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Seattle, WA, August 18, 2009 – Two new amenity packages and two award classes have been added to Holland America Line’s 2010 Group Advantage Program (GAP), offering the most extensive GAP menu in the industry. New features include Girls’ Night Out and Guys’ Night Out Package amenities as well as an option to select personalized martini classes for a group.
“As guests continue to seek more personalized and interactive experiences, we’re expanding the variety of amenities offered in our GAP program for more customized group experiences,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “Group business is a great way for travel sellers to increase revenue and we’ve designed our incentives to offer more unique and appealing ways to market to groups.”
Holland America Line caters in many ways to groups, providing incentive amenities based on GAP points established by the cruise destination, date and length. Travel sellers can then select amenities to customize a group’s cruising experience. In addition to the new packages, the premium line also offers custom GAP packages tailored for weddings, family reunions and culinary groups.
Girls’ Night Out Package
In the first of two new group packages, one complimentary lunch or dinner is included at the Northwest-inspired Pinnacle Grill restaurant for a girlfriend celebration. Each guest receives a traditional pedicure or manicure in the Greenhouse Spa and Salon with a maximum of five people at one time. A glass of champagne accompanies the selected spa service. Five booked staterooms are required to receive the package amenities.
Guys’ Night Out Package
For the guys, the second new package features a casino credit of $25 for each guest in the shipboard casinos, offering the latest in Las Vegas-style gaming. An additional $25 alcoholic beverage card per guest is included for use at any outlet on board. Five booked staterooms are also required to receive package amenities.
Martini Class
As a new group amenity for travel sellers to select for qualifying groups, guests can learn to create and taste various martini beverages, such as the Peartini, Rum Sundae, High Tide Martini or Holland America Line’s signature martini, the Yellow Tulip. The 45-minute martini class offers guests the chance to make three to six beverages, with six guests limited to each class.
Other GAP Amenities
Additional items on the 2010 GAP menu include beverage cards, a shipboard credit of $75 per stateroom, three types of vitamin water per stateroom, a set of five Holland America Line wine charms or a cake for private functions. Travel sellers also can now arrange for their guests to learn to recreate towel designs with a complimentary 88-page “Towel Creations” book and 45-minute towel folding session.
GAP points are based on a per person value and vary by the cruise region and length. GAP selections must be selected 90 days prior to the cruise departure.
For more information on creating cruise groups and GAP amenities, Holland America Line offers the free guide “Developing Group Business.” To download or order a printed copy, visit www.travelagentheadquarters.com and look under the Sales Tools tab or call 1-800-544-0443. Polar Online can be accessed at the web site as well.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.
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.