Holland America Line Features New Quebec Ports on 2009 Canada/New England Cruises

SEATTLE, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will debut three new ports in Quebec on its 13-, 14- and 15-day cruises to Canada and New England between May and October 2009. The longer cruises of the Signature-class ms Eurodam and popular ms Maasdam will call at Gaspe, Baie-Comeau and/or Sept-iles, creating new opportunities for guests to enjoy extraordinary scenic, cultural and wildlife watching experiences in Quebec.

Together, the five-star Eurodam and Maasdam will offer 21 Canada and New England cruises ranging from seven to 15 days in 2009. Guests will have the choice of sailing from five convenient home ports -- Boston, Montreal, Quebec City, New York and Fort Lauderdale.

"Gaspe, Baie-Comeau and Sept-iles are fantastic new ports that feature outstanding attractions," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our goal is to introduce guests to a wide range of new outdoor activities and cultural experiences on these cruises, whether on a fall foliage cruise or enjoying a summer family vacation."

From Gaspe, guests can experience dramatic sea cliffs of Forillon National Park, Bonaventure Island with North America's largest colony of gannets, and Perce Rock National Park, known for excellent opportunities to see blue, humpback, fin and rorqual whales. Baie-Comeau features the Borealis Center, a maritime adventure park with spectacular landscapes and activities such as hiking, sea kayaking and interpretive cruises.

Sept-iles introduces guests to a native Innu community, providing a unique cultural experience through its historic trading post and Innu museum. The Rail and River Tour takes guests by train along the majestic Moisie River, known for its salmon and unforgettable scenery, to an Innu summer camp where guests enjoy reenactments of tribal customs and a salmon bake.

Maasdam Offers 15 Seven-Day Sailings for Easy Family Cruises

The Maasdam kicks off the 2009 season May 8 with a 15-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal. The 1,258-guest ship calls at Charleston, S.C.; Newport, R.I.; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island before spending a day each at new ports Gaspe and Sept-iles. The Maasdam then cruises the scenic Saguenay Fjord, calls at Port Saguenay and visits Quebec City for two full days before reaching Montreal.

In the fall, the Maasdam departs Oct. 10 on a similar 13-day cruise from Montreal to Ft. Lauderdale that features Gaspe and Baie-Comeau. Most ports of call are the same with the addition of Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick and several days at sea from Bar Harbor to Ft. Lauderdale.

From May 23 to Oct. 3, the Maasdam sails 14 seven-day cruises between Montreal and Boston, featuring scenic cruising of the St. Lawrence River and calling at Quebec City, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax and Bar Harbor. Guests can opt for excursions such as touring Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor by bike, exploring the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse Route near Halifax and joining the popular Anne of Green Gables tour in Charlottetown.

The ship also offers a seven-day, roundtrip cruise from Boston Aug. 29 that calls at Portland, Maine, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney and Bar Harbor.

Eurodam Offers 10-day Cruises, plus 14-day Sailing Featuring Gaspe

Signature-class Eurodam features three 10-day cruises between New York and Quebec City departing Aug. 27, Sept. 6 and 16. The 2,104-guest ship calls at Newport, Rhode Island, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown and Quebec City for a full day and overnight stay.

On Sept. 26, the Eurodam sails a special 14-day cruise from Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale that features the new port of Gaspe during the peak of fall color. The ship continues to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, cruises the scenic Bay of Islands and calls at Charlottetown, Saint John, Portland, Boston, Newport and New York before sailing for Ft. Lauderdale.

On all of Holland America Line's Canada and New England cruises, a wide variety of shore excursions offer hundreds of optional tours ranging from soft adventure to culinary experiences. Medallion excursions provide unparalleled access to events and sights not otherwise available. For example, guests can experience a day in the life of a British redcoat at the Halifax Citadel, sail Nova Scotia's Bras d'Or Lake or enjoy a private luncheon at one of Bar Harbor's most elegant Victorian summer homes.

Holland America Line offers pre- and post-cruise hotel reservations in Boston, New York, Montreal, Quebec City and Fort Lauderdale. It also features a three-night Montreal/Montebello/Ottawa package.

Canada/New England cruise fares start at $1,099 per person, double occupancy. Taxes and fuel supplement are additional. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.

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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc ]

Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including 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 14th ship, ms Eurodam, will launch in July 2008.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, totaling more than $425 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: Rose Abello PHONE: 800-637-5029 FAX: 206-262-5934 EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com