Holland America Line Names Actress Marlee Matlin as Godmother to ms Noordam

SEATTLE, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin will be godmother to Holland America Line's new Vista-class ship, the ms Noordam, in a ceremony dedicating the ship in New York City on February 22, 2006.

"Marlee Matlin is an accomplished actress, a generous woman in support of those in need, and a driven advocate for causes that benefit our society," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer, Holland America Line. "We are honored to have her as the godmother for the ms Noordam and launch this Vista-class vessel into service."

Matlin catapulted onto the big screen in her debut film Children of a Lesser God (1986), winning the Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. The Oscar-winning actress has since starred in 19 films and several television programs. Among her many television appearances are Emmy-nominated roles on CBS' Picket Fences, NBC's Law & Order: SVU, ABC's the Practice and NBC's Seinfeld. She has also guest starred on ABC's Desperate Housewives, HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, the ABC comedy Spin City, NBC's ER, and CBS' Judging Amy. She currently stars opposite Martin Sheen as pollster Joey Lucas on NBC's Emmy Award-winning series "The West Wing."

An advocate of charitable work, Matlin serves as national celebrity spokesperson for the American Red Cross. She also worked on behalf of closed captioning and, in 1990, was instrumental in getting Congress to pass federal legislation requiring televisions manufactured in the United States be equipped with closed captioning technology. She serves on several boards of charitable organizations, including The Children Affected By AIDS Foundation and Easter Seals. In 2002, she published a novel for children entitled "Deaf Child Crossing." Two sequels are scheduled for 2006 and 2007 by Simon and Shuster.

Matlin lives in the greater Los Angeles area with her husband and four children.

"Through the many paths I've taken over the last 20 years, this experience will be brand new to me," said Matlin. "I'm proud to be launching a beautiful and trend-setting ship that provides access to everyone to explore the world."

ms Noordam Newest in Series of Exclusive Vista-class Premium Vessels

The ms Noordam is the fourth in a series of 81,769-ton Vista class ships. The ms Noordam will showcase all the service and product enhancements of the line's $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative, including the addition of an Explorations Cafe -- a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times -- expanded Pinnacle Grill, and a new Pinnacle Bar.

Other major Signature of Excellence attributes will include the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in the new state-of-the- art onboard show kitchen; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon; and upgraded youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft. Also new -- and unique to the Noordam -- will be the Pinnacle Grill Bar, offering a wide selection of worldwide wines.

Special amenities add to the ambience of the Noordam and feature plush Euro-top Mariner Beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, flat panel TVs, dvd players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional hair dryers, and complimentary fruit basket.

The Noordam will sail on its maiden cruising season from homeport New York City to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean. Eleven Caribbean sailings will depart New York, beginning on February 22, 2006. Fares start at US$1,199 per person, double occupancy.

- http://www.hollandamerica.com/ -

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL) ]

With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grows to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe. The ms Noordam also will offer Caribbean sailings in the winter from new homeport New York City.

Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements feature new programs and amenities including the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts will provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by the New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds. Signature of Excellence enhancements will be completed on 10 ships at the start of 2006 and all 13 ships by the fall of 2006. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.

World's Leading Cruise Lines

The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line 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, these 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.

  Contact:  Rose Abello
  Phone:    206/301-5318; 206-313-7673 cell phone
  Fax:      206/262-5934    E-mail:  pr@hollandamerica.com