Holland America raises the bar once again

[Jason]

Holland America Line Continues to Raise the Bar in the Premium Cruise Category Adding Several Signature of Excellence Enhancements to Its Five-Star Fleet

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SIGNATURE OF EXCELLENCE ENHANCEMENTS

As part of HollandAmerica's Signature of Excellence enhancements, guests can now choose from four dinner seating times in the main dining room. Additionally, the premium cruise leader is now providing one-to-one service in the main dining room, which ensures quicker deliver time for the delectable cuisine and even fresher meals.

New Product and Service Enhancements Put Cruise Line on Track:

SEATTLE, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Further strengthening its

position as the leader in the premium cruise category, Holland America Line

announced today that it is on track with the implementation and timing for the

Signature of Excellence initiative, with several product and service

enhancements in place on most of its fleet of five-star ships as early as this

month. Launched in November 2003, this initiative is an unprecedented,

$225 million investment focusing on five areas that are central to Holland

America's guest's experience: spacious, elegant ships and accommodations;

sophisticated five-star dining; gracious, unobtrusive service; extensive

enrichment programs and activities; and compelling worldwide itineraries. In

just five months, guests are already benefiting from new enhancements.

"At every level, Holland America employees are working hard to achieve the

objectives we set for ourselves with the Signature of Excellence initiative,"

said David A. Giersdorf, executive vice president, marketing and sales for

Holland America Line. "We set an aggressive timeline to provide details and

amenities that will ensure our guests' ultimate comfort at sea and the fact

that we've already made this significant progress demonstrates our deep

commitment to raising the bar in the premium cruise category."

Elegant Five-star Dining with an Ocean View:

On every ship, guests can now choose from four dinner seating times in the

main dining room: 5:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. This allows

guests greater flexibility to dine early or later in the evening and still

have the opportunity to take advantage of Holland America's celebrated evening

entertainment. In addition, Holland America Line is now providing one-to-one

service in the main dining room, which allows one steward to stay with their

assigned tables while an assistant steward delivers each course from the

kitchen. This ensures quicker delivery time for the delectable cuisine and

provides even fresher meals.

Now all of Holland America's guests are able to enjoy an alternative

dining experience in the Pinnacle Grill, an elegant reservations-only

restaurant celebrating Northwest cuisine and select fine wines in a romantic,

upscale atmosphere. Menus include Sterling Silver premium hand-selected cuts

of beef and fresh seafood dishes. Distinctive Bulgari china, elegant Riedel

stemware and Frette linens take the Pinnacle Grill to a level of elegant

sophistication unmatched anywhere in the premium cruise category.

New Amenities in Every Stateroom:

Staterooms now feature elegant touches such as a complimentary fresh fruit

basket to welcome every guest and stainless steel ice buckets and serving

trays for use with in-cabin beverages. Additionally, guests enjoy deluxe

cotton and terry bathrobes and premium massage shower heads in every bathroom.

All staterooms aboard the ms Zaandam and the ms Volendam have been

outfitted with premium plush Euro-top mattresses and new, high-quality white

cotton bed linens. Holland America Line is on schedule to outfit other ships

with the new mattresses and bed linens by fall of 2005.

The Suite Life:

Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse Suite guests can now take advantage of

personalized concierge service while visiting the Neptune Lounge, a private

retreat where they can relax, read and socialize.

By the end of May, Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse Suite guests across the

fleet will be further pampered with luxurious new beds. Every suite and

penthouse will be outfitted with the premium plush Euro-top mattresses which

are triple-sheeted with high-quality white cotton bed linens. To top it off,

each bed will have a comfortable duvet and new pillows.

About Signature of Excellence:

As the premium cruise leader, Holland America Line is investing

$225 million in the Signature of Excellence initiative to provide unparalleled

product and service enhancements to its fleet of five-star ships. Signature

of Excellence will build on Holland America's renowned tradition of excellence

by significantly raising the standard in premium cruising. The comprehensive

enhancements will focus on five areas central to the Holland America Line

guest experience: spacious, elegant ships and accommodations; sophisticated

five-star dining; gracious, unobtrusive service; extensive enrichment programs

and activities; and compelling worldwide itineraries. Enhancements have been

started and are expected to be completed by the end of 2006.

[Shari2]

Wow! It does sound like they are going all out! I'll have to try Holland America someday soon. I really like the new mattress thing. Sounds comfy!!!

[KeithnRita]

Zaandam--sounds good to us!