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Seattle, May 6, 2009 —Holland America Line’s innovative pilot program, Cruise With PurposeSM, enables cruise guests to participate in meaningful community volunteer work and scientific data collection on specially designed tours. Beginning in Alaska this summer, select tour operators, partnered with local non-profit organizations, will offer guests the chance to contribute some of their time to assisting with projects.
These unique excursions build traditional tour content around volunteer and ‘citizen science’ opportunities provided by association with the non-profit partners. The first Cruise with PurposeSM tour will be offered in Juneau, Alaska from May through September 2009.
“By combining a tour experience with a volunteer opportunity, guests are experiencing the destination in a different, rewarding way,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.
In Juneau, local tour operator Gastineau Guiding has created the first Cruise With PurposeSM shore excursion in partnership with the Alaska Sea Grant’s Marine Advisory Program and the Alaska Marine Conservation Alliance. Designed especially for Holland America Line, the Marine Wildlife Research Exploration takes guests on an exploration vessel out of Auke Bay to look for and help document individual humpback and orca whales. Guests will identify individual whales by their tail “fingerprints” and record their songs using an underwater microphone called a hydrophone. Participants will also collect water samples, trawl for plankton and record ocean temperature readings. Since plankton is a significant indicator in predicting the success of Alaska’s salmon runs, this data will help manage this precious wild resource. All collected data and water samples are contributed to the body of research maintained by Alaska Sea Grant’s Marine Advisory Program.
The beach landing vessel will then make a one-hour stop at a secluded cove or shoreline where guests then turn into volunteer beachcombers. A naturalist-guide provides interpretation on the flora and fauna of the area as guests help pick up any non-native debris in support of the Alaska Marine Conservation Alliance’s efforts.
The cost of this Cruise With PurposeSM offering is $219 per person. At the tour’s conclusion, guests receive a Cruise with PurposeSM VolunTour pin, and will be able to track the projects they contributed to at the program’s web page http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/ShoreExcursions.action. Click on the Cruise With PurposeSM tab.
Holland America Line has been leading tours in Alaska for more than 60 years and has eight premium ships offering a total of 158 cruises and 29 CruiseTours ranging from 10 to 20 days in length. Cruises depart from Seattle, Vancouver B.C. and Seward, Alaska. For more information about booking, contact a travel agent or 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/WNAY:HB2:P4a.
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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.
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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.