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Holland America Offers Exciting New 2010 World Cruise Overland Adventures in South America, India and Far East

Posted on: Tuesday, 16 June 2009, 21:30 CDT

SEATTLE, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line is offering exciting new World Cruise tours and Overland Adventure tours in some of the world's most exotic locations: South America, Africa and India.

Overland Adventures allow guests to extend their holiday or Grand World Voyage with an in-depth exploration of regions such as India, the Far East, Africa and South America. The adventures range from two- and three-day tours to eight-day explorations.

"More cruise guests are looking to fully immerse themselves in the culture they've flown thousands of miles to see," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "By prearranging and offering these unique tours, we're making it simple for our guests to take full advantage of their time."

2010 Grand World Voyage guests can take a unique eight-day train tour from Mumbai to Port Kelang, India The Palace on Wheels Overland Adventure -- part of Holland America Line's Medallion Collection of exclusive tours -- is one of the world's great train rides, taking guests through the heart of India and its rich and vibrant culture. Stops include Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Delhi, then for a flight to Kuala Lumpur.

The adventure also includes a sunset camel ride through the Great Indian Desert and a four-wheel drive in the Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its tigers and leopards. In Udaipur, guests will explore the city of lakes and then journey to Bharatpur and the National Bird Sanctuary. From there, it's a short train ride to Agra and the stunning Taj Mahal. At Delhi, guests will explore India's capital and its third-largest city, with the Rashtrapati Bhawan presidential palace.

In Africa, guests seeking a safari of a lifetime will enjoy the Ngala Overland Adventure from Port Elizabeth to Durban, South Africa. On the three-day Medallion Collection tour, guests will fly to the Ngala Private Game Reserve. The reserve borders the world-famous Kruger National Park, South Africa's the largest wildlife sanctuary.

The African safari offers superb accommodations and several game-drives in an open, four-wheel drive vehicle, giving guests a chance to spot one of Africa's "big five": lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape Buffalo. The drives are scheduled to allow optimal game viewing. Guests catch a return flight to Durban to board the ship.

Other Overland Adventures trips in Africa and the Far East include: the Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls Overland Adventure, a five-day tour from Cape Town to Durban; the Cambodia and Angkor Wat Overland Adventure, a three-day tour from Singapore to Sihanoukville, Cambodia; the Terra Cotta Warriors, Great Wall and Beijing Overland Adventure, a four-day tour from Shanghai to Xingang, China; and the Kyoto and the Shinkansen Bullet Train Overnight Tour, a two-day adventure from Kobe to Yokohama, Japan.

On the other side of the world, guests sailing South America in 2010 also have enticing new adventures: the Galapagos Islands Cruise Overland Adventure and Mendoza: Land of Wine.

From Manta, Ecuador, to Callao, Peru, the Galapagos Island Cruise Overland Adventure is a four-day adventure allowing guests to discover South America's vibrant landscapes. Guests depart the ship and travel, via motorcoach, to Guayaquil, Ecuador, to board a plane to the easternmost Galapagos Islands. From there, guests will board the m/v Galapagos Explorer II, an intimate 293-foot vessel for just 100 guests. An experienced naturalist guides shore expeditions to search wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, whimbrels and sanderlings, Darwin's finches and yellow warblers.

In Argentina, The Mendoza: Land of Wine tour is sure to entice discriminating wine connoisseurs. The adventure begins with a flight from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, Argentina, for a city tour in the heart of the Argentine wine country. Guests visit a vineyard and sample acclaimed local wines before returning to comfort of their ship.

Holland America Line offers 4,700 different shore excursions at 850 ports of call in more than 100 countries, each highlighting the best of each destination.

The Holland America premium cruise experience

When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse shore excursions, including Overland Adventures, off-the-beaten-track explorations, Signature Collection private-car touring and exclusive Medallion Collection excursions.

Additionally, Holland America Line offers a full enrichment program on every ship and has broadened its onboard programming with the new Explorations Team who offers guests a full menu of "edutainment" programs. The Explorations Team is comprised of event staff with specific, niche expertise ranging from technology and party planning to book club discussions (on select cruises of 14 days and longer) and travel. As part of the Explorations Speaker Series, special guest lecturers sail on segments of the Grand Voyages to offer unique and enriching perspectives on regional art, history and culture. Culinary staff and guest chefs lead cooking classes and demonstrations in the on-board Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine; The Explorations Cafe -- powered by the New York Times -- allows guests to stay connected via the Internet or simply relax, listen to music and have a latte.

The line's newest enrichment program is the Holland America Line Digital Workshop powered by Windows. In an interactive, user-friendly atmosphere, guests learn how to share all of their digital vacation memories through e-mail, blogging and social networking.

For further Overland Adventures information, a cruise brochure or more information on Holland America Line's voyages, consult a professional travel agent, or call 800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.

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

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 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 and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in July 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.

CONTACT: Sally Andrews, John Primeau PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-262-5870 FAX: 206-262-5934 EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com

SOURCE Holland America Line

Source: PR Newswire

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