Explore the ship, plan your nights and learn where the restaurants are. It still amazes me how huge cruise ships are. It’s crazy! I think it’s a great idea to take a tour of the ship or go out exploring on your own, to learn where everything is.
Eastern Mediterranean: Egypt & Istanbul Overnights
Join Holland America Line for a 14-night cruise departing from Barcelona, visiting Valletta, Malta, Alexandria, Egypt, Limassol, Rhodes, Bodrum, Istanbul and Piraeus (Athens). Enjoy luxurious accommodations and world-class amenities.
Departure date
20 September 2025
Cabins
€3,438pp
€3,754pp
€4,260pp
€5,271pp
Prices do not include flights.
Call us to add flights, hotels and transfers.
All prices are subject to availability
Your Holiday Summary
Travelling Itinerary
Departure: at 15:00
Welcome aboard! Today marks the beginning of your unforgettable cruise holiday. Take time to explore the ship, unwind, and soak in the excitement of what’s to come. Your holiday starts now.
Arrival:
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at 08:00
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at 18:00
Thick sandstone walls fortify Valletta, holding within its stone streets and glorious architecture. It fees like a travesty, walking over the detailed inlaid marble floors of the the cathedrals, but they are there to be seen and appreciated. The Silent City is Mdina, on the far side of the island, where no cars are permitted to disrupt the serene streets. Keep an eye out for the legendary, aged yellow buses of Malta which appear to be on their last legs, but are in fact a revered and flawlessly maintained piece of Maltese heritage.
Arrival:
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Arrival:
at 05:00
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Haggle for handcrafted jewelry in Khan el-Khalili, Cairo’s giant souk. Hear the call to prayer. Venture out to Giza, where the iconic pyramids and sphynx testify to the glory that was ancient Egypt.
Arrival:
Departure:
at 17:00
Haggle for handcrafted jewelry in Khan el-Khalili, Cairo’s giant souk. Hear the call to prayer. Venture out to Giza, where the iconic pyramids and sphynx testify to the glory that was ancient Egypt.
Arrival:
at 10:00
Departure:
at 18:00
On the island's south coast, Limassol is very much in the Greek sector of Cyprus. Nearby crusaders' castles, Greco-Roman ruins, olive groves and vineyards all speak to a lifestyle that is intrinsically Hellenic, and wizened lacemakers weave the traditions of their ancestors into their detailed work.
Arrival:
at 11:00
Departure:
at 20:00
Rhodes, set behind impregnable 14th-century walls, invites you to navigate through crooked streets to shop for sea sponges and visit the gorgeous Palace of the Grand Masters from where the Knights of St John set out on the Crusades. Tour to the village of Lindos and climb to the Acropolis. Look down and you'll see where St Paul landed, as well as the rocky peninsulas where many believe the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. This 110-foot-tall statue of Helios was destroyed by an earthquake, and its remains were melted down by the Arabs for scrap metal.
Arrival:
at 08:00
Departure:
at 17:00
Stones from the Tomb of Helicarnassus, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, were used to build the castle at Bodrum. For this reason alone you must visit the impressive towers and appreciate the stunning views they offer. A truly authentic Turkish experience is a ride in a "gulet" one of the region's typical wooden boats.
Arrival:
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Arrival:
at 07:00
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Blurring the line between east and west, Istanbul stands at the crossroads of two continents. The city's architecture is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. See the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Take time to wander through the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market and sample baklava and shish kebabs.
Arrival:
Departure:
at 17:00
Blurring the line between east and west, Istanbul stands at the crossroads of two continents. The city's architecture is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. See the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Take time to wander through the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market and sample baklava and shish kebabs.
Arrival:
Departure:
Arrival:
at 07:00
As your cruise comes to an end, why not extend the magic? Our team can arrange extra hotel nights for you so you can continue exploring and make even more unforgettable memories before heading home.
Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam, a sister ship to Koningsdam and the second of our Pinnacle-class ships, features a design inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments. Guests can savor her innovative specialty restaurants—from Sel de Mer to the Grand Dutch Cafe. Enjoy live music and entertainment from the Rolling Stone Rock Room, B.B. King's Blues Club, and more. Explore the thrill of BBC Earth Experiences presentations at our spectacular two-story World Stage.
Ship name: Nieuw Statendam
Length: 297.18 m (975 ft)
Capacity: 2,650 passengers
Total
cabins: 1,339
Tonnage: 99,500 GT
Staff Tips
- Astrid BellCruise Product Manager
For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, swimsuit, exercise clothes and any medications you may need. That way you don't have to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom.
Amanda O'BrienPersonal Travel PlannerGet to know the staff early in the cruise. They can give you some wonderful inside information regarding the ports of call, excursions, activities, and so on.
Kristin SkinnerPersonal Travel PlannerIt’s always worth having a small amount of local currency for immediate expenses on arrival at your destination and for any purchases you make at your ports of call. We also recommend you carry a major credit or charge card (American Express®, MasterCard® or Visa®), or sufficient funds in U.S.$ travellers cheques which can be cashed on board.
Astrid BellCruise Product ManagerThere will be a laundry service on board all ships; the service is not “self service” and prices vary by garment type
Tracy CrowleyPersonal Travel Planner