Holland America Line's Culinary Arts Center Program Flourishes With More Than 70 Culinary Experts

    SEATTLE, May 16 /CNW/ -- Taking chefs from kitchens and restaurants all
around the country and placing them aboard Holland America Line ships, the
line's Culinary Arts Center program continues to flourish.  Since its
inception four years ago, the program has nearly doubled with more than 70
culinary experts participating in the ongoing 2008 season including cookbook
authors Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, on Holland America Line's new ms
Eurodam.
    "The Culinary Arts Center is a guest favorite," said Richard D. Meadows,
CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.  "We will
continue to expand the program and provide our guests with the culinary
experiences that have made it such a success."
    Holland America Line launched its innovative culinary program in 2005
with the installation of state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Centers aboard each of
its premium ships offering culinary demonstrations, tastings and hands-on
cooking classes.  The line expanded the program by partnering with Food & Wine
magazine to provide guests on select cruises the opportunity to experience
demonstrations and seminars conducted by a wide diversity of culinary experts.
    A new addition to the 2008 season is Eric Villegas, host of the Emmy
Award-winning PBS series, Fork in the Road, who is scheduled to sail aboard
the ms Veendam June 13-20th.
    The Culinary Arts Program includes cookbook authors as well as wine and
spirits experts such as master mixologists Christy Pope and Chad Solomon.
Other participating chefs and experts in the continuing 2008 season include:-- Sally Bernstein, Restaurant Critic and Culinary Educator (San
       Francisco) sailing on ms Zaandam June 8 -15.
    -- Chef Gustav Mauler from Amsterdam-Dover sailing on ms Prinsendam
       July 3 -17.
    -- Pichet Ongvasit of Copenhagen sailing on ms Rotterdam July 16 -28.
    -- Johnny Iuzzini, Executive Pastry Chef, Jean Georges (NY) aboard ms
       Noordam July 26 - August 5.
    -- Max McCalman of Artisanal Cheese (NY) sailing on ms Noordam
       August 5 -15.
    -- Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of the "Ultimate" cookbook
       series sailing on ms Eurodam August 14 - 29.
    -- Mark Frasier and Clark Gaier from Mediterranean (Venice) sail on ms
       Zuiderdam September 17 - 29.
    -- James Mazzio, Executive Chef, Via (Denver, CO) and Food and Wine's Best
       New Chef 1999 sailing on ms Amsterdam September 19 - October 22.
    -- Harold Dieterle, Perilla (NY) and Top Chef Season 1 Winner will be
       aboard ms Amsterdam October 22 - November 4.In addition to partnering with Food & Wine to secure top experts, Holland
America Line showcases its own culinary stars on more than 500 annual cruises
with demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes given by the ships'
executive chefs and culinary staff. The line's cookbook A Taste of Excellence,
written by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, offers guests preparation techniques for
some of Holland America's most delectable dishes and lavish libations as part
of the Culinary Arts Center experience.
    A state-of-the-art "show kitchen at sea," the Culinary Arts Centers
resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television
cooking programs.  Each facility features a theater-style venue, with two
large video screens to display overhead and close-up video views of food
preparation, and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn from
the masters.  Culinary demonstrations also are filmed and aired on
in-stateroom televisions.  Holland America Line invested more than $13 million
to create and install the Culinary Arts Center facilities on each of its ships
as part of the Signature of Excellence initiative and has invested more than
$425 million to date in product and service enhancements.
    The newest ship to join the fleet, the 2,104-guest ms Eurodam, launches
in July 2008 and will feature three new dining venues: Tamarind, the Asian
restaurant; Canaletto, the Italian restaurant and Slice, an all-day pizza
outlet.
    For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL
(877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com.Food & WineFood & Wine is the modern, stylish, talent-seeking, trend-spotting
epicurean magazine. Published by American Express Publishing, the leader in
luxury lifestyle magazines, Food & Wine has a circulation of nearly 1 million.
For more information on the magazine and other special events please visit
http://www.foodandwine.com.
    About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc
(NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
    Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to
more than 320 ports.  Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents,
including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia and Grand
World Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico,
Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.  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 LinesAmong the highest-rated cruise lines 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.CONTACT: Rose Abello
     PHONE:   [phone]
     FAX:     [phone]
     EMAIL:   [e-mail]

For further information: Rose Abello of Holland America Line, 
1-800-637-5029, Fax, [phone], [e-mail]