Holland America Line Continues Signature of Excellence
ms Westerdam Receives New Features

Seattle, 
The ms Westerdam recently launched its 2007 Europe cruise season with the unveiling of new staterooms, more shopping opportunities, a larger Pinnacle Grill and Bar, and a spectacular view for guests when they enjoy their morning latté. A new Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times, has been created at the top of the ship in a portion of the Crow’s Nest on Observation Deck.

“The recent additions are another example of how Holland America Line continues to unveil new and imaginative on-board activities, dining, and ship renovations to provide an unparalleled experience for today’s premium cruise guests,” said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer.

The first wave of innovative Signature of Excellence fleet-wide enhancements, which cost more than $225 million, was completed at the end of 2006. 

“At Holland America Line, we continually evaluate how to make our product even more relevant to today’s cruiser. This ongoing commitment to quality and innovation is our Signature of Excellence,” added Kruse. “These new concepts and venues on the Westerdam will be extended to the Eurodam upon its launch in June 2008 and to the Vista-class Oosterdam in 2008 and Zuiderdam in 2009.”

Work on the Westerdam was completed a day earlier than expected at Fincantieri Palermo Shipyard in Italy. 

Located in the Crow’s Nest, the new Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times, provides magnificent vistas while guests surf the Internet Center, read a book, listen to music, or relax with friends, sipping a specialty coffee or enjoying a tasty pastry.

The popular Pinnacle Grill alternative restaurant on Lower Promenade Deck was expanded to accommodate 136 guests. A new Pinnacle Bar separate from the restaurant was created.

One deck higher, on Promenade Deck, the former location of the Internet Center now features additional shopping areas and a small coffee bar. The Holland America Line Signature Shops have expanded and a new high-end jewelry store, the Merabella — which was first introduced on the ms Amsterdam — has been added. 

The guest capacity of Westerdam also has increased with the addition of 34 verandah and inside cabins on the aft Upper Verandah, Rotterdam and Navigation decks. The new staterooms, complete with signature amenities such as flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds, give Westerdam a guest capacity of 1,916.

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, please contact Lighthouse Travel at 800-719-9917.

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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.