SEATTLE, Jan. 30, 2002 -- Holland America Line's newest ship, ms Amsterdam topped the list of premium cruise ships in Conde Nast Traveler's ranking of the World's Best Cruise Ships. In addition, readers of the magazine rated all 10 Holland America premium cruise ships among the world's best ships.

"We are extremely pleased to have all our ships rank so highly with the readers of Conde Nast Traveler," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "In addition, readers also chose Holland America Line as an outstanding cruise value because we consistently deliver a premium travel experience that meets and beats our passengers' expectations."

With a score of 87.9/100, the ms Amsterdam ranked first among cruise ships in the premium market segment and second overall in the category for mid-size ships, which also included higher-priced ships in the luxury market segment.

The reader survey ranked the cruise ships as small, medium and large. All Holland America ships were in the top 20 medium size ships. The ships and their respective rankings and scores are as follows: -- 2 Amsterdam (87.9) -- 4 Ryndam (80.0) -- 5 Rotterdam (79.7) -- 6 Volendam (78.5) -- 8 Zaandam (77.2) -- 9 Statendam (76.8) -- 11 Maasdam (74.0) -- 16 Westerdam (70.4) -- 17 Veendam (70.3) -- 19 Noordam (66.0)

In addition, the Seabourn Sun, which will become Holland America's Prinsendam this summer, was ranked seventh in the mid-size category.

Readers scored the ships in the areas of itineraries, service, design, food, activities and events.

Holland America Line has 11 luxury ships sailing to more than 280 ports of call and scenic cruising destinations on all seven continents, including Antarctica. The company 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. Together, these member lines share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to the widest range of lifestyles and budgets and sail to some of the world's most exciting destinations.

In 2002, Holland America Line will offer 360 sailings within a half-day's drive of 40 percent of North American households and departing from 15 North American home ports.

Affordable air arrangements are available through the Home City Air program and Holland America offers the only trip cancellation program in the industry that offers cash back for canceling for any reason prior to 24 hours before departure.

Holland America Line describes itself as follows:

Holland America Line is the highest-rated premium cruise line in the world in the 2001 "Travel & Leisure" magazine "World's Best" Awards and one of the world's three highest rated large-ship cruise lines in the 2001 "Conde Nast Traveler" Readers' Choice Awards. The company also has won its 10th consecutive "Best Overall Cruise Value" award from the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS).