-day options.
While much of the ship’s design will be similar to Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam will have exclusive public spaces and its “own style” created by leading hospitality designer Adam Tihany and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten, according to the line.
Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford said: “Every milestone we reach with Nieuw Statendam brings us closer to delivery, and opening for bookings in the inaugural season is an exciting step as we officially give guests the opportunity to start planning their vacations on this beautiful new ship.
“The crossing is a great chance for guests to really get to know the ship and explore every corner during the sea days, and the Caribbean season is a perfect blend of ports that highlight the beauty, diversity and relaxed ambiance of that region.”
Cruise only rates for the first Nieuw Statendam cruises start at £499 per person for a three- or four-day Caribbean sailing, and £799 for a seven-day cruise. The transatlantic voyage begins at £999pp, double occupancy.