If sledding with huskies in Juneau, exploring the wild Yukon in Skagway, and searching for bears in Ketchikan sound like perfect thrill-seeking journeys, guests aboard Royal Caribbean International's Alaska cruises are in for some new adventures, courtesy of the line's recently introduced shore excursion offerings.
With more than 135 tours available in Southeast Alaska alone, Royal Caribbean's Explorations! program encourages guests to discover Alaska, and other Royal Caribbean ports-of-call, in unique and unexpected ways. Shore excursions are offered for guests of all ages, and at every activity level, for virtually every Royal Caribbean cruise itinerary.
Click "more" for highlights of the 2007 Alaska shore excursion offerings. Now is the perfect time to book your Alaska cruise, so call us at 888-286-9827 today!
*Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau) - By helicopter, guests can view crevasses and glacier-carved peaks from above, and, by land, experience awe-inspiring scenery while sledding through the natural beauty of Alaska, all under the direction of the Mendenhall Glacier dogsled camp.
*Photo Safari by Land & Sea (Juneau) - During a breathtaking journey through the waterways of Juneau's Channel Islands, guests can capture the attractions and marine wildlife through photography lessons with a professional coach.
* Yukon Exploration & White Pass Scenic Railway (Skagway) - Guests travel by motor coach along the Skagway River Canyon over the summit of White Pass into Canada's scenic and historic Yukon Territory. Following the footsteps of the original gold seekers, guests explore the popular Yukon sites of Pitchfork Falls, the White Pass Summit and Dead Horse Gulch. Travel back to Skagway on the White Pass and Yukon route railroad for a scenic and historic rail journey.
*Glacier Point Wilderness Safari (Skagway) - Visitors travel through deep fjords, rain forests and majestic mountains on a guided wilderness safari. Their adventure includes a catamaran cruise through Alaska's deepest fjord, a nature walk offering breath-taking views of the Davidson Glacier tumbling into the lake below, and canoeing amid blue icebergs.
* Anan Creek Bear Watch (Ketchikan) - Available to a limited number of guests, this exclusive excursion transports passengers by float plane to one of the most coveted bear-viewing venues in Alaska. Few natural settings provide a unique wildlife expedition as remote and beautiful as Anan Creek.
* Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure (Ketchikan) - Travelers can immerse themselves in Alaska's sea world when they snorkel the calm and clear waters of Mountain Point, while observing multicolored sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers and giant sunflower stars. 
Holland America Line highlights Mexico's Sea of Cortez in 2008 by increasing to 15 the number of 10-day cruises it offers aboard the ms Ryndam through this spectacular area -- four more than in 2007. These cruises combine exceptional wildlife viewing and pristine natural beauty with the opportunity for shore excursions to such scenic treasures as Mexico's famed Copper Canyon.The Ryndam also will sail three Mexican Riviera cruises of varying lengths in 2008, while the ms Oosterdam will continue its popular, seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises, sailing a total of 28 in 2008. Total, Holland America Line will offer 46 Mexico cruises sailing roundtrip from the convenient homeport of San Diego in 2008.
The San Diego departure pier is just minutes from the city's airport and close to the downtown shopping and old town areas, allowing guests to explore the city on embarkation day or chose one of Holland America Line's pre- or post-cruise hotel options.
We should have the details on the new itineraries on the Cruise Planners site soon, until then you'll be able to find additional information by clicking on "more" below or call us at 888-286-9827.
10-day Sea of Cortez Cruises
The 1,258-guest Ryndam features 10-day itineraries to the Sea of Cortez in both spring and fall 2008, when the best wildlife-watching opportunities occur. The ship sails eight cruises from February 5 to April 15 and seven cruises October 12 to December 11. Guests visit the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Topolobampo, Loreto, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
Holland America Line continues to be the only premium cruise line sailing the Sea of Cortez and the only line visiting Loreto and Topolobampo. Loreto features the historic San Javier Mission, founded in 1697 as Mexico's first Jesuit mission, and Topolobampo offers an exclusive, full-day excursion to Mexico's magnificent Copper Canyon. Only accessible by train, Copper Canyon's scenic rail journey is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular in the world and climbs from the sea to 7,200 feet above sea level and includes lunch at the Posada Barrancas.
