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From: Ray Goldenberg on 12 Mar 2010 10:48
Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Holland America and thought it
would be of interest.

--
Ray Goldenberg 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
Lighthouse Travel http://www.lighthousetravel.com
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Inspiring New York Themes Highlight Public Areas on ms Nieuw
Amsterdam, the Newest Holland America Line Ship

SEATTLE, March 11
The extensive array of upscale public areas aboard the new Holland
America Line Signature-class ship ms Nieuw Amsterdam reflects the
brand's enhanced premium-class facilities and amenities, highlighted
by decor honoring the historic glamour of New York City, known as
Nieuw Amsterdam by its Dutch founders. Art, craftwork and historical
artifacts documenting New York's Native American history and Dutch
influences, along with the history and glamour of Holland America
Line's 138-year association with the world's greatest city, are
displayed throughout the ship's expertly finished public areas.

The new facilities are highlighted by Silk Den, a serene 52-seat
lounge on Observation Deck (deck 11), featuring sweeping views of the
ocean. Immediately adjacent is Tamarind, Nieuw Amsterdam's Pan Asian
restaurant, which also features pan-optic sea views and, like Silk
Den, is decorated with fine Asian handicrafts, including framed
leather carvings set against gold leaf.

Guests in search of their own private outdoor haven need only visit
the Observation Deck Cabana Club, a private, outdoor oasis located
high above the lower decks. Guests can reserve the airy, tented
Cabanas by the day or for an entire voyage. Nieuw Amsterdam also
offers a second collection of Cabanas lining Nieuw Amsterdam's
mid-ship Lido pool area. Equipped with luxurious chaises, ottomans
and upholstered settees, the Cabanas feature bathrobes and plush
towels, refreshments ranging from iced fruit skewers and frozen grapes
to chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne, and iPods� uploaded
with a choice of music.

Additional premium facilities found on deck 11 include the
Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times. This comfortable,
seagoing coffee bistro features an extensive library, Internet
terminals, international newspapers, plush chairs and sofas, and a
comfortable, upscale environment for reading and conversation. The
Crow's Nest lounge, which completes Observation Deck's public areas,
overlooks Nieuw Amsterdam's bow and features a collection of Nieuw
Amsterdam memorabilia dating back to the original ship's 1906 launch
and the heyday of Nieuw Amsterdam II, which carried the cream of
international society between New York and Rotterdam in the post World
War II era. A plush and quiet vantage point by day, the room
transforms into a stylish dance club in the evening.

Kids are in control on Panorama Deck (deck 10), which features Club
HAL�, the dedicated youth facilities and activities center offering
supervised, age-appropriate programming for kids 3 to 12. And, because
teens desire their own space, Holland America created The Loft, a hip
lounge where teen-age cruisers can meet, have fun and hang out. The
Loft is equipped with comfortable chairs and sofas, games and a new
video editing facility, and is decorated as a typical New York street
design of large murals featuring creations by top New York City
graffiti artists, crosswalk, street signs, a real New York yellow cab
and old-fashioned hot dog stand.

In addition to a fully equipped Fitness Center offering the largest
gymnasium ever on a Holland America Line ship, Lido Deck (deck 9)
features the inspiring Greenhouse Spa and Salon, providing premium
beauty and wellness rituals from facials to bamboo and Thai poultice
massages. The Greenhouse Spa's Thermal Suites offer premium private
settings for detoxifying and relaxing therapy. Ladies can have their
hair and nails done in the Salon. A relaxing Hydrotherapy Pool and
Sauna complete the Greenhouse Spa facilities.

Lido Deck is also home to the ship's largest pool, the Lido Pool,
which also features three Jacuzzis, and is flanked by the Cabanas. The
entire area is covered by a retractable magradome, offering
year-around opportunities for relaxing on deck. Guests can stop by the
nearby Lido Bar and Terrace Grill for burgers, fries and grilled fare.
Continuing on Lido Deck, the nearby Lido Restaurant features a wide
variety of casual "comfort" cuisine with individual stations offering
specialized ethnic and regional dishes.

The Sea View Pool on Deck 9 aft offers a sunny retreat with inspiring
views of the ocean and ship's wake. Guests can break for refreshments
at the Sea View Bar, which completes deck 9.

Promenade Deck (deck 3) begins with the Half Moon, Hudson and
Stuyvesant meeting rooms, which offer flexible and functional meeting
facilities including full audio/visual capabilities. The rooms provide
the ideal private settings for group meetings and other gatherings.
Nearby is the Screening Room, an ultra-plush 36-seat movie theater
screening first-run films and special presentations.

