Holland America Line today announced a partnership with well-known Master Chef Rudi Sodamin to serve as culinary consultant for the company�s fleet of five-star ships. Sodamin will be a driving force behind the enhancement of Holland America�s already superb dining experience and will spearhead the creation and development of a new line of signature menu items as part of the company�s unprecedented $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative. �Chef Sodamin has a long history in the cruise industry and is highly respected as a culinary innovator and leader,� said Stein Kruse, president and chief operating officer of Holland America Line.

Through his consulting company, Food Sensation Enterprises, Chef Sodamin will work with Holland America Line�s newly created culinary department, headed by Steve Kirsch, director of culinary operations, to help solidify and elevate its renowned dining at sea. Chef Sodamin brings more than 25 years of experience � including an extensive background in the cruise and hospitality industries � to this role.

�We are excited to have a person of Rudi�s caliber assisting us in further developing and enhancing our dining experience,� continued Kruse. �Rudi�s passion, expertise and knowledge of both cuisine and the cruise industry will be tremendous assets to Holland America Line.�

In 2002 Chef Sodaminfounded Food Sensation Enterprises which offers full-service, end-to-end creativity, logistics, leadership and training for food industry businesses. Prior to founding Food Sensation Enterprises, Sodamin spearheaded and tested the first line of proprietary branded food products and menus for a cruise line, in the cruise industry�s first test kitchen.

At the age of 23, Chef Sodamin was appointed as Chef de Cuisine on the Norwegian America Cruise Line�s luxury liner Vistafjord, becoming the youngest chef in the cruise industry to attain that level of responsibility. He also spent 12 years at Cunard Line as vice president of food and beverage, as well as serving as that company�s corporate executive chef. Over his career Sodamin has published eight cookbooks internationally and with international affiliations such as Academy Culinair de France, Master Chef Society and Club de Chefs des Chefs, Sodamin is widely regarded as the leading chef on the seven seas.

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About Holland America Line In 2004, Holland America'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 such as Alaska (139 cruises scheduled), the Caribbean (191), Europe (58) and Canada/New England (26).

Holland America excels in service, amenities and special programs. Known for consistent and attentive service, its ships have one of the highest staff-members-to-guest ratios. 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 provides cash back for canceling for any reason prior to 24 hours before departure. For more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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.

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Media Conatact: Mary Schimmelman +1 206-301-5318 mschimmelman@hollandamerica.com