Holland America Line Features New Quebec Ports on 2009 Canada/New England Cruises

SEATTLE, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will debut three new ports inQuebec on its 13-, 14- and 15-day cruises toCanada and New England between May and October 2009. The longer cruises of the Signature-class ms Eurodam and popular ms Maasdam will call atGaspe, Baie-Comeau and/orSept-iles, creating new opportunities for guests to enjoy extraordinary scenic, cultural and wildlife watching experiences inQuebec.

Together, the five-star Eurodam and Maasdam will offer 21 Canada and New England cruises ranging from seven to 15 days in 2009. Guests will have the choice of sailing from five convenient home ports --Boston,Montreal,Quebec City,New York andFort Lauderdale.

"Gaspe,Baie-Comeau andSept-iles are fantastic new ports that feature outstanding attractions," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our goal is to introduce guests to a wide range of new outdoor activities and cultural experiences on these cruises, whether on a fall foliage cruise or enjoying a summer family vacation."

FromGaspe, guests can experience dramatic sea cliffs of Forillon National Park, Bonaventure Island withNorth America's largest colony of gannets, and Perce Rock National Park, known for excellent opportunities to see blue, humpback, fin and rorqual whales.Baie-Comeau features the Borealis Center, a maritime adventure park with spectacular landscapes and activities such as hiking, sea kayaking and interpretive cruises.

Sept-iles introduces guests to a native Innu community, providing a unique cultural experience through its historic trading post and Innu museum. The Rail and River Tour takes guests by train along the majestic Moisie River, known for its salmon and unforgettable scenery, to an Innu summer camp where guests enjoy reenactments of tribal customs and a salmon bake.

Maasdam Offers 15 Seven-Day Sailings for Easy Family Cruises

The Maasdam kicks off the 2009 season May 8 with a 15-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale toMontreal. The 1,258-guest ship calls atCharleston, S.C.; Newport, R.I.;Bar Harbor, Maine;Halifax andSydney, Nova Scotia; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island before spending a day each at new ports Gaspe andSept-iles. The Maasdam then cruises the scenic Saguenay Fjord, calls at Port Saguenay and visitsQuebec City for two full days before reaching Montreal.

In the fall, the Maasdam departs Oct. 10 on a similar 13-day cruise from Montreal toFt. Lauderdale that featuresGaspe andBaie-Comeau. Most ports of call are the same with the addition ofSaint John (Bay of Fundy),New Brunswick and several days at sea fromBar Harbor toFt. Lauderdale.

From May 23 to Oct. 3, the Maasdam sails 14 seven-day cruises between Montreal andBoston, featuring scenic cruising of the St. Lawrence River and calling atQuebec City,Charlottetown,Sydney,Halifax andBar Harbor. Guests can opt for excursions such as touringAcadia National Park nearBar Harbor by bike, exploring the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse Route nearHalifax and joining the popular Anne of Green Gables tour inCharlottetown.

The ship also offers a seven-day, roundtrip cruise fromBoston Aug. 29 that calls atPortland, Maine,Saint John,Halifax,Sydney andBar Harbor.

Eurodam Offers 10-day Cruises, plus 14-day Sailing Featuring Gaspe

Signature-class Eurodam features three 10-day cruises betweenNew York and Quebec City departing Aug. 27, Sept. 6 and 16. The 2,104-guest ship calls at Newport, Rhode Island,Boston,Bar Harbor,Halifax,Sydney,Charlottetown and Quebec City for a full day and overnight stay.

On Sept. 26, the Eurodam sails a special 14-day cruise fromQuebec City to Ft. Lauderdale that features the new port ofGaspe during the peak of fall color. The ship continues toCorner Brook, Newfoundland, cruises the scenic Bay of Islands and calls atCharlottetown,Saint John,Portland,Boston, Newport andNew York before sailing forFt. Lauderdale.

On all of Holland America Line'sCanada and New England cruises, a wide variety of shore excursions offer hundreds of optional tours ranging from soft adventure to culinary experiences. Medallion excursions provide unparalleled access to events and sights not otherwise available. For example, guests can experience a day in the life of a British redcoat at the Halifax Citadel, sail Nova Scotia's Bras d'Or Lake or enjoy a private luncheon at one ofBar Harbor's most elegant Victorian summer homes.

Holland America Line offers pre- and post-cruise hotel reservations in Boston,New York,Montreal,Quebec City andFort Lauderdale. It also features a three-nightMontreal/Montebello/Ottawa package.

Canada/New England cruise fares start at $1,099 per person, double occupancy. Taxes and fuel supplement are additional. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (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 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, includingAntarctica,South America, Australia/New Zealand andAsia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in theCaribbean,Alaska,Mexico,Canada/New England,Europe and Panama Canal. A 14th ship, ms Eurodam, will launch in July 2008.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, totaling more than $425 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.

     CONTACT: Rose Abello
     PHONE:   800-637-5029
     FAX:     206-262-5934
     EMAIL:   pr@hollandamerica.com

SOURCE Holland America Line

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Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

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