Promenade also features The Signature Shops, an upscale shopping area
headlined by Merabella, a luxury boutique offering high-end designer
jewelry collections. Promenade also features Fine Jewelry, which
specializes in diamonds and exotic gemstones; Fine Watches, offering
top global brands; and Destination & Apparel, which features classic
nautical wear and designs tailored to specific cruise regions. The
Ocean Bar, centrally located on Promenade in the ship's atrium,
provides a stylish vantage point from which to enjoy pre- or
after-dinner drinks.

The Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, a
state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen featuring gourmet cooking
lessons from Holland America Line Master Chefs and celebrity guest
chefs on many voyages, highlights the Lower Promenade (deck 2) public
areas. The Culinary Arts Center is an interactive demonstration
center providing guests with up-close access to the newest food
preparation techniques and practices taught by the masters. When not
providing cooking demonstrations, the room becomes the Queen's Lounge,
an upscale performance venue and presentation room.

Meanwhile, night club Northern Lights offers guests a magical venue
for late evening dancing.

Lower Promenade's Explorer's Lounge continues Nieuw Amsterdam's New
York theme with a stunning wall-to-wall mixed media collage of the
17th Century New York City skyline by Dutch artist Harald Vlugt. The
room also features sculpture and decorative accessories from New
York's early Native American and European inhabitants. Nearby is the
Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows, an interactive design
studio featuring free workshops led by Microsoft-trained "techsperts"
who show guests how to take better pictures, make movies, edit images
and create scrapbooks using Microsoft Windows and Windows Live. Here,
cruise image-makers can also learn to share images via email, blogs
and social networks, creating instant vacation updates.

Lower Promenade also includes a fully equipped Casino, offering 116
slots, blackjack, roulette, craps and a variety of poker games.
Located adjacent is the Casino Bar, highlighted by a display of
large-format contemporary and classic photographs of New York City
(NYC) street scenes, sports icons, and American and Dutch celebrities.
The NYC-centric decor is continued in the nearby Piano Bar, which also
features live keyboard music.

Nieuw Amsterdam's soaring Atrium is highlighted by a majestic
telescoping chandelier designed to honor New York City's iconic
skyline. The LED-equipped chandelier is lit in an ever-varying
spectrum of rich colors.

The Deck 2 Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar offers an exclusive,
reservations-only dining experience and exclusive wine lounge in a
glamorous setting. The grand, three-level Showroom at Sea spans decks
2 and 3, and offers impeccable sightlines for feature production shows
and headline entertainment.

Built at Fincantieri's Marghera yard near Venice, Italy, the
2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam will sail its maiden voyage July 4, 2010.
After several 12-day Mediterranean sailings, Nieuw Amsterdam embarks
on a fall crossing of the Atlantic for the warmth of the Caribbean
with seven-day eastern and western island itineraries from November
through March of the next year. For more information on Nieuw
Amsterdam, contact your travel professional.

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to
320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies.
Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights
include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia
voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the
Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama
Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the
fleet on July 4, 2010.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements,
a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase 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 provide cooking demonstrations and
classes � Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only
activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by
flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

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 and Costa 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.

From: jeffcoud on 12 Mar 2010 21:31
On Mar 12, 10:48 am, Ray Goldenberg <r...(a)lighthousetravel.com> wrote:
> Guests in search of their own private outdoor haven need only visit
> the Observation Deck Cabana Club, a private, outdoor oasis located
> high above the lower decks. Guests can reserve the airy, tented
> Cabanas by the day or for an entire voyage. Nieuw Amsterdam also
> offers a second collection of Cabanas lining Nieuw Amsterdam's
> mid-ship Lido pool area.  Equipped with luxurious chaises, ottomans
> and upholstered settees, the Cabanas feature bathrobes and plush
> towels, refreshments ranging from iced fruit skewers and frozen grapes
> to chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne, and iPods™ uploaded
> with a choice of music.

The cabanas pool side on the Eurodam created a huge dead zone in the
covered pool area. I don't think they work on HAL, but who knows
we'll see I suppose. It's not the sort of "hanging with J-Lo and
Mariah" kinda of experience you might get in Vegas. We're talking old
people here, lol... it just doesn't fit the line.

Jeff
From: Mark (SF) on 14 Mar 2010 15:39
On Mar 12, 7:31 pm, jeffcoud <jeffc...(a)mac.com> wrote:
> The cabanas pool side on the Eurodam created a huge dead zone in the
> covered pool area.  I don't think they work on HAL, but who knows
> we'll see I suppose.  It's not the sort of "hanging with J-Lo and
> Mariah" kinda of experience you might get in Vegas.  We're talking old
> people here, lol...  it just doesn't fit the line.
>
> Jeff

I loved the Eurodam, but in a cold, port-intensive Baltic cruise, they
weren't used as well. (...but since we usually don't hang around the
pool, it's not much of a factor to us)

I wonder if they still own and will display the bill of sale for
Manhattan. It was on the old (70s-90s) Nieuw Amsterdam.

Mark

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