For Alaska travelers who enjoy the time aboard ship as much as the destination, Holland America Line offers the 14-day Collectors’ Voyages and a new 17-day Voyage of the Glaciers CruiseTour. The extended tours tie together two seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises on different ships with time to venture inland to Anchorage — a mix of frontier town and modern city — and experience the cultures and lifestyles of Alaskans.

“For many of our travelers, the thrill of an Alaskan vacation is best enjoyed from the decks of our premium ships,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “We created the Collectors’ Voyages and the new Voyage of the Glaciers CruiseTour to be an extended sightseeing tour where guests can experience the beauty of an Alaskan voyage within the lap of Holland America Line luxury.”

Special Shoulder-Season Collectors’ Voyages start at just $999; guests can combine a three- or four-day cruise of the West Coast with a 7-Day Inside Passage Cruise to Alaska:

— May 4 San Diego to Vancouver (11-Day Ryndam)
May 6 Los Angeles to Vancouver (10-Day Zuiderdam)

— Sept. 19 Vancouver to Los Angeles (10-Day Zuiderdam)
Sept. 20 Vancouver to San Diego (11-Day Statendam & Veendam)

Holland America Line mid-size ships offer the most spacious accommodations. Guests always find plenty of room at the rail to take in the views from the wraparound teak deck or the open bow. Adding to the shipboard experience, narration from U.S. Forest Service Rangers in Glacier Bay National Park and at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park’s Hubbard Glacier enliven guests’ knowledge and appreciation of these scenic places. Native interpretation from Huna Totem tribe members (Glacier Bay) and Tlingit tribe members (Hubbard Glacier) also bring color to the legend and lore of the Great Land.

The 17-day Voyage of the Glaciers CruiseTour sails through such renowned sights as the twin Sawyer Glaciers, the 15 glaciers of College Fjord, the immense Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay, or Glacier Bay National Park. In fact, Holland America Line has the most Glacier Bay permit entries of any cruise line. On many people’s “must see” list, Glacier Bay is a 65-mile long fjord with spectacular tidewater glaciers.

14-Day Back-to-Back Glacier Discovery Cruises from $999

Combine two 7-day cruises sailing roundtrip Vancouver, B.C. and double the glacier experience, viewing Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier.

17-Day Voyage of the Glaciers CruiseTour from $1,299

Sail northward to Seward via Hubbard Glacier, then embark on a second 7-day cruise in the opposite direction visiting Glacier Bay National Park. See more of Alaska and experience the award-winning service and elegant amenities of two world-class ships. In between, spend two nights in Anchorage, exploring museums, galleries and surrounding landscapes for a 17-Day Voyage of the Glaciers CruiseTour.

10- and 11-Day Pacific Coastal/Alaska Collections from $999

Combine a 3- or 4-day cruise along the West Coast with a 7-day Inside Passage cruise to Alaska. Sail from San Diego to Vancouver (and reverse) or Vancouver to Los Angeles (and reverse) and enjoy the scenery along the coastlines of California, Oregon, Washington, Canada and Alaska.

“Seeing a glacier calve and hearing the thunderous cracking of ice is a once in a lifetime thrill for every traveler,” said Meadows. “Our Voyage of the Glaciers CruiseTour offers numerous opportunities to encounter the spectacular Alaskan glacier experience and spend time in Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage.”

Holland America Line has been leading tours in Alaska for more than 60 years and has eight premium ships offering a total of 156 cruises and 29 CruiseTours ranging from 10 to 20 days in length. For more information about booking, contact a travel agent or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com.

–http://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.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 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.

SOURCE Holland America Line / PRNewswire