Old As Dirt Mom Posted September 2, 2007 #1 Share Posted September 2, 2007 My apologies if this news has already been discussed elsewhere. Although a firm itinerary and pricing are not yet available, Holland America will be offering a 66-day 2009 Grand Voyage to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, departing from Seattle/Los Angeles and returning to Los Angeles. The ship will be the Amsterdam, departing September 26, 2009 from Seattle, and September 30, 2009 from Los Angeles. The voyage will terminate in Los Angeles 66 days later. At this time, the itinerary includes the following: Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Islands; Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Raiatea, Society Islands; Raratonga, Cook Islands; Pago Pago, American Samoa; Suva, Fiji; Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney (3 days), Melbourne and Hobart (Tasmania), Australia; Cruising Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds; Cruising Fjordland National Park; Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands, New Zealand; Nuku'alofa, Tonga; Apia, Samoa; Kona, Honolulu, and Hilo, Hawaii. Although bookings are not yet being taken, you can call HAL's Grand Voyages Reservation phone number at 1-800-522-3399, and ask to be placed on a piority reservations list. The fee is $100 per person to be put on the waiting list, and it doesn't bind you to anything. It just means you have "first dibs". You can also do this through your own TA. My TA informed me about this, and this info is also available on at least one other popular cruise specialist website. My understanding is that I can't give you a specific TA link because of CC rules. Firm interary and pricing info is due out in a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted September 2, 2007 #2 Share Posted September 2, 2007 It sounds amazing. I hope I win the lottery so I don't have to work and I can do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWED23 Posted September 2, 2007 #3 Share Posted September 2, 2007 We are reserved on both the South Pacific cruise in Sep./Dec. and the South America in Jan/Mar....Did you notice that the South American voyage is in reverse to the normal route????....The South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand is a welcome change from the "Circle Pacific"...IMO..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammybee Posted September 2, 2007 #4 Share Posted September 2, 2007 This is one of the best intineraries I have ever seen and it on my favorite ship. 3 days in Sydney-woo-hoo. Have you reserved your space on the waitlist, MaM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted September 2, 2007 Author #5 Share Posted September 2, 2007 This is one of the best intineraries I have ever seen and it on my favorite ship. 3 days in Sydney-woo-hoo. Have you reserved your space on the waitlist, MaM? Why, yes:o The following is complete overtime, so only read if you truly have nothing better to do, as I am baring my soul and confessing ALL:eek: : I have a public confession to make, here. I've been unfair to my husband. (Well, he's been a little unfair to me, too, but I digress.......) My husband "nixed" my Oosterdam Yum Yum cruise. He said I'm spending too much money in too short a time frame (can you imagine?), and indicated that cruising is not the best way in which to invest one's time and money (his words, not mine). He is not a traveler.:eek: :rolleyes: However, he says if I will forego any cruising expenditure between now and fall, 2009, he will go with me on this fantastic Australia, NZ, and S. Pacific itinerary. I just about died of shock when he said "yes". I think I may have subtly indicated to him that I have not been a happy camper lately. Also, this itinerary involves no international flying. Also, maybe he wants to keep his eye on me......:cool: I'm such a rowdy type, you know. OK, I've been through this see-saw of wills with my dear husband before, and I've planned major trips before that didn't pan out, but this time, it's a go for sure. He even said we should take ballroom dancing lessons together for the cruise. Wish me well on that one, please:p . We will go in the cheap seats, this time. Whatever it takes to get on board!!! (Played to the rousing strains of Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance.....).... We will save our money. He will get the time off from work. We will strive for a common goal together.........2009 is the year we both turn 50, and what better way to celebrate a full century?.... Dum da da da dum dum.......(music swells to a crescendo).......Close with sunset scene over the South Pacific..... Karin ps (and yes, we will make sure that our daughters, ages 11 and 20 at time of anticipated departure, will be adequately provided for during our absence.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
localady Posted September 2, 2007 #6 Share Posted September 2, 2007 That is the most exceptional cruise!!!:D Maybe someday!!;) Karin- We will miss you terribly on the Yum Yum cruise :( , but I can see that this would be the trip of a lifetime for the 2 of you!!! Congratulations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammybee Posted September 2, 2007 #7 Share Posted September 2, 2007 And he wants to take ballroom dance lessons.........I think he has been bewitched. Who knows, he may turn into Ricky Ricardo playing to Lucy. I really like the idea of the common goal. I am thrilled for you. Love, Fred & Ethel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted September 3, 2007 #8 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Wow, what a great itinerary! And no international flying! Some day......sigh..... I'm really happy for you! It will be fun planning this trip of a lifetime! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdentist Posted September 3, 2007 #9 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Good for you! My Dh would freak out if I even mentioned a 66 day cruise. I have been bit by the HAL bug and so want to take another cruise we just need to find the time! Karin I am SOOOOOO excited for you! amy Oh... I just thought of a plan... maybe I will ask him about this cruise and then a 7 day one wont seem so long! I'll say it is either 66 days or a mere 7!