Europe Cruises the Best Value With Current Exchange Rate

Holland America Line voyages offer more ports and more savings

    SEATTLE, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- With the fluctuating exchange rate of
 the Euro, Americans looking to get the most for their money while traveling
 in Europe will appreciate the value of cruises. With only minimal shoreside
 expenses such as souvenirs, consumers have found that planning a cruise is
 a proven money-saver as well as a stress-reducer. To meet the increasing
 demand for European holidays, Holland America Line is offering diverse
 cruise itineraries and incredible savings on a premium cruise vacation
 experience for the 2007 Europe season.
     A recent comparison of a 10-day land tour versus a cruise vacation
 revealed that a family of four could save up to 45 percent by booking a
 10-day Mediterranean cruise over a 10-day deluxe escorted land vacation.
 The evaluation included typical expenses such as accommodations,
 transportation between cities in Europe, food, entertainment and tours.
 Estimated costs for a family of four totaled $11,359 for the 10-day cruise
 vacation and $20,728 for the deluxe escorted Europe land vacation.
     "When you look at the overall experience, more travelers are catching
 on to the fact that cruising, especially in Europe, is an incredible
 value," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing,
 sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. "There's no easier way to
 avoid the common travel headaches than by taking a cruise. For example,
 guests wake up in a new port each day, but only unpack once. They are
 pampered with the finest cuisine and amenities, and are able to better plan
 their expenses than on a land-based vacation."
     In 2007, the line will sail its longest Europe season ever, visiting
 more than 136 cities, including 13 maiden ports of call. European cruises
 runs from March 12 through Nov. 3, 2007, and range from 10 to 56 days.
 Holland America is cruising to more regions in Europe than ever before,
 including the Baltic, Scandinavia, Norwegian fjords, Great Britain, Italy,
 Spain, France, Croatia, Greece and the Black Sea.
     Guests seeking longer vacations in Europe can select from Holland
 America's "Collectors' Voyages" cruises of 20 to 32 days made by combining
 two shorter itineraries with little or no port repetition and significant
 discounts on cruise fares. Guests booking "Collectors' Voyages" receive up
 to 27 percent additional savings as well.
     Holland America Line currently is offering the significant savings on
 verandah staterooms. Guests can save $850 per person by booking a verandah
 stateroom for $2,199 on the 10-day, Westerdam May 10 or 30, or June 9, 2007
 cruises sailing roundtrip from Rome.
     For cruise brochures or for more information, consult a professional
 travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit
 www.hollandamerica.com.
                           - www.hollandamerica.com -
     About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc
 ( CCL and CUK)]
     Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to
 more than 320 ports. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven
 continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and
 Asia and Grand World Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the
 Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.
     In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers survey by Yesawich,
 Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of
 cruise lines sought after by affluent leisure travelers. Its recently
 completed $225 million fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements added
 features such as the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine
 - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated
 guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes
 - Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity
 areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and
 plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds. For more information, consult a travel
 agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877- 724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
     World's Leading Cruise Lines
     Among the highest-rated cruise lines in the world, 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, these 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.
     EuropeValue07
 
      Contact:  Mary Schimmelman; Rose Abello
      Phone:    206/301-5318; 206/313-7673 cell phone
      Fax:      206/262-5934   E-mail:  pr@hollandamerica.com
 
 

SOURCE Holland America Line