Holland America Line Rescues Stranded Sightseers

Yesterday, on the 19th August, Holland America Line’s ms Volendam rescued 70 persons from a disabled sightseeing boat, the 79-foot sightseeing vessel Baranof Wind, which had struck a rock near Russell Island in Glacier Bay disabling its steering and propulsion and causing the boat to take on water.

The ms Volendam rescued the 69 tourists and one Glacier Bay park ranger and cleared them all through security, gave them a safety briefing and then provided a meal.

“It’s the code of the sea to provide assistance in an emergency, and Captain Peter Bos and his crew responded quickly and professionally to render aid to the passengers of Baranof Wind,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. 


The ms Volendam rendezvoused with an Allen Marine boat at around 6 pm to transfer the rescued passengers back to Bartlett Cove, where their excursion had originated.


The ms Volendam then proceeded on to its next port call at Ketchikan, where it arrived on schedule today.

The USA Coast Guard thanked the crew of the ms Volendam for their quick response to the emergency.

Holland America Increases Alaska Opportunities

Many cruisers have claimed that a cruise to Alaska is “old news” now and that every one has already done that particular kind of cruise and that no one has any wish to repeat the experience.



Simply not true!

Cruising to Alaska continues to be a popular option for first time cruisers as well as for cruise “experts” who have been there before – several times.

What else would Holland America Line now increase its presence in the region with more departures and more guests than in previous years.

Although Holland America Line still only has seven vessels cruising the area each year, the ms Amsterdam will double its departures on new seven-day roundtrip sailings from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As a result, Alaska-season departures will increase 8.5 percent and guest capacity will increase 6 percent over 2012.


And to make the idea of an Alaska cruise with Holland America Line even more tempting, 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 $699 per person for the first and second guest in a stateroom, and the third and fourth sailing free.  Taxes are additional.

For more information visit www.hollandamerica.com

For a taste of Alaska cruises with Holland America Line take a look at some Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine experiences.

•  Hot Boullion and Icy Waters – by Kevin Retief

•  Gone Fishin’ with the Rotterdam – by Ruby Turner

Savings on Alaska Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line will launch a One-day Alaska Spectacular Sale on Monday, March 26, 2012, providing guests the opportunity to receive $100 on board credit per stateroom on all Alaska sailings.

Vacationers who make a new Alaska cruise reservation on March 26, 2012, will receive $100 per stateroom to spend on board for exciting Alaska shore excursions; treatments in Norwegian’s award-winning spas; or dinners in any of Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining restaurants.

This incredible Alaska offer is combinable with Norwegian’s Take It to the Next Level Sales Event featuring free up to 4-category stateroom upgrades, including balcony upgrades, and an e-coupon booklet valued at up to $400 in on board savings.

To make take advantage of the One-day Alaska Spectacular Sale limited time offer, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com.

For more experiences on cruise ships in Alaska take a look at Alaska cruise experiences at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine Cruise Experiences

Alaska Cruises still top the bill for Princess Cruises

With New Year’s resolutions fresh in consumers’ minds, Princess Cruises fielded a poll to its Facebook fans to learn which destinations and travel experiences top their bucket lists in 2011. And respondents decisively answered that their number-one destination choice for the coming year is Alaska.

One-fourth of respondents resolved to travel to the 49th state in the coming year. Other questions revealed that most are looking for a relaxing vacation and plan to travel with their spouse or significant other – but would be quite willing to travel with Oprah as their choice for celebrity travel companion.

Princess’ own Essential Experiences blog also offered travelers inspiration for their bucket lists, with most respondents eager to try dog sledding on an Alaskan glacier or to plan a visit to the “lost city of the Incas,” Machu Picchu, in Peru.

“Most people have a travel bucket list,” said Princess executive vice president, Jan Swartz, “and with New Year’s resolutions top-of-mind right now, we wanted to learn which destinations and experiences our fans are most excited about this year.”

For a brief overview of Alaska cruises, take a look at the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine information page on Alaska Cruises.

For news about Princess Cruises in Alaska, see their official web site at http://www.princesscruises.com

Oceania Cruises in Alaska to Feature Regional Dishes

In 2011, guests abord Oceania Cruises m/s Regatta will be treated to a selection of regional delicacies as regional seafood, game, poultry and berries highlight the menus - fresh ingredients, simply prepared, with influences from Asian and Native American traditions

The Pacific Northwest cuisine will be featured during lunch in the casual Terrace Café which offers both indoor and al fresco seating and in the ship’s gourmet Grand Dining Room as well. In the evenings, regional specialties will be showcased in all four of the ship’s gourmet, open-seating restaurants; all of which are available with no surcharge.

“Oceania Cruises is virtually synonymous not only with fine cuisine, but culinary diversity,” stated Bob Binder, the line’s president.

Fine cuisine is no stranger aboard Oceania Cruises. Jacques Pépin, the legendary celebrity chef and Executive Culinary Director for Oceania Cruises has already brought his legendary cuisine and unique artistry to the gourmet restaurants on board Regatta’s sister ships Marina, Insignia and Nautica. See his recipe for Tomato and Zucchini Salad in Cruise Food at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine.

Highlights of Oceania Cruises’ maiden Alaska season include two full days of glacier cruising and a mix of marquee and off-the-beaten-path Inland Passage ports, the latter a hallmark of the brand. With two-for-one rates and free airfare, 10-day voyages start at $3,499 per guest, based on double occupancy.

Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta is an intimate ship acclaimed for its open-seating gourmet dining (no surcharges), luxurious public rooms and accommodations, and warm, attentive service.

For reservations or to order a brochure, contact a travel agent, visit OceaniaCruises.com

Photo Courtesy Oceania Cruises

A TASTE OF NOROVIRUS BEFORE AN ALASKA CRUISE

Just when we thought the threat of various diseases on board ship was back under control, news comes from the ski resort of Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, that over 41 Australian tourists have been quarantined with the norovirus - all before they expect to be cleared by Tuesday (tomorrow) so that they can board their 2,000 passenger cruise ship in Vancouver bound for Alaska.

Dr. Paul Martiquet, public health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health in Whistler seems confident that no threat is posed to the cruise passengers and that the outbreak will be contained by the time the Australians board the cruise ship in a little over two days time.

Despite that, there may be a few passengers a little wary about shaking hands with any one on that cruise with an Australian accent.

As the advice section at Prow’s Edge (http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-advice-norovirus.html) tells us, the key in avoiding infection is to wash your hands frequently. The recommendation is to wash the hands with soap with warm water for AT LEAST 20 seconds, or as one captain with Holland America Line suggested, for two choruses of “Happy Birthday”. This helps to kill the virus should you come into contact with it.

Other obvious precautions include not shaking hands with strangers, (most Captain Welcome Aboard parties no longer involve shaking hands with the master of the vessel) and avoiding touching foreign surfaces, like hand rails, elevator buttons, door plates, table surfaces at buffets.

Also important is remembering to keep hands and fingers away from the face - no rubbing the eyes etc, as the main routes of entry for the virus are the mouth, eyes and nose.

We wish the Australians a speedy recovery. Nothing worse than coming all this way and then falling ill!

G’day Mate!