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Seattle, March 27, 2009 — Holland America Line is introducing new 14-day Alaskan Adventurer cruises on its flagship ms Amsterdam in 2010, which will sail roundtrip from Seattle and include a call at Anchorage for the first time. The 1,380-guest Amsterdam will be the first cruise ship of a major cruise line to call regularly in Anchorage, providing guests with a full day and evening in Alaska’s major city. The Amsterdam will also call at Homer and Kodiak, two new and less frequented ports for guests to discover.
The new itinerary reduces the cruise line’s overall 2010 Alaska deployment by 10 sailings or about 11,000 guests. The 10 new 14-day sailings replace 20 7-day sailings between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.
“The new Alaskan Adventurer itinerary is a great new offering in Holland America’s Alaska cruise schedule,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. “It provides a longer itinerary choice – one that lets guests experience far more of Alaska’s grandeur while enjoying the ease of a roundtrip cruise. We anticipate many guests will opt for a longer cruise that includes more glacier viewing and ports of call.”
The 14-day Alaskan Adventurer cruises depart roundtrip from Seattle May 17 through September 6, 2010. The Amsterdam sails the scenic Inside Passage, highlighted by cruising Tracy Arm fjord with its magnificent twin Sawyer Glaciers. The ship also cruises by Alaska’s mighty Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay – the largest glacier in North America. Historic ports of call include Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Juneau and Victoria, BC.
“With the three new ports of Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak, guests will enjoy a unique Alaska cruising experience not available on other cruise itineraries,” said Meadows.
In Anchorage, guests can take a comprehensive city tour including the 25-acre Alaska Native Heritage Center, plus have time to enjoy the city’s museums, shopping and fine dining. In Homer, they experience its breathtaking location at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center and the famous Homer Spit in Kachemak Bay. Kodiak is truly off the beaten path, reflecting both 7,500 years of native Alutiiq heritage and Russian fur trading influence since 1792 as the first capital of Russian America.
Shore excursion options out of Anchorage include day trips to Talkeetna for views of Mt. McKinley, flightseeing of the mountain, rafting, sportfishing and more. There will be opportunities for bear viewing, a Turnagin Pass float trip or a day tour to Girdwood for a tram ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska and lunch.
The Alaskan Adventurer increases the choice of Holland America itineraries to a total of four in 2010, joining the popular Alaskan Explorer, Glacier Discovery and Glacier Bay Inside Passage itineraries. These seven-day cruises sail both roundtrip from Seattle and Vancouver and one-way between Vancouver and Seward. Holland America’s schedule features eight ships offering 149 total departures from May 3 through September 24, 2010.
Cruise-only fares start at US$1,899 per person, double occupancy for the Amsterdam’s 14-day Alaskan Adventurer sailings. Alaska cruises will be open for booking beginning April 10. For more information and to book a cruise, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Editor’s note: Photos available here: http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/Wrcb:ncf:bSw.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
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, 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 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 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.
Worlds 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.