Holland America Line Shakes Things Up With Exciting New Mixology Program

Holland America Line announced today that, as part of its Signature of Excellence initiative, the leader in premium cruising will shake things up across its entire fleet of five-star ships with a new mixology program designed to provide guests with innovative cocktail options from around the world, as well as carefully crafted, fresh interpretations of classic cocktail favorites.

Holland America Line worked together with one of the country's leading mixologists to develop innovative, delicious recipes for an entire line of signature cocktails. The result of this work is Holland America Line's enhanced Signature Cocktail Program. Combined with the cruise line's friendly, attentive service, the program offers guests a comprehensive bar menu made up of four distinct categories, including Tropical Specialties, Citrus Signatures, Sophisticated Retro Favorites and Poolside Delights.

"We've created a groundbreaking mixology program that delivers our guests a wide selection of fantastic cocktails that are as unique as the Holland America Line cruise experience," said David A. Giersdorf, Holland America Line's executive vice president of marketing and sales. "The program is yet another example of how the Signature of Excellence initiative, an unparalleled investment to further enhance our products and services, is driving us to examine every facet of the cruise experience to ensure that the guest's time aboard our ship is extraordinary and surpasses their expectations."

Freshest Ingredients at the Heart of the Program
At the core of the program is the philosophy that fresh, premium juices and ingredients define the unique taste of Holland America Line's cocktails. Guests can watch from the bar as ripe citrus fruits are hand-pressed to produce a flavorful, fresh margarita, mojito or lemon drop. They will notice the difference that comes from Holland America Line's fresh sweet and sour mix, made from scratch every day. Combining the freshest ingredients with smooth, but intensely-flavored premium liquors creates a vivid flavor that makes each drink on the new bar menu something to experience.


Friendly, Attentive Service
Creative beverages are just the beginning. Another factor critical to the success of the new mixology program is Holland America Line's guest-oriented staff with a commitment to excellent service. To that end, key dining and bar staff on each ship will undergo comprehensive training. The program, initially being implemented on Holland America Line's Vista-class ships, will be rolled out on all of Holland America Line's ships by the end of 2004.

Of course, Holland America Line's staff will craft any traditional favorite cocktail and will cater to a guest's personal specifications for any drink.

Holland America Line's Tanqueray 0010 (Double O Ten)
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 1/8 oz. Grand Marinier
- 1 oz. Tanqueray Ten Gin
- 1 oz. Vox Vodka
Garnish: Long, orange twist tied with a loose knot

Preparation:
Rinse a pint shaker glass with Grand Marnier and dump the excess. Fill the glass with ice and measure in gin and vodka. Shake well and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish the rim of the martini glass with the orange twist. Cheers!

About Signature of Excellence
As the premium cruise leader, Holland America Line is investing $225 million in the Signature of Excellence initiative to provide unparalleled product and service enhancements to its fleet of five-star ships. Signature of Excellence will build on Holland America Line's renowned tradition of excellence by significantly raising the standard in premium cruising. The comprehensive enhancements will focus on five areas central to the Holland America Line guest experience: spacious, elegant ships and accommodations; sophisticated five-star dining; gracious,