Holland America Line's ms Ryndam Receives Latest Signature of Excellence Enhancements

SEATTLE, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line's ms Ryndam recently sailed with several new enhancements on its seven-day western Caribbean cruises sailing from Tampa, Florida.  The premium ship just completed a 17-day dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas, and now features the new, stylish lounge called Mix, a sophisticated Showroom at Sea with several new productions, the complimentary Italian eatery Canaletto, and a complete new stateroom and bath design.

"We are in the midst of an extensive and exciting phase of our Signature of Excellence enhancements program," said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs at Holland America Line. "As the most recent ship to receive the new public areas and soft goods, the Ryndam looks wonderful and our guests will feel like they are sailing on a new ship.

"Our Signature of Excellence investment reaffirms our ongoing leadership by continually raising the expectations of our premium category," Meadows added.

Public Areas Feature Latest Innovations

During dry dock, Canaletto, an Italian restaurant that was introduced aboard ms Eurodam, has been added and comes to life for dinner when a section of the Lido is transformed with glass partitions and an Italian ambiance.  Dishes range from putanesca to penne alla vodka.  Although there is no charge to dine in the alternative venue, reservations are suggested.

Nightlife on board Ryndam just got more exciting with the reconfiguration of the existing Casino and Piano bars into Mix, a multi-themed area with three separate bars: Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales, serving their namesakes. Next door, the high-energy casino was redesigned and the main show lounge was transformed into the Showroom at Sea with the ambience of a glamorous nightclub and a new slate of shows.  Other public areas around the ship also were refurbished and received new carpeting, and an upscale luxury jewelry shop called Merabella also was added midship to the enhanced main shopping area.

Staterooms Receive New Look and New Spa Category

Completing the enhancements, all Ryndam's staterooms received new carpeting, soft goods and completely renovated bathrooms with new vanities and cabinetry.  Sixteen staterooms near the spa (on Verandah deck) became "spa staterooms" featuring a variety of enhanced amenities. Each offers exclusive items such as organic cotton bathrobe and slippers, yoga mat, water fountain, special room service menus and treatments, and more.

Explorations Team Expands the Exclusive Activities on Ships

The Explorations Program -- onboard Ryndam and all Holland America Line ships -- features a team of specialists with an expanded menu of programs to educate and entertain guests. Each team consists of a Party Planner, LifeStylist, Travel Guide, "Techspert" and Dance Director. On cruises lasting 14 days or more, a book club leader also joins the team. 

The Party Planner host events in the Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, significantly expanding the innovative program which brings more than 70 culinary experts on board each year, in addition to demonstrations and classes held on every sailing. As the destination expert on board, the Travel Guide is the one-stop source for port-of-call information. The "Techspert" leads classes in the Digital Workshop, powered by Windows®, teaching guests how to blog, work with digital photos arrange a digital scrapbook, create a slideshow or edit a movie.  Other activities range from dance lessons to wine tasting, floral arranging and craft classes.  The LifeStylist leads the Mind, Body and Spirit Program.  Developed in cooperation with the Greenhouse Spa, the program focuses on many forms of well being.

Signature of Excellence tops $525 Million

The industry-leading Signature of Excellence initiative is an ongoing and comprehensive program that touches every aspect of the Holland America Line experience and the investment now exceeds $525 million. Signature of Excellence features and amenities offer guests more luxurious accommodations, enhanced dining experiences, more enriching activities and exceptional levels of service.

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

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

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 108-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, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.  A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet on July 4, 2010.

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 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.  

World's Leading Cruise Lines

The highest-rated premium cruise line 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 and Costa 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.  

SOURCE Holland America Line