Holland America Puts Twist on Homeport Cruises

[Jason]

SEATTLE, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line today announced that

its 2005 deployment schedule includes more than a dozen extended voyages

(12 days and longer) that will allow guests to visit exotic international

locales including the Amazon, Australia, Asia, the Baltics and Africa from

North American homeports. Holland America's 2005 deployment schedule features

13 international cruises ranging from 12 to 116 days that sail round-trip from

North America.

The only major cruise line to sail regularly to all seven continents and

the industry leader in cruises 12 days and longer, Holland America Line offers

a compelling combination of international destinations and convenient domestic

departure points. This means that guests can board one of Holland America's

elegant five-star ships at a North American homeport, take an extended cruise

across the Atlantic or Pacific, through the Panama Canal, or on the Amazon

River, and return to a North American homeport -- in many cases, the same port

they departed from. This new twist on extended voyage cruising is part of the

company's $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative and provides

travelers with more stress-free options to visit other parts of the world than

ever before.

"We have a longstanding and unwavering commitment to not only take our

guests to global destinations, but really take them into those destinations,"

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

added benefit -- and one which our guests find very appealing -- is that they

can sail to exotic destinations with us, yet never have to deal with overseas

air travel. We're making longer voyages extremely convenient to experience for

our guests, and this combination of exotic travel and convenience is just one

of many ways we differentiate on our itineraries."

One example of a Holland America Line extended voyage is an itinerary in

which guests depart on the ms Veendam in Vancouver and sail south to Costa

Rica, then through the Panama Canal, and up the Amazon River before

disembarking in Tampa, Florida. The entire trip takes 34 days. This cruise

departs on September 25, 2005, and has a starting "early savings" fare of

US$5,019.

Other exciting extended voyage itineraries that depart from and return to

a North American homeport include:

-- The 35-day "Transatlantic" voyage on the ms Maasdam will depart from

Boston on July 16, 2005. Guests will experience the beauty of multiple

Canadian, North Atlantic and European destinations including New

Brunswick, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Holland, France,

England and Ireland on this Atlantic crossing. The Maasdam will return

to Boston on August 20. This voyage has a starting rate of US$6,219.

-- The 62-day "Orient Explorer," which departs from Seattle on October 6,

2005 on the ms Amsterdam. This Pacific Rim adventure visits 20 ports

beginning in the Aleutian Islands and Russia's Far East before heading

south to Japan and South Korea. The Amsterdam then visits Indonesia and

sails around Australia before heading back east across the Pacific to

San Diego. This unique voyage features extended stays in multiple

ports including: Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan; Singapore; Xingang, People's

Republic of China; and Hong Kong. The extended stay at the busy port

city of Xingang provides two full days so guests may travel to Beijing

and take in the rich legacies including the Forbidden City, the Ming

Tombs and the serpentine Great Wall before returning to the ship. On

the homeward leg of the voyage, guests will visit Sydney and the "Paris

of the Pacific," Noume'a, New Caledonia; then stop at Christmas Island

and Hawaii before returning to San Diego on December 7. This voyage has

a starting rate of US$10,349.

-- The 26-day "Amazon River Explorer," which departs Ft. Lauderdale on the

ms Prinsendam on November 24, 2005. On this journey, guests will cross

the equator and sail back in time during a full week of remote cruising

on the Amazon River. In addition, guests will visit the black sand

beaches of St. Kitts; stop at Holland America's exclusive private

island, Half Moon Cay; and take in the sites of Barbados, Guadeloupe,

Grenada and Devil's Island in French Guiana. This cruise on the

Prinsendam returns to Ft. Lauderdale on December 20 and has a starting

rate of US$4,749.

-- Those sophisticated travelers who desire the ultimate travel experience

in true luxury can sail on the premium line's renowned Grand World

Voyage, which departs January 13, 2005 out of Ft. Lauderdale on the ms

Prinsendam. This voyage heads west and circumnavigates the world,

arriving back in Ft. Lauderdale or New York 113 and 116 days later,

respectively. On this journey, guests will visit 43 distinctive ports

of call across five continents (not including North America):

Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa and Central/South America. Known as the

"Elegant Explorer," Holland America's most intimate ship, the

Prinsendam, was designed expressly for smaller groups experiencing an

extended voyage and can access smaller ports of call, off the beaten

path. The Grand World Voyage provides guests with a great opportunity

to fully enjoy the world from a "home away from home" in the comfort of

the ship's spacious, elegant accommodations.

All of the above North American round-trip itineraries feature Holland

America's unique exploration enrichment program, which includes the

Explorations Guest Speaker Series; an on-board library; Internet access;

films; music; and other multimedia on worldwide destinations. These options

provide guests with the opportunity to learn about the history, culture, art

and cuisine of each region.

"We realize that every guest has a different perspective on extended

cruise travel," said Giersdorf. "Our objective is to accommodate each and

every guest in a way that is unique and memorable for that individual. We

believe that our unparalleled selection of itineraries, combined with the

convenience of round-trip North American homeport travel, is a great way to do

this."

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.

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

(NYSE: CCL; CUK)]

In 2004, Holland America Line's fleet of 13, five-star, premium ships will

offer nearly 500 sailings from 15 North American homeports, including new

departures from Norfolk, VA; Baltimore, MD; and Boston, Mass. Recent

additions to the fleet include the 1,848-passenger Vista ships ms Zuiderdam,

ms Oosterdam, and ms Westerdam. The fleet will visit all seven continents in

2004, while increasing cruises to popular areas like Alaska (139 cruises), the

Caribbean (191), Europe (58) and Canada/New England (26).

Holland America Line excels in service, amenities and special programs.

Known for consistent and attentive service, its ships have one of the highest

staff members to guest ratio. Spacious staterooms average 25 percent larger

and verandahs twice as large as those on other lines' ships. Dining choices

include extensive menus with formal elegance, specialty dining in the Pacific

Northwest-themed Pinnacle Grill, casual fare and complimentary 24-hour room

service.

The winner of the 10th consecutive "Best Overall Cruise Value" award from

the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, the line offers the only trip

cancellation program in the industry that offers cash back for canceling for

any reason prior to 24 hours before departure. For more information, consult

a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit

http://www.hollandamerica.com.