Holland America Line Comes Home To Rotterdam
Premium Cruise Leader’s New Sales and Marketing Office Will Focus On Netherlands Market 

Rotterdam, Netherlands, February 28, 2007 – From its start 134 years ago as a Rotterdam-based shipping firm, Holland America Line – the premium cruise leader – comes home to Rotterdam today. The Seattle-based cruise line returns in grand fashion, opening a sales and marketing office considered key to increasing the company’s share of the growing Dutch cruise market.

Located in the Kop van Zuid section of Rotterdam on Wilhelmina Pier, the new office will eventually house approximately 30 Holland America Line staff members, responsible for shipboard hiring, purchasing, and sales and marketing. The new office is only 100 meters from the site of Holland America Line’s original office on Wilhelmina Pier in what is now Hotel New York.

“For a number of years, we’ve considered the benefits of an increased sales and marketing presence in the Netherlands,” noted Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer for Holland America Line Inc. “The time is right. The Dutch market is strong and shows great potential for growth, and Holland America Line’s market identity is strong as well. We expect this new office to play a significant role in increasing our share of the Dutch cruise market.”

Manuel van Engelen, Holland America Line director of sales for the Netherlands, manages the new Rotterdam sales and marketing division, supervising the creation and management of Holland America Line’s Dutch market activities. 

“When guests step aboard a Holland America Line ship, they’re stepping onto Dutch soil,” said van Engelen. “We tell our guests that our ships take a piece of Holland all over the world.”

Holland America Line intends to increase its visibility in the Rotterdam community with a program to develop community involvement opportunities in such events as the Maritime Museum, the Ronald McDonald House and more. City officials welcome the prospect of Holland America’s participation in city events and activities.

“We welcome Holland America Line’s return to Rotterdam and embrace the company as a neighbor and friend to our city,” said Ivo W. Opstelten, Lord Mayor of Rotterdam. “We anticipate a helpful partnership that will help the company achieve its business goals.”

Originally founded in Rotterdam in 1873 as Nederlandsch-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschapp (NASM), a shipping company, Holland America Line underscores its historic relationship with the Netherlands with the opening of the new office. Ships in the Holland America Line fleet have long flown the Dutch flag, serving as an ambassador to the Netherlands to more than 10 million guests. During World War II, Holland America Line ships served as the headquarters for the exiled Dutch government and after the war, a Holland America Line ship delivered the first cargo of Marshall Aid to Europe. Today, many of the fleet’s captains and officers are Dutch nationals, reflecting the Netherlands’ legacy as a seafaring nation.


About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grows to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe. The ms Noordam also will offer Caribbean sailings in the winter from new homeport New York City.

Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements feature new programs and amenities including 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 will provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by the New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds. Signature of Excellence enhancements will be completed on 10 ships at the start of 2006 and all 13 ships by the fall of 2006. For more information, consult Lighthouse Travel at 800-719-9917.


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, Costa Cruises and Windstar 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.