You will need the following types of clothing on board: casual shipboard attire or day wear, and evening wear. Casual nights on board may be sports shirt and slacks and equivalent for ladies. During the evening on formal nights a dinner suit or dark suit for gentlemen and eveningwear for ladies is recommended. There is usually two formal nights on the cruise. The self-service restaurants are casual.
About a third of people on the cruise travel alone. We will match people in twin-share cabins when available, saving you the single supplement. You won’t be left alone; the Travelrite tour manager will be looking after you. There will be group activities almost every day.
DECK
PLANS
Rotterdam is Holland America Line’s newest cruise ship, hitting all the right notes: exquisite dining, innovative entertainment, superbly appointed staterooms and suites, the finest service and craftsmanship that reflects nearly 150 years of expertise. Music is front and center on Rotterdam and the result is a ship that moves – not only through water, but through the hearts of guests. With world-class dining and the best live music at sea, this new cruise ship creates the soundtrack to the discoveries you’ll make each day.
VIEW ITINERARYDay 1 Wednesday 3 July, 2024 Depart Australia
Today we board our overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 2 Thursday 4 July, 2024 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This morning we arrive at Amsterdam airport. After clearing Customs, we will
be met by our private coach and transferred to Amsterdam for our sightseeing
tour where we will enjoy a city canal cruise with fantastic views of the 17thcentury
buildings lining the canals. We will then transfer to our hotel.
Day 3 Friday 5 July, 2024 Amsterdam
A free day in Amsterdam. You may want to visit the wonderful Van Gogh
museum or the famous Rijksmuseum.
Day 4 Saturday 6 July, 2024 Embarkation
We will have free time this morning for last-minute sightseeing and shopping.
Early afternoon we transfer to the port to board MS Rotterdam for our voyage
to Iceland, Norway, the Shetland Islands and Scotland.
Day 5 Sunday 7 July, 2024 At sea
The morning will be free to explore the wonderful facilities of the ship.
This evening join us for welcome drinks to celebrate the beginning of our
fabulous cruise.
Day 6 Monday 8 July, 2024 Stavanger, Norway
The gateway to Norway’s spectacularly scenic fjordland, Stavanger is a town
with its own rich heritage and is regarded as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. On our
sightseeing tour today we will visit ‘Old Stavanger’ which consists of 173 listed and restored wooden houses, built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It
is one of Northern Europe’s best preserved collections of wooden houses and
the city has received several awards for its preservation efforts. We will walk
through the picturesque Old Town with its cobblestone streets and small,
charming wooden houses and learn of the early history of the city. Situated
in the heart of the city is Stavanger’s 12th-century cathedral, the only church
to have retained all its original features since its construction in the Middle
Ages. A short drive further along the sea, will take us to the highest point in
Stavanger, with a great 360 degree view. The scenery opens up with fjords and
mountains surrounding us.
Day 7 Tuesday 9 July, 2024 Lerwick, Shetland Islands
This morning we arrive in Lerwick, the only town in Shetland and we begin our
tour with a brief panoramic orientation drive of this tiny capital dating from
the 1600s. From there, we’ll head to the Central and West Mainland visiting
Scalloway, the former Shetland capital. Here we will visit Scalloway Castle
built in 1600 by the tyrant Earl Patrick Stewart, using forced labour. We will
also visit the Scalloway Museum, which houses a special Shetland Bus exhibit,
depicting the village’s unique role in World War II when German occupation
of Norway resulted in a stream of refugees heading to Shetland. We continue
through the Tingwall Valley with its Norse heritage and we will stop and see
the famous Shetland ponies.
Day 8 Wednesday 10 July, 2024 At sea
The morning will be free to explore the wonderful facilities of the ship. This
afternoon join us for a fun group game of bingo, with prizes for the winners.
Day 9 Thursday 11 July, 2024 Djupivogur, Iceland
This morning we first drive along the coast to Eystrahorn. Lesser-known than
their Western counterpart of Vestrahorn, these mountains are incredibly steep
and beautifully coloured. The surrounding area of Lonafjordur is one of the
first stops for migratory birds that have flown thousands of miles and is known
for its rich birdlife. We then continue west to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
Known as Diamond Beach with the ice in the sea and on the beach this will
be a spectacular highlight of the tour! Take amazing photographs at this
spectacular natural wonder! We then return to ship.
DAY 10 Friday 12 July 2024 Grundarfjordur, Iceland
This morning we arrive into Grundarfjordur. We will tour the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula
which is sometimes called “Iceland in miniature” due to its many different kinds of geology
all in one place and see the Snæfellsjökull glacier which rests on the mountains of the
peninsula. We see the spectacular Kirkjufell Mountain (Church Mountain) that was featured
in Game of Thrones. Then we visit the fishing village of Ólafsvík and then the beautiful
Baejarfoss waterfall followed by the Saxhóll Crater. We see the Djúpalónssandur (The Black
Lava Pearl Beach) and then the fishing village of Hellnar and one of Iceland’s most peculiar
caves, Baðstofa. It is known for its special light exposure and colourful interior. We then
travel to the village of Arnarstapi which was an important trading post in the past. We visit
Berserkjahraun a 4000-year-old lava field. We then return to Grundarfjörður and the ship.
