SEATTLE, March 27 -- Canoe rides, jet boat rides, treasure
hunts, crafts sessions and hikes through a rainforest -- these are some of the
adventures that will challenge and fascinate youngsters this season on Holland
America Line's Alaska cruises.

For the youth aboard Holland America's 1996 Inside Passage and Glacier
Discovery cruises, gliding aboard a luxury cruise ship through some of the
world's most beautiful scenery will not be the extent of their journey. With
six exciting, new shore excursions developed exclusively for them, Holland
America provides opportunities for youngsters to explore the wilds of Alaska
and experience some of its traditions.

"Families account for 15 to 20 percent of our Alaska cruise passengers,"
said Jack Anderson, senior vice president, marketing/sales. "This is a
vacation for the children as much as it is for the adults. With these new
shore excursions, we are providing our young cruisers with an educational
adventure and a rewarding vacation."

Holland America Line will be the only cruise line in Alaska to offer the new
shore excursions that are designed expressly for youngsters in two age groups:
6-12 and teens. The excursions, intended to educate and entertain, range
between two and four hours and will be offered in Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka.
Prices for the excursions range between $24 and $72. A Holland America Line
youth coordinator or naturalist will accompany youngsters on each of the
excursions.

Holland America Line has won the "Best Cruise Value" award from the World
Ocean & Cruise Liner Society for the last four years and the 1996 Onboard
Overall Service award from Onboard Services magazine.

Ketchikan

Jet Boat Tour with Loring Hike: This four-hour excursion combines an active
hike with the excitement of a jet boat ride from the outskirts of Ketchikan to
Naha Bay and the remote community of Loring. A high-speed jet boat zips
youngsters past remote homes, accessible only by water. At Loring, a local
guide takes the youth on a private trail hike through the rugged coastal
rainforest and teaches them about the wildlife of the Tongass National Forest.
This excursion is recommended for teenagers and costs $57 per passenger.

Heritage Center Totems/Crafts: This tour begins with a brief ride through
downtown Ketchikan on the way to the Totem Heritage Center, where 19th-century
totem poles are preserved and native crafts are kept alive. Children will
learn about 100-year-old totem poles and other Native American history and
engage in native craft making. The ship's youth coordinator accompanies
youngsters ages 6 to 12 on the two-and-a-half hour shore excursion, which
costs $24 per passenger.

Juneau

Mt. Roberts Hike with Tram: This active three-and-a-half-hour shore
excursion takes teens up one of downtown Juneau's "backyard mountains" on a
trail few visitors get a chance to see. A guide tells hikers about Juneau's
gold mining history and the 100-plus miles of tunnels right under their feet.
Participants will hike to the Mt. Roberts tram terminal, above tree line. The
trail winds and climbs under the dense canopy of the rainforest, crossing
streams and emerging from the trees near the tram terminal, where hikers take
the tram back down to the Juneau waterfront. Hikers receive a snack and a
waist pack. The ship's naturalist joins the excursion, which costs $53 per
passenger.

Alaska Treasure Hunt: This four-hour excursion begins on board the ship,
with materials distributed prior to arrival in Juneau. Youngsters from ages 6
to 12 identify, track and gather natural "Alaska treasures" and share stories
of their finds. The hunt takes place in and around Juneau, focusing on unique
and interesting areas, such as Mendenhall Glacier, Auke Bay Laboratory, the
University of Alaska and nature trails and beaches. Kids are transported by
van and accompanied by a guide and the ship's youth coordinator. A disposable
camera is included to enable kids to bring home treasures that will not fit on
the ship. This shore excursion costs $67 per passenger.

Sitka

Bald Eagle Raptor Center: This tour takes kids to the Alaska Raptor
Rehabilitation Center, which treats injured eagles and other raptors. The
excursion includes a tour of the facility's mews, gallery and clinic, where
kids get "hands on" experience caring for a raptor. Participants get to make a
record of what they learn and take home photos. The ship's youth coordinator
accompanies this tour for children ages 6 to 12. This shore excursion lasts
three hours and costs $28 per passenger.

Blue Lake War Canoe: Leaving Crescent Harbor by bus, guests ride along the
shoreline of Sitka Sound and Silver Bay, as the driver gives a historical
overview of Sitka. The scenic road winds up into a narrow mountain valley to
a bluff overlooking Blue Lake. Participants then board a 37-foot Indian-style
canoe and explore the lake and shoreline. Everyone gets a paddle so they can
help. A short nature hike and an Alaska snack of smoked fish, clam chowder
and sourdough rolls with wild berry jams precedes the return canoe ride back
to the bus. Life jackets and rain ponchos are provided. The ship's
naturalist accompanies this excursion. Lasting three-and-a-half hours, this
shore excursion is designed for teens and costs $72 per passenger.