SEATTLE, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will name its new 2,044-passenger Signature-class ship, ms Eurodam. To be delivered in summer 2008, the new Eurodam marks Holland America Line's next class of vessels and the largest ever constructed for the premium line. With an estimated all-in cost of $450 million, the new 86,000-ton Panamax Eurodam will be built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard.

"This will be the 80th passenger ship to sail in the company's fleet and the first ship in our illustrious history to bear the name Eurodam," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer. "We chose the name Eurodam to celebrate our European and Dutch heritage and our third century of sailing in one of the world's most popular cruising regions." The company's first ship, the ss Rotterdam, sailed her maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York City in October of 1872, 134 years ago last month.

When launched in 2008, the Eurodam will further the evolution of Holland America Line's sophisticated mid-sized ships to further define and expand the Holland America Line premium brand. With 11 passenger decks, new innovations include a topside 144-seat Pan-Asian restaurant and 50-seat lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a new specialty restaurant adjacent to the Lido offering the finest in Italian food, elegant luxury jewelry boutiques, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge with theater-style seating, and a new photographic and imaging center.

The line's renowned Explorations Cafe, powered by The New York Times will be located on the starboard side of the Crow's Nest, providing a scenic backdrop for guests wishing to enjoy specialty coffees, surf the internet and take advantage of the cafe's music listening stations.

With an additional deck, the Eurodam will have 63 new staterooms more than the latest Vista-class ship. Forty-seven will be verandah cabins and ten will be a new style of stateroom with ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall panoramic windows. In total, the Eurodam will carry 1,022 double occupancy staterooms, with 86 percent outside staterooms of which 67 percent feature verandahs.

Staterooms will continue to provide all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities: plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TVs, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets.

The Eurodam will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line; and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft.

On the technical side, the Eurodam will feature the latest state-of-the- art navigation and safety systems including dynamic positioning abilities to hold the ship in a precise position. The vessel will be powered by six diesel generators and propelled by the latest Azipod propulsion technology.

The line has an option for a second Signature Class vessel which would be delivered in spring 2010.

Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to more than 320 ports. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including 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.

In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers survey by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of cruise lines sought after by affluent leisure travelers. Its recently completed $225 million fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements added features such as 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.

SEATTLE, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1958 Holland America Line embarked on its first Grand World Voyage, circumnavigating the globe on the beloved ss Statendam IV. Fifty years later, in 2008, four Grand Voyages will commemorate the premium line's golden anniversary of worldwide cruising with two sailings each aboard the flagship ms Amsterdam and the intimate ms Prinsendam.

As the popularity of longer cruise voyages grows, Holland America Line is expanding its Grand Voyages program with four extensive itineraries in 2008 that boast a total of 320 days of cruising, 118 ports of call and 74 countries, and will sail more than 95,000 nautical miles. A 114-day true circumnavigation voyage aboard Amsterdam anchors the offerings.

Simultaneously, a 68-day Prinsendam sailing explores the continents of South America and Antarctica, followed by a 73-day journey to the exotic ports of Africa. The two Prinsendam cruises can be combined to create a 141-day adventure. On the fourth Grand Voyage offered in 2008, Amsterdam makes a 65- day fall sojourn to the Pacific Rim.

"A Grand World Voyage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many travelers, and we have 50 years of experience in delivering the ultimate in global cruising," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales for Holland America Line. "Whether on the full voyage or one of our shorter segments, guests will experience a cruise specially designed to provide a lifetime of treasured memories."

114-day Grand World Voyage sets sail on its golden anniversary

Commemorating 50 years since Holland America Line's first world cruise in 1958, 2008 marks the 44th year that a Grand World Voyage has been offered. By popular demand, the 1,380-guest, ms Amsterdam returns to world cruising Jan. 4, 2008, with a 114-day voyage featuring 39 ports in 29 countries on six continents. The itinerary comprises a true circumnavigation of the globe, cruising nearly 36,000 nautical miles round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., through the Panama Canal to the South Pacific, New Zealand, Far East, India, Arabia, Mediterranean, Black Sea and North Africa before crossing the Atlantic via Bermuda to return to North America.