Day 11 Saturday 13 July, 2024 Isafordur, Iceland
After arriving in Isafjordur, our tour heads through the centre of town with a stop at the Ósvör 19th-century fisherman’s hut, restored in 1988. We drive through Bolungarvík village and back to Ísafjördur with views of the magnificent mountains and Westfjord – a beautiful but sometimes harsh landscape. We will also see Buná Tunguá River and the waterfall in Tunguskogur, and sip fresh mountain water that flows down the stream. We will also experience the awesome beauty of the fjords on the north western coast of Iceland. Mountains rising from the sea with breath-taking scenery make this a memorable day. Make sure you have your camera ready!
DAY 12 Sunday 14 July 2024 Husavik, Iceland
This morning we arrive in Husavik. On our tour today we visit one of Iceland’s most famous
turf houses at Laufás. This 19th-century turf farmhouse was built in the traditional Icelandic
style of stone and turf, and it is now one of the last turf farms in the country. It is an
interesting regional museum and has the original implements and equipment so essential to
life in past centuries, and a beautiful country church (1865). We continue on to Akureyri, the
unofficial capital of northern Iceland. We will notice the many contrasts in the town’s
interesting and varied architecture and visit the Akureyri Botanical gardens which specialise
in Artic plants before spending some time in the center of the town. We return to Husavik
and the ship later afternoon.
Day 13 Monday 15 July, 2024 Reykjavik, Iceland
We continue our sightseeing tour of Reykjavik with an overview tour of the city including the presidential residence at Bessastaðir, Hofdi House and the Perlan building. We will visit the town of Hafnarfjörður and see Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s iconic cathedral. There will be time for lunch and a stroll through the Old Town, home to the Icelandic parliament and the Town Hall, before a visit to the famous blue lagoon.
Day 14 Tuesday 16 July, 2024 At sea
The morning will be free to explore the wonderful facilities of the ship. This afternoon join us for a fun group game of trivial pursuit, with prizes for the winners.
Day 15 Wednesday 17 July, 2024 Stornoway, Outer Hebrides
We will enjoy a tour of the Isle of Lewis today beginning in the historic port and Viking town of Stornoway. We will learn about the Hebridean island’s distinctive history and culture and visit the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones, the 19th-century Blackhouse, Arnol, and the 2,500-year-old Carloway Broch.
DAY 16 Thursday 18 July 2024 Edinburgh, Scotland
Today we visit Edinburgh, the royal and ancient capital of Scotland and one of the most
beautiful cities in Europe. On our sightseeing tour we see the ancient Royal Mile with its
cobbled streets forms the backbone of the medieval Old Town which leads from the Palace
of Holyrood house (HM The Queen’s official residence in Scotland) all the way to Edinburgh
Castle. We will enjoy a guided tour of the castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the
historic Stone of Destiny. Enjoy the view from the castle which is simply stunning.
Day 17 Friday 19 July, 2024 At sea
Today we will continue to enjoy the facilities and activities available on the ship. This afternoon join us for a fun group game of Scattergories, with prizes for the winners.
Day 18 Saturday 20 July, 2024 Departure
Early this morning we arrive back in Amsterdam. After breakfast and clearing customs we are transferred to Amsterdam Airport for our flights back to Australia.
Day 19 Sunday 21 July, 2024 Arrive Australia
Tour members arrive back in Australia. The tour concludes.
