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WHAT’S IN A NAME: VISTA SHIPS REFLECT TRADITION While its newest ship, the ms Noordam, is a reflection of the latest trends and advancements in cruising, Holland America Line has remained dedicated to its Tradition of Excellence and continues to name its ships to reflect a rich seafaring history. Holland America Line’s Vista-class ships are the largest, most advanced and luxurious vessels ever built for the line. The ships of the Vista-class are named after the points of the compass, the ms Zuiderdam (south) was the first Vista-class ship introduced, setting sail in 2002, Oosterdam (east) began service in July 2003, Westerdam (west) began service in April 2004 and the fourth Vista class ship entered service in January 2006 as the ms Noordam (north), completing the compass. Over the years, many of the names of Holland America Line ships have carried historical importance. The following information provides some insight into the history behind the Vista-class ships. ms NOORDAM The new 1,918-passenger ms Noordam is the line’s last Vista-class ship and the fourth Holland America Line vessel to sail with the prestigious name. The first ms Noordam joined the Holland America Line fleet in 1902, sailing the Rotterdam-New York run until being damaged by a mine during World War I. In 1938 the Noordam name was then given to one of two new passenger-cargo ships, which offered exclusively first-class accommodations for 148 passengers. During World War II, the second Noordam was leased to the Americans and refitted to carry troops, cargo and provisions. Until she was retired in 1963, she carried a piece of her wartime handrail, heavily carved with soldiers’ initials. In 1984, the third ms Noordam was delivered and sailed on nearly 800 voyages. And now, the fourth ms Noordam joins Holland America Line’s 13-ship fleet, with cruises featuring the Caribbean and Europe. ms ZUIDERDAM The cargo ship, Zuiderdijk, was the first Holland America Line vessel launched with the “Zuider” prefix in 1912. It was a fixture of the shipping lanes between Rotterdam and Savannah, Georgia through 1922 with a brief stint during World War I as a transport vessel. A second “Zuider”-named passenger ship, the Zuiderdam, was launched in Rotterdam in 1941. The ship was pulled into service at the start of World War II and was damaged in a British air raid and later sunk by the Germans to block the port of Rotterdam. The ms Zuiderdam entered service in December 2002 and television personality Joan Lunden named the ship in Fort Lauderdale on December 14, 2002. ms OOSTERDAM The freight ship, Oosterdijk, the first Holland America Line ship with the “Ooster” prefix began service in 1913. As with many Holland America Line ships at that time, the Oosterdijk was pressed into service carrying personnel and supplies from Rotterdam to Savannah for the Allied effort during World War I. During this service, the Oosterdijk was lost at sea, a casualty of the war. The ms Oosterdam entered service in August 2003 and Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands named the ship in Rotterdam on July 29, 2003. Page 1 of 2 ms WESTERDAM The first Westerdam sailed for Holland America Line from 1946 to 1965. It was a combined cargo/ passenger ship with accommodations for 143 first-class passengers. The ship earned a place in maritime archives as it was sunk three times during World War II before it ever made its maiden voyage. It was first bombed and sunk by Allied forces on August 27, 1942, while under construction in the shipyard in Rotterdam. The Germans raised the ship in September 1944, but it was quickly sunk by the Dutch underground forces. The Germans raised it again and the resistance again sank it on January 17, 1945. The ship was finally completed and went on to be a regular on the transatlantic run making two eight-day crossings each month between Rotterdam and New York. The second Westerdam began service as the mv Homeric for Home Lines in 1986. Holland America Line acquired the ship in 1988, stretched it to accommodate 1495 passengers, and it went on to carry more than a million guests before she was transferred to sister company, Costa Crociere in 2002, and renamed the Costa Europa. The ms Westerdam entered service in April 2004 and Dutch actress Renee Soutendijk named the ship in Venice, Italy on April 25, 2004. 1/06 Page 2 of 2.

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