Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Holland America Line Expands 2009 Panama Canal Program With More Full Transits


Holland America Line offers an unprecedented number of Panama Canal sailings in 2009, offering 45 total cruises on nine different ships departing from five separate ports. Guests can experience daylight transits of the historic and fascinating Panama Canal and itineraries that feature diverse and intriguing ports of call on voyages.

We've increased our Panama Canal capacity significantly this year to make 2009 a very exciting season, especially with full transit cruises through the winter season," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "While the roundtrip Florida canal experiences have been very popular, our guests have been asking for more Panama Canal cruises between the east and west coasts throughout the winter season. So now, there are canal cruises to suit everyone's tastes for season, length and ports of call." << >>
Ranging in length from 10 to 28 days, Holland America Line's Panama Canal itineraries feature more port-of-call options than any other major cruise line, with many port visits exclusive to Holland America Line. <<>>

Among the offerings in 2009 are ten 14-day Panama Canal cruises on ms Statendam between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego that feature different ports of call in each direction, with only one port in common. The sailings, from February into April and again in October and November, can be combined as back-to-back cruises for a 28-day round-trip Collectors' voyage. Sample ports of call include an overnight stay in Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama; Puerto Chiapas (gateway to the Pacific side of the Mayan world), Mexico; Cartagena, Colombia; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Aruba. <<>>
Holland America Line also will offer a series of 10-day round-trip Fort Lauderdale Sunfarer cruises aboard the ms Zuiderdam. These cruises sail through the Gatun Locks and offer scenic cruising in Gatun Lake. They also feature less common Caribbean ports of call and the only itineraries with a private island: Holland America Line's exclusive Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. << >>
A new 14-day Sunfarer itinerary will depart Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 aboard the ms Maasdam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. In addition to cruising to Gatun Lake, ports will include Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; St. Croix; Dominica; St. Lucia; Aruba; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; and Key West, United States. <<>>

Starting fares for Panama Canal cruises range from $999 to $2,599 per person, double occupancy. Taxes and fuel supplement charges are additional. For more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com. << - www.hollandamerica.com -- >>
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
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, 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. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010. << >>
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.


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