HAL Extends Appreciation Program!
Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Holland America and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com Holland America Extends Community Appreciation Program to Active Military, Firefighters, Police and Teachers US$499 per Person Starting Fares for Week-Long Caribbean Cruises SEATTLE, Nov. 10 Holland America Line has expanded its offer of special cruise values for teachers on Caribbean and South America sailings to include other cornerstones of the community: current or retired firefighters and police officers and active military. Holland America offers these special Community Appreciation cruise values on 23 25 sailings from four convenient homeports in December and January and has added one cruise to Mexico's Pacific Coast. Two South America cruises were also added to make a total of three. All 12 of Holland America's premium cruise ships offer one or more sailings featuring the special cruise values with savings of up to 70 percent off regular cruise prices and fares as low as US$499 per person for a seven-day cruise. "Holland America introduced its Teachers' Appreciation program for the first time in August, and the positive response encouraged us to extend the offer to other key community personnel," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "Holland America appreciates the commitment made by these essential community members, and we welcome the opportunity to provide them with significantly discounted cruise vacations through our expanded Community Appreciation program." Currently employed and retired teachers, firefighters and police officers and active military can choose from selected seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, a seven-day Mexico cruise, a variety of 10-, 12- 14- and 15- and 17-day cruises that sail the Caribbean and Panama Canal, and a three 21-day South America cruises. The sailing dates range from Dec. 18, 2003 to Jan. 31, 2004. Some of the cruises designated for Community Appreciation are on Holland America's new Vista-Class ships, the ms Zuiderdam, introduced in December 2002, and her sister ship ms Oosterdam, which debuted August 2003. The Zuiderdam sails seven -- and the Oosterdam sails two -- eligible seven-day Eastern or Western Caribbean itineraries roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Dec. 20 through Jan. 31. Other Holland America ships sailing similar Caribbean itineraries include the ms Maasdam and ms Volendam, sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale; ms Zaandam from Port Canaveral; and ms Veendam from Tampa. Eastern Caribbean cruises may call at Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Western Caribbean ports of call include Veracruz, Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Key West, Fla. Most of Holland America's Caribbean cruises also feature a visit to Half Moon Cay, the company's award-winning private island paradise. Guests may sail, swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters, bask on white sand beaches, have a beachside massage, and then enjoy an array of traditional barbecue fare. The island also offers a variety of age-appropriate activities for kids and shore excursions through the company's Club HAL children and teen's program. The special Community Appreciation fares for seven-day Caribbean sailings start at just US$499 [$719 CAD] per person, double occupancy, including port charges. 10- to 17-day Caribbean Cruises Longer Caribbean cruises days are also featured on the Community Appreciation program, especially during the holidays. Cruises sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale include a 14-day Southern Caribbean holiday cruise on the ms Noordam departing Dec. 21; 15-day cruise on the ms Statendam Dec. 22; 12-day Caribbean and Panama Canal cruise on the ms Rotterdam Dec. 22; and 10-day Caribbean Westfarer cruise on the ms Volendam Jan. 5. In addition, the ms Prinsendam, Holland America's "Elegant Explorer," offers a one-way, 17-day Holiday cruise from San Diego through the Panama Canal and Caribbean to Ft. Lauderdale, departing Dec. 18. The flagship Rotterdam's 12-day Caribbean and Panama Canal cruise lets guests celebrate Christmas in the southern hemisphere and New Year's Eve in the northern hemisphere. The five-star ship sails first to Half Moon Cay, then to San Andres Island, Colombia, celebrating Christmas on the way. Next the Rotterdam calls at Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, before entering the Panama Canal to spend an entire day cruising scenic Gatun Lake. It then visits Willemstad, Curacao and Oranjestad, Aruba; guests enjoy a gala New Year's Eve party before returning to Ft. Lauderdale on Jan 3, 2004. Cruise fares for this 12-day Caribbean and Panama Canal sailing start at US$1,399 [$2029 CAD] per person, double occupancy, including port charges. Seven-day Mexico Cruise Holland America has added a seven-day Mexico cruise through the Sea of Cortez to its Community Appreciation program. This cruise is offered Jan. 31 aboard the ms Ryndam, sailing roundtrip from San Diego. The ship calls at Loreto, Pichilingue (La Paz) and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico while sailing around the Baja Peninsula. Cruise fares start at US$599 [$869 CAD] per person. 21-day South America Holiday Sailing For those with more time to adventure, the ms Amsterdam, sister flagship to the Rotterdam, offers an intriguing 21-day South America & Antarctic Explorer cruise departing Dec. 18 from Valparaiso, Chile. It sails south towards Cape Horn, cruises the world's southernmost continent on Christmas Day, spends New Year's Eve in Stanley, Falkland Islands, and arrives Jan. 7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where guests enjoy a special overnight stay before the cruise concludes Jan. 8. Other ports of call include Puerto Montt, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay. Scenic cruising areas include the majestic Chilean fjords; the Darwin Channel; the Strait of Magellan; and three incredible days adventuring along the Antarctic Peninsula. Cruise fares start at US$2,499 [$3619 CAD] per person. A 21-day Jan. 8 departure operates in reverse and a Jan. 29 departure sails from Valparaiso to Rio de Janeiro as above. To book one of the above cruises under the Community Appreciation program, qualifying teachers, firefighters, police and military must mention promotion number 12007 at the time of booking to receive the special value rates. Teachers must show proof of employment by faxing a Teacher's Certification certificate, union card, or letter from principal on school letterhead with their booking. Firefighters, police officers and active military must show proof of eligibility by faxing a copy of their badge or official identification card. Sailing dates and fares are subject to change without notice due to capacity filling. Bookings must be made by December 15, 2003. About Holland America Line In 2004, Holland America's fleet of 13, five-star, premium ships will offer nearly 500 sailings from 15 North American home ports, including new departures from Norfolk, VA; Baltimore, MD; and Boston, Mass. Recent additions to the fleet include the 1,848-passenger Vista ships, ms Zuiderdam and ms Oosterdam. In April 2004, the third Vista sister, ms Westerdam joins the fleet. The fleet will visit all seven continents in 2004, while increasing the number of cruises to popular destinations such as Alaska (139 cruises scheduled), the Caribbean (191), Europe (58) and Canada/New England (26). Holland America excels in service, amenities and special programs. Known for consistent and attentive service, its ships have one of the highest staff- members-to-guest ratios. Spacious staterooms average 25 percent larger and verandahs twice as large as those on other lines' ships. Menus are among the most extensive at-sea. Dining choices include formal elegance, alternative specialty dining in the Pacific Northwest-themed Pinnacle Grill, casual fare and complimentary 24-hour room service. The winner of the 10th consecutive "Best Overall Cruise Value" award from the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS), the line offers the only trip cancellation program in the industry that provides cash back for canceling for any reason prior to 24 hours before departure. For more information, consult a professional travel agent. World's Leading Cruise Lines The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world in the 2003 Travel & Leisure magazine "World's Best" Awards, 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, Costa Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, the member 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. Conde Nast Traveler magazine readers also ranked Holland America Line as the top premium cruise line in the world in the much-anticipated 2003 Readers' Choice Awards. |
Ray learns not to overuse exclamations for "press releases"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And a monkey flew outta my butt, too!
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