HAL increases Alaska departures for 2013

For the 2013 Alaska cruise season, Holland America Line (HAL) is increasing its presence in the region with more departures and more guests than in previous years. Although the number of Holland America ships deployed in Alaska will remain at seven — the same as this year — Amsterdam will double its departures on new seven-day roundtrip sailings from Vancouver. As a result, Alaska-season departures will increase 8.5% and guest capacity will increase 6% over 2012. HAL’s Early Advantage savings feature complimentary upgrades and free and reduced fares for third or fourth guests who share the same stateroom on select sailings. By planning ahead, a family of four can take advantage of fares on select departure dates starting at US$699 p.p. for the first and second guest in a stateroom, and the third and fourth sailing free. Taxes are additional. When the 1,380-guest Amsterdam begins its Alaska season May 24, the ship will sail a series of 17 seven-day Inside Passage voyages. The Vancouver sailings feature port calls at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising throughout Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm Fjord/Twin Sawyer glaciers. For the 2013 Alaska cruise season, Holland America will also feature Zaandam and Statendam each sailing on 18 Gulf of Alaska departures from Vancouver. Statendam and Zaandam will also sail four total Inside Passage routes, along with Amsterdam (17), Volendam (21) and Zuiderdam (20). In addition, Oosterdam and Westerdam are slated to sail 21 and 20, respectively, seven-night voyages from Seattle, Wash. (http://www.hollandamerica.com)