Holland America Line Offers Exceptional Value on Holiday Cruises for Families

    




    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SEATTLE</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 16</span> /CNW/ -- This holiday season Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> is providing the ultimate getaway gift for the entire family with 22 signature holiday cruises ranging from seven to 17 days.  Whether basking in a Caribbean sunset or reveling in the ultimate Antarctic white Christmas, guests aboard the premium line can leave the hustle and bustle behind and enjoy up to 50 percent savings, plus special reduced rates for third and fourth guests sharing staterooms, on select sailings.</p>
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<p>Special rates are geared toward families on several holiday cruises - with six dates offering free or <span class="xn-money">$199</span> rates for the third or fourth guest in a stateroom.  Double-occupancy fares start at <span class="xn-money">$699</span> per person, plus tax, for a seven-day Caribbean holiday cruise.</p>
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<p>"With cruise values starting at <span class="xn-money">$1,598</span> plus tax for a family of four sharing the same stateroom, 'tis the season to travel," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.  "Plus, holiday cruises allow guests to celebrate and relax in style with five-star dining, award-winning service and their favorite traditions observed with none of the hassle - letting guests truly enjoy their time with their family."</p>
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<p>On-board festivities include holiday decorations, sumptuous traditional meals, seasonal movies, culinary classes and demonstrations featuring tasty holiday treats, a visit from Santa for the kids, activities and crafts, strolling carolers, a tree-lighting ceremony, eggnog in the Atrium, Christmas brunch, Santa's milk and cookie late-night snack, and a holiday show by the crew on <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span>.</p>
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<p>Those sailing on any ship over <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 31</span> will enjoy a traditional <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> Gala Ball with live music, dancing, festive attire and a midnight toast.  Select college bowl games also will be broadcast on board.  Each holiday voyage features clergy to conduct Catholic, Protestant and Jewish services (for cruises during Hanukkah).</p>
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    Sail the Caribbean on Seven- to 14-day Cruises
    
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<p>Thirteen Caribbean holiday cruise options are available between <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 17</span> and <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 31</span> aboard seven ships - ms Westerdam, ms Maasdam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>, ms Ryndam, ms Prinsendam and ms Noordam - departing from <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span> or <span class="xn-location">Tampa</span>, Fla., over one or both holidays.</p>
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<p>Itineraries include a seven-day southern Caribbean cruise with stops at such exotic ports as <span class="xn-location">Aruba</span> and Curacao.  Or try seven days exploring the rich waters of the eastern Caribbean and legendary ports of call such as <span class="xn-location">Nassau</span>, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.  Finally, holiday cruisers can choose among western Caribbean options with stops that might include <span class="xn-location">Belize</span>, Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Costa Maya, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, and Key West, Fla.</p>
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<p>Travelers with more time can opt for 10- to 14-day Caribbean cruises and usher in the New Year in St. Thomas or <span class="xn-location">St. George's</span> while sampling the ports of <span class="xn-location">Barbados</span> and Grand Turk.</p>
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<p>Most itineraries feature a visit to Half <span class="xn-person">Moon Cay</span>, Holland America Line's award-winning exclusive private island experience with white sand beaches, aqua waters and shore activities ranging from horseback riding to a stingray adventure.</p>
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    Sunny Mexican Riviera & Panama Canal for a Festive Occasion
    
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<p>Departing from <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>, <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> or <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span>, Calif., in mid to late December, five cruises feature distinct itineraries that visit different collections of warm-water ports along the Mexican Riviera, <span class="xn-location">Central America</span>, <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal and Caribbean.</p>
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<p>The Sunfarer Caribbean Holiday cruise is a 10-day trip from <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span> on <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 23</span> aboard ms Zuiderdam in the southern Caribbean with <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> at Half <span class="xn-person">Moon Cay</span>, a partial transit of the <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal and <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> at sea, returning <span class="xn-chron">Jan. 2, 2011</span>.</p>
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<p>Two more cruises visit the <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal beginning with a 14-day cruise that departs <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span> <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 22</span> aboard ms <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> in time for <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> at sea and stops in <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, <span class="xn-location">Guatemala</span> and <span class="xn-location">Costa Rica</span> before traversing the Canal en route to <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>.  Or guests can opt for the 14-day <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal Holiday Cruise on ms Statendam departing <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> on <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span>.  Stops in <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span> include Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Chiapas before crossing the canal to reach <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>.</p>
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<p>Christmas and New Years holidays along the Mexican Riviera can be particularly memorable on an eight-day cruise from <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> aboard ms Oosterdam departing <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 18</span>, or a seven-day sailing <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 26</span> that visits Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>. Or guests can opt for a 12-day cruise departing <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 22</span> on ms <span class="xn-location">Rotterdam</span> that features <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> in Cabo San Lucas, <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> at sea and <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> in Mazatlan.</p>
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    Longer Voyages Sail the Pacific
    
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<p>The warm waters of the far Pacific offer memorable holiday adventures as well.  A 14-day Circle Hawaii sailing aboard ms Zaandam departs <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span> <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 19</span> with <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> in Hilo, <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> in Nawiliwili and New Year's Day in Ensenada, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>.  Departing <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 17</span> and with limited space, the 16-day Australia-New Zealand Holiday Cruise aboard ms Volendam explores the southern coast of <span class="xn-location">Australia</span> from Sydney before an extensive tour of <span class="xn-location">New Zealand</span> ports such as Milford Sound and <span class="xn-location">Auckland</span>, and celebrating <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> in <span class="xn-location">Wellington</span>.</p>
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    White Christmas in the Antarctic
    
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<p>Guests who want their holidays adorned with snow and ice will see a white Christmas on the 17-day <span class="xn-location">South America</span> and Antarctica Explorer journey.  Departing Valparaiso (<span class="xn-location">Santiago</span>), <span class="xn-location">Chile</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 20</span>, ms Veendam steers south amid the glaciers to spend <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Eve</span> cruising <span class="xn-person">Darwin Channel</span> and the Chilean Fjords, <span class="xn-chron">Christmas Day</span> sailing Amalia Glacier Canal and <span class="xn-chron">New Year's Eve</span> in the Antarctic Sound.</p>
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    Onboard Activities for Everyone
    
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<p>When choosing a Holland America cruise for a family vacation, there's always something for everyone - from kids to grandparents  -  with a wide variety of exciting activities and venues for the entire family to enjoy the cruise vacation of their dreams.  Younger children 3-7 can play games, enjoy arts and crafts and join other supervised activities in Club HAL.  Tweens 8-12 have an area featuring arcade games, air hockey, foosball and Sony PlayStations. Older kids 13-17 can often be found at The Loft, a teen-only venue, enjoying karaoke, video games, movies and a teen disco or hanging out at The Oasis, a teens-only sun deck. And daily menus feature kid-friendly choices.</p>
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<p>While the kids are busy, adults can enjoy diverse activities and facilities from the Greenhouse Spa & Salon to a lively shipboard casino, wine tasting, cooking classes, afternoon tea, an internet café/library, party-planning classes and complimentary interactive Digital Workshops powered by Windows to learn more about using digital media.</p>
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<p>For more information, contact a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>Find Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> 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 <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]</p>
<p>Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises 354 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, <span class="xn-location">South America</span>, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, <span class="xn-location">Bermuda</span>, Alaska, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, Canada/New England, <span class="xn-location">Europe</span> and <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal.</p>
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<p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than <span class="xn-money">$525 million</span>, 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, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, 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>Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, <span class="xn-person">Princess Cruises</span>, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  Visit us at <a href="http://www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com">www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com</a></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, [phone], fax, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.hollandamerica.com