Culinary Dream Cruise of a Lifetime
Make many of the iconic Mediterranean images you’ve seen for years come to life starting September 24th, 2010. Visit breathtaking Athens, Greece, exciting Istanbul, Turkey, and other fascinating locations while you learn from one of America’s leading chefs, Richard Chamberlain, onboard Holland America’s newest sophisticated cruise ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Find a travel companion now for this extraordinary 12-day learning adventure departing from romantic Venice, Italy.

This 12-day Mediterranean cruise departs from and returns to Venice, Italy. HOLLAND AMERICA is one of the great cruise lines of the world. It has outstanding service and many of the people who cruise with them are well-seasoned travelers who appreciate excellence. The cruise itself is a once-in-a-lifetime happening! The ports of call are fascinating and this cruise will appeal to people who love cooking and who especially love eating.

About the Chef: Richard Chamberlain
Chef Richard Chamberlain is one of America’s leading chefs and is the owner of Chamberlain’s Steak and Chophouse in Dallas. His restaurant was named one of Bon Appetit’s top new restaurants after opening in 1993. He and the restaurant have garnered stellar reviews and accolades from premier publications, including “One of America’s Top Tables,” from Gourmet and “One of America’s Top Restaurants,” from Zagat Guide. Richard also opened the award-winning Chamberlain’s Fish Market Grill in Dallas and Tarragon at Elk Mountain, an ultra-luxury resort in Colorado. Most recently, he joined forces with the Renaissance Las Vegas to open ENVY the Steakhouse, one of the most exclusive new restaurants in Las Vegas. Chef Chamberlain will be giving enlightening culinary presentations throughout the cruise.

2010 Holland America Chef Cruise Itinerary:
Friday, Sept. 24: Check in at 1 p.m. and overnight in Venice
Saturday, Sept. 25: Depart Venice at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 26: Split, Croatia (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Monday, Sept. 27: At sea
Tuesday, Sept. 28: Piraeus (Athens), Greece (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Wednesday, Sept. 29: Istanbul, Turkey (4 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 30: Istanbul, Turkey (5 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 1: Mykonos, Greece (1p.m. – 11 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 2: Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 3: Thira (Santorini), Greece ( 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Monday, Oct. 4: Katakolon, Greece (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Tuesday, Oct. 5: At Sea
Wednesday, Oct. 6: Arrive Venice, Italy 7 a.m.

PORTS OF CALL
Croatia has some of the best that Eastern Europe has to offer in a nutshell: forested hills, rustic villages, idylic islands, walled medieval cities, Roman ruins, Adriatic coastline and a vibrant culture. Eat cevapcici (grilled, spiced meatballs), a Balkan classic; and pasticada (beef stuffed and roasted in wine and spices). Drink sljivovica, plum brandy with a kick; wines from Istria or Kvarner. Word for the day: Na Zdravlje (to your health)

Athens, Greece is home to the National Archaeology Museum which holds more masterpieces of ancient Greek art and sculpture than any other museum in the world. Its unrivaled collection of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek art is an essential part of any introduction to Greece. Enjoy spanakopita (spinach pie), moussaka (layers of eggplant or zucchini, minced meat and potatoes topped with cheese and baked) or, for something sweet, baklava (layers of filo pastry filled with honey and nuts)
Word for the day: Kalimera (Good day)

Istanbul, Turkey has rugs galore and everything else imaginable at the Covered Bazaar, a mini-city that sprawls across sixty-five streets and 50 acres and includes some 4,000 shops, tiny cafes, and restaurants—all surrounded by a wall and entered through any of eleven gates. Byzantium’s Greatest Legacy is Hagia Sophia, The massive dome and four elegant minarets of the Church of Holy Wisdom rise above the chaos and hubbub of downtown Istanbul forming a most impressive silhouette on Asia’s skyline. Other venues to visit are the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans.

Mykonos has long been Greece’s lively party island. There are cosmopolitan clubs, bars, tavernas, upscale boutiques, and wonderful beaches. You will have time to hop on a boat and go to the neighboring island of Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and his sister, Artemis. There is one open-air archaeology museum covered with ancient ruins, mosaics, and where you will see the famous Terrace of the Lions.

Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities on the Mediterranean and a showpiece of Aegean archaeology. Once a wealthy trading port, it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia in the time of Augustus Caesar and was the second largest city in the eastern Mediterranean, after Alexandria. Kusadasi (Bird Island), is a major Aegean resort and home to first-rate seafood restaurants around the harbor.

Given the medieval name of Thira, Santorini is everyone’s favorite Greek island. There is speculation that Santorini is the remains of the mythical lost kingdom of Atlantis. Many varieties of grape grow in the rich volcanic soil so be sure to try one of the delightful white wines.

Italy is a seductive mix of history, culture, fashion and cuisine. It’s impossible not to fall in love with a country, which is connected so strikingly to the ancient glories of yesteryear and the sophisticated pleasures of today. Wander along the canals of Venice and shell out the Euro for a gondola ride for a memorable experience. Eat sfogliatella (pastry filled with ricotta), and drink Chianti (Tuscan wine) at one of the cafe tables near Piazza San Marco. Word for the day: Ciao, Bella! (Hi, beautiful!)

About the Ship
Completed in 2010, the 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam was built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and its interior design and art collection reflects the glamour and history of New York City, formerly called Nieuw Amsterdam.

Nieuw Amsterdam, joins the recently launched Eurodam to further define and expand the Holland America Line premium brand with new concepts such as the innovative pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a premium wine-tasting lounge, an elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured The Showroom at Sea, and a new photographic and imaging center.

The ship will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Explorations Cafe -- a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line; and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft. In addition the ship features the family-style Canaletto's Italian restaurant.

Nieuw Amsterdam features 11 guest decks and the staterooms spotlight all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities. The Nieuw Amsterdam is designed to be large enough to offer diverese amenities while carrying far fewer guests. Because personal space is still the greatest luxury of all.

The Culinary Arts Center
The Culinary Arts Center allows you to immerse yourself in unique traditions and tastes from various ports of call. Savor fine wines from around the world. And experience gourmet presentations and hands-on classes in the state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. Explore your culinary passions as you explor the world.

Package Cabin Rates Include:
1. Accommodations, meals and snacks
2. All port charges, government fees and service charges
3. Lavish nightly entertainment
4. Most shipboard activities and movies
5. 24-hour room service
6. Fitness Center activities and much more...

Package does not include:
1. Gratuities which are added on to your bill daily during the cruise
2. Any extra fuel supplement that might be added if the price of fuel warrants it.
3. Shore excursions
4. Trip insurance, which is highly recommended
5. Incidentals that you purchase on board the ship
6. Air fare or transportation to and from the port
7. Passport fees – A Passport is required for everyone traveling.
8. Anything not specifically stated above.

Take A Video Tour of the MS Nieuw Amsterdam

PRICING
12-day Mediterranean Cruise
$2200-3400 based on cabin selection and current pricing.

 

 

FOR RESERVATIONS, BEST AVAILABILITY & PRICING,
CALL MARIA
651-257-1944

 

Seven days after booking you will be required to deposit $300. No prices are guaranteed until booked. This can be done with a credit card and contact information given to Maria. HOLLAND AMERICA requires that you give your legal name, date of birth, phone number and billing address. Passport and other information will be required later when you check in online.

Your deposit will be subtracted from the total price. Final payment is due 95 days before departure. Book as soon as possible as this is a very popular cruise on HOLLAND AMERICA’S newest ship and cabins are filling quickly! Call Maria at 651-257-1944 to reserve your cabin today!