In 2004, Holland America Line is adding more sailings and intriguing new ports of call to the line`s South America cruise itineraries, including a new voyage up the Amazon River on the line`s Elegant Explorer, the ms Prinsendam. Also new are two 12-day Wild Side cruises, a 33-day sailing from Buenos Aires to Seattle around Cape Horn and a 39-day odyssey from Seattle to Rio de Janeiro. In addition, Holland America is expanding the number of its highly successful South America and Antarctic Experience cruises in 2004.

By offering a total of 12 South America cruises in 2004, ranging from 12 to 39 days in length, Holland America is again the premium cruise leader in South American itineraries, said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. We are particularly excited about our new Amazon River sailing, a 28-day cruise that winds through enticing Caribbean isles to Brazil and then up the mighty Amazon River to Manaus, deep in the heart of the Amazon basin.

Like many of our itineraries, the `Amazon Explorer` cruise is longer than those offered by other lines, designed for guests who have both the time and curiosity to explore further afield. All of our itineraries are carefully crafted to highlight South America`s diverse history, cultures and spectacular landscapes.

First Amazon River Cruise

For the first time, Holland America is featuring a unique cruise roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale through the Caribbean to Brazil and up the Amazon River. The 28-day Amazon Explorer cruise has just one departure -November 20, 2004 - aboard the 794-passenger Prinsendam. This smaller, more intimate ship is able to call at some of the more secluded Caribbean ports and navigate far up the Amazon River. Guests on this special cruise will sail into secretive rain forests where ocelots prowl, piranhas rule the river and gold miners still search for treasure.

The Prinsendam visits such exotic ports as Santa Barbara de Samana, Dominican Republic; Gustavia, St. Barthelemy; Kingstown, St. Vincent; St. George`s, Grenada; Pigeon Point, Tobago; Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica; and St. John`s, Antigua, while cruising the Caribbean to and from Brazil. The ship sails along the Brazilian coast, crosses the equator and cruises up the Amazon River, calling at Santarem, Boca da Valeria, Parintins; and an extended two-day stay at Manaus. Returning, the Prinsendam spends a full day at intriguing Devil`s Island, French Guiana, and Half Moon Cay, Holland America`s award-winning private island.

New 12-day Wild Side Cruises

Holland America is introducing two, 12-day Wild Side cruises designed for those who haven`t time for the full 17-day version of this popular itinerary. On the first sailing, the Amsterdam departs March 7 from Valparaiso, Chile, cruising past breathtaking fjords to the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn and the Falkland Islands before arriving in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Scenic cruising includes dazzling glaciers and mountains in the Darwin Channel, Chilean fjords, Canal Sarmiento and Cockburn and Beagle Channels. Some of the most impressive are the Amalia, Romanche, Alemania, Francia and Italia glaciers. Ports of call include Puerto Montt and Puerto Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina; and Stanley, Falkland Islands.

The reverse Wild Side itinerary departs Mar. 19 from Buenos Aires for Valparaiso and adds Puerto Chacabuco, Chile as a port of call.

Holland America also offers four, 17-day Wild Side cruises on the Amsterdam with departures on February 19, October 25 and November 11 and 28. By adding five more days, these cruises include all the above ports and scenic cruising, plus continue to/from Montevideo, Uruguay and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

South America Lost Empires Cruises

Holland America is featuring two Lost Empires cruises with similar itineraries aboard the Amsterdam. A spring sailing departs March 31 from Valparaiso, sailing up the west coast of South, Central and North America to San Diego (17-day cruise) and Seattle (21-day cruise).

Ports of call include such alluring places as Chile`s Coquimbo/La Serena and Arica, (Cuzco/Machu Picchu and Lauca National Park tour options); General San Mart