Holland America Line Named Best Overall Cruise Value by World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society for 19th Year

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Nov 30, 2011, 04:03 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society members named Holland America Line the Best Overall Cruise Value 2011 for the 19th consecutive year in recognition of the line's premium cruise experience.

"To continue to earn this award for nearly two decades and to be acknowledged by the members of the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society is an honor," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Holland America Line is dedicated to continuously evolving our product and our brand, and this award shows us that our guests appreciate our efforts."

WOCLS is composed of thousands of experienced cruisers who take an average of two cruises a year. The society reviews all cruise lines annually, and in its monthly Ocean & Cruise News publication noted, "Holland America Line has consistently offered their passengers a great cruise experience and their Signature of Excellence upgrades and amenities introduced fleetwide over the past few years have certainly helped them provide an extraordinary value for cruise travelers."

"Holland America Line provides its passengers with an added class and sophistication, and features numerous small touches that are either overlooked by other cruise lines or have been eliminated in cost-cutting measures," wrote Thomas Cassidy, editor of Ocean & Cruise News. "While one expects to pay more for refinement and amenities on some ships, Holland America provides these extras at only a modestly higher price. It is the ability to offer so much more for such a modest additional cost that creates this extraordinary value for cruise travelers. More affordable pricing should not always mean less quality service and touches."

WOCLS cites Holland America Line's "ships staffed with friendly Indonesian and Filipino crews, the extra effort to properly train and supervise staff, extensive choice of dinner menus in its restaurants, a variety of alternate restaurants and extra amenities such as canvas tote bags, hot hors d'oeuvres at cocktail time, a no-charge ice cream bar and later lunch hours when in port," as contributing factors to the line's selection as Best Overall Cruise Value of 2011.

Holland America Line also received top marks from the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society in the "High-Deluxe, 5-Star-Plus, Large Ships" category in the annual Best Cruise Value Awards.

For more information and cruise fares, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link at www.hollandamerica.com.

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

Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 350 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase 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 Café powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

Worlds Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.