From: Ray Goldenberg on
Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Holland America and thought it
would be of interest.

--
Ray Goldenberg 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
Lighthouse Travel http://www.lighthousetravel.com
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Holland America Line Offers Holiday Escapes With 22 Warm Water Cruises

SEATTLE, March 25
Whether you're seeking an entirely new holiday experience or simply
escaping the frantic pace of the season, Holland America Line offers
22 holiday cruises in 2010 for warm weather celebrations.

"Holiday cruises are a very special experience," said Richard D.
Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest
programs. "Our crew takes special pride in delivering all the
seasonal favorites for guests to enjoy without the traditional rush.
Holiday meals, decorations and family time can be savored while
sailing through warm, picturesque waters."

Sail the Caribbean on 7 to 14-day Cruises

Departing between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31 aboard seven ships � ms
Westerdam, ms Maasdam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Ryndam, ms
Prinsendam and ms Noordam � options abound for Caribbean cruises with
13 holiday sailings from Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa over one or both
holidays. Itineraries include exploring the southern Caribbean via a
seven-day cruise with stops in such exotic ports as Aruba, Curacao and
Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's private Bahamian island. Or try
seven days exploring the rich waters of the eastern Caribbean and
legendary ports of call such as Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
Finally, holiday cruisers can settle into several western Caribbean
options with stops that may include Belize, Montego Bay, Georgetown,
Costa Maya and Key West.

The more adventurous travelers can opt for a 10- or 14-day cruise
throughout the Caribbean and usher in the New Year in St. Thomas or
St. George's while sampling the ports of Barbados and Grand Turk.

Most itineraries feature a visit to Half Moon Cay, the line's
award-winning exclusive private island experience with white sand
beaches, aqua waters and shore activities from horseback riding to a
stingray adventure. Per person fares begin as low as $999, double
occupancy. Taxes are additional.

Sunny Mexican Riviera & Panama Canal for a Festive Occasion

Departing from Fort Lauderdale, San Diego or Los Angeles in mid to
late December, Holland America Line offers five cruises that visit the
warm water ports of the Mexican Riviera � Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco,
Puerto Chiapas and Puerto Quetzal � as well as the Central America
coastline and Panama Canal. Per person fares begin at $1,099.

The Sunfarer Caribbean Holiday cruise is a 10-day trip departing
roundtrip Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 23 aboard ms Zuiderdam and sailing
through the southern Caribbean with Christmas Eve at Half Moon Cay, a
partial transit of the Panama Canal to Gatun Lake and New Year's Eve
at sea before returning on Jan. 2, 2011.

Two additional cruises visit the Panama Canal beginning with the
14-day Panama Canal which departs Los Angeles on Dec. 22 aboard ms
Amsterdam in time for Christmas Day at sea and stops in Mexico,
Guatemala and Costa Rica before traversing the Canal en route to Ft.
Lauderdale. Or guests can opt for the 14-day Panama Canal Holiday
Cruise aboard ms Statendam departing San Diego on Christmas Eve.
Stops in Mexico include Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Chiapas before
crossing the Canal to Fort Lauderdale.

Christmas and New Year's holidays along the Mexican Riviera can be
particularly memorable with an eight-day cruise from San Diego aboard
ms Oosterdam on Dec. 18 or a seven-day sailing on Dec. 26 that visit
Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Or guests can opt for a
12-day cruise departing Dec. 22 aboard ms Rotterdam that features
Christmas Eve in Cabo San Lucas, Christmas Day at sea and New Year's
Eve in Mazatlan.

Longer Voyages Sail the Pacific

The warm waters of the far Pacific offer memorable holiday adventures
as well. A 14-day Circle Hawaii sailing aboard ms Zaandam departs San
Diego Dec. 19 with Christmas Eve in Hilo, Christmas Day in Honolulu
and New Year's Day in Ensenada, Mexico. Departing Dec. 17, the 16-day
Australia-New Zealand Holiday Cruise aboard ms Volendam explores the
southern coast of Australia from Sydney before an extensive tour of
exotic New Zealand ports like Milford Sound and Auckland and
celebrating Christmas Eve in Wellington.

White Christmas in the Antarctic

Guests who want their holidays adorned with snow and ice will see a
white Christmas aboard the adventurous 17-day South America and
Antarctica Explorer journey. Departing Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile,
Dec. 20, ms Veendam steers south amid the glaciers to spend Christmas
Eve cruising Darwin Channel and the Chilean Fjords, Christmas Day
sailing Amalia Glacier Canal and New Year's Eve in the Antarctic
Sound. Per person fares on longer voyages range from $1,999 to $2,699
per person for starting fares.

Host of Special Activities for All Guests

Holland America Line's on-board festivities for the entire family
include holiday decorations, sumptuous traditional meals, special
movie showings, a visit for the kids from Santa � sometimes arriving
by parasail � activities and crafts for the Club HAL kids program,
strolling carolers, tree lighting ceremony, eggnog in the Atrium,
Christmas brunch, Santa's milk and cookie late-night snack and a
holiday show by the crew on Christmas Eve. For sailings over
Hanukkah, ships display a ceremonial Menorah.

New Year's Eve cruisers will enjoy the New Year's Eve Gala and the
broadcast of select college bowl games on board ships. Each holiday
voyage features clergy to conduct Catholic, Protestant and Jewish
services (for cruises over Hanukkah).

Another special feature for the holidays are culinary classes
highlighting such traditional seasonal treats as latkes with rosemary
and brown butter sauce; Alsatian potato and bacon tarts; sausage cakes
with red wine prunes; and other tasty holiday fare.

For more information, contact a travel agent.

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers almost 500 cruises to
354 ports in nearly 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 on July 4, 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.