Holland America Line Brings on the Heat With Warm Water Cruises for Fall 2010
Through Spring 2011
Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico & Hawaii Beckon Cruisers
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<p><location>SEATTLE</location>, <chron>Feb. 2</chron> /CNW/ -- Holland <person>America Line</person> highlights warm tropical destinations from <chron>October 2010</chron> through <chron>April 2011</chron> with an exceptional variety of Caribbean, <location>Panama</location> Canal, <location>Mexico</location> and Hawaii cruises. Among the most popular cruise choices, warm water itineraries provide a sunny getaway with the relaxing ambiance of a premium cruise ship.</p>
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<p>"The Caribbean, <location>Panama</location> Canal, <location>Mexico</location> and Hawaii all offer extraordinary cruise experiences that include exotic ports, warm water beaches and exciting shore excursions," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Each region is historically and culturally different so guests can choose from six- to 25-day cruises for a perfect warm weather vacation."</p>
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<p>Nine ships -- including the new ms Nieuw <location>Amsterdam</location> -- will sail 142 cruises to the eastern, western and southern Caribbean. Six ships will feature 25 full-transit <location>Panama</location> Canal cruises. Four ships will offer 40 cruises to the popular Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez. And ms Zaandam will add 11 among the Hawaiian islands.</p>
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146 Caribbean Cruises Bring the Best of the Islands
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<p>A leader in cruises of 10 days or longer, Holland America Line's Caribbean itineraries range from six to 25 days. Nieuw <location>Amsterdam</location>, ms Eurodam, ms Ryndam and ms Westerdam offer six- and seven-day western, eastern or southern itineraries while the ms Noordam, ms Zuiderdam, ms Maasdam and ms Prinsendam feature 10- to 25-day explorations of the southern and eastern Caribbean.</p>
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<p>All cruises sail roundtrip from <location>Fort Lauderdale</location> or <location>Tampa</location> from <chron>October 2010</chron> through <chron>April 2011</chron> with 14 holiday cruises in late December. Many departures are designed so guests can combine different seven-day Caribbean sailings to offer a more in-depth 14-day exploration. They also can combine two 10-day Noordam Southern Caribbean sailings to create a truly memorable 20-day Collector's Cruise. Maasdam offers 21-, 24- and 25-day Collectors' Cruises.</p>
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<p>Holland America's 10-day cruises to the southern Caribbean feature three itinerary options. Wayfarer itineraries highlight the islands of St. Maarten, St. Lucia, <location>Barbados</location> and <location>Martinique</location> while Seafarer cruises showcase the Turks & Caicos Islands, <location>Dominican Republic</location>, Bonaire, Curaçao and <location>Aruba</location>. Nineteen Sunfarer itineraries combine some of these enticing destinations with <location>Panama</location> Canal cruising.</p>
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<p>Aboard Maasdam, guests enjoy unique 10-day eastern and 11- and 14-day southern Caribbean itineraries roundtrip <location>Fort Lauderdale</location>. The eastern itinerary visits <location>San Juan</location>, <location>Puerto Rico</location>; Gustavia, St. Barts; Rosseau, <location>Dominica</location>; <location>St. John's</location>, <location>Antigua</location>; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; and Half <person>Moon Cay</person>. Both southern routes call at islands that can feature Half <person>Moon Cay</person>, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, St. Barts, <location>Martinique</location>, and St. Maarten en route to <location>Barbados</location>. The 14-day option will also sail to the ABC islands of <location>Aruba</location>, Bonaire and Curacao.</p>
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<p>Popular six- and seven-day cruises explore the eastern, western and southern Caribbean, some including Central American ports. Itineraries may include the <location>Turks and Caicos Islands</location>; <location>San Juan</location>, <location>Puerto Rico</location>; Grand Cayman; Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, <location>Aruba</location>; Falmouth, <location>Jamaica</location>; <location>Belize</location> City, <location>Belize</location>; Roatan, <location>Honduras</location>; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, <location>Mexico</location>.</p>
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<p>Most Caribbean itineraries call at Holland America Line's award-winning private island, Half <person>Moon Cay</person>, which continues to be the line's highest-rated Caribbean port of call. Here guests can enjoy activities such as the guided AquaTrax watercraft tour, stingray adventure, and a horseback riding and swimming excursion.</p>
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<p>Starting Caribbean cruise fares range from <money>$599 to $2,499</money> per person, double occupancy. Taxes are additional.</p>
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<p>Transit an Historic Engineering Feat on <location>Panama</location> Canal Cruises Holland <person>America Line</person> features 25 full-transit cruises though the canal from fall 2010 through spring 2011. Six ships - Statendam, Westerdam, Maasdam, Zuiderdam, Ryndam, ms <location>Rotterdam</location> and ms <location>Amsterdam</location> - offer itineraries ranging from 14 to 30 days. Cruises depart <location>Fort Lauderdale</location>, <location>Tampa</location>, <location>San Diego</location>, <location>Los Angeles</location>, <location>San Francisco</location> and <location>Vancouver</location>, British Columbia.</p>
