Bookings are now open for the first voyage and 2018-2019 inaugural Caribbean cruise season of Holland America’s new ms Nieuw Statendam cruise ship.

The ship, due for delivery Dec. 1, 2018, will be the second “Pinnacle” class ship in Holland America Line’s fleet.

“Every milestone we reach with Nieuw Statendam brings us closer to delivery, and opening for bookings in the inaugural season is an exciting step as we officially give guests the opportunity to start planning their vacations on this beautiful new ship,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “The crossing is a great chance for guests to really get to know the ship and explore every corner during the sea days, and the Caribbean season is a perfect blend of ports that highlight the beauty, diversity and relaxed ambiance of that region.”

The ship will spend its inaugural season sailing roundtrip cruises to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale, with all itineraries including a call at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

Nieuw Statendam’s first cruise will be a four-day itinerary including calls at Half Moon Cay and Key West departing Dec. 19.

That will be followed by a series of seven-day sailings calling on the Dominican Republic’s Amber Cove; San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.

Guests looking for an extended Caribbean adventure on Nieuw Statendam can depart Jan. 20 on a 10-day cruise to the ABC Islands with calls at Half Moon Cay; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Willemstad, Curaçao; and Oranjestad, Aruba.

— Caribbean Journal staff