HOLY LAND EXPLORER
Holland America’s Elegant Explorer
• ms Prinsendam •
Greece, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Italy
October 20 - November 4, 2014 • 16 Days • All Meals
Escorted by Jack and Mary Roberts
Photo: Holland America
The Elegant Explorer - visiting many exciting ports of call!
The Elegant Explorer, ms Prinsendam, is an exceptional
cruise ship, offering a combination of wonderful public
rooms, comfortable cabins, excellent service and dining
plus, and this is the real plus, it offers a world of innovative
cruises that take you beyond the usual excellence you
have come to expect from Holland America Line. Cruises
on the ms Prinsendam are virtually always longer and offer
more unique and exciting ports of call.
The Prinsendam is large enough to provide full cruise
amenities, including multiple fine dining venues, pools,
theatres, bars and lounges and a diverse range of
entertainment programs. She is also small enough to
ensure very personalized service and the ability to reach
smaller more exotic ports that larger ships just can’t reach.
If you want the benefits of a luxury cruise ship without the
accompanying higher costs and larger crowds, then have a
look at the very special itineraries this ship has to offer.
For 2014 we have selected two of her most exciting
itineraries to feature, but you can get exceptional offers on
all of the ms Prinsendam’s voyages. Read on and give us
a call to reserve your cabin on your cruise of choice.
E Yurko
Erechtheion at Acropolis! Athens, Greece
INCLUSIVE FEATURES
 14-night cruise on Holland America’s ms Prinsendam,
based on sharing a twin-bedded stateroom in the
category selected
 Baggage handling shipside
 All meals and entertainment while onboard
 Comprehensive insurance coverage
 All port taxes and fees
 Gratuities for all included services
 Services of our cruise escort and/or cruise director
Air Inclusive rates also include
 Round-trip economy airfare from Canadian cities listed
 Transfers between the airports, hotels and the ship
 Current taxes and fees
 Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value
OUR CRUISE SHIP - ms Prinsendam
Within Holland America’s impressive fleet, the ms
Prinsendam is in a class all its own. Designed to explore
the remote corners of the world in elegance and style, the
ms Prinsendam is Holland America’s most intimate ship.
Originally built as the legendary Royal Viking Sun, the
ms Prinsendam has been lovingly restored and enhanced.
All staterooms have been refurbished while many of the
public areas have been fully upgraded or completely
rebuilt.
At 38,000 tons, the ms Prinsendam carries a maximum
of 835 passengers in spacious comfort. Five distinctly
different dining venues are available: the classic La
Fontaine Dining Room, the casual Lido, the open-air
Terraces, and the upscale Canaletto Restaurant and the
Pinnacle Grill (supplemental fee). Eight different lounges
are also available, providing delightful spaces to relax, to
have a quiet drink, or to be entertained by music or a lively
show. The Explorations Café, offers an extensive library,
internet café and coffee bar, as well as the beautiful new
Culinary Arts Centre, which provides cooking classes and
presentations. Other venues include a full-size theatre
offering first-run movies, a casino, a card room, and the
superb Greenhouse Spa and fitness centre.
Luxurious accommodations await us - staterooms
feature two lower beds (most of which can convert to a
king-size bed), plush pillow-top mattresses, fine
Egyptian cottons, terry-cloth robes, a private bathroom,
individually-controlled air conditioning, a telephone, and
ample closet space. Each stateroom also has a flat screen
television, a DVD player, and multi-channel music. Most
outside staterooms feature picture-window viewing and a
bathtub with shower. The Deluxe staterooms and suites
feature a private balcony, a personal mini-bar, a separate
sitting area with floor to ceiling windows, and much more.
TOUR ESCORTS
The Rev. Canon Dr. Jack and Mary Roberts are
enthusiastic travellers. Prior to retirement, Jack served as
a parish priest in Toronto and Mary was an elementary
school teacher. He currently serves on the Durham
Community Care Board and Mary enjoys volunteering.
They have a ‘wanderlust’ and curiosity to experience as
much of the world and it’s peoples as possible. They have
travelled extensively and over the last few years have
escorted groups for us to a number of destinations. They
look forward to sharing this wonderful voyage with you!
E Erickson
Classical Teatro Greco in Taormino, Italy.
