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Raise the Bar in the Premium Cruise Category!



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 21st, 2004, 02:18 AM
Ray Goldenberg
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Default 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.


  #2  
Old May 21st, 2004, 02:42 AM
Howie
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Posts: n/a
Default 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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