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SNORKELING IN ALASKA?

04-03-2008

 2008 ALASKA CRUISE SEASON IS FULL OF SURPRISES

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 2, 2008) - Whale watching and dog sledding
in Alaska, yes; but rainforests and snorkeling? Aren't these activities
for the tropics? Have the experts who plan innovative shore excursions
in Alaska for member lines of Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA) misread the map?

It turns out that North America's most majestic northern wilderness is
only one great reason to cruise to Alaska. For thousands of vacationers,
the biggest surprise may be how many different ways there are to
experience that magnificent landscape, including underwater in a
wetsuit.

In 2008, CLIA member lines will offer a wide variety of Alaska cruises -
from small ships carrying nearly 200 passengers to the newest mega
liners. There are seven-day roundtrips and 14-day one-way voyages with
ports of embarkation all along the Pacific, from Los Angeles to Seward,
with many from Vancouver, Seattle and Juneau. Each line offers its own
distinctive character and all feature the immense natural treasures,
such as Glacier Bay, that attract visitors from around the world. These
sites are also highlighted through an amazing variety of shore
excursions and land tours ranging from crab fishing and zip-lining to
private whaling adventures and multi-day journeys throughout British
Columbia.

Here is a sampling of 2008 Alaska cruises offered by member lines of
CLIA:

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Carnival's 2008 Alaska offerings consist of 16 seven-day Glacier Route
cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit. The series of
voyages, which begin on May 21, are one-way between Vancouver and
Whittier/Anchorage and call on Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka and
cruise the College Fjord, the Island Passage and Prince William Sound.
Three departures will be roundtrip from Vancouver, visiting Juneau,
Skagway and Ketchikan.

CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Infinity, the latest Conde Nast Traveler
Readers Poll's Top-Rated Large Ship, will be in Alaska this summer and
passengers will have the option of a "Frasier Discovery" tour featuring
Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Quesnell, Whistler and Vancouver. Other
Celebrity highlights in Alaska include an "Alpine Zipline and Rainforest
Eco-tour and a "Golden Glassblowing Experience."

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America will have eight ships in Alaska, offering more than 250
varied shore excursions. In Haines, a new tour called "Guides Choice
Photo Discovery" focuses on photographing the wildlife and stunning
scenery of the Chilkat Valley. And, in Sitka and Ketchikan guests will
be able to don a wetsuit and explore the usually unseen underwater
wilderness with snorkeling gear. Another new excursion is the "Exclusive
Mountaintop Flightseeing and Crab Feast."

MAJESTIC AMERICA LINE
Majestic America Line, which offers coastal and river cruises in North
America, features seven-night Juneau roundtrip sailings and 12-night
one-way voyages between Seattle to Juneau. With just 112 staterooms and
suites, most with private verandahs, Empress of the North's intimate,
small ship experience provides unique access to the vast wilderness and
waterways of Alaska's Inside Passage. Guests enjoy five-star comfort,
luxurious amenities, enrichment programs, award-winning service and
included shore excursions in selected ports.

PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises' 2008 Alaska season features eight ships, including
five sailing the Gulf of Alaska. New for this year is the Tahitian
Princess' 14-day Connoisseur itinerary featuring less visited ports such
as Kodiak, Valdez and Seward. The line is also introducing 37 new tour
options in its Adventures Ashore program, including private whale
watching, zip-lining, a Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's tour, and an
"Alaskan Chef's Table." Princess will carry more passengers to Glacier
Bay than any other line this year.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Three NCL Freestyle Cruising vessels will return to Alaska for the 2008
season. Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star will sail seven-day roundtrip
cruises from Seattle while Norwegian Sun departs from Vancouver.
Itineraries include the Inside Passage and feature either Glacier Bay or
Sawyer Glacier, with calls in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Victoria and
Prince Rupert Island. NCL offers more than 130 adventurous shore
excursions, including gold mining, river rafting and whale watching. And
as of June 1, Freestyle 2.0-NCL's enhanced guest experience
initiative-will be implemented fleet-wide.  Enhancements include a major
investment in the total dining experience; upgraded stateroom amenities;
and new, wide-ranging on-board activities for guests of all ages.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Regent will feature numerous new tour programs on its Seven Seas Mariner
cruises in Alaska this year. In Juneau, there is a "Wild Coast
Exploration" by catamaran along glacier-carved fjords and rugged
stretches of coast. Guests may also opt for salmon fishing by
traditional 14-foot rowboat on the Campbell River in British Columbia, a
Ketchikan biking and zip-line combo and, in Sitka, an "Advanced Volcano
Hike" on the remote Kruzof Island. Along the way, whales, sea lions, sea
otters and eagles provide outstanding photo opportunities.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean will have three ships in Alaska in 2008, including
Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas. The
seven- to 14-night voyages feature more than 140 tours in the five
southeast Alaska ports of Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Icy
Strait Point. The tours include dog sledding, crab feeds and salmon
bakes, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, semi-submersibles and snorkeling,
whale watching and more.
 
SILVERSEA CRUISES
Silversea's all-suite, 382-guest Silver Shadow will be the only
ultra-luxury ship sailing Alaskan waters this year, offering ten
itineraries ranging from nine to 12 days. Several sailings feature
convenient roundtrip departures from Vancouver, with open-jaw voyages
also available from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seward. The Alaska
voyages feature a diverse enrichment program, with such noted
authorities as marine biologist John Palmisano, chef Anne Desjardins,
wine expert John Shafer and author Sabin Robbins.

For more information about the CLIA fleet's Alaska cruises, and to
locate a travel agent, considered the consumers' best resource for
booking a cruise, visit www.cruising.org.

# # #

About CLIA
The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North
America's largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the
interests of 23 member lines and participates in the regulatory and
policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe,
secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in
travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote
the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members
16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise
industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit
www.cruising.org.

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