Cruise

HAL makes summer cruising more affordable

Holland America Line (HAL) is making an Alaska CruiseTour or European cruise a more affordable vacation option this summer with limited-time savings and special offers. Guests who book select 2012 Alaska CruiseTours or European itineraries by March 31 are eligible to receive up to a $500 air credit per stateroom or a shipboard credit of up to $200 per suite, as well as complimentary stateroom upgrades from an inside stateroom to an oceanview or from an oceanview stateroom to a verandah. Families looking to take a summer vacation can take advantage of an exclusive offer that lets kids between the ages of two and 17 cruise free on select Europe itineraries when sailing as a third or fourth guest in a stateroom. For the summer Europe season, seven Holland America Line ships sail 44 unique itineraries that span from the northern tip of Norway to the Black Sea and eastern and western Mediterranean. Five new maiden ports of call and four new itineraries make their debut, and guests can enjoy overnight visits in 17 cities, including Hamburg, Germany; Istanbul, Turkey; St. Petersburg, Russia; Stockholm, Sweden; Dublin, Ireland; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Venice, Italy; and Bordeaux, France. Families with less time who are looking for a cultural and scenic adventure can opt for a seven-day sailing to the fjords of Norway or a Mediterranean adventure. Roundtrip cruises sail from Dover (London), England; Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; and Rotterdam and Amsterdam, Netherlands. In summer 2012, the line will have seven ships sailing three different Alaska itineraries, as well as nine CruiseTours that combine a three-, four- or seven-day Inside Passage Holland America Line cruise with in-depth overland tours. Ranging in total length from 10 to 20 days, CruiseTours are designed to highlight the best of Alaska’s wilderness, wildlife, native culture and history. New for 2012, three new CruiseTours highlight Denali National Park with the only three-night Denali experience available; the line’s first-ever round-trip Seattle, Wash., CruiseTour departures; and one-night Denali adventures. Six tours also feature Canada’s Yukon Territory with its Klondike Gold Rush heritage and pristine national parks such as Kluane National Park and Tombstone Park. Europe cruise fares begin at US$699 p.p., double occupancy. Alaska CruiseTours start at US$999 p.p. (http://www.hollandamerica.com)