SEATTLE, Feb. 11 -- Holland America Line, one of the largest
cruise operators in the world, estimates that the total economic impact
benefiting the state of Florida by the company and its passengers was $150.6
million during 1996.

The company's direct expenditures totaled $40 million. Its cruise guests
are estimated to have spent $1.3 million. The company paid $17,258,000 in
commissions to 1,924 Florida travel agents. The company employed 110
Floridians during 1996, with a payroll of $867,445. In addition, the crew
members on board its ships are estimated to have spent $840,000. This amounts
to a total direct economic impact of $60,252,966.

When the commonly accepted economic multiplier of 2.5 is applied -- to
reflect the "ripple effect" in the local communities -- the total economic
impact is estimated to be $150,632,415.

Holland America Line's ships operate from Florida ports primarily in the
fall/winter/spring season, with one ship based nearly year-around in Port
Everglades. During 1996, Holland America Line embarked a total of 172,346
passengers aboard six ships operating from Port Everglades and one ship
homeported in Tampa. Ten percent of the line's passengers are estimated to
have spent time sightseeing and shopping in Florida.

Holland America Line does business with 950 business partners in the state
of Florida, primarily in the Ft. Lauderdale, Miami. and Tampa/St. Petersburg
areas, purchasing everything from flowers and foodstuffs to cleaning and
marine supplies.

Holland America Line is one of the four largest cruise companies in the
world and the second most profitable in the industry. Holland America Line
has won the "Best Value in Cruising" award from the World Ocean & Cruise Liner
Society for the last five years and the 1996 and 1997 Onboard Overall Service
award from Onboard Services magazine.