SEATTLE, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle's home town cruise line, Holland
America Line, will nearly double its roundtrip sailings from Seattle to Alaska
in 2006, adding a third ship to offer a total of 61 departures from May 5
through September 22. Last year, the line, the leader in Alaska Cruises and
CruiseTours, featured 37 seven-day cruises on two ships from Seattle. Guests
that book an Ocean-View Stateroom or higher by February 28, 2006, will receive
free parking in Seattle on select cruises in May, June and July, a great
convenience and a value of $70. Guests who book a suite on selected cruises
receive a free pre-cruise night at Seattle's Fairmont Olympic.
Vista-class ship ms Oosterdam returns to sail another season of seven-day
Alaskan Explorer cruises, joined in 2006 by sister ship ms Westerdam. Together
the two 1,848-passenger liners will offer a total of 40 seven-day cruises from
Seattle, most highlighting Alaska's immense Hubbard Glacier and Yakutat Bay.
However, nine sailings on the Westerdam will cruise to spectacular Glacier Bay
National Park, boosting the total number of Holland America Line voyages to
this renowned site in 2006. Glacier Bay departure dates are May 7, 14 and 28,
July 16, 23 and 30, August 20, September 10 and 17. Also new to Seattle, the
1,432-passenger ms Zaandam completes the trio featuring 21 cruises which
showcase Glacier Bay as well.
"The increasing demand for seven-day Alaska cruises, coupled with the
convenience of departing from a U.S. port, is driving our expansion of cruises
departing from Seattle," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president,
marketing and sales. "The 61 sailings we'll offer next summer make up 40
percent of our total deployment to Alaska in 2006, a total of 159 cruises on
eight, five-star ships."
All the Westerdam's and Oosterdam's cruises call at the ports of Juneau,
Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, B.C. The sailings to the Hubbard Glacier and
Yakutat Bay spend a half-day cruising past the glacier's massive face: five
miles wide and 400 feet tall. Pristine Yakutat Bay offers excellent
opportunities to view marine wildlife as well as icebergs calving. The scenic
area is bordered by some of the tallest mountains in North America, including
Mt. St. Elias, the third tallest mountain in North America. Cruise fares on
start at $699 per person, double occupancy.
The ms Zaandam offers 21 Friday departures from Seattle May 5 through
Sept. 22, sailing the Alaskan Explorer via Glacier Bay itinerary. The ship
calls at Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, B.C., and spends a full day
cruising spectacular Glacier Bay National Park.
Park and Cruise Offer Provides Free Parking and Hotel
Purchase an Ocean-View Stateroom or higher by February 28, 2006 on select
Alaskan Explorer Cruise, roundtrip Seattle, and receive free parking on 25
departure dates in May, June and July. Purchase a Superior or Deluxe
Verandah Suite by February 28, 2006 on any Alaskan Explorer Cruise, roundtrip
Seattle, and receive one free night at Seattle's Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Free
parking and free hotel night are combinable. For a copy of the new 2006
Alaska Cruises brochure, contact a professional travel agent, call
1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit online at http://www.hollandamerica.com.
Holland America Line offers the widest selection of Alaska cruise
itineraries and departures in the industry. In addition to the Alaska Explorer
itineraries, Holland America Line features seven-day, roundtrip cruises from
Vancouver to Glacier Bay and one-way cruises between Vancouver and Anchorage
that highlight either Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. The company also offers
11- to 20-day CruiseTours that combine a seven-day cruise with a land tour
including such extraordinary wilderness areas as Denali National Park and Mt.
McKinley and the Yukon's Kluane National Park and Tombstone Territorial Park.
The company's five-star ships offer unmatched spaciousness, carry fewer
passengers than any other major cruise line and offer the most entries into
Glacier Bay National Park. Guests will experience the most popular Alaskan
ports of call, most extensive shore excursion programs, exclusive enrichment
programs and full Signature of Excellence amenities.
http://www.hollandamerica.com
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc
(NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006,
Holland America Line's fleet grows to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises
from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and
visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia
sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the
Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe. The ms Noordam also will offer
Caribbean sailings in the winter from new homeport New York City.
Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence
enhancements feature new programs and amenities including 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 will
provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by the
New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities
highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds. Signature
of Excellence enhancements will be completed on 10 ships at the start of 2006
and all 13 ships by the fall of 2006. For more information, consult a travel
agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line
is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also
includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise
Line, Costa Cruises and Windstar 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.
AK-Seattle-06
Contact: Rose Abello; Jerrol Golden
Phone: 206-281-3535; 206-313-7673 international cell phone
Fax: 206-262-5934 E-mail: pr@hollandamerica.com
SOURCE Holland America Line
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Related links:
http://www.hollandamerica.com
CONTACT:
Rose Abello or Jerrol Golden, both of Holland
America Line, 1-800-637-5029 (Not for publication.), or
+1-206-281-3535, or international cell phone, +1-206-313-7673, or
fax, +1-206-262-5934, or pr@hollandamerica.com
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