Holland America Line Offers Holiday Escapes With 22 Warm Water Cruises

    


    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SEATTLE</span>, <span class="xn-chron">March 25</span> /CNW/ -- Whether you're seeking an entirely new holiday experience or simply escaping the frantic pace of the season, Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> offers 22 holiday cruises in 2010 for warm weather celebrations.</p>
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<p>"Holiday cruises are a very special experience," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.  "Our crew takes special pride in delivering all the seasonal favorites for guests to enjoy without the traditional rush.  Holiday meals, decorations and family time can be savored while sailing through warm, picturesque waters."</p>
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    Sail the Caribbean on 7 to 14-day Cruises
    
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<p>Departing between <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 17</span> and <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 31</span> aboard seven ships -- ms Westerdam, ms Maasdam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>, ms Ryndam, ms Prinsendam and ms Noordam -- options abound for Caribbean cruises with 13 holiday sailings from Ft. Lauderdale and <span class="xn-location">Tampa</span> over one or both holidays.  Itineraries include exploring the southern Caribbean via a seven-day cruise with stops in such exotic ports as <span class="xn-location">Aruba</span>, Curacao and Half <span class="xn-person">Moon Cay</span>, Holland America Line's private Bahamian island.  Or try seven days exploring the rich waters of the eastern Caribbean and legendary ports of call such as <span class="xn-location">Nassau</span>, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.  Finally, holiday cruisers can settle into several western Caribbean options with stops that may include <span class="xn-location">Belize</span>, Montego Bay, Georgetown, Costa Maya and Key West.</p>
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<p>The more adventurous travelers can opt for a 10- or 14-day cruise throughout the Caribbean and usher in the New Year in St. Thomas or <span class="xn-location">St. George's</span> while sampling the ports of <span class="xn-location">Barbados</span> and Grand Turk.</p>
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<p>Most itineraries feature a visit to Half <span class="xn-person">Moon Cay</span>, the line's award-winning exclusive private island experience with white sand beaches, aqua waters and shore activities from horseback riding to a stingray adventure.  Per person fares begin as low as <span class="xn-money">$999</span>, double occupancy.  Taxes are additional.</p>
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    Sunny Mexican Riviera & Panama Canal for a Festive Occasion
    
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<p>Departing from <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>, <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> or <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span> in mid to late December, Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> offers five cruises that visit the warm water ports of the Mexican Riviera -- Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas and Puerto Quetzal -- as well as the <span class="xn-location">Central America</span> coastline and <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal.  Per person fares begin at <span class="xn-money">$1,099</span>.</p>
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<p>The Sunfarer Caribbean Holiday cruise is a 10-day trip departing roundtrip <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span> on <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 23</span> aboard ms Zuiderdam and sailing through the southern Caribbean with <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> at Half <span class="xn-person">Moon Cay</span>, a partial transit of the <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal to Gatun Lake and <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> at sea before returning on <span class="xn-chron">Jan. 2, 2011</span>.</p>
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<p>Two additional cruises visit the <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal beginning with the 14-day <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal which departs <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span> on <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 22</span> aboard ms <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> in time for <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> at sea and stops in <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, <span class="xn-location">Guatemala</span> and <span class="xn-location">Costa Rica</span> before traversing the Canal en route to Ft. Lauderdale.  Or guests can opt for the 14-day <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal Holiday Cruise aboard ms Statendam departing <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> on <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span>.  Stops in <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span> include Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Chiapas before crossing the Canal to <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>.</p>
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<p>Christmas and New Year's holidays along the Mexican Riviera can be particularly memorable with an eight-day cruise from <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> aboard ms Oosterdam on <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 18</span> or a seven-day sailing on <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 26</span> that visit Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.  Or guests can opt for a 12-day cruise departing <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 22</span> aboard ms <span class="xn-location">Rotterdam</span> that features <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> in Cabo San Lucas, <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> at sea and <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> in Mazatlan.</p>
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    Longer Voyages Sail the Pacific
    
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<p>The warm waters of the far Pacific offer memorable holiday adventures as well.  A 14-day Circle Hawaii sailing aboard ms Zaandam departs <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 19</span> with <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> in Hilo, <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> in <span class="xn-location">Honolulu</span> and New Year's Day in Ensenada, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>.  Departing <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 17</span>, the 16-day Australia-New Zealand Holiday Cruise aboard ms Volendam explores the southern coast of <span class="xn-location">Australia</span> from Sydney before an extensive tour of exotic <span class="xn-location">New Zealand</span> ports like Milford Sound and <span class="xn-location">Auckland</span> and celebrating <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> in <span class="xn-location">Wellington</span>.</p>
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    White Christmas in the Antarctic
    
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<p>Guests who want their holidays adorned with snow and ice will see a white Christmas aboard the adventurous 17-day <span class="xn-location">South America</span> and Antarctica Explorer journey.  Departing Valparaiso (<span class="xn-location">Santiago</span>), <span class="xn-location">Chile</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 20</span>, ms Veendam steers south amid the glaciers to spend <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> cruising <span class="xn-person">Darwin Channel</span> and the Chilean Fjords, <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> sailing Amalia Glacier Canal and <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> in the Antarctic Sound.  Per person fares on longer voyages range from <span class="xn-money">$1,999 to $2,699</span> per person for starting fares.</p>
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    Host of Special Activities for All Guests
    
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<p>Holland America Line's on-board festivities for the entire family include holiday decorations, sumptuous traditional meals, special movie showings, a visit for the kids from Santa -- sometimes arriving by parasail -- activities and crafts for the Club HAL kids program, strolling carolers, tree lighting ceremony, eggnog in the Atrium, Christmas brunch, Santa's milk and cookie late-night snack and a holiday show by the crew on <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span>.  For sailings over Hanukkah, ships display a ceremonial Menorah.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> cruisers will enjoy the <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> Gala and the broadcast of select college bowl games on board ships.  Each holiday voyage features clergy to conduct Catholic, Protestant and Jewish services (for cruises over Hanukkah).</p>
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<p>Another special feature for the holidays are culinary classes highlighting such traditional seasonal treats as latkes with rosemary and brown butter sauce; Alsatian potato and bacon tarts; sausage cakes with red wine prunes; and other tasty holiday fare.</p>
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<p>For more information, contact a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>Find Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog.  Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>About Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]</p>
<p>Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers almost 500 cruises to 354 ports in nearly 100 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, <span class="xn-location">South America</span>, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, Canada/New England, <span class="xn-location">Europe</span> and <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal.  A 15th ship, ms Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>, is scheduled to join the fleet on <span class="xn-chron">July 4, 2010</span>.</p>
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<p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than <span class="xn-money">$525 million</span>, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.</p>
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    World's Leading Cruise Lines
    
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<p>The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, <span class="xn-person">Princess Cruises</span>, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises.  Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.</p>
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     CONTACT:  Sally Andrews
       PHONE:  [phone]
         FAX:  [phone]
       EMAIL:  [email protected]




    

For further information: Sally Andrews of Holland America Line, 1-800-637-5029, fax, [phone], [email protected] Web Site: http://www.hollandamerica.com