Ms Statendam Sixth in Line To Receive Signature of Excellence Enhancements

Seattle, May 31, 2005 – The ms Statendam is the latest Holland America ship to acquire all of the company’s $225 million Signature of Excellence product and service enhancements ranging from cutting edge facilities in the ship’s public spaces to luxurious amenities in every stateroom. The transformed Statendam began sailing its summer Alaska season on May 13 with such enhancements as the innovative Culinary Arts Center and upgraded youth facilities.

The Statendam is Holland America Lines’ sixth ship to receive the Signature of Excellence enhancements. The ms Ryndam, ms Prinsendam, ms Zaandam, ms Rotterdam and ms Westerdam have been transformed by Signature of Excellence. The remaining seven ships will receive the enhancements in fall 2005 and during 2006.

“As each ship acquires Signature of Excellence enhancements, guest feedback is incredible,” said Rick Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales, for Holland America Line. “Guests love all these new features and services, from the premium Euro-Top mattresses to the innovative Culinary Arts Center. Holland America’s goal is to redefine premium cruising with Signature of Excellence, and our guests are enthusiastically endorsing this effort.”

Meadows noted that the Rotterdam and Westerdam just acquired Signature of Excellence enhancements in April, and Holland America has been receiving rave reviews from guests as the two ships began their summer Europe cruise schedule. The Statendam now features the full breadth of Signature of Excellence enhancements on its seven-day Alaska cruises this summer:

Among the highlights of the recently added upgrades are:
• Resembling the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs, the Culinary Arts Center features an innovative theater-style venue. The state-of-the-art “show kitchen at sea” has large plasma video screens to display overhead and close-up video views of the food preparation, and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn new cooking techniques and dishes. Holland America Line recently announced a new partnership with Food & Wine magazine for guests to experience culinary demonstrations by top chefs provided by the publication.

• 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.

• Under the Signature of Excellence initiative, the Statendam also adds elegant amenities in each stateroom including premium Euro-Top mattresses, 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 exclusive Greenhouse Spa and Salon features more treatment rooms, a thermal suite and hydro-pool, as well as a new spacious, well-appointed fitness facility.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
In 2005, Holland America Line's fleet of 12, five-star, premium ships are offering nearly 500 cruises from 27 home ports - 17 in North America. Itineraries range in length from two to 116 days, visit all seven continents and offer the most extensive selection of ports the line has ever visited on cruises to the Caribbean and Panama Canal (175), Alaska (134), Canada/New England (18), and longer, exotic voyages to Europe (45), Mexico (43), Hawaii/Asia/Pacific (20), South America (17), and Transatlantic (8), as well as one Grand World Voyage. Recipient of the prestigious International Five Star Diamond Award from The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and the Best Cruise Value Award from the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society, Holland America Line excels at providing consistent gracious and attentive service.

As a part of its renowned Tradition of Excellence, Holland America Line is investing $225 million in the Signature of Excellence initiative providing unparalleled product and service enhancements to its fleet. The comprehensive enhancements focus on five areas vital to Holland America Line's 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 on all ships and will be completed by the end of 2006.