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Seattle, WA, May 20, 2008 - Alaska-bound travelers desiring even more personal, offbeat or inspiring experiences will find a wider range of choices through The Collections of Holland America Line, a new category of shore excursions. Twenty-seven tours are part of The Collections in Alaska.
"This expanded tour program offers even more choices to guests, whether it's their first time to a destination or their fourth," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. "We are always looking for new and innovative ways for our guests to experience Alaska and these tours feature excursions to unusual or awe inspiring sights in a more intimate setting,"
Beyond the already robust selection of excursions available in Alaska, The Collections of Holland America Line offer distinctly different experiences. The tours are divided into four categories, each with a different focus: Medallion, Encore, World Wonders and Signature.
The Medallion Collection tours provide access to events and sights not readily available. These are elite activities for small groups. Examples of Medallion tours include An Alaskan Chef's Table in Ketchikan where guests enjoy a five-course tasting menu in a private club room, and the Fly-Out Fly Fishing Adventure in Juneau where guests take a classic float plane to a remote wilderness setting for eco-conscious catch and release fishing.
The Encore Collection is designed for repeat guests with tours designed to offer what lies beyond the well-known attractions. Offbeat Haines, an Encore tour, takes guests to less visited attractions such as the Hammer Museum, Extreme Dreams Art Studio and Dalton City, created for the filming of White Fang.
The World Wonders Collection groups together tours to awe inspiring sights around the world. The White Pass Summit Scenic Railway in Skagway is designated as part of the World Wonders Collection. Guests travel in a comfortable, restored or replica car to the summit of the White Pass, through two tunnels, over sky-high trestles, and remote valleys. This narrow-gauge railroad is an international historic civil engineering landmark. It was built through some of the North's most ruggedly beautiful terrain and 100 years later is still in operation.
The Signature Collection is an exclusive touring option for independent minded travelers to customize and maximize their time ashore by booking private vehicles, classic floatplanes or boats for a private, guided tour of their choice. Examples of Signature Collection tours include Wild Coast Exploration by Private Boat in Juneau and Private Alaskan Touring in a DeHavilland Beaver floatplane in Ketchikan.
To learn more about Holland America Line's entire shore excursions program, visit www.hollandamerica.com and click the "book shore excursions" button. Booked guests who already have a six-digit booking number may pre-book excursions specific to their cruise or CruiseTour itinerary prior to leaving home. Since many excursions are limited, guests are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.
Editors Note: For photos, contact Sarah Scoltock at sscoltock@hollandamerica.com
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 14th ship, ms Eurodam, will launch in July 2008. For more information, contact a travel agent or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, totaling more than $425 million, 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 Café 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.
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 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.