HollandAmerica.com Press Room
02-12-2004, 05:26 PM
Posted by HollandAmerica.com Press Room on November 02, 2001 at 14:45:02:
SECURITY IS TOP PRIORITY ABOARD THE SHIPS OF HOLLAND AMERICA LINE AND WINDSTAR CRUISES
Seattle, Sept. 28, 2001 -- In response to the
recent attack on America, Holland America
Line and Windstar Cruises assure their guests
and travel agent associates that the safety and
security of its guests and crew is the company's
highest priority.
Company management is in continual
communication with all ships, where all
operations and on-board programs are
proceeding as scheduled.
Holland America/Windstar has no reason to
believe its ships are at risk, however the
company has taken every possible precaution
in implementing a comprehensive on-board
security program. A heightened level of security
remains in effect.
"Cruise ships are inherently secure because
they are a controlled environment with limited
access," said Stein Kruse, senior vice
president, marine operations. "Under normal
circumstances, security programs are stringent,
but in light of recent events, we have
strengthened those programs even further."
Holland America/Windstar, and other cruise
lines, work closely with local, state, federal and
international authorities, including the port
authorities where the ships call, the U.S. Coast
Guard, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service, U.S. Customs Service, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and Interpol.
Holland America/Windstar's on-board security
program has been developed in conjunction
with the consulting firm, International Maritime
Security Co. of London, England. Ship-specific
security plans have been implemented. All
on-board security officers are professionally
trained law enforcement officers. In addition,
IMS continually updates Holland America with
worldwide security advisories.
Additional security measures affecting cruise
passengers include, but are not limited to, the
following: increased inspections of luggage and
carry-on bags; additional security personnel
and controls, canine inspections, and the use of
metal detectors for embarking guests and
crew.
Photo identification is required for all guests,
crew members and any visitors who may be
permitted to board any ship by advance
authorization. The following documents are
required for all passengers:
U.S. Citizens -- A passport or birth
certificate (original or certified copy) plus
a photo ID card issued by a federal, state
or local government agency are required.
A voter registration card or Social
Security card are not considered to be
proof of citizenship. Children under 16
years of age do not require a photo ID
card.
Non-U.S. Citizens -- Valid passport and
visa (when needed) are required in
addition to Alien Registration Card (ARC
or "Green" card) if an individual is a
Resident Alien living in the United States.
Certain Canadian and Mexican citizen
may travel with alternative documentation
depending on their alien status in the U.S.
For customs and immigration purposes,
guests also are required to have
necessary visa, passport and other travel
authorization documents based upon
their nationality and country of residence.
Holland America/Windstar advise that there will
be strict enforcement of required identification
and nationality/travel papers.
The company also advises that embarkation
and disembarkation may take longer than usual
in order to accommodate additional security
procedures and guests should plan their flights
accordingly.
"The tragic incidents have been a solemn
reminder that we must remain constantly alert
and ensure that every possible precaution is
taken to protect our passengers, ships and all
employees. We have undertaken these
additional security measures, and others, to
ensure a safe, secure and comfortable vacation
experience for our guests," said Kruse. "We
thank all of our travel agent associates and
customers for their patience and understanding
during this time."
SECURITY IS TOP PRIORITY ABOARD THE SHIPS OF HOLLAND AMERICA LINE AND WINDSTAR CRUISES
Seattle, Sept. 28, 2001 -- In response to the
recent attack on America, Holland America
Line and Windstar Cruises assure their guests
and travel agent associates that the safety and
security of its guests and crew is the company's
highest priority.
Company management is in continual
communication with all ships, where all
operations and on-board programs are
proceeding as scheduled.
Holland America/Windstar has no reason to
believe its ships are at risk, however the
company has taken every possible precaution
in implementing a comprehensive on-board
security program. A heightened level of security
remains in effect.
"Cruise ships are inherently secure because
they are a controlled environment with limited
access," said Stein Kruse, senior vice
president, marine operations. "Under normal
circumstances, security programs are stringent,
but in light of recent events, we have
strengthened those programs even further."
Holland America/Windstar, and other cruise
lines, work closely with local, state, federal and
international authorities, including the port
authorities where the ships call, the U.S. Coast
Guard, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service, U.S. Customs Service, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and Interpol.
Holland America/Windstar's on-board security
program has been developed in conjunction
with the consulting firm, International Maritime
Security Co. of London, England. Ship-specific
security plans have been implemented. All
on-board security officers are professionally
trained law enforcement officers. In addition,
IMS continually updates Holland America with
worldwide security advisories.
Additional security measures affecting cruise
passengers include, but are not limited to, the
following: increased inspections of luggage and
carry-on bags; additional security personnel
and controls, canine inspections, and the use of
metal detectors for embarking guests and
crew.
Photo identification is required for all guests,
crew members and any visitors who may be
permitted to board any ship by advance
authorization. The following documents are
required for all passengers:
U.S. Citizens -- A passport or birth
certificate (original or certified copy) plus
a photo ID card issued by a federal, state
or local government agency are required.
A voter registration card or Social
Security card are not considered to be
proof of citizenship. Children under 16
years of age do not require a photo ID
card.
Non-U.S. Citizens -- Valid passport and
visa (when needed) are required in
addition to Alien Registration Card (ARC
or "Green" card) if an individual is a
Resident Alien living in the United States.
Certain Canadian and Mexican citizen
may travel with alternative documentation
depending on their alien status in the U.S.
For customs and immigration purposes,
guests also are required to have
necessary visa, passport and other travel
authorization documents based upon
their nationality and country of residence.
Holland America/Windstar advise that there will
be strict enforcement of required identification
and nationality/travel papers.
The company also advises that embarkation
and disembarkation may take longer than usual
in order to accommodate additional security
procedures and guests should plan their flights
accordingly.
"The tragic incidents have been a solemn
reminder that we must remain constantly alert
and ensure that every possible precaution is
taken to protect our passengers, ships and all
employees. We have undertaken these
additional security measures, and others, to
ensure a safe, secure and comfortable vacation
experience for our guests," said Kruse. "We
thank all of our travel agent associates and
customers for their patience and understanding
during this time."