HAL Amsterdam to receive Enhancements

[Jason]

ms Amsterdam Seventh Holland America Line Ship to Receive All Signature of Excellence Enhancements

Seattle, November 10, 2005 – Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam recently completed a drydock to receive all of the company’s $225 million Signature of Excellence product and service enhancements. Physical ship upgrades included the addition of the Exploration Café — powered by the New York Times, Culinary Arts Center presented by Food and Wine Magazine, a teens-only Loft and Oasis lounge and deck area, refurbishment of the Crow’s Nest observation lounge, and an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon.

The Amsterdam is Holland America Line’s seventh ship to receive the Signature of Excellence enhancements. The ms Ryndam, ms Prinsendam, ms Zaandam, ms Rotterdam, ms Westerdam and ms Statendam have been transformed by Signature of Excellence. The remaining ships already feature soft good and service enhancements and will receive major public area additions later this year and during 2006 in scheduled drydocks.

The Amsterdam also has all new cabin amenities such as plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds, flat screen TVs, DVD players and deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes. Other items featured in staterooms are magnifying make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional hair dryers, and complimentary fruit basket.

“More than half the fleet is now fully equipped with all Signature of Excellence enhancements,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales, for Holland America Line. “These additions and upgrades have been well received by all. Guest satisfaction with the ships and service has never been higher.”

Highlights of the recently added upgrades are:

The Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where more than 60 celebrated chefs and culinary experts per year will provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in the new state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen. Guests in the audience can get an up-close view of the cooking action on large, plasma screens, while other guests also may watch these events from the comfort of their staterooms.

The new Explorations Café – powered by The New York Times offers guests an opportunity to sip coffee, browse through one of the most extensive libraries at sea, enjoy a wide selection of music at one of several listening stations or surf the Internet. They also can work The New York Times’ crossword puzzles and access “TimesTalks” events and the NYTimes.com website.

Younger cruisers now enjoy supervised, age-specific activities in a more comprehensive Youth Program and expanded Club HAL® designed for kids ages 3 to 12. The younger ones can enjoy creative activities at art tables, watch big-screen television and play on a fun slide. Older kids, ages 8 to 12, have an area featuring arcade games, air hockey, foosball, Karaoke, Internet access and Sony Playstations.

Teens, ages 13-18, can enjoy The Loft, a teens-only lounge designed to resemble a New York artist’s loft. It connects via a special passageway to a secluded, teens-only sun deck called The Oasis, which features a waterfall and wading pool.

Under the Signature of Excellence initiative, the Amsterdam also adds elegant amenities in each stateroom including premium Euro-Top Mariner’s Dream Beds, deluxe waffle and terry cloth bathrobes, flat-panel televisions, DVD players and complimentary fresh fruit bowls.

Dining choices now include the Pinnacle Grill restaurant, featuring Pacific Northwest fare and fine wines, and four dining times in the main dining room.

The expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon features more treatment rooms, a thermal suite and hydro-pool, as well as a new spacious fitness facility. In addition, the salon features an accessible treatment room so all guests may enjoy the facility.

Source: Holland America Line Inc.