SEATTLE, Nov. 5 -- Tennis star Chris Evert will be the official
"godmother" for Holland America Line's newest cruise ship, the ms Volendam, at
a dedication ceremony Nov. 12 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

"We are deeply honored to have an internationally-known athlete of Chris
Evert's stature participate in the dedication of our new ship," said A. Kirk
Lanterman, chairman and CEO. "The godmother of a cruise ship is always very
special, and in this instance particularly so since the growing numbers of
Baby Boomers who will sail on board the Volendam are very familiar with Chris
Evert's tennis career and can personally identify with her."

In conjunction with the ship dedication, Holland America Line is presenting
Chris Evert Charities Inc. with a donation of $25,000. Chris Evert Charities
devotes its efforts to fighting drug abuse and assisting neglected, drug
exposed and abused children and women.

Chris Evert, 44, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, was ranked the number one woman
tennis player in the world for seven years. One of the first top players to
rely on a two-handed backhand, she gained recognition as a teenaged amateur,
defeating such stars as Margaret Smith Court, Virginia Wade and Billie Jean
King. She turned professional in 1972.

From 1974 to 1986, Evert won at least one Grand Slam singles title every
year, winning 18 major tournaments in all: 7 French, 6 U.S., 3 Wimbledon and
2 Australian. She retired from professional competition after the 1989 season
and became a commentator for network television broadcasts of major tennis
tournaments.

Evert was unanimously selected for membership in the International Tennis
Hall of Fame and recently was nominated for membership in the Florida Women's
Hall of Fame.

Evert will be the guest of honor at the Volendam dedication luncheon and
pierside ceremony, which will take place Nov. 12 at Pier 26, Port Everglades.

During inaugural events Nov. 8-12, the 1,440-passenger Volendam will host
several thousand travel agents, past passengers and other invited guests. On
Nov. 12, the ship will sail on a gala maiden cruise -- a 10-day Western
Caribbean cruise featuring St. John's, Antiqua (Nelson's Dockyard tour
option); Castries and Soufriere (service call), St. Lucia; Bridgetown,
Barbados; Pointe-a-Pitre and Basse-Terre (service call), Guadeloupe; St. John
(service call) and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

The Volendam is the first of a new generation of luxury cruise ships for
Holland America Line, combining features of the popular Statendam-class
vessels and the company's new flagship, ms Rotterdam, with its own
unmistakable style. The predominant theme of the Volendam's decor is flowers,
featured in the ship's artwork, doors and other design elements as well as
fabrics used throughout the ship's public rooms.

The Volendam also features the first Internet center to be installed on a
Holland America Line ship. "The Web Site" will allow guests to go on-line on a
real-time basis, check their own e-mail accounts and stock quotes and surf the
World Wide Web. Other special features include the Marco Polo alternative
restaurant; "Caleido," a monumental three-deck-tall crystal sculpture; a
children's activity room; the colorful Art Nouveau Frans Hals Show Lounge; and
168 deluxe verandah staterooms, more than on any other Holland America Line
ship.

Holland America Line's cruises feature a "Tradition of Excellence,"
including spacious staterooms, superb dining, renowned service, casino, first-
rate entertainment, duty-free on-board shops, the Club HAL children's activity
program, the "Passport to Fitness" activity program and complete fitness
center, coupled with popular "tipping not required" and "cashless" ship
policies.

Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise
Lines alliance which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line,
Seabourn Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, and Windstar Cruises. For more
information, consult a professional travel agent, call 877-SAIL-HAL
(877-724-5425) or visit
www.hollandamerica.com.

CONTACT: Erik Elvejord, CTC, or Julianne Chase, APR of Holland America
Line, 800-637-5029, or 206-281-3535, or fax, 206-281-0351.