Holland America Wins More Awards

Seattle, WA, September 5, 2008 –Taking home more awards than any other company in the cruise category, Holland America Line has won nine Magellan Awards—three gold and six silver—from Travel Weekly Magazine.

“We are proud of our accomplishments and winning this number of awards is a testament to our leadership position in the premium market,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.  “We are honored to win in nine different categories. Our mission is to provide guests with a once in a lifetime experience, every time.”

Holland America won three gold awards: ms Eurodam, Premium Ship category; 2007/2008 Campaign, Advertising/Marketing Campaign category; ms Prinsendam, Mid-Size Cruise Ship category.

Six silver awards were won: Verandah Balcony Stateroom, Premium Ship Cabin Design category; Penthouse Verandah Suite, Premium Ship Suite Design category; Tamarind, Premium Ship Restaurant Design category; Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Premium Ship Spa Design category; Website, Cruise Marketing Website category.

“These awards reflect our commitment to offer an unparalleled cruise experience,” said Meadows. “And, our investment in Signature of Excellence is growing with more enhancements planned across the fleet including new amenities and innovative programs.”

The industry-leading Signature of Excellence initiative announced nearly five years ago in November 2003 has evolved into an ongoing and comprehensive review of every aspect of the Holland America Line experience.  The line recently announced another $200 million investment bringing the total to $525 million.

This marks the first year of Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards honoring the best in travel.  The travel trade magazine caters to travel professionals. The magazine employed an independent panel of travel professionals as judges for the awards. Less than 10% of entrants were selected for gold medals. Award winners receive a statuette and will be featured in the September issue.

Holland America Line is consistently rated as a top cruise line by Condé Nast Traveler readers and Travel & Leisure magazine. The line has won a Best Overall Cruise Value award for the past 16 years from the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society’s Ocean & Cruise News and has been recognized for multiple awards over the years by readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine. Last year, the line received a Green Planet award for outstanding environmental practices from Kuoni Switzerland.

Website : www.hollandamerica.com       

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)] 

Holland America Line’s fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.  A 15th ship is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase 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 provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds. 

World’s Leading Cruise Lines

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 and Costa 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.