HAL Helps TAs Who Lost Houses In Fires!

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I received this press release from Holland America and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.

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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
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Holland America Line Helps Travel Agents Who Lost Houses In San Diego
Fires

Seattle, December 17, 2003
Holland America Line has helped four travel agents impacted by the
devastating San Diego fires. After hearing of the agents' losses, A.
Kirk Lanterman, Chairman and CEO of Holland America Line, provided
funds to help until insurance premiums or federal grants become
available.

"You realize how small the world can be when people you know and work
with over the years are affected by tragedies such as this fire," said
A. Kirk Lanterman, Chairman and CEO, Holland America Line. "It's
devasting for anyone to lose their home. Travel agents are like family
and we want to help."

Travel agents Nicole Fitzpatrick, Carefree Vacations/San Diego Travel
Group; Jane Gary, Anderson Travel Del Mar; and Sandy Shelver, Casa De
Oro Travel, lost their homes and received $1,000 to help. Robin
Nelson, AAA Southern California in La Mesa, had four family members
lose homes and each received $250. San Diego District Sales Manager
Lucy Lusk had heard of the travel agents' plights and notified
Lanterman.

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
Line'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, and in some cases construction build-outs, have been
started and are expected to be completed by the end of 2005.


About Holland America Line
In 2004, Holland America's fleet of 13, five-star, premium ships will
offer nearly 500 sailings from 15 North American home ports, 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 and ms Oosterdam. In April 2004, the third Vista sister,
ms Westerdam joins the fleet. The fleet will visit all seven
continents in 2004, while increasing the number of cruises to popular
destinations such as Alaska (139 cruises scheduled), the Caribbean
(191), Europe (58) and Canada/New England (26).

Holland America excels in service, amenities and special programs.
Known for consistent and attentive service, its ships have one of the
highest staff-members-to-guest ratios. Spacious staterooms average 25
percent larger and verandahs twice as large as those on other lines'
ships. Menus are among the most extensive at-sea. Dining choices
include formal elegance, alternative 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 (WOCLS), the line offers
the only trip cancellation program in the industry that provides cash
back for canceling for any reason prior to 24 hours before departure.
For more information, consult a professional travel agent.

The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world in the 2003 Travel
& Leisure magazine "World's Best" Awards, 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,
the member 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. Conde Nast
Traveler magazine readers also ranked Holland America Line as the top
premium cruise line in the world in the much-anticipated 2003 Readers'
Choice Awards.