Seven Holland America Line Ships Offering Extensive Alaska Itineraries in
2011 Are Now Available for Booking

    
    Icy Strait Point with Native Tlingit Culture Added to 14-day Explorer
    Cruise from Seattle




    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SEATTLE</span>, <span class="xn-chron">March 30</span> /CNW/ -- Alaska-bound travelers can choose from four cruise itineraries of seven to 14 days with Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> in 2011. The company's fleet of seven ships will offer a wide selection of visits into Glacier Bay throughout the 2011 cruise season and reservations are now open for booking.</p>
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<p>Guests can choose from a 14-day Explorer cruise roundtrip from <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span> and three seven-day itineraries departing from <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span>, <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> and Seward. The 14-day Explorer from <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span> will add Icy Strait Point as a port of call for the first time since 2007, providing guests with an opportunity to discover native Tlingit culture near Hoonah.</p>
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<p>Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> will deploy seven ships to cruise Alaska with 125 total departures from <span class="xn-chron">May 7</span> through <span class="xn-chron">September 21, 2011</span>. The premium cruise line continues to offer an extensive choice of seven-day cruises, both roundtrip from <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span> and <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> and one-way between <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> and Seward.</p>
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<p>"Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> continues to lead the cruise industry in offering the most cruises to Alaska and especially Glacier Bay," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Alaska adventurers appreciate Holland America Line's mid-sized cruise ships with more of the popular verandah staterooms for maximum viewing opportunities."</p>
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<p>The seven-day roundtrip <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span> itineraries will feature two Vista-class ships - ms Westerdam and ms Oosterdam - increasing verandah stateroom availability by almost a quarter. The ms Zaandam will sail the seven-day Glacier Discovery between <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> and Seward, increasing verandah staterooms on that route by nearly a third.</p>
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    14-day Explorer from Seattle
    
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<p>The ms <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> will sail 14-day Explorer cruises roundtrip from <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span> - a new itinerary that debuts in summer 2010 - and add Icy Strait Point as a new port of call in 2011. The 1,380-guest <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> will also change to Friday departures, sailing <span class="xn-chron">May 13</span> to <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 2</span> on an extensive itinerary that features scenic cruising in the <span class="xn-person">Tracy Arm</span> fjord and past the Hubbard Glacier - North America's largest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and port calls at Ketchikan, <span class="xn-location">Juneau</span>, Icy Strait Point, <span class="xn-location">Anchorage</span>, Homer, Kodiak and Sitka.</p>
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<p>Guests will enjoy a day ashore at Icy Strait Point near Hoonah, the largest Tlingit Indian village in Alaska. They can visit the Native Heritage Center to learn Tlingit history and culture through exhibits and live performances. They can also go wildlife watching, flightsee above Glacier Bay, book a charter fishing excursion or ride the world's longest ZipRider(TM) line.</p>
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    Seven-day Alaska Cruises
    
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<p>The 1,916-guest Westerdam and Oosterdam will sail the seven-day Explorer itinerary roundtrip from <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span> from <span class="xn-chron">May 7</span> through <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 18</span>. The Westerdam departs Saturdays and highlights the Hubbard Glacier, while the Oosterdam leaves Sundays and features Glacier Bay scenic cruising. In addition, the <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> sails the itinerary on Fri., <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 16</span>. Ports include <span class="xn-location">Juneau</span>, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, BC.</p>
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<p>The 1,916-guest ms Zuiderdam and 1,432-guest ms Volendam will sail the seven-day Inside Passage roundtrip from <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> <span class="xn-chron">May 14</span> through <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 21</span>, departing Saturdays and Wednesdays, respectively. The Zaandam also offers a Sunday sailing on <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 18</span>. The ships cruise <span class="xn-person">Tracy Arm</span> fjord with its twin Sawyer Glaciers, spend a full day exploring spectacular Glacier Bay, and call at <span class="xn-location">Juneau</span>, Skagway and Ketchikan.</p>
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<p>One-way, seven-day Glacier Discovery cruises between <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> and Seward will depart on Sundays <span class="xn-chron">May 15</span> through <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 18</span>. The 1,432-guest Zaandam and the 1,260-guest ms Statendam will each sail 18 cruises through the Inside Passage and Alaskan Gulf, visiting Glacier Bay and College Fjord with 15 glaciers named after <span class="xn-person">Ivy League</span> colleges. Northbound from <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span>, the ships call at Ketchikan, <span class="xn-location">Juneau</span> and Skagway; southbound from Seward, they visit Haines, <span class="xn-location">Juneau</span> and Ketchikan.</p>
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<p>All cruises bring Alaska native guides, naturalists and park rangers aboard at key times to share their knowledge of local culture, history, glaciers and wildlife with guests. Holland America also offers more than 250 optional shore excursions so guests can maximize their Alaska experience with everything from sea kayaking and wildlife watching to history, art and cuisine.</p>
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<p>Holland America is now taking 2011 Alaska cruise bookings. Cruise-only fares start at US <span class="xn-money">$699</span> per person, double occupancy for a seven-day cruise and <span class="xn-money">$1,999</span> for a 14-day sailing.</p>
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<p>For more information and to book a 2011 cruise, contact a professional 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 nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 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 in 2010.</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, or fax, [phone], [email protected]