Holland America Line to increase departures and guest capacity in Alaska for 2013

Early Advantage savings provide free upgrades and family cruise values for 2013

For the 2013 Alaska cruise season, Holland America Line is increasing its presence in the region with more departures and more guests than in previous years.

Although the number of Holland America ships deployed in Alaska will remain at seven — the same as 2012 — ms Amsterdam will double its departures on new seven-day roundtrip sailings from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As a result, Alaska-season departures will increase by 8.5 per cent and guest capacity will increase six per cent during 2013.

Plus, Early Advantage savings feature complimentary upgrades and free and reduced fares for third or fourth guests who share the same stateroom on select sailings. By planning ahead, a family of four can take advantage of fares on select departure dates starting at £649 per person for the first and second guest in a stateroom, and reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests.

Seven-day Inside Passage Voyages Sail Roundtrip from Vancouver

Five Holland America Line ships – Amsterdam, Statendam, Volendam, Zaandam and Zuiderdam – 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 1 May to 21 September. During those voyages guests will visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park and make a shore excursion call at Tracy Arm Fjord. Four additional Inside Passage cruises sail aboard Statendam and Zaandam. Statendam departs Vancouver 5 and 12 May, and 22 September. Zaandam departs 5 May. Prices start from £699 per person cruise-only.

Seven-day Alaskan Explorer Voyages Sail Roundtrip from Seattle

Starting 5 and 11 May, respectively, the 1,916-guest Oosterdam (Sunday departures) and 1,916-guest Westerdam (Saturday departures) will sail 21 and 20 seven-day Alaskan Explorer voyages departing roundtrip from Seattle. The itinerary features port calls at Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska; Victoria, British Columbia; and a scenic cruising experience at Tracy Arm Fjord/Twin Sawyer glaciers or Glacier Bay National Park. Prices start from £649 per person cruise-only.

Seven-Day Glacier Discovery Voyages Sail from Vancouver to Seward (or reverse)

The 1,260-guest Statendam and 1,432-guest 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 13 May to 16 September. 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. Prices start from £649 per person cruise-only.

CruiseTours and Exclusive Shore Adventures Provide More Discovery of Alaska

Added capacity and departures also will send more guests on the line’s CruiseTours, which combine a three-, four- or seven-day Inside Passage cruise with in-depth overland tours to the Yukon and Alaska’s interior. Offering up to three days at Denali National Park for wildlife viewing and spectacular scenery, CruiseTours are designed to highlight the best of Alaska’s wilderness, wildlife, native culture and history.

Holland America Line offers more than 250 optional shore excursions in conjunction with its Alaska cruises. While in port, guests can optimise their Alaskan experience with excursions that involve everything from adventure and wildlife watching to history, art and cuisine. 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 more information or to book, contact Holland America Line on www.hollandamerica.co.uk or call 0843 374 2300