Seattle -- Nov. 15, 2007 -- In 2008, Holland America Line
doubles departures of its seven-day deep southern Caribbean itinerary,
created for those seeking a week-long cruise to lesser visited
Caribbean ports. In January the company will deploy ms Westerdam on
seven cruises and ms Eurodam on a special New Year's Eve cruise. The
latter departure visits Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao and the
company's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.
"We are the only major cruise line to offer a seven-day itinerary
that sails so far south from Florida," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC,
executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "It is a
popular cruise among our guests for the unique ports of call and the
extra day at sea."
The first port call is at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's
award-winning private Bahamian island, where guests can unwind on white
sandy beaches and enjoy the aqua blue waters. For the more adventurous,
the island offers guided Aqua Trax(R) tours, deep-sea fishing, kayak
tours, horseback riding, parasailing and snorkeling.
Another highlight of the cruise includes a late night departure
from Oranjestad, Aruba, where guests can enjoy the vibrant nightlife of
the island. During the day guests can try scuba diving without the gear
on a submarine adventure. The Atlantis submarine dives to depths of up
to 150 feet viewing exotic marine life and shipwrecks that surround the
island.
At the final port call, Willemstad, Curacao, visitors can tour the
Distillery at Chobolobo Mansion, where famous Blue Curacao liqueur is
still made by hand. Other sightseeing on the island includes 17-century
Fort Amsterdam, Mikve Emmanuel Israel, the oldest synagogue in the
Western Hemisphere, Pietermaai Cathedral, the Franklin D. Roosevelt
House and the many distinctive examples of Dutch colonial architecture.
Cruise fares begin from $849 per person for an inside stateroom.
Taxes and fuel supplement are additional.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and
plc ]
Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500
cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or
dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents,
including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia
voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the
Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.
In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers survey by Yesawich,
Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of
cruise lines sought after by affluent leisure travelers. Fleetwide, the
company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, totaling more
than $225 million, 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.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America
Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines
alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises,
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.
CONTACT: Rose Abello; pr@hollandamerica.com