See Alaska through the eyes of a native

Travel the World and Holland America Line are pleased to announce that guests on all Holland America Line ships bound for Alaska in 2008 and 2009 will see and hear about their surroundings from an expert – an Alaskan Travel Guide.

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

“We are very pleased at how this program has evolved,” said Richard D. Meadows, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Guest Relations from Holland America Line. “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 Alaskan 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.

National 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 29 cruise tours offering an incredible variety of holiday options in Alaska in 2008 and 2009. One such highlight is the 7-day Glacier Bay Inside Passage cruise which sails from Vancouver roundtrip onboard ms Ryndam on 8 May 2009. Prices start at $958 per person for an inside stateroom. This includes cruise NDA’s of $270, while taxes of $170 and a fuel supplement of $55 are additional.

Travel the World has just released its ‘Alaska, the Yukon & Canada’ 2009 cruise holidays brochure featuring a selection of premium cruising and touring options in North America. This includes several Holland America Line cruises to the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Denali.

For more information about Holland America Line cruises, please contact Travel the World on 1300 766 566 or visit the website www.traveltheworld.com.au.