CRUISE ITINERARY
Oct 20, Mon
Oct 21, Tue
Oct 22, Wed
Oct 23, Thu
Oct 24, Fri
Oct 25, Sat
Oct 26, Sun
Oct 27, Mon
Oct 28, Tue
Oct 29, Wed
Oct 30, Thu
Oct 31, Fri
Nov 1, Sat
Nov 2, Sun
Nov 3, Mon
Nov 4, Tue
Depart CANADA
Arrive PIRAEUS (ATHENS), Greece
Embark / Sail 5:00pm
AT SEA
ALEXANDRIA (CAIRO), Egypt
Arrive 6:00am / Sail 8:00pm
PORT SAID, Egypt
Arrive 9:00am / Sail 7:00pm
HAIFA (NAZARETH), Israel
Arrive 8:00am / Sail 9:00pm
ASHDOD (JERUSALEM), Israel
Arrive 7:00am / Sail 8:00pm
AT SEA
MARMARIS, Turkey
Arrive 8:00am / Sail 4:00pm
KUSADASI (EPHESUS), Turkey
Arrive 7:00am / Sail 7:00pm
IRAKLION (CRETE), Greece
Arrive 10:00am / Sail 6:00pm
KATAKOLON (OLYMPIA), Greece
Arrive 9:00am / Sail 5:00pm
AT SEA
TAORMINA, Italy *
Arrive 8:00am / Sail 4:00pm
NAPLES, Italy
Arrive 8:00am / Sail 6:00pm
CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME), Italy
Arrive 7:00am / Disembark / Fly Home
*Tenders to Shore
PORTS OF CALL
PIRAEUS (ATHENS), Greece: The port of Piraeus is your
gateway to the wonders of Athens, including the Acropolis,
Constitution Square, Hadrian's Arch, the Olympic Stadium
and more.
ALEXANDRIA (CAIRO), Egypt: Discover a few of the
mysteries of Egypt! Founded in 331 BC by Alexander the
Great, Alexandria offers museums filled with mummies.
PORT SAID, Egypt: Located at the northern entrance to
the Suez Canal, we have an opportunity to explore this
important waterway. The city also has an excellent National
museum and some delightful untouched beaches nearby.
HAIFA (NAZARETH), Israel: From this port under the
slopes of Mt. Carmel, we can travel inland to Nazareth,
home of the young Jesus, and visit the land of his miracles
– the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, the Mount of the
Beatitudes and Tabgha.
ASHDOD (JERUSALEM), Israel: The largest port in Israel,
Ashdod is a gateway to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the 5,000
year old walled city that is considered sacred to more than
a third of the people on Earth. Numerous sites exist
nearby, including the Jewish sacred Western Wall, the
Sacred Way, the old city bazaars and the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre, believed by many to be the site of Calvary.
A Robb
Peter’s denial statue. Jerusalem, Israel
MARMARIS, Turkey: Sometimes referred to as the
Turkish Riviera, Marmaris lies where the Aegean and
Mediterranean Seas meet. Surrounded by lovely hills, it
has one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
Pamper yourself at a Turkish mud bath, or wander the
tangled streets in the Kaleici district or visit the small castle
museum overlooking the city.
KUSADASI (EPHESUS), Turkey: Ephesus, another
wonderfully preserved city of the ancient world is located a
short drive inland from Kusadasi. In the first century B.C., it
was one of the largest cities in the world. It's Great Theater
sat 24,000 people. Its Temple of Artemis was one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world. The Library of Celsus
was perhaps the finest in creation. Ephesus has one of the
largest collections of ruins in the eastern Mediterranean.
Walk down marble streets past magnificent ruins gleaming
white in the Hellenic sun.
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARES
The way we book flights in conjunction with some cruises
has changed. At the time of booking (time of deposit) we
will immediately work with you to choose your flights based
on the best available fares and schedules (be sure to advise us of any flight preferences). The sample fares shown
in this brochure are only to be used as a guideline. Final
air prices will be subject to rates available on the date of
purchase. Booking and paying for flights early will ensure
that you receive the best routing and value.
