Explore the Best of Alaska With Holland America Line's Alaska/Yukon 2012 CruiseTours

SEATTLE, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- From the breathtaking views of Glacier National Park to the wilderness of Denali National Park and the Yukon's Klondike Gold Rush territory, Holland America Line's 2012 Alaska CruiseTours feature 17 different itineraries that immerse guests in a rich Alaska nature and frontier experience.  Departures provide "cruise first" or "tour first" selections to stunning landscapes and less-visited landmarks throughout The Last Frontier.  

Ranging in total length from 10 to 20 days, all CruiseTours combine a three-, four- or seven-day Inside Passage cruise with in-depth overland tours.  Offering two 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.  Six tours also feature Canada's Yukon Territory with its Klondike Gold Rush heritage and pristine national parks such as Kluane National Park and Tombstone Park.  Departures range from May through September.

"Next year marks Holland America Line's 65th anniversary of providing guests with exclusive opportunities that showcase Alaska and its natural beauty," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our CruiseTours are designed to combine the best of both worlds — one of our incredible cruises with an overland exploration — and traveling to Alaska with us has never been more exciting or accessible."

Guests who opt for tour-first itineraries typically prefer to relax on a cruise after their land tour, while cruise-first travelers seek to settle into a vacation mindset and enjoy the many amenities of Holland America Line's elegant premium ships as they sail into the wilderness. 

In addition to major attractions such as Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, Holland America Line's Alaska CruiseTours visit exclusive destinations not accessible via cruise ship including Wonder Lake, the Dalton Highway, Denali National Park and gold-rush town Dawson City, Yukon.

Unique to the Holland America Line cruise experience, highly trained and knowledgeable interpreters, tour concierges and Alaska travel guides are present on most CruiseTours and sailings, and National Park Rangers provide extensive commentary and guided programs at Glacier Bay National Park.  Tour concierges travel throughout the land portion on all Alaska/Yukon CruiseTour itineraries.

While on a CruiseTour, guests can choose from several adventurous shore and land excursions to further customize their CruiseTours, ranging from hiking, dog sledding, fly fishing, river rafting and glacier landing by helicopter to informative historical and cultural tours.

In 2012 Holland America Line features six Yukon and Denali CruiseTours (Y1-Y6). These 10- to 20-day itineraries include adventures to destinations such as Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Dawson City, and Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory. Some CruiseTours also include Kluane National Park and the White Pass and Yukon Railroad.

The eight Denali CruiseTours (D1-D7) range from 11 to 14 days and feature a seven-day Inside Passage cruise that includes Glacier Bay National Park. Most itineraries offer two-night Denali stays with the Denali Tundra Wilderness experience, a day-tour into the protected wilderness where grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves are often sighted in the wild.

Expedition CruiseTours E1-E3 range from 12 to 14 days, provide authentic wilderness experiences and include the Bears and Wilderness CruiseTour for intimate opportunities for viewing wildlife. They feature a seven-day Glacier Discovery cruise, acclaimed Redoubt Bay Lodge near Lake Clark National Park and Winterlake Lodge along Alaska's historic Iditarod Trail. Additional Expedition CruiseTours highlight the best of the Kenai Peninsula and Denali backcountry.

CruiseTours feature luxurious glass-domed McKinley Explorer railcars with comfortable, forward-facing seats and expert commentary by guides. In addition, Holland America Line's exclusive Explorer Coaches create a superb environment for traveling the highway on Denali and Yukon tours with roomy leather seats, first-class legroom and no more than 44 travelers.

Holland America Line's Alaska CruiseTours start at $999 per person, double occupancy.  To book an Alaska cruise or CruiseTour, contact a travel professional or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 354 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 110-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, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.

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, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, 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

Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

SOURCE Holland America Line