| Grade | Description | Deck | Twin Fare Per Person | Single Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | Interior | 4,5,6,7,8 | $9,090 | $12,290 |
| K | Interior | 4,5,6,7,8,11 | $9,190 | $12,390 |
| J | Interior | 1,4,5,6,7,8 | $9,490 | $13,090 |
| I | Interior | 1,4,5,6,7,8 | $9,590 | $13,190 |
| IQ | Interior Spa | 10 | $9,690 | $13,290 |
| F | Ocean View | 1 | $10,390 | $14,590 |
| E | Ocean View | 1,4 | $10,850 | $15,450 |
| D | Ocean View | 7,11 | $10,890 | $15,590 |
| C | Ocean View | 1 | $10,950 | $15,650 |
| CQ | Ocean View Spa | 10 | $10,990 | $15,690 |
| FB | Ocean View | 1 | $11,050 | $15,850 |
| FA | Ocean View | 1 | $11,090 | $15,890 |
| VE | Verandah Balcony | 7,8 | $11,150 | $15,950 |
| VD | Verandah Balcony | 5,6,7 | $11,550 | $16,850 |
| VC | Verandah Balcony | 5,6 | $11,590 | $16,990 |
| VB | Verandah Balcony | 4,11 | $11,690 | $17,190 |
| VA | Verandah Balcony | 6,7,8 | $11,750 | $17,350 |
| V | Verandah Balcony | 5,6,7,8 | $11,850 | $17,450 |
| VS | Verandah Balcony | 5,6,8 | $11,890 | $17,590 |
| VQ | Verandah Balcony Spa | 10 | $11,990 | $17,790 |
| B | Verandah Suite | 8 | $12,890 | $19,590 |
| A | Verandah Suite | 4,5,6,7 | $12,990 | $19,790 |
| AS | Verandah Suite | 4,7 | $13,190 | $20,190 |
| SY | Verandah Suite | 5 | $16,190 | $25,990 |
| SS | Verandah Suite | 7 | $16,590 | $26,890 |
| Included gratuities | $270 | $270 | ||
| Included port and handling charges and cruise taxes | $940 | $1,560 | ||
| Included air taxes as at 1 March 2023 | $200 | $200 | ||
All cabins are subject to availability. Please call 1800 630 343 for fares and information on other cabin categories.
You can stay longer in Europe for minimal extra cost. Please contact 1800 630 343 for more information.
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATORS
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the
tour organiser MS Rotterdam is operated by Holland America Line Cruises
and the MS Rotterdam fly/cruise arrangements are subject to the terms and
conditions and general information detailed in the Holland America Line 2024
brochure. All passengers must complete the Holland America Line online
check in and complete a Travelrite International booking form.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT
A deposit of $1200 per passenger should be sent with
a completed Travelrite International booking form that lists your requested
cabin category. As soon as the booking is confirmed, (usually within 24 hours),
a cruise confirmation advice will be posted to the client. The confirmation
advice will contain all details. The passenger must also complete the Holland
America Line on line check in. Final payments are due to be paid to Travelrite
International 90 days prior to the commencement of the MS Rotterdam fly/
cruise. A 1.5% administration fee will be added to payments by credit card.
CANCELLATION CHARGES:* Number of days before sailing..
| Days prior to Departure | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| Over 90 days | loss of deposit |
| 90 - 61 days | 50% of full fare |
| 60 days or less | 100% of full fare |
| Non appearance/no written notice | 100% of full fare |
REFUNDS
The cruise is based on arrangements which do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other services not
utilised after the tour has commenced.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All passengers will require a valid passport. If not an
Australian passport holder check with Travelrite International for visa
requirements.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended to
cover cruise members for the consequences of unforeseen events during the
cruise and for cancellation fees which could result from events such as illness,
accident, death etc.
BAGGAGE
Passengers qualify for a 30kg free baggage allowance on flights to
join or return from the cruise.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS
The fly/cruise arrangements have been made on the
basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling. In the event that less
than the required number of passengers have confirmed their booking 90 days from the date of departure, Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel
the tour, giving a full refund of monies paid, or offer arrangements to proceed
with the tour at a modified fare.
Tour Participation
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ATAS No A1038) is the tour
organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, its agents, officers, affiliates, and/
or suppliers of services pursuant to, or in connection with these fly/cruises,
shall act only as agents in making arrangements for hotels, transportation,
including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any other service and do not
assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident
or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any
hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included
in fly/cruises, or by act of God. Further, no responsibilities are accepted for any
damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery breakdown,
quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes
beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense,
omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. Baggage is
at owners’ risk throughout the fly/cruise. The passage contract between the
carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between
the carriers and the purchasers of this fly/cruise and/ or the passengers. The
right is reserved to withdraw any fly/ cruise and/or make such changes in
the fly/cruises as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of
the parties and the proper carrying out of the fly/cruise. This contract shall
be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and
any legal action must be undertaken in the state of Victoria. Attention is also
directed to the terms and conditions of Holland America Line detailed on their
website. If you do not have these details please contact Travelrite International
and we will send them to you.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS
You engage Travelrite to book this tour
on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent for
the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of
accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour.
Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or
may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to
you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary
for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise
accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour
itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you
indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite
advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk
that any such good or service may become required.
TRAVEL VACCINATION POLICY
While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations
and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us. It is your
responsibility to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements
imposed by airlines, cruise lines and/or authorities in the destinations visited,
as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be
more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if you are unable
to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these
requirements.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and
sending it with a deposit of $1200 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: balwyn@travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a well-established
travel company which has been operating in the eastern suburbs
of Melbourne for more than 40 years. It is a member of ATAS (number A10538)
and has an accredited IATA office at Balwyn. As such, it directly represents
the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international tour
and transport operators. Travelrite International has been operating special
interest tours for over 35 years, and now runs over 120 tours a year. Travelrite
International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel
Agents – AFTA.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