Other intriguing shore excursions range from snorkeling at Los Islotes (home to a sea lion colony) near La Paz to sport-fishing for tuna, marlin and billfish in Cabo San Lucas. Cruise fares start at US$999 per person, double occupancy.
Seven-day Mexican Riviera Sailings
In 2008 the 1,848-guest Oosterdam offers seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises departing Saturdays January 5 through April 19 and October 4 through December 27, including two holiday sailings. Guests have a full day in each port of call: Cabo San Lucas with its sea kayaking, whale-watching and snorkeling/diving opportunities; Mazatlan, famed for its beautiful beaches and resort flair; and Puerto Vallarta, where bustling markets and fine shops complement colonial charm.
Guests also enjoy three relaxing days at sea when they can pamper themselves at the Oosterdam's Greenhouse Spa and Salon and laze in the sun around the ship's two outdoor swimming pools. The ship accommodates families well with its comprehensive Youth Program including Club HAL for kids ages 3 to 12 and The Loft, a teens-only lounge. Cruise fares start at US$649 per person, double occupancy.
More Mexican Riviera Sailings
In addition, the Ryndam sails three Mexican Riviera cruises. The ship features a 12-day sailing April 25, 2008 from San Diego to Vancouver, BC, which calls at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas before cruising up the West Coast. Cruise fares start at US$1,299 per person, double occupancy.
On September 24, the Ryndam sails the reverse itinerary from Vancouver to San Diego on an 11-day Mexican Riviera cruise, calling at the same ports except La Paz. Cruise fares start at US$1,099 per person, double occupancy.
The Ryndam then offers one seven-day day Mexican Riviera cruise on Oct. 5, 2008, which highlights Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, before beginning its 10-day, fall Sea of Cortez sailings. Cruise fares start at US$749 per person, double occupancy.
For the holidays, the Ryndam will sail a 14-day cruise Dec. 21, 2008 and visits Manzanillo, Acapulco, Santa Cruz (Huatulco), Puerto Chiapas, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Loreto, and Cabo San Lucas. 
es Dec. 23, 2006, topping the world record the South Florida seaport set three years ago. That is enough cruise passengers to fill one-hundred 747 jumbo jets and is equivalent to approximately one-quarter of the population of Fort Lauderdale, FL, the main city in Broward County where the port is located.
Though the previous world record was set by the port on Dec. 21, 2003, with 44,108 passengers sailing on 15 ships, this new record occurred with only 13 cruise ships.
“Ironically, because cruise ships are getting bigger, we were able to break our own world record this year with fewer ships than when Port Everglades originally set the record three years ago,” said Port Director Phillip C. Allen. “People may not realize that Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, but it is really obvious on a day like today.”
If docked in a row from bow to stern, the cruise ships in port today would measure 9,555 feet – more than six times the height of the Sears Tower in Chicago and the length of approximately 32 football fields. Together, the combined gross registered tonnage (grt) will equal 928,467, which is approximately 30,000 grt higher than when Port Everglades set the last world record with15 cruise ships.
“This clearly illustrates the economic benefits that the cruise industry brings to Broward County,” says Broward County Mayor Josephus Eggelletion, Jr. “Cruise lines provide direct employment for more than 8,000 people including office staff, entertainers, ticket agents, shore staff, line handlers and dock workers, ship suppliers, etc. In addition, cruise passengers fly into our airport, eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores and often extend their vacations to stay in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. Broward County is fortunate to have one of the world’s most popular and busiest cruise ports.”
The cruise ships that were in port on Dec. 23 include: Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Liberty, Costa Cruises’ Costa Magica, Cunard Line’s QM2, Discovery Cruise Line’s Discovery Sun, Holland America Line’s Volendam and Zuiderdam, Imperial Majesty Cruise Line’s Regal Empress, Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess and Star Princess, Royal Caribbean International’s Enchantment of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas, and Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Pride. In addition, SeaEscape Cruises’ Island Adventure will sail in the evening on a cruise to nowhere.
Port Everglades is the world’s second busiest cruise homeport with 3.6 million passengers expected during 2007. Nearly 40 cruise ships and 15 cruise lines call at Port Everglades, including: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Discovery Cruise Lines, Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, Holland America Line, Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaEscape Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. Older Articles »
