Holland America Line has launched its 2008 Worldwide Cruise Holidays brochure six weeks ahead of schedule in a bid to stimulate early bookings.
The brochure, which features 120 itineraries, was launched before an audience of 150 travel agents who visited Holland America’s ship Veendam in Dover last week (see Americas4u director Andrew Winstanley’s report for the Travel Weekly Blog).
The 74-page brochure features an expanded European programme with six ships covering areas including the Mediterranean and Greek islands next year.
The 2,044-passenger Eurodam, which will join the cruiseline in 2008, is also featured. Ten-night Baltic cruises out of Copenhagen will be offered on the vessel for 2008.
There will be nine ships based in Alaska for summer 2008, a destination which Holland America sales and marketing director Lynn Narraway said is becoming increasingly popular with the British market. Last year Holland America had eight ships based in Alaska.
Narraway said: “We launched our 2008 programme earlier than ever to enable agents to get some early 2008 bookings. Having doubled our sales in 2007, we are looking forward to a successful year with new agent partners.”
A preview brochure, launched in May, has led to the cruiseline increasing forward sales by 28% compared with last year.
There are still agent places to visit Holland America’s ship Rotterdam on August 22 in Harwich. To book a place, call 020 7940 4470.
Picture: From left, Caroline Manders, Sing Live; Erin Walsh, Holland America Line; Mandy Oldknow, Travel Counsellors; Sophie Matthews, Holland America Line