Holland America Line's ms Eurodam to be Named in Rotterdam in July 2008

SEATTLE, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will hold the official naming ceremony for it's first Signature-class ship, ms Eurodam, July 1, 2008, in Rotterdam, the city where the 135-year-old Dutch company was founded.

Naming ceremonies will be held near the company's original headquarters, which now operates as the Hotel New York. Numerous events and activities are being planned to showcase the vessel to key stakeholders, including past guests, travel agents, former employees, local dignitaries, media and others. The ship arrives Jun. 29 to begin four days of celebrations and departs Jul. 2 for a three-day prelude cruise with its first guests.

"We are planning a very special celebration in our founding city," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer, Holland America Line. "For us, it's a homecoming and we expect tens of thousands Holland America Line supporters to be on hand as we proudly welcome Eurodam into service."

In the days leading up to the naming, the Eurodam will sail from Venice, Italy, to Southampton, England, before arriving in Rotterdam. In both cities, events will be held to showcase the ship, first with Fincantieri Shipyard and Holland America Line celebrating the ship's completion in Venice. In Southampton, travel agents, past guests, media and local dignitaries will visit the ship during luncheons, overnights, and receptions to honor the new vessel.

A day after the naming ceremonies, the Eurodam will embark on a prelude cruise and maiden voyage. The three-day prelude cruise departs July 2 from Rotterdam sailing to Copenhagen, Denmark, and calling at Hamburg, Germany. Kruse is scheduled to sail aboard the prelude cruise. Guests booked on the prelude cruise will have an opportunity to attend the naming ceremonies as a pre-cruise excursion.

The 10-day round-trip maiden voyage departs from Copenhagen, Denmark, July 5 and calls at Oslo, Alesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger, Norway; Newcastle Upon Tyne, England; and Edinburgh (via South Queensbury) -- the premium line's second highest rated port of call -- and Invergordon, Scotland. Newcastle -- a maiden call for Holland America Line -- offers 2,000 years of history and a picturesque backdrop with its location on the left bank of the River Tyne. The two cruises can be combined into a 13-day voyage.

Eurodam Expands Premium Offerings

With one more deck than Holland America Line's 10-deck Vista-class ships, the Signature-class Eurodam will feature three alternative dining venues, including a new pan-Asian restaurant with panoramic views. The Explorations Cafe -- powered by The New York Times -- will be located on deck 11 on the starboard side of the Crow's Nest. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a new specialty restaurant adjacent to the Lido offering fine Italian food, new atrium bar area, and an enhanced and reconfigured show lounge with theater-style seating.

Following its inaugural Europe season, the ship will sail its first trans-Atlantic cruise, followed by a series of Canada/New England sailings in the fall before deploying on Caribbean itineraries for the remainder of 2008.

Cruise fares for the maiden voyage begin at $2,474 per person, double occupancy. The prelude cruise starts at $599 per person. Guests combining both the maiden voyage with the prelude cruise receive a $100 per person discount. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.

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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 Café 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 EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com