First "Cruise with Purpose" Shore Excursion

Juneau's local tour operator Gastineau Guiding has created the first Cruise with Purpose shore excursion, in partnership with the Alaska Sea Grant's Marine Advisory Program and the Alaska Marine Conservation Alliance.

This program was designed especially for Holland America Line. Guests board an exploration vessel out of Auke Bay to look for and help document individual humpback and orca whales. Guests will identify individual whales by their tail "fingerprints" and record their songs using an underwater microphone called a hydrophone. Participants will also collect water samples, trawl for plankton and record ocean temperature readings.

Since plankton is a significant indicator in predicting the success of Alaska's salmon runs, this data will help manage this precious wild resource. All collected data and water samples are contributed to the body of research maintained by Alaska Sea Grant's Marine Advisory Program. The beach landing vessel will then make a one-hour stop at a secluded cove or shoreline where guests then turn into volunteer beachcombers. A naturalist-guide provides interpretation on the flora and fauna of the area as guests help pick up any non-native debris in support of the Alaska Marine Conservation Alliance's efforts.

The cost of this tour is $219 per person. At the tour's conclusion, guests receive a Cruise with Purpose VolunTour pin, and will be able to track the projects they contributed to at the program's web page http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/ShoreExcursions.action. The tour is available from May to September.

To get started booking your next Cruise vacation, contact a Professional Travel Agent today!

Curbside to Shipboard in 15 Minutes?

The bigger the ship, the more hassles there are embarking and disembarking at the beginning and end of a voyage, typically. But officials at Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades say the much-ballyhooed, 5,400-passenger Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built, will be an exception to the rule when it debuts at the port later this year.

Industry watcher Johanna Jainchill of Travel Weekly today quotes port director Phillip Allen as saying the port plans on moving passengers from "curbside to shipboard in 15 minutes." In anticipation of the arrival of the Royal Caribbean vessel, which debuts in November, the port has done extensive renovations to one of its terminals to allow passengers to flow quickly on and off the ship. The port boasts that the terminal is now the largest single-ship cruise terminal in the world.

The Oasis of the Seas has 28 ultra-modern loft suites and 2,700 spacious staterooms, and 16-decks featuring 4 pools and 10 whirlpools, 4 different venues offering nightly entertainment, Casino Royale, day spa and fitness club and six different dining options.

To get started booking your next cruise, contact a Professional Travel Agent today!

Holland America Named Best Cruise Value

World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS) members named Holland America Line as the Best Overall Cruise Value for the 17th year in a row for its premium cruise experience.

"It's a tremendous achievement to be recognized by the members of theWorld Ocean and Cruise Liner Society once again," said Richard D.Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guestprograms. "The recognition of the society members year after year speaks to the continued relevance of Holland America Line to today'stravelers and commitment to investing in our product through programs such as Signature of Excellence and expanding our fleet and itineraries."

WOCLS is a 29-year-old organization comprised of thousands of experienced cruisers who average taking two cruises a year. The society reviews all cruise lines annually and noted in its monthly publication, Ocean and Cruise News, that "Holland America Linep assengers continue to mention the excellent value that the line provides, they easily win again within this category. Further adding to the sense of value is the consistency of the product across its entire fleet of ships."

Thomas Cassidy, editor of Ocean and Cruise News, wrote, "Some of the elements that combine to make Holland America Line the best overall cruise value include its effort to continually improve such as its fleet wide Signature of Excellence upgrades, the impeccable appearance of its ships, its friendly well-trained Indonesian and Filipino crew,the extra effort to properly train and supervise its staff, the more extensive choice of dinner menus in its restaurant, alternative restaurant and Lido, and all the little extras such as canvas totebags, hot hors d'oeuvres at cocktail time, chilled beer glasses, a no-charge ice cream bar and later lunch hours when in port."

Holland America Line also received top marks in the High-Deluxe,5-Star, Large Ships category during the annual Best Cruise Valueawards by the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society.

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to320 ports in more than 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 andPanama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements,a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase theCulinary 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.

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.

For more information contact a Professional Travel Agent.

Source: Holland America

Carnival Offers Unprecedented Early Booking Savings

Carnival Cruise lines has launched their Early Saver Booking program, which offers fares up to 25% lower than their best available rates, and will provide rate protection if rates drop below the original price paid by the consumer.

Early Saver rates will be available beginning today, January 12, and offered up to three months prior to sailing date for cruises of five days or less and up to five months prior to sailing date for longer length voyages, subject to availability. All state room types qualify for this program, including suites.

The Early Saver rate protection feature provides that if a lower Carnival advertised rate becomes available after the booking is made, a rate adjustment can be requested and the cruise line will issue the difference in the form of a shipboard credit. The lower fare must be for the same ship, sailing date, stateroom category and number of guests.

To request a lower price, a rate-protection form must be completed and emailed to Carnival up to two business days prior to departure. This form can be found online.

This is a fantastic savings opportunity for those who are able to plan ahead and book early!

Contact a Cruise Specialist to start planning your next cruise today!

Saving Money on Travel This Season

Almost every American is feeling the effects of our current economic situation in some way or another. We all seem to be finding ways to save a little cash wherever we can, whether it be eating out less, riding our bikes more, carpooling, or making our coffee at home.

If you are due for a much needed vacation, or really just need a getaway, fall is often the best time to get the most trip for your money. This year the sales seem to be better than ever! Some of the best specials going on now include:

- Some international airlines, such as SAS, have substantially marked down their Airfares to Europe for their Fall Sales.

- Hawaiian Airlines is having a sale on Airfares and Packages to Hawaii, with savings up to $400 off of some of their air + hotel packages.

- Cruise lines, such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean are offering some of their lowest prices of the year on their Caribbean Cruises for the fall and winter.

- Many hotels are doing "Free Night" promotions, such as "Pay for 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free!".

- Some tour companies, such as Trafalgar, are offering discounted South Pacific Escorted Tours for the fall, with saving up to $500 per couple!

Most of these special promotions need to be booked by mid October. Many of them are for travel in October - November.

Contact Us for more information on these and other fall travel specials! Many travel promotions need to be booked through a Professional Travel Agent.