HAL's Active Shore Excursions!

Hi Everyone,

I received this information from Holland America and thought it would
be of interest. I got a chuckle out of what HAL considers "active
shore excursions". What should we expect from a cruise line that has
seats in their elevators? vbg If you have missed any of my news'
postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Holland America Line Enhances Active Shore Excursions in 2005

Premium Cruise Line Now Provides More Options for Guests to Explore
Destinations

SEATTLE, Sept. 14
Holland America Line, the only major cruise line to regularly sail to
all seven continents, is introducing several new active shore
excursions in 2005. The premium cruise line already provides guests
with more than 1,700 shore excursions to choose from, including more
than 70 active and adventurous options such as all-terrain vehicle
excursions and jungle canopy tours. The company's new active onshore
excursions take place in destinations such as Mexico, Chile and in a
new port of call, Manaus, Brazil, and provide guests with more ways
than ever to immerse themselves in the culture and history of exotic
destinations across the world.
"Some of our guests want the solitude and relaxation that comes with
an ocean voyage," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president,
marketing and sales. "Others want to combine our timeless elegance
with the excitement that comes with unique and active shore
excursions. Fortunately, Holland America Line offers both. Through our
shore excursion programs, we can offer first-time as well as more
seasoned travelers exciting new ways to experience the nuances of the
many destinations to which we sail."

Holland America Line leads the industry in itinerary selection and
overnight stays in locations such as Europe, South America, Asia and
Australia, which serves to further enhance the onshore experience for
passengers. For example, guests who sail on the ms Veendam's 33-day
Fall Panama Canal and Amazon River voyage, departing from Seattle on
September 26, will spend two days in Manaus, Brazil, a city in the
heart of the Amazon rainforest. A new port in 2005, Manaus lies along
the north bank of the Rio Negro, just above its confluence with the
Amazon River. Guests traveling to this port will have the opportunity
to experience nightly jungle activity -- including an "up close and
personal" look at alligators inhabiting the river. On this excursion,
guides will jump into the water and catch alligators with their bare
hands before releasing them unharmed back into the river. This
three-hour journey is priced at US$69 for adults.

Other shore excursions debuting in 2005 include the following:

* Passengers on the 10-day Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez
voyage
sailing roundtrip from San Diego aboard the ms Ryndam will
have the
opportunity to board a private train on the Chihuahua al
Pacifico
railway in Topolobampo, Mexico, and traverse the magnificent
Sierra
Madre Mountain range to explore Copper Canyon. Only
accessible by
rail and considered by many to be the most scenic rail route
in the
world, the journey winds through 87 tunnels and crosses 35
bridges
as it climbs from sea level to 8,000 feet. Guests arrive at
Posada
Barrancas in time for lunch. After lunch, guests can take a
walking
tour to the Tarahumara Caves, following a path to the Cueva
del
Chino cave home to where Tarahumara Native families live.
This
excursion lasts approximately 16 hours and is US$349 for
adults.
* Guests on Holland America Line's 8-day Latin America Holiday
cruise,
departing on December 18 from San Diego on the Ryndam, can
take
advantage of the Jungle ATV Adventure in Cozumel, Mexico.
Traveling
deep into the jungle, guests will explore ancient Mayan
burial
grounds. This excursion lasts approximately three hours and
is US$79
for adults.
* Guests traveling on Holland America Line's 16-17-day South
American
Explorer voyage, departing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on
February
26 on the ms Amsterdam can visit Puerto Montt, Chile and
drive deep
into the forest surrounding Osorno to truly experience the
forest
canopy. Traveling in the treetops between platforms
connected by a
series of cables, guests will feel like they are flying. In
total,
there are 14 platforms and 11 cable rides at an altitude of
more
than 130 feet. Maximum speed is 28 miles per hour between
the
platforms. All the platforms are specially designed for
guests to
observe the wildlife at the treetop level and enjoy the
spectacular
forest view. This seven and a half hour excursion is priced
at
US$189.


In addition to the wide variety of excursions available, Holland
America Line offers passengers more flexibility in departure times and
more personal interaction with guides and other passengers than many
other cruise lines.

Holland America Line also provides guests with numerous resources to
help them get the most out of excursions, including easily accessible
information on the Holland America Line website, a helpful shore
excursion brochure that is sent to guests along with documents, and
onboard experts to help guests choose which trips best suit individual
interests and physical abilities. Excursions are provided through
partnerships with professional independent tour operators in each
port. Guests are encouraged to book shore excursions prior to sailing
by visiting www.hollandamerica.com.

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

In 2005, Holland America Line's fleet of 12, five-star, premium ships
are offering nearly 500 cruises from 27 home ports -- 17 in North
America. Itineraries range in length from two to 116 days, visit all
seven continents and offer the most extensive selection of ports the
line has ever visited on cruises to the Caribbean and Panama Canal
(175), Alaska (134), Canada/New England (18), and longer, exotic
voyages to Europe (45), Mexico (43), Hawaii/Asia/Pacific (20), South
America (17), and Transatlantic (8), as well as one Grand World
Voyage.

As a part of its renowned Tradition of Excellence, Holland America
Line is investing $225 million in the Signature of Excellence
initiative providing unparalleled product and service enhancements to
its fleet. The comprehensive enhancements focus on five areas vital to
Holland America's guest experience: spacious, elegant ships and
accommodations; sophisticated five-star dining; gracious, unobtrusive
service; extensive enrichment programs and activities; and compelling
worldwide itineraries. Enhancements have been started on all ships and
will be completed by the end of 2006. For more information, consult a
travel agent.

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, Costa Cruises and Windstar 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.