Press Release: Holland America Line
Holland America Wedding Programs Offer Romantic Destinations, Flexible Packages
for Cruising Couples to Nautically Tie the Knot
New "You May Now Dot Com" Option Makes Ceremony Available to
Friends and Family on World Wide Web
Seattle, May 7, 2003 - Whether couples choose to tie the knot aboard ship, on
an exotic Caribbean island or atop an icy Alaskan glacier, Holland America can
help launch a lifetime of memories with exciting wedding locales and flexible
wedding packages. From small ceremonies and private receptions to larger
celebration cruises with family and friends, Holland America can accommodate a
wide range of requests to make every couple's wedding a uniquely romantic event.
The line also offers packages for anniversaries, honeymoons and renewing of
vows.
A new option in Holland America's wedding packages now helps friends and family
around the world share in the joy of a couple's special day, with the "You
May Now Dot Com" option ($375). A wedding video complete with photos and
music is placed on a private Web page that remains accessible for the next 90
days, and the happy couple receives a copy of the Web page on CD-ROM.
"Our wedding and vow renewal programs have a wide array of choices that
will add an extra touch of magic to one of the most important occasions in a
couple's life together," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president,
marketing and sales. "Couples can choose to have a private ceremony or
invite their friends and families to enjoy a lavish on-board reception with the
fine food and service that one can expect on a Holland America cruise."
CARIBBEAN, HAWAII AND ALASKA GLACIER WEDDING PACKAGES
Holland America provides several land-based wedding and vow renewal options in
the Caribbean and Hawaii, with all packages including transportation, applicable
licenses and fees, flowers and amenities such as cakes, sparkling wine and
photography. Package prices are in addition to cruise fares.
At Montego Bay on Jamaica, the newest destination in Holland America's wedding
program, couples can be married on the private beach at the Rose Hall Beach Club
($1,845) or at the lovely Rose Hall Great House ($1,995). Paradise Cove, the
premier beach site in Ocho Rios, is the setting for a Paradise Cove Beach
Wedding package ($1,595), or couples can be married beside a spectacular
waterfall at Shaw Park Botanical Gardens ($1,795), with sweeping views of the
mountains and Caribbean Sea.
On St. Thomas, couples choose from a beach wedding at gorgeous Magen's Bay, a
tropical garden terrace overlooking the British Virgin Islands or in the lovely
formal gardens at the Marriott Hotels Frenchman's Reef resort ($1,595). The
historic Grand Old House provides the setting for wedding packages ($2,195) on
Grand Cayman. The mansion, built in 1908 on the beach, allows couples to choose
between a ceremony on the beach or at the gazebo. On Barbados, a Tides Beach
Wedding ($1,695) takes place alongside the waves on a lovely beach. At Kona,
Hawaii, ceremonies take place at the romantic and historic Kings Knoll ($1,995),
a scenic overlook set in lush, tropical gardens that contain a sacred pond used
by King Kamehameha.
For a truly spectacular and unusual wedding experience, a pilot whisks the happy
couple away to the Herbert Glacier for a decidedly white wedding in the snow and
ice. The $2,395 package includes limousine transportation from the ship to the
heliport. A photographer is on hand to take pictures, and cake and champagne are
waiting back at the ship. Weddings are available at the Rainforest Glacier
Garden in Juneau ($1,295), a beautiful, natural Alaskan setting in a lush
rainforest.
ANCHORS AWAY FOR A SHIPBOARD MARRIAGE
The most popular package for shipboard weddings and renewal of vows is
"Anchors Away" ($1,295), which begins at the pier on the day of
embarkation. The bridal couple and their sailing guests receive priority check
in, and are escorted to their stateroom by the wedding coordinator. The package
includes Personal Wedding Coordinator; music; a bridal bouquet of roses and
orchids and matching groom's boutonniere; wedding cake; flowers and white
linens; a bottle of champagne; professional photography and 8x10 wedding
photograph; Holland America commemorative wedding album; ceremony performed by
the Wedding Officiate and keepsake wedding certificate.
Anchors Away wedding packages are available in Fort Lauderdale. Tampa and Port
Canaveral, Fla; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Juneau, Alaska; Los Angeles, San Diego and
San Francisco, Calif.; New York City (packages in New York are $1,595), Seattle,
Wash., and Vancouver, B.C. Additional amenities such as beauty salon treatments
for the bride, tuxedo rentals for the groom, videography and a reception for
10-200 guests are available on a surcharge basis.
On Barbados, Costa Rica, Grand Cayman, Kona, Hawaii and St. Thomas, Anchors Away
packages ($1,495) include escorted transportation for the bride and groom to the
local Licensing Agent, as well as witnesses where required by law.
ANNIVERSARIES, HONEYMOONS AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS
Guests can opt for a Celebration Package ($79 per couple) that includes fresh
flowers and champagne in their stateroom upon embarkation, a special dessert in
the dining room during the cruise, a photograph in a handsome, engraved frame
and special recognition on board ship. Renewal-of-Vows packages ($99) include
invitations, flowers for the bride, photos, a hostess and master of ceremonies,
and a lovely reception with live music, wines, champagne and hors d'oeuvres,
with a surcharge of $12.50 per guest.
The on-board Celebration, Renewal of Vows and Romantic Voyage Packages are
booked through Holland America Line's Ship Services Department, (800) 541-1576.
Wedding packages start at $1,295 per couple and are coordinated by Royal Ocean
Events. Passengers should book the packages separately after confirming their
cruise bookings. Royal Ocean Events can be reached toll-free at (888) 475-5511
or (604) 940-1181.
About Holland America Line
Holland America is cruising's premium leader providing unsurpassed value,
renowned service and quality, industry leading worldwide itineraries and
responsible corporate stewardship. In 2003, Holland America's fleet of twelve,
five-star, premium ships will offer 447 premium cruises on industry-leading
itineraries to all seven continents and will sail from 15 North American home
ports. By 2006 Holland America will increase its capacity by 34 percent- and its
fleet to a total of 15 ships- with the introduction of three additional
85,000-ton, 1,848-passenger Vista Class ships, the largest ever built for
Holland America Line. The line offers the only trip cancellation program in the
industry that offers cash back for canceling for any reason prior to 24 hours
before departure.
The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world in the 2002 "Travel
& Leisure" magazine "World's Best" Awards, Holland America is
a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance. Conde Nast
Traveler magazine readers also ranked Holland America Line as the top premium
cruise line in the world in the much-anticipated 2002 Readers' Choice Awards. In
2002, for a second consecutive year, Holland America Line won four Readers'
Choice Awards from the prestigious Porthole Cruise Magazine.
For more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL
(877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Dateline: May
7, 2003
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