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Raise the Bar in the Premium Cruise Category!
Hi Everyone,
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. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com Holland America Line Continues to Raise the Bar in the Premium Cruise Category Adding Several Signature of Excellence Enhancements to Its Five-Star Fleet New Product and Service Enhancements Put Cruise Line on Track SEATTLE, May 20 Further strengthening its position as the leader in the premium cruise category, Holland America Line announced today that it is on track with the implementation and timing for the Signature of Excellence initiative, with several product and service enhancements in place on most of its fleet of five-star ships as early as this month. Launched in November 2003, this initiative is an unprecedented, $225 million investment focusing on five areas that are central to Holland America's guest's experience: spacious, elegant ships and accommodations; sophisticated five-star dining; gracious, unobtrusive service; extensive enrichment programs and activities; and compelling worldwide itineraries. In just five months, guests are already benefiting from new enhancements. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040520/SFTH090 ) "At every level, Holland America employees are working hard to achieve the objectives we set for ourselves with the Signature of Excellence initiative," said David A. Giersdorf, executive vice president, marketing and sales for Holland America Line. "We set an aggressive timeline to provide details and amenities that will ensure our guests' ultimate comfort at sea and the fact that we've already made this significant progress demonstrates our deep commitment to raising the bar in the premium cruise category." Elegant Five-star Dining with an Ocean View On every ship, guests can now choose from four dinner seating times in the main dining room: 5:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. This allows guests greater flexibility to dine early or later in the evening and still have the opportunity to take advantage of Holland America's celebrated evening entertainment. In addition, Holland America Line is now providing one-to-one service in the main dining room, which allows one steward to stay with their assigned tables while an assistant steward delivers each course from the kitchen. This ensures quicker delivery time for the delectable cuisine and provides even fresher meals. Now all of Holland America's guests are able to enjoy an alternative dining experience in the Pinnacle Grill, an elegant reservations-only restaurant celebrating Northwest cuisine and select fine wines in a romantic, upscale atmosphere. Menus include Sterling Silver premium hand-selected cuts of beef and fresh seafood dishes. Distinctive Bulgari china, elegant Riedel stemware and Frette linens take the Pinnacle Grill to a level of elegant sophistication unmatched anywhere in the premium cruise category. New Amenities in Every Stateroom Staterooms now feature elegant touches such as a complimentary fresh fruit basket to welcome every guest and stainless steel ice buckets and serving trays for use with in-cabin beverages. Additionally, guests enjoy deluxe cotton and terry bathrobes and premium massage shower heads in every bathroom. All staterooms aboard the ms Zaandam and the ms Volendam have been outfitted with premium plush Euro-top mattresses and new, high-quality white cotton bed linens. Holland America Line is on schedule to outfit other ships with the new mattresses and bed linens by fall of 2005. The Suite Life Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse Suite guests can now take advantage of personalized concierge service while visiting the Neptune Lounge, a private retreat where they can relax, read and socialize. By the end of May, Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse Suite guests across the fleet will be further pampered with luxurious new beds. Every suite and penthouse will be outfitted with the premium plush Euro-top mattresses which are triple-sheeted with high-quality white cotton bed linens. To top it off, each bed will have a comfortable duvet and new pillows. 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'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 have been started and are expected to be completed by the end of 2006. About Holland America Line (a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL; CUK) 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 like Alaska (139 cruises scheduled), the Caribbean (191), Europe (58) and Canada/New England (26). Holland America Line excels in service, amenities and special programs. Known for consistent and attentive service, its ships have one of the highest staff members to guest ratio. 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 offers cash back for canceling for any reason prior to 24 hours before departure. For more information, consult a professional travel agent. World's Leading Cruise Lines 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. |
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Raise the Bar in the Premium Cruise Category!
Ray Goldenberg wrote: Hi Everyone, I received this press release from Holland America and thought it would be of interest. Holland America Line Continues to Raise the Bar in the Premium Cruise Category Adding Several Signature of Excellence Enhancements to Its Five-Star Fleet lol Howie |
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