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Posts Tagged ‘Alaska’

17
Jun

See Alaska Through the Eyes of a Native: Holland America Line Ships Feature Travel Guides

Posted in Cruise News  by David on June 17th, 2008
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Holland America

Cruisers on all Holland America Line ships bound for Alaska in 2008 will see and hear about their surroundings from an expert - an Alaskan Travel Guide. New this year are Alaska Native Travel Guides on Glacier Bay-bound ships.

Through a partnership with Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Native guides will be on board the majority of Alaska cruises on ships cruising in Glacier Bay-114 sailings in 2008.

“We are very pleased at how this program has evolved,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest relations. “Our guests visiting Glacier Bay will enjoy having an Alaska Native guide on board the full cruise to provide another perspective on the land they’re visiting.”

Alaska Native Travel Guides will bring their knowledge and personal experience of local culture, history, art and flora and fauna to guests on Alaskan cruises. They will give six to seven presentations over the course of the weeklong cruise. Topics include wildlife, gold rush dreams, volcanoes and glaciers, Alaska’s early explorers and native people. They will provide narration throughout the trip, sell artwork by  Alaska Natives, be on hand to answer questions and interact with guests one-on-one.

In addition to the Alaska Travel Guides, a Tlingit cultural interpreter from Hoonah will board ships at Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and explain the origins of the Huna people. They will give presentations on native life and culture in the region and be available for discussions with guests.

Alaska CruiseNational Park Rangers are also an important part of the Alaska interpretive program and will continue to board all ships in Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier for narration and presentations.

The leader in Alaska tourism for 60 years, Holland America Line  has eight premium cruise ships and twenty-nine cruise tours offering an incredible variety of vacation options in Alaska  in 2008.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
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. For more information, contact a travel agent at 1-877-325-7522.

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 Café 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.

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27
May

Princess Cruises Showcases “The Heart of Alaska”

Posted in Cruise News  by David on May 27th, 2008

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Princess Cruises Showcases “The Heart of Alaska” with Unique Video Production
Viewers Can Explore “The Great Land” through the Eyes of Diverse Group of Local Residents

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 22, 2008) - “We are so lucky that we have  Alaska… everything is different here - it is all so unique.” This view from Denali National Park Ranger Patrick Gamman is one of 12 Alaska voices featured in “The Heart of ,Alaska” a dramatic new video produced by Princess Cruises. This production has already received widespread praise from the film and travel communities, and has been honored with acceptance into two film festivals.

Princess Cruise AlaskaShot exclusively by Princess in high-definition format to showcase the Princess cruisetour experience, “The Heart of Alaska” beautifully depicts the land, wildlife and people of Alaska, with interviews from some of the people who make the state unique, and who tell a compelling story of life in the untamed wilderness of Alaska’s interior.

Available exclusively from Princess, the 26-minute film was photographed and directed by Princess Video Editor Scott Martin. Filmed over nine days last summer in Alaska, the production was coordinated by Becky Buxton, manager of Princess Tours in Alaska. The video will be shown on board Princess ships in Alaska and can be purchased on the ships and at Princess’ five  Alaskawilderness lodges. “The Heart of Alaska” is the first of a series of Princess videos taking a unique look at many of the company’s destinations.

“The Heart of “Alaska has been accepted into the First Take Film Festival and the prestigious New York Independent Film & Video Festival, where it will compete this summer in the best documentary category.

“We wanted to create something that really captures the spirit of this extraordinary destination - particularly the diverse people who make the state so unique,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “This is a unique production for us - it not only gives our guests a stunning look at so many aspects of this amazing place, it does so in brilliant high definition. We believe that this new view of the Great Land easily outshines the quality of the traditional Alaska travelogue.”

The documentary offers a unique introduction to the wonders of the state as it is seen through the eyes of Alaskans. Viewers will meet rangers from both Denali and Wrangell St. Elias National Parks, Alaska natives, homesteaders and dog mushers who share an insiders’ perspective of life in the 49th state. Other voices include a bush pilot, a captain from Fairbanks’ iconic riverboat and a mountain climber.

The film also brings the audience up close to the wildlife of Denali National Park, including bears, moose, dall sheep, and caribou. Soaring photography takes viewers high above the world’s tallest peaks, including ‘The Great One,’ Mt. McKinley.

“The Heart of Alaska” tells its story through many Alaskan voices, each with a unique perspective on life in the state. Among the observations shared on screen are:

“Being Alaskan to me means being connected to everything around you. My dad had always told me that people live the way the land tells them to - they follow the rhythm of the waters that they’re nearest.” - Alaska Native Quentin Simeon.

“We have glaciers the size of states - the Malaspina Glacier is the size of Rhode Island” - Wrangell St. Elias National Park Ranger Kelly L. Vandenberg.

“It is quite a humbling place because we quickly realize just how small we are in the scheme of things” - Mountain Climbing Guide Laurent Dick.

“People here do what they do - they don’t retire. They have a lifestyle and they live it to their last day” - Homesteader Janel Porterfield.

“They teach me something constantly. No two days are alike when you live with 18 dogs” - Musher John C. Fowler.

“Still today when I see a moose alongside the road, I have to stop and look at it myself as if it’s the first one I ever saw” - Wildlife Conservation Center Executive Director Mike Miller.

“The Heart of Alaska” video also includes special features on the Princess cruisetour program, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Inside Denali, and trailers for the Heart of Alaska.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-877-325-7522, or by visiting www.chtalaska.com.

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