Holland America Features More National Parks

[Jason]

Holland America Line Features More National Parks on Cruise and Cruise Tours to Alaska and the Yukon: 13 Outstanding National Parks and Preserves in All

SEATTLE, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line makes 13 national parks and preserves easily accessible in the Great Land. Every cruise and CruiseTour features numerous national parks of note and Glacier Bay National Park on all three major cruise itineraries. From world-renowned Denali National Park to remote and stunning Kluane National Park, guests can follow their wilderness quest with Holland America Line.

"Holland America Line embraced Alaska 59 years ago and has taken great strides in developing comprehensive itineraries to take advantage of really getting into the Great Land. Our Klondike Wilderness Adventure CruiseTour for example explores three premier national parks -- Glacier Bay, Denali, Kluane -- and guests have the option of taking an excursion to another recognized wilderness park at Tombstone, just north of Dawson City," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "Most guests have one opportunity to visit Alaska and the Yukon, and it's our intention to fulfill their dreams."

Park Namedropping

Holland America Line Alaska cruises, CruiseTours and optional excursions feature visits to more National Parks than any other cruise tour company. Guests have the opportunity to explore 13 parks including Denali National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Kluane National Park, Tombstone Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Klondike National Historical Park at Skagway, Klondike National Historic Site at Dawson City, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (Hubbard Glacier), Sitka National Historical Park, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Misty Fjords National Monument.

The Alaska experience goes beyond visually admiring a national park. Holland America Line brings onboard Park Rangers and local experts to enhance the experience. On all itineraries that include either Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier, located within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, a local Park Ranger and a Huna Totem Corporation Interpreter (Glacier Bay) or Yakutat Tlingit Interpreter (Hubbard Glacier) speaker will join the ship for the glacier viewing. Guests will learn about the natural history and heritage of the area.

Guests embarking on an Alaskan Explorer cruise from Seattle will enjoy a unique send-off with insights provided by Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Rangers. Newly introduced, the program will highlight the historical importance of Seattle as a port for the Klondike Gold Rush, point out the significance of the Inside Passage as a historical route to Alaska and give an overview of the National Parks guests have the opportunity to visit on that ship's specific itinerary.

All Alaska ships feature seven documentaries provided by the Alaska Natural History Association including Grand Glaciers of Alaska's Inside Passage, and Heartbeats of Denali -- Denali National Park and Preserve. Also featured are five Alaska themed movies that will be rotated into the TV movie schedule.

CruiseTours range from 10- to 20-days and start at $1,299 per person, double occupancy. There are three basic CruiseTour patterns to choose from; Great Land Klondike, discovering Alaska and the Yukon through Dawson City with a Yukon River cruise; Great Land Wilderness, featuring Alaska and the Yukon traveling the Alaska Highway; and Glacier Discovery, a collection of itineraries featuring 7-day cruises plus extensive land tours that may include Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Alyeska, the Arctic, and the Kenai Peninsula. Most CruiseTours include luxury rail travel onboard the McKinley Explorer to Denali. Both Great Land Klondike and Great Land Wilderness CruiseTours feature 3- or 4-day cruises plus land tour.

Holland America Line will sail eight ships in Alaska on 159 cruises in 2006. The company's premium ships offer unmatched spaciousness, carry fewer passengers than any other major cruise line and offer the most entries into Glacier Bay National Park. Cruise itineraries include 7-day Alaska Explorer roundtrip from Seattle; Glacier Discovery journeys between Vancouver, B.C., and Seward, Alaska; and Glacier Bay Inside Passage sailings roundtrip from Vancouver. Prices start at $699 per person, double occupancy.

With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grows to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe. The ms Noordam also will offer Caribbean sailings in the winter from new homeport New York City.

Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements feature new programs and amenities including 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 will provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by the New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds. Signature of Excellence enhancements will be completed on 10 ships at the start of 2006 and all 13 ships by the fall of 2006.