Holland America Line Receives Four 2011 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards

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Oct 11, 2011, 02:48 ET

SEATTLE, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Weekly Magazine has announced the recipients of its 2011 Magellan Awards, and Holland America Line has received four of the prestigious honors. The line won gold awards in the Entertainment Category for its popular male singing quartet Cantare and in the Web Marketing/Advertising Category for its online advertising program. The silver awards were in the Cabin Design (Non-Suite) Category for its Lanai Staterooms and the Eco-Friendly "Green" Cruise Ship Award for ms Amsterdam.

Since 2008, Travel Weekly has been recognizing excellence in travel with the annual Magellan Awards, and Holland America Line has received 22 awards in various categories since the Magellan Awards' inception.

"We are honored to be recognized for our innovations in stateroom accommodations and entertainment as well as creative marketing campaigns and new 'green' technologies and programs," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "To be recognized as leaders in such distinct categories is a testament to Holland America Line's commitment to excellence in everything we do."

Holland America's gold-award-winning Cantare is a quartet of male performers with a musical repertoire covering a variety of genres. The talented quartet's evening performances debuted on ms Nieuw Amsterdam, and the spectacular concert with full orchestra has added a new dimension to the line's shipboard entertainment.

In 2011 Holland America launched an innovative marketing campaign incorporating Microsoft Tag 2D bar code technology that earned the Magellan Gold. The smartphone campaign was designed to encourage consumer engagement and social sharing of Holland America cruise information by building on its print advertising via a web-based interactive experience.

The silver-award Lanai Staterooms are recent additions on several of the line's ships and part of the Signature of Excellence enhancement program. These ocean-view staterooms have a full-length glass door that opens directly onto Holland America Line's signature walk-around Promenade Deck. The accessibility is a great perk for guests who enjoy walking or lounging on deck and unparalleled panoramic scenic views.

The ms Amsterdam was recognized as an Eco-Friendly "Green" Cruise Ship, being the first ship in the fleet to deliver the company's new sustainable seafood program at the start of this year's Alaska season. The program adopts environmentally responsible purchasing practices and features menus that showcase sustainable seafood. Eleven ships now offer this program and the entire fleet will have the sustainable seafood program by next year.

Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honor the best in travel and salute outstanding travel professionals. Entries are evaluated by a panel of respected travel industry professionals against standards of excellence established by Travel Weekly, which has been published since 1958.

For more information on Holland America Line's cruises and cruisetours, consult a professional travel seller, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.

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

Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 354 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 110-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, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.

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, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, 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

Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.