2012 marks 65 years of Holland America Line Alaska Cruising

In 2012, Holland America will celebrate 65 years of bringing guests to the spectacular sights of Alaska. And we’ll renew our commitment to providing the best experience for our guests – and for you.

Beginning in May 2012, Holland America features four Alaska cruise itineraries on seven of their mid-sized ships, totaling 130 departures from May 2 through September 23. These extensive itinerary offerings will increase their guest capacity in the region by nearly six percent.

Guests can choose from a selection of 7- to 14-day cruises that sail roundtrip from Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, and also between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. Guests will visit popular ports of call and scenic surroundings, including Alaska’s famed Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park, a maritime wilderness that stretches over 3.3 million acres.

Three Options for Roundtrip-Seattle Alaskan Explorer Voyages

Both ms Oosterdam and ms Westerdam will sail the 7-day Alaskan Explorer voyage departing roundtrip from Seattle May 6 and 12, respectively. The itinerary calls at Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska; Victoria, British Columbia, and scenic cruising experience in Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm Fjord/Twin Sawyer glaciers. The 1,380-guest ms Amsterdam will homeport in Seattle, and including an Alaskan Explorer sailing on May 25.

The ms Amsterdam then sails a series of 14-day Alaskan Explorer voyages beginning June 1. From Seattle, the itinerary features port calls at Ketchikan, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Icy Strait Point and Sitka, Alaska, as well as Vancouver Island and Victoria. The itinerary also features scenic cruising through Alaska's Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord. In Anchorage, the ship spends a full day and evening, allowing diverse optional shore tours from cultural exploration at the Native Heritage Center to spectacular flight-seeing around Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park. On all Glacier Bay sailings, a park ranger and native interpreters from the Huna people board the ships to explain the origins of their tribe and cultural traditions.

From Alyeska to the Arctic, the Kenai Peninsula to the Klondike, come experience Alaska and Canada's Yukon with the leader in Great Land travel: Holland America Line. Get ready for spectacular scenic cruising of the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord with our cruise itineraries. Explore further with a cruisetour and cruise the legendary Yukon River through the remote wilderness between Eagle and the rollicking gold rush town of Dawson City. And on many of our cruisetour itineraries, enjoy an extra day in Denali National Park viewing wildlife and Mt. McKinley in all its glory. Find your Alaska vacation at http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com

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2012 Holland America CruiseTours CruiseTours at a glance take a look before you book Use this cruisetour guide for easy reference when choosing your ideal vacation on land and sea. Color blocks indicate all the places you’ve dreamed of visiting, and page numbers direct you to your favorite itineraries. Our advice? Longer tours offer more natural wonders and greater value. Call 800.365.1445 For Reservations or More Information

Yukon & Denali CruiseTours Y1–Y6 Featuring Dawson City and Yukon River cruising or Yukon wilderness and sights along the Alaska Highway. Showcases Denali and 3, 4, or 7 days of Inside Passage cruising.

Denali CruiseTours D1–D8 Featuring Anchorage, Fairbanks, Alyeska, Kenai Penisula or the Arctic with an emphasis on Denali National Park and a leisurely 7-day Glacier Discovery cruise

Expedition CruiseTours E1–E3 Featuring remote wilderness adventure lodges and Alaska’s authentic outdoor lifestyle with food and activities included — plus a leisurely 7-day Glacier Discovery cruise

Holland America has been showing guests the breadth and beauty of Alaska for 65 years – longer than it has been a state. And when it comes to Great Land travel, experience counts. Carefully crafted land tour and cruise combination itineraries give you the time needed to immerse yourself in the epic natural wonders, wildlife habitats and frontier history of Alaska and the Yukon. Throughout your journey enjoy unparalleled comfort and the gracious service of our knowledgeable staff. Most tours include the services of a Tour Concierge dedicated to enhancing your experience.

More About Holland America Alaska Cruises

7-Day Inside Passage Voyages Sail from Vancouver
From May 2 through September 22 ms Volendam and ms Zuiderdam will sail roundtrip from Vancouver on a series of 7-day Inside Passage voyages. During those voyages guests will visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park and a shore excursion service call at Tracy Arm Fjord.

7-Day Glacier Discovery Voyages Provide Exploration Farther North
ms Statendam and ms Zaandam once again will provide the only mid-sized cruise ship experience available in the Gulf of Alaska. Glacier Discovery cruises sail between Vancouver and Seward (Anchorage) with Sunday departures May 15 through September 16. The itinerary features port calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, a day at sea in the Gulf of Alaska and scenic cruising through the Inside Passage.

How Much Does It Cost? Cruise fares for the 7-day Alaskan Explorer voyages begin at $699, and $1,899 for the 14-day cruises. Fares for the 7-day Inside Passage sailings begin at $799 and 7-day Glacier Discovery voyages begin at $749. All fares are per person, double occupancy.

Travel through Alaska’s sublime beauty to popular ports of call in unsurpassed luxury and comfort. Stand on your private verandah and watch as whales breach and massive glaciers come into view. Participate in unique onboard activities and shore excursions that match your passions and interests. This is all possible on Holland America Line’s spectacular 7- and 14-day Alaska cruise vacations. We offer a greater selection of Alaska cruise itineraries than any other cruise line and more opportunities to visit Glacier Bay National Park. And our spacious, mid-size ships carry fewer guests ensuring quiet corners and unfettered views.

Holland America Line offers more than 250 optional shore excursions in conjunction with its Alaska cruises. While in port, guests can optimize their Alaskan experience with excursions that involve everything from adventure and wildlife watching to history, art and cuisine.

