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Holland America Line boosts guest capacity for 2012 Alaska season

Holland America Line wil be stepping up its Alaska offerings from May 2012 by featuring four cruise itineraries on seven of its ships.

The extensive range of 130 cruises between May and September will increase the line’s guest capacity in the region by nearly six per cent.

Guests can choose from a selection of seven- to 14-day cruises that sail roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia, and also between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. 

Oosterdam will sail two Alaskan Explorer voyages in May 2012

The cruises will visit some of the 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 executive vice president Richard Meadow.

“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.”

Seattle Alaskan Explorer Voyages

Both Oosterdam and 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 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.
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.

Voldendam will be sailing a series of round-trips out of Vancouver

Inside Passage Voyages

Volendam, Zuiderdam and 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.
There arte two additional Inside Passage cruises on Zaandam on May 6 and September 16.

Glacier Discovery Voyages

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.