Holland America Line's Investment in Signature of Excellence Surpasses $425 Million

SEATTLE, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Since announcing its $225 million Signature of Excellence program in November 2003, Holland America Line has invested another $200 million to enhance its ships, expand activities and introduce more amenities to its brand. When ms Prinsendam leaves dry dock Dec. 16 with remodeled staterooms and a new Explorations Cafe, the premium line will have committed more than $425 million fleetwide.

Signature of Excellence features are evident in every aspect of the Holland America Line cruise experience, providing guests more luxurious accommodations, more enticing destinations, enhanced dining experiences, a greater variety of activities, and higher levels of personalized service.

"Signature of Excellence began as a ground-breaking initiative within the cruise industry," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "At Holland America it has since evolved into our brand promise and our company's commitment to continually invest in our product."

By December, the Holland America Line fleet will have logged more than 350 days in dry dock receiving enhancements ranging from the simple -- loading of new plush pillows -- to the structural -- adding 34 new staterooms to the aft superstructure of the early Vista-class ships. Workers will have put in more than 10 million hours on the ships.

The premium line began major changes to its first three Vista-class ships last April when ms Westerdam added 34 staterooms, a Pinnacle Bar, new shops, and an Explorations Cafe in the Crow's Nest. Similar additions will be completed on ms Zuiderdam in May 2008 and on ms Oosterdam in May 2009. The fourth Vista ship, ms Noordam, was delivered with all Signature of Excellence enhancements in place.

At year's end, Prinsendam will complete a scheduled dry dock to refurbish staterooms, expand the shopping promenade, replace carpeting and flooring, and add an Explorations Cafe and new meeting spaces.

Notable elements of Signature of Excellence include the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times and teens-only activity areas. Across the fleet, standard stateroom amenities now include flat-panel television sets, make-up mirrors, stainless-steel ice bucket and tray, high-thread-count linens, large fluffy cotton towels, deluxe bathrobes and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

Shipboard program changes include an expanded Exploration Speaker series, unique Medallion and Collection shore excursions, i-Pod art tours of all ships, new wine packages, early embarkation program, flexible As You Wish dining, expanded Pinnacle Grill menu, exclusive flatware, china and stemware in all restaurants, and a broad expansion of the Greenhouse Spa and Salon facilities and treatments.

On Half Moon Cay, the line's award-winning private Bahamian island, new shore activities were added, including a stingray adventure, horseback riding, family-friendly aqua park, and personal watercraft course. Holland America Line also created the Private Oasis at Half Moon Cay, a private bungalow extending over the water, where guests can enjoy exclusive butler service, gourmet meals, full bar service, hot tub and massage services.

-- http://www.hollandamerica.com/ --

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc ]

Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. Two-to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.

In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers survey by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of cruise lines sought after by affluent leisure travelers. Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, totaling more than $225 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds. For more information, contact a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.

World's Leading Cruise Lines

The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

CONTACT: Rose Abello PHONE: 800-637-5029 FAX: 206-262-5934 MAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com