HAL's History of Award-Winning Service!

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


Signature of Excellence Initiative Bolsters Holland America's Long
History of Award-Winning Service

New Enhancements Continue to Define World-class Service Levels in the
Premium Cruise Category

SEATTLE, March 31
Holland America Line announced today that, as part of its Signature of
Excellence initiative, it will continue to enhance its award-winning
service by providing even more ways for guests to feel pampered during
their cruise experience. Building on its long "Tradition of
Excellence," Holland America Line is taking the concept of attentive,
unobtrusive service to a new level by offering onboard access to an
exclusive, world-renowned spa, health club and salon; more
personalized service in the main dining room; a convenient new tipping
program and the option to take advantage of the industry-leading Early
Embarkation program. In addition, suite guests will benefit from
24-hour telephone concierge services and Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse
Suite guests will enjoy the luxurious Neptune Lounge.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040331/SFW091 )
"The foundation of Holland America's award-winning service is the
careful balance of always being nearby but never intrusive," said
David A. Giersdorf, Holland America's executive vice president,
marketing and sales. "Our gracious crew members dedicate themselves to
serving each and every guest and are the best in the industry at
recognizing and delivering on the guest's priorities and wishes."

With a history of more than 130 years of luxury at sea, each staff
member is committed to an elegant tradition of service. Guests enjoy
the highest staff-to-guest ratio of any major cruise line. As a
result, Holland America Line has been recognized as the highest-rated
premium cruise line by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Travel +
Leisure and The World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS).

Refresh, Relax and Rejuvenate at Sea

Travelers who are looking embrace sensory indulgence will be able to
relax and rejuvenate at the spacious Greenhouse Spa and Salon. The
famed land-based spa, already on board Holland America's Vista-class
ships, will be added to all ships in the five-star fleet in the next
24 months. To accommodate the variety of Greenhouse Spa and Salon
features, facilities will be expanded, adding several treatment rooms,
a thermal suite and a hydro-pool.

The Greenhouse Spa and Salon also features a large, well-appointed
fitness facility with the latest exercise equipment. Guests can enjoy
the breathtaking panoramic ocean view while staying fit with
state-of-the-art Cybex fitness equipment or participating in classes
such as Mat Pilates, Pathway to Yoga, Cardio Ki-bo Circuit Training
and spinning. There is a nominal charge for some of these classes.

Round-the-Clock Suite Life

With the addition of one-touch 24-hour telephone concierge service for
all suite and mini-suite guests, a concierge can take care of any
number of the guest's needs including reservations for shore
excursions, car rentals, the Pinnacle Grill, the Greenhouse Spa and
Salon and more. The service will debut on the ms Zaandam this spring
and will be available on all ships by the end of 2005.

Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse Suite guests can also take advantage of
personalized concierge service while visiting the Neptune Lounge, a
private retreat where they can relax, read and socialize. Currently
available on eight ships, the industry-leading concierge lounge will
be added to all ships across the fleet within the next year.

Dining Service Gets Even More Personal

A notable addition to Holland America's gracious, worldly hospitality
and service is taking place in the main dining room. Now Holland
America Line is providing new, one-to-one service in the main dining
room, which will allow one steward to stay with their assigned tables
while an assistant steward delivers each course from the kitchen. This
not only ensures quicker delivery time for the delectable cuisine, but
the freshness of meals will be enhanced as well.

Enhanced Tipping Service Makes Guests' Experience Easier

In response to an overwhelming number of guests who have requested
guidance on tipping and an easier way to reward Holland America's
excellent service, the cruise line will automatically include a
nominal gratuity of $10 per guest, per day for dining and stateroom
services on the guest's shipboard account. Guests are able to make
adjustments at the end of the cruise by contacting the front desk.
Separately, a 15% service charge will be automatically added to bar
and beverage charges. This new tipping policy will go into effect this
spring.

Stellar Service Before the Journey Even Begins

Guests can now experience Holland America's unmatched service before
the ship even leaves port. The recently-announced Early Embarkation
program allows guests to board as early as 11:30 a.m. Deluxe Verandah
Suite and Penthouse Suite guests who choose to participate in Holland
America's Early Embarkation program will now be able to take advantage
of the amenities and services in the Neptune Lounge before being
escorted to their accommodations.

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 2006.

About Holland America Line (a division of Carnival Corporation and plc
(NYSE: CCL - News and CUK)

In 2004, Holland America Line'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 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.

WHERE ARE YOUOOOOOO JIM L. MORE SPAM FOR YOUOOOOOOOO.

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On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 15:33:23 -0800, Ray Goldenberg
wrote:

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