HAL Canada/N.E. cruises offerings..

[Jason]

Seattle - HOLLAND AMERICA CANADA/N.E. CRUISES OFFER BURSTING COLORS AND A WORLD CLOSE TO HOME

The Maasdam begins its Canada/New England season May 12 with a nine/seven-day cruise from Norfolk/Boston to Montreal and concludes Oct. 15 with an eight- or 11-day sailing from Montreal to Boston or Norfolk. Between the two sailings, 14 cruises sail between Boston and Montreal and two are roundtrip from Boston.

"Holland America Line's Canada/New England cruises have always been extremely popular," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "These cruises offer an incomparable way to experience the best of both French Canada and New England. Guests can explore New England fishing villages, Nova Scotia seaports and historic Quebec City. They can watch for Beluga whales in the scenic Saguenay Fjord of the St. Lawrence River and - on the autumn cruises - view the region's spectacular fall foliage."

The Maasdam begins its 2005 Canada/New England season May 12 with a nine/seven-day cruise from Norfolk/Boston to Montreal. The cruise takes guests to Bar Harbor, Maine (Acadia National Park tour option); Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia (Cabot Trail and 18th century French fortress of Louisbourg tour options); and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Anne of Green Gables tour option). Then guests cruise down the St. Lawrence River and Saguenay Fjord to historic Quebec City, the "heart of French Canada" and four-hundred-year-old cradle of French civilization in North America.

Cruise fares start at US$999 [CAN $1,319] per person, double occupancy.

On Oct. 15, the Maasdam sails an 8/11-day reverse itinerary from Montreal to Boston/Norfolk, which adds an overnight and additional time in Quebec City, plus a port call at Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard. Cruise fares start at US$1,429 [CAN $1,899] per person, double occupancy.

The majority of the Maasdam's Canada/New England cruises sail one-way between Boston and Montreal. They call at the same ports and offer the same tour options as above. Cruise fares start at US$1,039 [CAN $1,389] per person, double occupancy.

Two cruises sail roundtrip from Boston, departing July 9 and August 20 with a different itinerary highlighting the Northeast Atlantic sea coast. These cruises call at Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard; Portland, Maine (Kennebunkport tour option), St. John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Bar Harbor, Maine (Acadia National Park tour option). Cruise fares start at US$1,249 [CAN $1,669] per person, double occupancy.

Exclusive Medallion Shore Excursions provide memorable vacation experiences. For example, guests can don the kilt and bonnet of the 78th Highland Regiment and become a redcoat for a day on an interactive tour of the Halifax Citadel; sail the serene expanses of Nova Scotia's Bras d'Or Lake on a sleek schooner; and dine on fresh island mussels and steamed Atlantic lobster at Dalvay-by-the-Sea, once the magnificent Victorian summer home of Standard Oil magnate Alexander McDonald.