Holland America Line’s Touring Explorer Coach

Holland America Line’s Touring Explorer Coach
Visits Witte Travel & Tours
The only stop in West Michigan

Learn why Alaska and the Yukon are a Favorite Cruise and CruiseTour Destination

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, – Holland America Line’s popular Explorer Coach Program is back by popular demand and features three beautiful touring coaches. The Explorer Coaches departed October 2007 to tour the United States promoting Holland America Line’s 2008 Cruises and CruiseTours to Alaska and the Yukon. Seminars and events will be held onboard on one of these Coaches at Witte Travel & Tours, 3250 28th Street S.E. in Grand Rapids, March 5 at 1:15pm, 2:30pm, and 5pm. Seminars are interactive, educational and show off the stunning features of Alaska and the Yukon. It’s a moving piece of art - fun, unique and educational. Seating is limited and guests must RSVP to Witte Travel.

Between 12noon and 12:45pm on March 5, the media is invited to tour the coach.

“We are pleased to have three Explorer Coaches touring the Western, Central and Eastern regions of the United States this year,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Lines. “Travel Consultants and their clients have responded positively to the tour.

“The timing for this event couldn’t be better, says Lorna Elve, Marketing Manager for Witte Travel. There’s good availability for Alaska cruises and cruise tours for 2008. We’re excited to offer prospective travelers a clearer picture of the comfort offered on Holland America Line’s Alaska CruiseTours right here in our parking lot!”

In 2007, three new coaches joined the fleet and 36 existing vehicles were retrofitted, updated and improved to the standards set by the new coaches. Seating on motor coaches operating on the Great Land and Direct-to-Denali tours were reduced from 54 to 45, providing 50 percent additional legroom – equivalent to the legroom on a domestic first-class flight. All coaches were equipped with leather seats with a fabric insert containing the Holland America Line logo, aisle carpeting and a mini-galley offering cold snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Each coach has six new LCD monitors and every seat is equipped with a headset and eight-channel audio. For those traveling with electronic equipment, the convenience of a battery charging station is located in the galley.

The first Holland America Line Explorer Coach tour, then called the Moose Mobile, toured 27 states between January and April 2005 and proved to be a resounding success. The motor coach, essentially a traveling piece of artwork, was driven across the United States by a native Alaskan husband and wife team who conducted seminars and travel agent events along the way. To accommodate demand, three identical motor coaches beautifully wrapped with a dramatic Alaska backdrop depicting a whale, moose or bear, depart each October for three to five month tours, depending on the region.

2008 Alaska Cruises and CruiseTours
This year, Holland America Line celebrates its 60th anniversary as the leader in Alaska travel with eight premium ships offering a total of 156 cruises in 2008. These include 59 sailings on three ships home-ported in Seattle and 97 cruises on five ships based in Vancouver, BC. Holland America’s comprehensive CruiseTours indulge guests with a relaxing north or southbound cruise aboard five-star ships and exciting land travel via the luxury, domed McKinley Explorer® railcars and custom-built, highway Explorer Coaches.

Witte Travel & Tours is a retail vacation travel agency and a tour operator. The company, locally owned and operated by Henry I. (Henk) Witte, was established in Ada, Michigan in 1975. Witte’s staff includes over 35 travel professionals with a combined experience of over 300 years. Witte travel is a member in good standing of many business and professional organizations and associations; among them the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau of West Michigan, Cruise Lines International Association, the National Tour Association, the American Society of Travel Agents, the International Airlines Travel Agent Network, and the International Federation for Choral Music. In addition, many of Witte Travel’s staff members have earned Certified Travel Consultant and Destination Specialist designations from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.