Guests can choose to disembark in New York three days early on April 24 or return to Fort Lauderdale on April 27. Hundreds of optional shore excursions and an array of overland tours add color to this epic voyage, and several exciting cruise segments ranging from 16 to 58 days are available for those with less time.

In addition to classic port cities, Amsterdam visits unspoiled, lesser- known ports offering guests unsurpassed opportunities to explore the world. The itinerary features a maiden call at Phu My, Vietnam, plus eight new ports not previously visited on a Grand World Voyage including Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Fuerte Amador, Panama; Christchurch and Dunedin, New Zealand; Sochi, Russia; Sevastopol, Ukraine; Split, Croatia, and Tripoli, Libya.

The itinerary also includes overnight calls at Papeete, Tahiti; Sydney, Australia; Hong Kong, China; Singapore; Mumbai, India; Istanbul, Turkey, and Venice, Italy. Evening departures in Perth, Australia, as well as Safaga and Alexandria, Egypt, allow more time in port for guests to explore, shop and enjoy the nightlife.

Cruising highlights feature daylight passages through the Panama Canal, the 101-mile-long Suez Canal and the Bosporus Strait, plus scenic New Zealand cruising in Fiordland National Park's Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound -- a Grand World Voyage first. Guests will sail 20 different oceans, seas, bays, sounds or straits, and visit an average of one port every three days.

Majestic landscapes abound on the 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage

On the first of two Grand Voyages, Holland America Line's most intimate ship, the 793-guest ms Prinsendam, will depart on a 68-day South America and Antarctica cruise, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 3, 2008. For guests desiring to experience all that South America has to offer, the voyage will visit every key region while circumnavigating the entire continent. Prinsendam will sail nearly 18,000 nautical miles, visiting 30 ports of call in 14 countries, with overnights in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Callao (Lima), Peru, and Manaus and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The itinerary includes six ports of call in Chile, nine ports in Brazil, and a special stop at Devil's Island off the coast of French Guiana.

The voyage also includes seven full days cruising the Amazon River all the way to Manaus, the farthest upriver navigable point for ocean-going vessels, and explores Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world. Scenic cruising features the infamous Darwin and Beagle channels, Chilean Fjords, Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn, with towering glaciers at every turn.

Prinsendam then heads still farther south to spend three days cruising Antarctica, including the majestic Neumayer Channel and Lemaire Channel, known as "Kodak Gap" for its spectacular scenery. At the southern end of the channel, the ship sails past Petermann Island, where French explorer Dr. Jean- Baptiste Charcot and his crew wintered in 1909.

Before returning to Fort Lauderdale on March 11, guests will explore the Caribbean port of Barbados and the lesser-visited Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. For those with less time, shorter cruise segments between Fort Lauderdale, Callao (Lima) and Buenos Aires are available ranging from 12 to 56 days.

Breathtaking scenery and exotic wildlife await guests on the 73-day Grand Africa Voyage

Guests begin their 73-day voyage aboard ms Prinsendam March 11, 2008, from Fort Lauderdale, first visiting the unique Caribbean port of Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands before crossing the Atlantic to the remote Madeira Islands. The ship continues on to the northwestern tip of Africa before setting a southerly course toward South Africa to visit Cape Town, Durban and Richards Bay. Then it's on to Mombasa, Kenya, gateway to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring scenery and amazing wildlife. Prinsendam's Africa adventure will cover more than 20,500 nautical miles, call at 28 ports in 18 countries, with overnight stays in Cape Town and three full days in Mombasa. Late night departures in Funchal, Madeira; Durban; Victoria, Seychelles; Safaga, Egypt, and Malaga, Spain, allow ample time for shopping and exploration of some of the world's most interesting ports.

Highlights of the itinerary include a full day exploring Walvis Bay, Namibia, known for its huge natural lagoon and abundance of seabirds; two days in Cape Town with an optional African safari; a full day and late-night departure from Alexandria, Egypt, which offers plenty of time to discover the ambience, culture and heritage of the city known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean."

This cruise also is offered in two segments: 33 days on the outbound from Fort Lauderdale to Cape Town disembarking Apr. 13, or embarking in Cape Town on the 40-day return. And for those with more time, the Grand Africa voyage also can be combined with the preceding Grand Circle South America and Antarctica for an epic 141-day adventure that transits both the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 3, returning May 23, 2008.

