YEAR 2008

April 18, 2008 - To help cruisers take advantage of the weak US dollar, Holland America has developed a series of 27 Europe Collectors' Voyages in 2008.

The cruises combine intriguing ports with non-repeating itineraries and offer special pricing, making them all the more enticing to those who want a unique adventure without breaking the bank.

While the appeal of a longer voyage attracts many guests to book a Collectors' Voyage, the itinerary is the ultimate hook for most travellers.

Says vice president Richard Meadows: "Europe continues to grow in popularity as a vacation destination as more travelers realise the unparalleled value of a European cruise paid for in American dollars. We pride ourselves on offering the most diverse and unique cruises in the industry."

Guests wishing to capitalise on the Collectors' Voyage can take advantage of 27 departure dates on ten different itineraries aboard Eurodam, Noordam, Zuiderdam and Prinsendam. These special sailings range from 20 to 30 days and enable guests to visit as many as 16 ports on a 30-day voyage. The extended cruises also allow for convenient, one-time unpacking, leaving guests free to enjoy the sights of a new port each day without the hassle or expense of relocating to a new hotel and catching a motorcoach, train or flight.

Noordam sails to Europe arriving on April 22 for the first of 11 departures on the 20-day Collectors' Voyages, Mediterranean Adventure or Mediterranean Mosaic. Both combine the ten-day Roman Empire and Mediterranean Enchantment cruises that cover the eastern and western Mediterranean and visit an impressive nine countries, including Croatia, Greece, Tunisia and Italy.

Zuiderdam spends its first season in Europe with a series of three new 12-day Mediterranean itineraries beginning April 26 that combine into two 24-day Collectors' Voyages: Classical Worlds and Magic of the Mediterranean. Departing from Venice, Italy, or Barcelona, Spain, each of the nine available sailings features at least two overnight stays: one in Venice and another in either Istanbul or Barcelona, depending on the itinerary.

Guests looking for a different take on Europe may wish to board Prinsendam for three Collectors' Voyages, including the longest of the season - the 30-day Ultimate Northern Europe cruise June 17 from Amsterdam to London that takes the ship to 13 countries throughout Scandinavia and Great Britain. Gironde Estuary and Kiel Canal is a 25-day journey departing May 23 from Lisbon to Amsterdam and features the best of the Baltic, Spain and France.

Eurodam, the newest ship in the Holland America fleet, officially kicks off its inaugural Europe season July 5 with four Collectors Voyages. Dazzling Debut and Signature Sojourn offer three departures on a 20-day odyssey round-trip from Copenhagen, Denmark. During the cruise, guests discover the stunning natural landscapes of northern Europe, as well as cover port favourites from Invergordon, Scotland, to St Petersburg, Russia. Viking Worlds is a 25-day adventure from Copenhagen to New York and follows a northern route from Norway to Iceland and on to Canada before hitting the States.

A highlight of the Collectors' Voyages is the opportunity to be aboard for the first visit to a new port of call. Nine maiden ports of call are offered by the premium line during the 2008 Europe cruise season. Over half of the 2008 Collectors' Voyages will visit one or more of seven of those maiden ports including first season visits to: Lulea, Hudiksvall and Kariskrona in Sweden; Aalborg, Denmark; Split, Croatia; Newcastle upon Tyne and Barrrow in Furness in England.

Cruise fares for the 2008 Europe Collectors' Voyages start at $2,199 per person, double occupancy.