SEATTLE, March 12, 2002 -- Holland America Line's "Elegant Explorer," the new ms Prinsendam, will make its grand entry on June 3 after a 35-day transformation, from which it will emerge with a new alternative Odyssey Restaurant and a Lido Restaurant, a new Ocean Bar, an Art Gallery, a new Internet Center, a revamped show lounge, and new "lanai" staterooms.

Holland America takes delivery of the 38,000-ton Seabourn Sun on April 23, after which the ship will undergo an extended drydock to become the ms Prinsendam, with 14 additional staterooms and a new passenger capacity of 794. It also will feature Holland America's familiar blue and white livery, public room names and artwork.

"This ship has a very loyal following and a stellar reputation as a world cruiser. We're sure that our guests will agree that the enhancements we're making will only increase its already high appeal," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "We're calling the Prinsendam our 'Elegant Explorer' to sum up its mid-range size, worldly destinations and elegant, sophisticated decor. The Prinsendam also offers an intimate, yet spacious, environment. With a 794-guest capacity, this ship has a space ratio of 47.86 -- one of the highest in the industry."

The ship's decks will be renamed to correspond with the naming system on board the HAL fleet. Starting from the top deck, which on the Seabourn Sun is named the Observation Deck, the passenger decks will be renamed as follows: Sky (Deck 13), Sports (12), Lido (11), Verandah (10), Upper Promenade (9), Promenade (8), Lower Promenade (7), Main (6) and Dolphin (5).

Other enhancements will include a reconfigured La Fontaine dining room to accommodate two dinner sittings, a new concierge lounge for the exclusive use of suite guests, a modified Shore Excursion Office, conversion of the present Compass Rose Room to an Explorer's Lounge, upgraded furnishing in the Wajang movie theater, a new wind screen at the bow, and a specially commissioned sculpture for the central atrium.

Features that will undergo minimal changes are the Crow's Nest lounge on Sports Deck forward; the Java Cafe and Bar, centrally located on Promenade Deck; and the Oak Room, a dedicated smoking room, also on Promenade Deck. The Casino on Promenade Deck and the large, beautiful and well-appointed Ocean Spa, located on Upper Promenade Deck aft, were both renovated in 1999 and will undergo few modifications.

Swedish architect Tomas Tillberg, who designed the ship's original decor and led the 1999 update, is in charge of the renovations. Tillberg, with the assistance of architect F.C.J. Dingemans of Utrecht, Netherlands, will be responsible for the art applications that will complement the Prinsendam's new interior designs, installing $350,000 worth of modern art and antiques to supplement existing artworks. Following is an overview of the enhancements:

• The Sky Deck will house a Holland America trademark Crow's Nest lounge. The intimate lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows, a piano and spectacular views from high atop the ship.
• The ship's present alternative restaurant on Deck 11 (to be renamed Lido Deck) will be transformed into a new, Holland America-style Lido Restaurant with two serving lines.
• Forward of the pool area on Lido Deck, the Prinsendam will have a concierge lounge to serve the suites on the Sports and Lido decks. The lounge, behind the port side navigation wing, will feature a private balcony offering spectacular views.
• The Prinsendam will feature a new type of staterooms with the introduction of 10 "lanai" cabins. These staterooms, constructed in space currently used as a lounge on Promenade Deck aft, will have private lanais and share a private, covered deck and a hot tub.
• The Queen's Lounge show room on Promenade Deck forward will be revamped to seat guests for Holland America's customary two nightly shows. The room will have a new stage and will be equipped with the same state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment all of the company's other ships use to produce their award-winning shows.
• The present Compass Rose Room on Promenade Deck will be converted to a Holland America-style Explorer's Lounge, with a bandstand for after-dinner music and a large mural to provide the room with the elegant atmosphere customary on other Holland America ships.
• The La Fontaine Dining Room, in the aft section of Lower Promenade Deck, will be reconfigured to accommodate Holland America's traditional two dinner sittings. Large windows will afford spectacular views.
• The port side of the forward portion of the present dining room will be converted into an alternative Odyssey Restaurant, featuring Italian cuisine and Mediterranean decor. Opposite the Odyssey will be a traditional Ocean Bar, with bandstand and dance floor.
• Adjacent to either side of the Atrium on Lower Promenade Deck, a new Internet Center with 11 computer stations and a new, dedicated Art Gallery will be added.
• The centerpiece of the Atrium on Lower Promenade Deck will be a new, specially-commissioned sculpture.
• Lower Promenade Deck contains the ship's traditional walking area. A windshield will be added to the front to protect walkers from wind and weather as they round the bow.
• The ship's golf putting course will be replaced by a volleyball/basketball court, consistent with the Holland America fleet. The ship also will feature a golf simulation center on Main Deck. This virtual-reality golf game allows golfers to "play" several famous courses around the world as well as practice their golf swing and putting stroke. It is identical to simulators to be installed on Holland America's new Vista series ships. Maiden Cruise is June 3 for Holland America's "Elegant Explorer" Prinsendam

The Prinsendam departs from New York on June 3 for its 10-day maiden cruise across the Atlantic Southampton (London), with calls at Halifax, Nova Scotia; Cobh (Cork), Ireland; and Plymouth, England. The ship's inaugural season will feature a full year of globe trotting from Northern Europe and the Mediterranean to Africa, Asia and the South Pacific -- and back again.

The Prinsendam offers nine passenger decks, plus 15 public rooms and boutiques. After the refitting, the ship will have a capacity of 794 passengers. The staterooms include: one Penthouse Verandah Suite; 18 Deluxe Verandah Suites; 50 Superior Verandah Suites; 82 Deluxe Verandah Outside; 220 large double outside; 2 single outside; and 25 double inside. Of these, 151 -- 38 percent of the total staterooms -- will have verandahs.

Aboard ship, guests will feel at home in public rooms with familiar Holland America names and stateroom categories consistent with the company's fleetwide system. Amid Holland America's classic Dutch art and ambiance, guests will discover their favorites: an Explorers Lounge, Crow's Nest, Java Cafe, La Fontaine Dining Room, and the alternative Odyssey Restaurant featuring fine Italian cuisine. Other favorite features include provides a full Ocean Spa and fitness center, Internet center, outside pools, wrap-around promenade deck, theater, show lounge, library, Lido restaurant, and several lounges, including an Ocean Bar.

About Holland America Line

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.

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 is the highest-rated premium cruise line in the world in the 2001 "Travel & Leisure" magazine "World's Best" Awards and among the top three major 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.

For more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visitwww.hollandamerica.com.