HAL's New Noordam Handover!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Fincantieri 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


PRESENTED IN MARGHERA THE CRUISE SHIP “NOORDAM”
28/01/2006

PRESENTED IN MARGHERA THE CRUISE SHIP “NOORDAM”

Today, at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Venice) there was the
presentation of the passenger ship “Noordam”, ordered by Holland
America Line, a brand of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s
leading cruise operator. Representing Fincantieri there was the
Chairman, Corrado Antonini, the Deputy Chairman, Roberto Tana, and the
Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe Bono while Carnival Corporation &
plc was represented by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Micky
Arison and Holland America Line by its President and Chief Executive
Officer, Stein Kruse.The “Noordam” is the last of four vessels which
Fincantieri has built for Holland America Line. The “Zuiderdam”, the
prototype of the “Vista” series, was delivered in November 2002, the
“Oosterdam” in July 2003, the “Westerdam” in April 2004.Ships in the
"Vista" class, at about 82,000 gross tonnes and with a length of 290
metres, have a maximum capacity of 3,200, 2,400 passengers and 800
crew members, and a cruising speed of 22 knots. They are the flagships
of Holland America’s fleet, the Line’s most advanced vessels with high
prestige décor.

Moreover, the ships have innovative external lifts on both sides and
spacious luxury cabins, 85% of which have a sea view. Compared to
other ships in the “Vista” class the “Noordam” has an extra 35 cabins
and differs in some respects in her interior solutions, which were
drawn up following Holland America Line’s “Signature of Excellence”
programme, thus to a certain extent the ship gives a preview of the
characteristics of the new 86,000 gt “Signature” class , whose
prototype will be built in Marghera with delivery scheduled for summer
2008.

Including the “Noordam”, Fincantieri has built thirty four ships for
the various Carnival brands in almost fifteen years, and from now
until 2010 a further fourteen vessels (including two options) will be
built in the shipyards of Monfalcone, Marghera and Sestri Ponente for
six different brands in the group. In economic terms this brings
Fincantieri revenues of twenty billion dollars.

Today, Fincantieri’s share of the world market for cruise ships stands
at 52%.