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpatj Posted September 3, 2007 #10 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I wonder if they'll offer this in two segments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted September 3, 2007 #11 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Karin, I'm so happy for you that you have this fab cruise to look forward to! :D And company to share it with, to boot. Yippee!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GmaPajama Posted September 3, 2007 #12 Share Posted September 3, 2007 That is just TOO exciting, Karin! I'm just bubbling over for you! You and hubby will have so much fun together. Not only the cruising, but all the planning too. CONGRATULATIONS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruznon Posted September 5, 2007 #13 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Karin, Sounds like a wonderful cruise--a really fabulous experience for both of you.Lots of time to plan and take those ballroom dance lessons. We'll miss you on the Yum Yum.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LAFFNVEGAS Posted September 5, 2007 #14 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Karin, My am so sorry I just found this thread. This is really great:) This would truly be a dream cruise for Tom and I. You and DH will have a wonderful time. Like Peggy said I really wish you could have stayed with us for the Yum Yum Man Cruise:o But I do understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldog Posted September 5, 2007 #15 Share Posted September 5, 2007 It might suit DH's retirement plans. Will pursue this...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinjudy Posted September 5, 2007 #16 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Oho boy that sounds great! We are probably at the point where we may not take the Princess Sydney to LA next year. DAughter is pregnant and due in March and I think that will be too long to be gone upon birth of her first baby AND I still don't want to do that long flight TO Australia. What a way to go, cruising both ways, but I don't think 66 days is gonna happen here. Maybe we will just end up doing the West coast to Tahiti and back some day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruznon Posted September 5, 2007 #17 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Hi Judy!!!!! So you may not go afterall. Sorry to hear that , but I don't blame you about the long flight. How's DD doing? (SAY, why don't you and Jim consider the Yum Yum cruise first week of Feb???? It looks like it's going to be great.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinjudy Posted September 5, 2007 #18 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Hi Peggy, We just might consider that if we do indeed cancel the Australia one. February should be safe if she is due in March. I know, famous last words! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirarthur Posted September 6, 2007 #19 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Thanks!!! This is the trip I have been looking for...I retire from 35 years of teaching in May....need to get houses sold and other retirement business completed and then we will be ready to travel and PARTY! The timing and ports of call of this cruise are exactly what we are looking for...I hated to have to take a flight, even one way, to Syndey.... thanks again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted September 6, 2007 Author #20 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Thanks!!! This is the trip I have been looking for...I retire from 35 years of teaching in May....need to get houses sold and other retirement business completed and then we will be ready to travel and PARTY! The timing and ports of call of this cruise are exactly what we are looking for...I hated to have to take a flight, even one way, to Syndey.... thanks again... You're welcome, Sir Arthur:) See you on board the Amsterdam in two years;) !!! Happy Retirement!!!:) Karin and Ed (hubby) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted September 7, 2007 #21 Share Posted September 7, 2007 I wonder if they'll offer this in two segments? I am sure they will. It fits very nicely into 2 segments with Sydney being the changeover.The 3 day stopover should allow an overnight for both segments. If its like other long, or World cruises, they will open bookings for the entire cruise first and the segments will follow later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osiebosie Posted September 7, 2007 #22 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Our 30th is coming up next fall, and we are looking for a long cruise, also. I have seen that itinerary for this year, and am assuming it'll be there for next year. Here's my ploy: DH just won't hear of a cruise over 21 days. So if I keep prodding him on these long cruises (the other one we are looking at goes around the Horn), he'll see that perhaps 28 or 30 days or so is not quite so long. But, omg, I would love to be cruising that long, and go for it if you can!!!!!!!!! Shay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kakalina Posted September 7, 2007 #23 Share Posted September 7, 2007 We will have to consider this instead of the RT Boston perhaps. Thanks MAM for posting this, I missed it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted September 8, 2007 Author #24 Share Posted September 8, 2007 When I saw this fabulous itinerary, and that it would be one of HAL's "Grand Voyages", which means they turn up the quality a notch or two, AND that it departs from Seattle (where we live) with a return to LA, I said "Eureka"!!!:) What makes me happiest, though, is that my husband wants to go and plan and discuss the trip with me, which is the greatest joy of all.:) I so badly want to go on this cruise that I have just started a part-time job to help us get the money together. The countdown has begun:) . Karin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted September 8, 2007 #25 Share Posted September 8, 2007 Karin, I'm getting excited for you! What a wonderful itinerary, you and DH will have so much fun planning and saving for this! I just noticed that it leaves one day before our 40th anniversary ....sigh.....wish we could go too, but a cruise that length will just have to wait until we've retired. :rolleyes: It's something to dream about though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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