“Holland
America Line has a long history of sailing in Glacier Bay, and we look forward
to welcoming their ships each year,” says Glacier Bay National Park
superintendent, Cherry Payne. “They have created a comprehensive
educational program focusing on the park and have supported the Park
Service’s goal to reduce the environmental impacts to Glacier
Bay.”

The National Park
Service regulates the number of cruise ships entering the bay from June through
August and allows no more than two per day in order to protect the fragile
marine environment. Glacier Bay is a 65-mile
long fjord with spectacular tidewater glaciers.

“Glacier Bay
is often singled out by our guests as a “must see” on their trip to
Alaska,” said Richard
D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.
“We are honored to show this magnificent place to our guests, and we
remain committed to conserving it for future generations.”

Glacier Bay is
visited on four different itineraries including roundtrip Seattle, roundtrip Vancouver and Vancouver to Seward (gateway to Anchorage) and reverse. A
visit to Glacier Bay includes a full day of
sightseeing in the park with the opportunity to view multiple tidewater
glaciers.

The National Park
Service focused on applicants’ commitment to meeting certain requirements
such as minimizing air and water pollution and on board enrichment to educate
guests about the area. Holland America Line exceeded requirements with its
environmental management systems program and has a full enrichment program in
place for guests.

Holland America
Line’s Environmental Management System is certified to conform to the ISO 14001
standard, and particular to operating in Glacier Bay,
the company has committed to zero discharge and reduced air emissions.

In Glacier Bay, a National Park Service ranger boards the
ship for the day for narration and presentations.  A Tlingit cultural
interpreter from Hoonah will board ships in Glacier Bay
to provide a native perspective on the area and its history. 

During the
weeklong cruise, Alaska Travel Guides are on board and give presentations such
as “Feathers, Fins and Fur: Alaska Wildlife” and “Alaskan
Gold Rush Dreams.”

The National Park
Service Junior Ranger program offered through the line’s youth program,
Club HAL, engages kids ages 6 to 12 in shipboard activities. A Junior Ranger
Activity Book encourages interaction with the park ranger and group activities
are planned to learn about the park’s history, wildlife and unique
ecosystem.

Upon completion of a set number of activities, the child is awarded
a special Junior Ranger badge. Club HAL also offers other activities separate
from the Junior Ranger program such as a “Match the Mammal” game,
Monty the Moose video, Measure the Whale, Dream Catchers craft and others.

Holland
America Line has been leading tours in Alaska
for more than 60 years and has eight premium ships offering a total of 156
cruises and 29 CruiseTours ranging from 10 to 20 days in length.  For more
information about booking, contact a travel agent or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL
(1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.