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<p>The 14-day <location>Panama</location> Canal Adventurer and Explorer itineraries feature ports in the Mexican Riviera, <location>Central America</location> and Caribbean that may include Fuerte Amador (<location>Panama</location> City); Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas, <location>Mexico</location>; Puerto Quetzal, <location>Guatemala</location>; Puerto Caldera, <location>Costa Rica</location>; Cartagena, <location>Colombia</location>; and Oranjestad, <location>Aruba</location>. Longer cruises may add Grand Cayman; Corinto, <location>Nicaragua</location>; <person>Santa Marta</person>, <location>Colombia</location>; and the San Blas Islands of <location>Panama</location>. Guests may also combine east and westbound crossings for an all-inclusive 28-day Collector's voyage, featuring in-depth exploration of the <location>Panama</location> Canal and surrounding regions with two complete transits.</p>
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<p>For an extensive exploration, the <chron>Apr. 17</chron> <location>Rotterdam</location> transit includes several ports in <location>South America</location> en route to a two-night stay in Callao, the gateway to <location>Lima, Peru</location>. The 30-day cruise, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, also visits both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of <location>Central America</location>.</p>
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<p><location>Panama</location> Canal cruise fares begin at <money>$1,599</money> per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes are additional.</p>
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Sunny Riviera and Exclusive Copper Canyon Await in Mexico
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<p>From fall 2010 to spring 2011 Holland <person>America Line</person> is featuring 36 six- to 12-day cruises to the popular Mexican Riviera, plus four ranging from 10 to 14 days that highlight the Sea of Cortez with optional tours to famous Copper Canyon.</p>
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<p>ms Oosterdam sails one six-day and several seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises roundtrip from <location>San Diego</location> in fall and winter/spring. The Vista-class ship cruises first through wildlife-rich Bahia Magdalena and then visits the lively ports of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Oosterdam also offers a 14-day Sea of Cortez itinerary from <location>San Diego</location> to <location>Vancouver</location>, British Columbia, in the spring.</p>
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<p>ms Zaandam features 10-, 11- and 14-day cruises departing roundtrip from <location>San Diego</location> for the Sea of Cortez and Mexican Riviera in winter and spring 2011. Guests visit Cabo San Lucas, Loreto, Guaymas, Topolobampo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta on the Sea of Cortez itineraries. From Topolobampo, the highlight is the full-day optional excursion via rail deep into spectacular Copper Canyon.</p>
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<p>In addition, ms <location>Rotterdam</location> offers a 12-day holiday cruise and ms <location>Amsterdam</location> sails two six-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera roundtrip from <location>San Diego</location> in <chron>December 2010</chron>. Starting cruise fares for <location>Mexico</location> itineraries are <money>$599</money> per person.</p>
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San Diego Offers Homeport Premium Cruise Access to Hawaii
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<p><location>San Diego</location> is also the convenient homeport for roundtrip cruises to Hawaii. From <chron>October 2010</chron> through <chron>April 2011</chron>, Zaandam offers 11 Circle Hawaii cruises that range from 14 to 18 days, including one holiday sailing. Departures mostly sail roundtrip from <location>San Diego</location>; one sails in <chron>April 2011</chron> roundtrip from <location>Vancouver</location>, British Columbia in the Pacific Northwest. In <chron>October 2010</chron>, Zaandam features a 15-day Circle Hawaii sailing from <location>Vancouver</location> to <location>San Diego</location>.</p>
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<p>The cruises call at four main islands, including Hilo, Hawaii; <location>Honolulu</location>, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; and Lahaina, Maui. The <chron>October 2010</chron> 15-day sailing calls on these ports and also at Kona with an evening cruise by Kilauea Volcano.</p>
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<p><location>Rotterdam</location> adds four 30- and 31-day Circle Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas voyages that sail roundtrip from <location>San Diego</location>. These cruises through the islands of Polynesia include an overnight in Papeete, <location>French Polynesia</location>. Hawaii fares begin at <money>$1,499</money> per person.</p>
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<p>For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>Find Holland <person>America Line</person> on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>About Holland <person>America Line</person> [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]</p>
<p>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, <location>South America</location>, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, <location>Mexico</location>, Canada/New England, <location>Europe</location> and <location>Panama</location> Canal. A 15th ship is scheduled to join the fleet on <chron>July 4, 2010</chron>.</p>
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<p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than <money>$525 million</money>, 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 Cafe 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.</p>
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World's Leading Cruise Lines
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<p>The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland <person>America Line</person> is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, <person>Princess Cruises</person>, 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.</p>
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CONTACT: Sally Andrews
PHONE: 800-637-5029
FAX: 206-262-5934
EMAIL: [email protected]
For further information: Sally Andrews of Holland America Line, 1-800-637-5029, or +1-206-262-5934, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.hollandamerica.com
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