Sail to ancient wonders and lands Down Under on the 65-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage

On this 65-day Grand Voyage, ms Amsterdam explores three diverse regions for a definitive Pacific Rim experience where guests discover the cultures, ancient treasures and natural beauty of Asia, Australia and Polynesia. Departing from Seattle on Sept. 19, 2008, Amsterdam will cruise more than 21,200 nautical miles, visit 21 ports in 13 countries on three continents, from the remote islands of Russia's eastern coast to Japan, China, Thailand and Bali, three ports in Australia and the enchanting Polynesian and Hawaiian Islands.

The itinerary features longer visits in key ports and overnight stays in Osaka, Japan; Shanghai and Hong Kong, China; Bangkok, Thailand, and Sydney, with scenic cruising in the remote Aleutian Islands and visits to lesser-known ports such as Hakodate and Miyako, Japan. Guests will have two full days to explore Hong Kong with its ample shopping opportunities, along with visits to two Australian ports, before venturing to Fiji, Samoa, the Hawaiian Islands and disembarking back in North America at San Diego on November 23. Guests also may to opt to cruise on the first or second half of this cruise with a split point in Singapore on Oct. 22, either disembarking from the 32-day westbound journey or embarking on the 33-day return voyage.

The Holland America Line enhanced cruise experience

Holland America recently enhanced its fleet with the Signature of Excellence program. Upgrades on Amsterdam and Prinsendam include Mariner's Dream stateroom amenities including luxurious beds and linens, the exclusive Neptune Lounge for suite guests, the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill dining experience and a Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine. The larger flagship Amsterdam also has the Explorations Cafe -- powered by the New York Times and an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon.

Culinary staff and guest chefs will lead cooking classes and demonstrations in the onboard Culinary Arts Center, and, as part of the Explorations Speaker Series, special guest lecturers will sail on segments of the four Grand Voyages to offer unique and enriching perspectives on regional art, history and culture. When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse shore excursions including Overland Adventures, off-the-beaten-track explorations, Signature Collection private-car touring, and exclusive Medallion Collection excursions.

Golden anniversary Grand Voyage reservations can be booked now

Reservations are now available on all four Holland America Line 2008 Grand Voyages, and early-booking bonus amenities such as free airfare, prepaid gratuities, shipboard credit, packages, luggage shipment and limousine transfers are offered when booking select stateroom categories; amenities vary by cruise and booking date.

The four Grand Voyages are available to book for the full cruise or in segments as short as 16 days. Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy and rates start at $20,999 for Amsterdam's 114-day Grand World Voyage departing Jan. 4, 2008; $13,199 for Prinsendam's 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage departing Jan. 3, 2008; $14,749 for Prinsendam's Grand Africa Voyage departing March 11, 2008; $26,599 for Prinsendam's combined 141-day Grand South America, Antarctica and Africa Voyage departing Jan. 3, 2008; and $10,499 for Amsterdam's 65-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage departing Sept. 19, 2008.

With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grew to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises to more than 300 ports. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a world cruise; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.

Having just completed a $225 million fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancement schedule, the premium line has been receiving recognition from vacationers. In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers national travel habit survey by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of luxury cruise lines affluent leisure travelers are interested in experiencing in the next two years. New features and amenities include 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 will provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

Among the highest-rated premium cruise lines 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, Costa Cruises and Windstar 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.

SEATTLE, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- When Holland America Line recently added a new Culinary Arts Center to the final ship in the fleet, all structural changes originally envisioned for the company's $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative were complete. The comprehensive Signature of Excellence upgrades announced nearly three years ago in November 2003 triggered an industry trend of fleet rejuvenations and enhancements to meet the demands of an expanding set of discriminating cruise vacationers.

Signature of Excellence features and amenities are evident in every aspect of the Holland America Line cruise experience, offering guests more luxurious accommodations, more enticing destinations, enhanced dining experiences, more creative activities and even higher levels of service.

"We invested to realize a vision, and that vision was to make our brand experience even more relevant to today's and tomorrow's premium traveler," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. "I believe we've not only delivered on our promise, but exceeded expectations."

