SEATTLE, June 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Guests on
Holland America Line's award-winning Alaska Land+Sea Journeys can
now experience new dining, entertainment and amenities at the
Denali Square complex located in the heart of the company's
McKinley Chalet Resort at the gates of Denali National Park. To celebrate today's
grand opening, Holland America Line presented the Denali Borough
School District with a $20,000 check
that will be spent on modernizing interactive classroom
technology.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7363857-holland-america-denali-square/
Holland America Line President Orlando
Ashford welcomed attendees to Denali Square and unveiled the
geomarker that was installed to commemorate the opening of the
facility. Special guests included U.S. Senator for Alaska Lisa
Murkowski; Superintendent of Denali
National Park and Preserve Don Striker; Denali Borough
School District Superintendent Dan
Polta; and Ken Karstens,
grandson of Harry Karstens, first
superintendent of Denali National
Park and namesake of the new Denali Square restaurant,
Karstens Public House. Carnival Corporation President and CEO
Arnold Donald and Holland America
Group Chief Executive Officer Stein
Kruse also attended.
"For nearly 70 years Holland America Line has been at the
forefront of Alaska exploration,
and the opening of Denali Square is another exciting moment in our
company's history because it elevates the way our guests will
experience Denali and Alaska,"
said Ashford. "A complex like Denali Square is unrivaled in our
industry, and it brings more facets of the region to our guests by
showcasing local cuisine, art, entertainment and so much more.
Denali National Park has been and
will continue to be the centerpiece of our incredible Land+Sea
Journeys."
A highlight of the ceremony was a performance by the local
Tri-Valley High School choir from
Healy, Alaska. Husky dogs from the
National Parks Service at Denali National
Park were also at the event with handlers for guests to
learn more about and enjoy.
Over the past three years Holland America Line has been refining
the guest experience at the 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort, and
last year an enhanced property layout and freshly remodeled guest
rooms were unveiled. Holland America
Line's Land+Sea Journeys feature up to three nights at
Denali, with an included Tundra Wilderness Tour deep into the Park
for all multiple night guests.
Alaska-based companies heading
up the McKinley Chalet Resort's enhancement project include general
contractor Dawson Construction and Stantec, which is providing
engineering services. Additional firms involved are lead and
landscape architect The Portico Group, restaurant architect
Heliotrope Architects, structural engineering company Michael
Leonard Associates and project manager Costigan Integrated, all of
Seattle, Wash.
About Denali Square
Denali Square is at the heart of
the 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort, which provides accommodations
for guests on Holland America Line's Land+Sea Journeys, which
combine an Alaska cruise with an
overland tour to Denali National
Park and beyond. Denali Square is centrally located between
the main part of the property, containing the reception hall,
dining facilities and guest rooms, and the riverfront guest rooms
that provide stunning views of the Nenana River.
Denali Square serves as a new gathering area to relax, shop,
dine and enjoy music and entertainment. The largest building in the
complex is Karstens, the grand 7,000-square-foot two-story
restaurant showcasing views of the neighboring mountains for dining
guests. An inviting deck with fire pits and outdoor seating also
allow guests to immerse themselves in this special venue as they
drink and dine. Denali Square is best described as both a hub and a
retreat for Holland America Line guests at the doorstep of
Denali National Park.
At the center of Denali Square is an amphitheater with a covered
performance stage and bench seating for guests to enjoy a variety
of local shows, ranger talks and demonstrations. Those wanting to
quench their thirst or listen to live music can visit Gold Nugget
Saloon, home to the Music of Denali Dinner Theater.
Denali Square also features cozy fire pits to gather around on
cool Alaska evenings and make
s'mores; outdoor seating for guests who wish to enjoy the scenery;
retail shops offering local goods; and an artist-in-residence cabin
where Alaska native and local
artists display and discuss their works. Walking paths in and
around Denali Square show off the property's mountainous landscapes
and beautiful setting nestled just across the Nenana River from
Denali National Park.
For more information about Holland America Line, contact a
travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or
visit hollandamerica.com.
Editor's note: Photos are available at
https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/ye01vnxw.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland
America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online
Communities quick link on the home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland
America Line's fleet of 14 ships
offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98
countries, territories or dependencies around the world. From
shorter getaways to 115-day itineraries, the company's cruises
visit all seven continents with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations and exotic
Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; and
popular sailings to the Caribbean,
Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal. The line
currently has a new 2,650-guest ship, ms Koningsdam,
delivered in April 2016, as well as a
second Pinnacle Class ship, ms Nieuw Statendam, due for
delivery in November 2018.
The company recently announced $300
million in brand enhancements to secure its position as the
leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships feature innovative
initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on
destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand
their knowledge on board at the Culinary Arts Center, presented by
Food & Wine magazine; Explorations Café, powered by The
New York Times; and Digital Workshop
powered by Windows. Outstanding entertainment fills each evening at
venues including Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and
B.B. King's Blues Club. The dining
experience can be savored at a variety of restaurants with menus
that feature selections from Holland America Line's esteemed
Culinary Council that comprises world-famous chefs who design
dishes exclusively for our guests.
CONTACT:
|
Sally
Andrews
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029
|
EMAIL:
|
pr@hollandamerica.com
|
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SOURCE Holland America Line