Introduced in Juneau with a whale-viewing and data-collection research tour, exclusive Cruise with Purpose shore excursions turn vacation time into an exciting give-and-take opportunity – combining traditional tour content with a chance to make a difference to society, the environment, animal welfare or economic growth.

Guests also can enjoy active excursions such as sea kayaking, fly or sport fishing, dog sledding and viewing eagles, sea otters and whales. Other exciting excursions feature such attractions as the White Pass Summit Scenic Railway from Skagway, Russian heritage in Sitka, a photography tour in Haines and a five-course tasting meal featuring Alaska seafood prepared by a local chef in Ketchikan. For a cruise brochure or for more information on Holland America Line’s Alaska Voyages, consult a Certified Alaska Cruise Expert , call 800.365.1445 or visit www.alaskacruisetourexperts.com.

2012 Alaska On Sale Four Great Ways to See All the Best of Alaska All About Denali National Park Tours. All About Optional Alaska Land Excursions and Sightseeing Tours. Everything's BIGGER in ALASKA, Including the ADVENTURE. Find out why! Why is FALL is the BEST time to see Alaska?   National "Plan Your Alaska Cruise Vacation" Month  Read all about it!

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IN THE NEWS

presented by Cruise Traveler Magazine

Holland America Line Increases Guest Capacity for 2012 Alaska Season
Four itineraries on seven ships range from seven to 14 days

— Beginning in May 2012, Holland America Line will feature four Alaska cruise itineraries on seven of its mid-sized vessels, totaling 130 departures from May 2 through Sept. 23. The extensive itinerary offerings will increase the line’s guest capacity in the region by nearly 6 percent.

Guests can choose from a selection of seven- to 14-day cruises that sail roundtrip from Seattle, Wash., and Vancouver, British Columbia, and also between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. Guests will have the opportunity to visit some of the region’s most popular ports of call and scenic surroundings, including Alaska’s famed Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park, a glacier-crowned maritime wilderness that stretches over 3.3 million acres.

“Alaska itineraries continue to be among the most popular cruises Holland America Line offers, and our increased capacity means more guests will have the opportunity to explore a region that has so much to offer culturally, historically and experientially,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.” Cruising is one of the best ways to experience Alaska so you can get up close to a glacier, visit several ports or perhaps even see some wildlife from the comfort of your balcony.”

Three Options for Roundtrip Seattle Alaskan Explorer Voyages

Both ms Oosterdam and ms Westerdam will sail the seven-day Alaskan Explorer voyage departing roundtrip from Seattle May 6 and 12, respectively. The itinerary features port calls at Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska; Victoria, British Columbia, and a scenic cruising experience at Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm Fjord/Twin Sawyer glaciers. The 1,380-guest ms Amsterdam will homeport in Seattle and includes two Alaskan Explorer sailings on May 18 and May 25.

Amsterdam then sails a series of 14-day Alaskan Explorer voyages beginning June 1 for a total of eight sailings. From Seattle, the itinerary features port calls at Ketchikan, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Icy Strait Point and Sitka, Alaska; as well as Vancouver Island and Victoria. The itinerary also features scenic cruising through Alaska's Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord. In Anchorage, the ship spends a full day and evening, allowing diverse optional shore tours from cultural exploration at the Native Heritage Center to spectacular flightseeing around 20,320-foot Mt McKinley and Denali National Park.

During embarkation for the Seattle voyages, a ranger from the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park will be available to talk to guests about the Klondike parks and other national parks located throughout the Inside Passage. On all Glacier Bay sailings, a park ranger and native interpreters from the Huna people board the ships to explain the origins of their tribe and cultural traditions.

Seven-Day Inside Passage Voyages Sail from Vancouver

Three Holland America Line ships – ms Volendam and ms Zuiderdam and ms Zaandam– will sail roundtrip from Vancouver on a series of seven-day Inside Passage voyages. The 1,432-guest Volendam (Wednesday departures) and 1,916-guest Zuiderdam (Saturday departures) sail a total of 41 voyages from May 2 to September 22. During those voyages guests will visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm Fjord.

Two additional Inside Passage cruises sail aboard Zaandam on May 6 and September 16.

Seven-Day Glacier Discovery Voyages Provide Exploration Further North

Statendam and Zaandam once again will provide the only mid-sized cruise ship experience available in the Gulf of Alaska. Glacier Discovery cruises sail between Vancouver and Seward (Anchorage) with Sunday departures May 15 through September 16. The itinerary features port calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, a day at sea in the Gulf of Alaska and scenic cruising through the Inside Passage. Each ship will sail 18 voyages and include a visit to Glacier Bay.

Cruise fares for the seven-day Alaskan Explorer voyages begin at $699, and $1,899 for the 14-day cruises. Fares for the seven-day Inside Passage sailings and seven-day Glacier Discovery voyages begin at $799. All fares are per person, double occupancy.

Holland America Line offers more than 250 optional shore excursions in conjunction with its Alaska cruises. While in port, guests can optimize their Alaskan experience with excursions that involve everything from adventure and wildlife watching to history, art and cuisine. Introduced in Juneau with a whale viewing and data collection research tour, exclusive Cruise with Purpose shore excursions turn vacation time into an exciting give-and-take opportunity — combining traditional tour content with a chance to make a difference to society, the environment, animal welfare or economic growth.

Guests also can enjoy active excursions such as sea kayaking, fly or sport fishing, dog sledding and viewing eagles, sea otters and whales. Other exciting excursions feature such attractions as the White Pass Summit Scenic Railway from Skagway, Russian heritage in Sitka, a photography tour in Haines and a five-course tasting meal featuring Alaska seafood prepared by a local chef in Ketchikan.