North to Alaska

North to Alaska: Holland America Line Launches 2007 Seattle – Alaska Cruise Season

Underscoring the popularity of Alaska as a favorite vacation destination, Holland America Line kicks off its Seattle to Alaska cruise season tomorrow with versatile programs offering expanded optional excursions and destinations.

“No other cruise offers such a sweeping and majestic view of Alaska than what guests experience onboard a premium Holland America Line cruise,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs for Holland America Line. “From the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay, we’ve crafted a wonderful choice of itineraries and optional excursions that showcase the this beautiful cruising destination, providing our guests with an exceptional experience.”

With roundtrip sailings from Seattle, Holland America boasts 58 Alaskan Explorer departures with port calls to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, BC. Two new Vista ships — the ms Noordam (Sunday departures) and the ms Oosterdam (Saturdays) — join the flagship ms Amsterdam (Fridays). The Noordam visits Glacier Bay on all departures while the Amsterdam visits either Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glaciers, or Glacier Bay. The Oosterdam continues cruising to the immense Hubbard Glacier or Wrangell-St.Elias National Park.

Drawing from numerous Washington-based vendors and suppliers, Holland America Line’s cruise operations have a significant economic impact locally and statewide. Based on five ships scheduled for 64 cruises with a combined total of nearly 115,000 passengers, Holland America Line estimates the total statewide benefit to be approximately $469 million. Direct spending in Seattle is estimated to be $170 million and $199 million statewide.