HALs 3-Ship South America Has New Amazon-Carnival Cruise

Holland America Lines varied three-ship South America season in late 2012 and early 2013 includes a new Amazon and Carnival voyage. Maasdam will operate that 49-day, port-intensive sailing.

Itineraries range from 13 to 68 days and include a 23-day Amazon Explorer cruise in November and a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica voyage in January aboard Prinsendam.

From November to March, Veendam will sail a series of six 13-day and one 17-day cruises between Chiles Valparaiso and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Included are multiple days cruising Chiles scenic fjords, calls at exotic stops like Ushuaia (southernmost town in the world), Cape Horn and the Magellan Strait.

In addition, two non-repeating itineraries are available throughout the season: a 14- or 18-day South America cruise departing Boston or Fort Lauderdale to Valparaiso, Oct. 20 and 24, respectively; and an 18- or 21-day South America cruise departing Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale or Boston, April 13. These itineraries include a full transit of the Panama Canal and extended calls at Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama, and Callao (Lima), Peru.

Veendam also sails a 21-day South America and Antarctica Explorer holiday cruise departing Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso Dec. 20, and a 20-day South America and Antarctica Explorer cruise departing Valparaiso to Buenos Aires, Jan.10. A 21-day South America and Antarctica Explorer cruise returns from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso on Jan. 30. All voyages include scenic cruising of the Antarctic Peninsula and an overnight at Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires.

Maasdams Amazon and Carnival Explorer voyage sails round-trip Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 18 and visits 25 ports in the Caribbean, French Guiana and Brazil with extended stays at seven ports including Rio for Carnival. Shorter segments of the 49-day cruise are available.

Departing Jan. 5, Prinsendam sails the 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. Included are seven full days cruising the Amazon River and four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica. Overnight calls include Callao, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. Shorter segments are available.

Overland adventures feature Iguazu Falls, Cuzco and Machu Picchu, Patagona and Tierra del Fuego National Park.