February 03-13, 2019
10 Days
Tour Status - Available
Enjoy this Caribbean voyage and spend your winter surrounded by golden sands, sapphire waters and the carefree joy of the Caribbean.
This cruise is hosted by Select Holidays' Lawrence & Loretta Layden.
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Itinerary
Feb 03, 2019 - Sun - Fort Lauderdale, Florida 5:00 PM
Arrive Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and board Holland America's "Koningsdam".
Feb 04, 2019 - Mon - Cruising Caribbean Waters
What a perfect day to get acquainted with your floating resort. With attention to details and refined elegance, Holland America strives to give you an experience like no other. With cuisine to dazzle and delight your senses; an enchanting array of entertainment; music for every mood; a wide selection of lounges and gathering places as well as a place where you can revitalize and rejuvenate. Relax and enjoy it all! A day at sea to familiarize yourself to the "Konningsdam".
Feb 05, 2019 - Tues - Cruising Caribbean Waters
Another day at sea to enjoy the sunshine or look out at the beautiful sea.
Feb 06, 2019 - Wed - Willemstad, Curacao Arrive: 10:00 AM - Depart: 11:00 PM
The capital of Curaçao, Willemstad, is almost as old as a more famous Dutch settlement—it was founded in 1634, just 10 years after New Amsterdam, later called New York. But while the Dutch control of New Amsterdam was relatively brief, Curaçao remains a part of the Netherlands to this day. Its historic center is a unique mixture of Dutch architecture and Caribbean pastels, its gabled row houses overlooking Sint Anna Bay, a waterway dividing the city in two and connecting the Caribbean to the protected Schottegat Bay. The entire historic center of Willemstad has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While Willemstad's legendary days of yore can be explored at institutions like the Kura Hulanda and Curaçao Maritime Museum, this is a vibrant, living city too. Highlights of this multicultural melting pot might include a stop at its floating market and a visit to a curaçao distillery to taste the famous local liqueur. Natural wonders await as well: Some of the Caribbean’s most stunning diving and snorkeling spots are here. Finally, a meal in Willemstad will let you experience the diversity of the island through the surprising flavors of its cuisine, which reflects European, Caribbean and Latin American influences.
Enjoy a Select Holidays included shore excursion here today!
Feb 07, 2019 - Thur - Kralendijk, Bonaire Arrive: 8:00 AM - Depart: 6:00 PM
Almost as soon as you pull into the port of Kralendijk, you’ll realize it’s one of the most laid-back landings around. Though there are some colorful streets to stroll nearby—remnants (mostly) of Bonaire’s Dutch-colonial era—even the busiest lack the bustle of other Caribbean capitals. Which is a good thing. The comparative sleepiness helps maintain the island’s chief attributes: legendarily pristine wilderness, both above and below the surface; mangroves full of baby fish; and salt flats full of flamingos. And reefs full of . . . everything. Nature’s cup overfloweth here. And, by the way, so will yours (have the cactus liqueur even if you try no other local beverage). There’s also an embarrassment of cultural riches, thanks to the layers of Amerindian, Spanish, African, Dutch and British influences on the island. In fact, you’ll hear traces of the languages of all of the above (plus some French and Portuguese) during any given conversation in Papiamento, the creole language spoken throughout the Netherlands Antilles. You'll find you can get by just fine with a few key phrases: por fabor, danki and bon dia—all of which mean exactly what you think they do.
Feb 08, 2019 - Fri - Oranjestad, Aruba Arrive: 8:00 AM - Depart: 11:00 PM
Located off the coast of Venezuela, the windswept Dutch island of Aruba is otherworldly. Here, the beaches are spectacularly pristine, the waters are romantically restless, the island interior is lunar-like and filled with cacti, and the trees are—quite famously—bent in the wind. The island's consistent trade winds are part of the destination's allure: They keep the humidity, rain and hurricanes common in much of the Caribbean during its off-season at bay.
The main port and capital city, Oranjestad, is a maze of Dutch-colonial architecture painted in a palette of Caribbean pastels. There are some historic sites of note and myriad shops, from boutiques to megastores, selling all sorts of keepsakes, with jewelry and gold being popular items—in fact, gold was mined here in the 19th century. In Oranjestad and along the beaches you'll also find a treasure trove of excellent seafood restaurants, while farther afield are lighthouses, gold mine ruins and natural wonders that reflect the rugged appeal of Aruba.
Feb 09, 2019 - Sat - Cruising Caribbean Waters
Day at sea to catch up on your photos and videos of what you have just seen and experienced.
Feb 10, 2019 - Sun - Amber Cove, Dominican Republic Arrive: 8:00 AM - Depart: 6:00 PM
Located on the Dominican Republic's north coast, the port of Amber Cove, near Puerto Plata, is a new phenomenon. Built in 2015, the area was fashioned as an homage to the country’s colonial architecture and features restaurants, bars and shops, as well as an activity center, a pool and cabanas. But it’s the neighboring region, known as the Amber Coast for its plethora of the semiprecious stone, that’s this port’s true draw. Along with golden-sand beaches and dramatic cliffs, there's the city of Puerto Plata, one of the Caribbean’s oldest, founded in the early 1500s. Another nearby option is Santiago de los Caballeros, known locally as simply Santiago, about an hour's drive from the port. The second-largest city in the Dominican Republic, it is home to excellent museums, historic buildings and cigar and rum makers.
Feb 11, 2019 - Mon - Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Arrive 7:00 AM - Depart: 2:00 PM
Sugar-white sand, brilliant blue waters, kaleidoscopic sea life—all this is plentiful in the Caribbean archipelago nation of Turks & Caicos. Without hyperbole, this is one of the world’s most photogenic spots. T&C, as it is sometimes called, is the ultimate fantasy-island destination—the screen saver in all its glorious reality.
Grand Turk, a jewel of an isle that measures just 18 square kilometers (seven square miles), is awesomely rich in natural wonders. Ringed by translucent warm waters teeming with coral and fish, it’s a bonanza for divers, snorkelers and anglers. Of course, you can always simply kick back and just enjoy the view from under a palm tree or beach umbrella. Or explore the fascinating history of Turks & Caicos in its capital, Cockburn Town, which is lined with Bermudan-style buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Feb 12, 2019 - Tues - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas Arrive: 8:00 AM - Depart: 4:00 PM
The Caribbean is full of tropical wonders. But there’s nothing like Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s 2,400-acre private island paradise in the Bahamas. The most authentic, highest-rated private-island experience in the region, Half Moon Cay has won Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Best Private Island award 17 consecutive years, and was also named the best in Travel Weekly's Readers' Choice Awards. One visit and it’s easy to see why Holland America Line guests wish they could stay here forever. Most Caribbean cruises departing from Ft. Lauderdale include a day at Half Moon Cay. Uncrowded and unspoiled, it combines the unparalleled natural beauty of a protected preserve with access to a wide range of amenities and activities. With miles of pristine, white-sand beach, guests can stay busy all day or simply luxuriate in tranquil solitude. Holland America Line acquired this beautiful island more than 20 years ago to create a unique and memorable experience for our Caribbean cruise guests.
Feb 13, 2019 - Wed - Fort Lauderdale, Florida - End of cruise 7:00 AM
While you where sleeping, the Koningsdam completed her spectacular 10-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean and has returned to Ft. Lauderdale. Disembark and make a transfer to the airport for your flight back to your home city, relaxed and taking great memories with you. Disembark