Signature of Excellence by the numbers

All told during the two-year implementation, 12 Holland America ships spent nearly 200 days in drydock receiving enhancements such as the Mariner's Dream stateroom experience with premium comfort appointments, the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, Explorations Cafe -- powered by The New York Times, exclusive Pinnacle Grill restaurant, refurbished Crow's Nest observation lounge, expanded youth facilities and enhanced Greenhouse Spa and Salon.

A broad range of employees led by Mike Novak, vice president, marine operations, was involved in every aspect of Signature of Excellence, from conception to the final products. Novak's team oversaw the work of nearly 2,000 people, including shipyard workers, contractors and ship personnel. They tested and retested hundreds of items to ensure quality, coordinated delivery schedules and oversaw complex installations.

Other statistics on Signature of Excellence include:

• 10 million hours worked in dry dock -- the equivalent of 387 years
• 1.2 million pounds of steel installed on the ships
• 695,743 luxury items added to staterooms, from sheets to bathrobes to make-up mirrors
• 49,372 pieces of electronic equipment, from televisions to CD players, DVD players to computers, installed on the 13 ships
• 27,000 book titles added to Explorations Cafes. At one book a week, it would take more than 500 years to read them all
• If you stacked all the new Euro-Top plush mattresses end on end, they would reach 18,985 feet high -- just 1,300 feet lower than the summit of Alaska's Mt. McKinley
• 254 nautical miles of electrical cable installed on the ships -- enough to reach from Ft. Lauderdale to just off shore of Half Moon Cay, Holland America's private Caribbean island
• 170 new ways to explore destinations on Medallion/Signature excursions. 60 nationalities represented by people working in the shipyards -- a virtual United Nations

More excellence to come

The premium line also is making additional enhancements to the first three Vista-class ships, carrying on the spirit of Signature of Excellence. The fourth Vista-class ship, ms Noordam, was delivered in February with all Signature of Excellence enhancements installed, including an Explorations Cafe and Pinnacle Bar. These venues, which have been enthusiastically received by guests on Noordam and the rest of the fleet, will be added in the next few years to ms Westerdam, ms Zuiderdam and ms Oosterdam. Those ships also will receive new aft staterooms, increasing their guest capacity to 1,918 -- the same as Noordam. All of these changes go beyond the original scope of the Signature of Excellence program. The spirit of excellence also is reflected in the new namesake Signature-class ship, which will be named in the near future and debut in the summer of 2008.

SEATTLE, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's constantly connected world, guests aboard Holland America Line ships will soon be able to use their own personal cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to stay tied to family, friends and business associates while cruising on one of the line's premium cruise ships.

The service is currently available on the ms Volendam and will be operational on all ships by March 2007. Guests will simply make and receive calls and use text messaging as they would on land with their personal cell phone. Phones and PDAs must be activated for international dialing with the guest's home provider, but otherwise no special codes or software is needed. International roaming fees apply to all shipboard cell phone calls or messages and appear on the guest's personal cell phone bill.

"Staying connected is a way of life for most of us, our guests included," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. "Now, whether cruising with Holland America Line in Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska or sailing around the world, our guests can connect at sea anywhere at anytime." Holland America Line's new cell phone service utilizes SeaMobile's proprietary technology, a sophisticated IP/software based solution that works with any type of wireless phone. Worldwide roaming agreements established by SeaMobile provide transparent connectivity for wireless services with billing provided by the guest's home carrier.

About SeaMobile Enterprises

A dominant global service provider, SeaMobile Enterprises provides satellite connectivity and enhanced services to over 250 vessels and land based operations, including the major cruise lines. Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a SeaMobile company, already provides VSAT satellite connectivity and manages the internet cafes on board Holland America Line ships. Services include mobile phone service, wireless service for PDAs and laptops, access to printed versions of more than 350 daily newspapers, live television, Internet cafes and much more. The company has offices in Seattle, WA, Miramar, FL, London, England, and Paris, France. For more information, visit www.seamobile.com and www.mtnsat.com.

With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grew to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe. The ms Noordam also offers Caribbean sailings in the winter from new homeport New York City.

Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements feature new programs and amenities including 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 will provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by the New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds. Signature of Excellence enhancements are now complete on the entire fleet.

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, Costa Cruises and Windstar 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.