IRAKLION (CRETE), Greece: If something seems familiar
about this island, it is because Crete's ancient capital is
nearly 10,000 years old and seems to have always been
with us. If the names associated with this island are even
more familiar - Knossos, minotaur, labyrinth, Theseus,
Ariadne, Daedalus – it is because they draw from the
earliest associations of man and history. Empires come
and go, but these ancient walls, alleys and inscriptions date
from a bygone era.
Cruise Cost in Canadian Dollars
(per person)
Category / Description / Deck
Sharing Twin
K Inside Twin (Lower Promenade & Promenade) .... $4,110
I Inside Twin (Upper Promenade).............................. $4,160
E Outside Twin (Main & Lower Promenade) ............ $4,450
D Outside Twin (Dolphin) ......................................... $4,500
C Outside Twin (Main) .............................................. $4,550
AA Vista Suite (Promenade & Upper Promenade) .. $6,520
A Vista Suite (Upper Promenade) ............................ $6,720
Rates are per person based on sharing the category
chosen and include all of the applicable Inclusive Features.
See Deck Plan for full details on various categories
available.
Sample air add-ons from cities across Canada:
Toronto / Montreal / Ottawa ....................................... $1,575
Halifax ....................................................................... $1,895
Winnipeg / St. John’s ................................................. $1,995
Regina / Saskatoon ................................................... $2,165
Calgary / Edmonton / Vancouver / Victoria ............... $2,165
Airfares from other gateways are available on request.
Airfares and air carriers are subject to change and will be
confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to inclusive features
for details.
KATAKOLON (OLYMPIA), Greece: This is the gateway to
ancient Olympus, site of the original Olympic Stadium and
Games. The village once again was associated with the
Olympics, hosting a number of events in the 2004
Olympiad. Visit the original site and stroll the fields where
the games began.
TAORMINA, Italy: Our anchorage should afford wonderful
views of the coast, the heights of Taormina and with clear
weather and skies, along the coast to Mt Etna, which has
been quite active over the last decade. Going ashore we
will have opportunities to get up close, to walk the narrow
streets of Taormina, to see classical Teatro Greco and
enjoy views of Mt Etna. Be sure to be on deck this evening
as we sail through the Strait of Messina and past the
Aeolian Islands.
NAPLES, Italy: There is the docile bay; the peaceful
cypress-tufted islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri; and the
muscular city of Naples itself. Over it all there looms Mount
Vesuvius: the volcano and national park. View the only
active volcano on the European mainland, which blew in
79A.D. and buried the city of Pompeii. Naples itself is mere
enduring greatness. Designated a World Heritage Site,
highlights in Naples include Castel dell'Ovo, Castelnuovo
and national museums dedicated to art and archaeology.
CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME), Italy: One of the world’s
greatest cities - highlights include St Peter’s Basilica, The
Vatican Museums, The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum plus
other sites too numerous to mention.
CT RATING 1.5 - Easy: This cruise is suitable for all
passengers who meet the basic criteria for group travel.
Optional excursions are not covered by this rating and
may involve considerable walking, sometimes over rough
surfaces.
Noam Chen
Shore Excursions are not included in your cruise cost,
allowing you the freedom to choose from several optional
tours that will be offered in each port. Excursions will be
available for purchase through the Holland America Line
website or after embarkation.
REV16SEP13
Cruise price is based on sharing a twin-bedded stateroom
with private bathroom. Prices are based on rates, taxes
and fees effective August, 2013 and are subject to change
due to factors beyond our control. This cruise will operate
with a minimum of two members as listed - an escort will
accompany the group with a minimum of 20 travelling.
The price includes the cost of comprehensive insurance
($318 - $493pp) for passengers up to and including 74
years on departure date (rate varies by the cost of the trip).
Cost supplements will apply for members aged 75 - 85
(from $205 - $432pp). Clients 86 years and older - please
contact our staff. This insurance is effective from the date
of confirmation and carries limitations on pre-existing
medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance
coverage prior to booking. Refer to enrollment form for
general information and conditions. Please check our
website for the most current information. Final payment
will be due July 15, 2014.
To reserve your spot on this cruise, simply complete the
enclosed enrollment form, indicating the cabin type you
prefer and your home city, and forward it with your deposit
of $1,200 per person plus the cost of insurance to:
CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD
1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6
Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.craigtravel.com