/PRNewswire/ - In recognition of its environmental leadership, Holland America Line was recently honored with a gold 2010 Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award from the U.S. Coast Guard, was named World's Leading Green Cruise Line at the World Travel Awards in London and received a Blue Circle Award from the Port of Vancouver.

The U.S. Coast Guard Benkert Award was bestowed by a panel of experts based on a thorough review of the line's comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship. Nominations for the World Travel Awards featured 5,000 companies from 162 countries across 1,000 categories. The winners were selected by thousands of industry professionals and consumers worldwide who voted online. Under Port Metro Vancouver's EcoAction Program for Shipping, the Blue Circle Award is a recognition reserved for only the highest emissions-reduction achievements.

"We work diligently every day to reduce Holland America Line's ecological footprint, and these awards validate our fleetwide efforts," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. "We are grateful that the U.S. Coast Guard and our travel industry and seaport partners appreciate our commitment to the environment and have recognized our dedication to environmental stewardship with these awards."

Holland America Line is a leader in environmental initiatives in the cruise industry with its comprehensive approach to managing impacts and reducing its overall carbon footprint. The line's Environmental Management System was certified in 2006 and recertified in 2009. The company works diligently to conserve fuel and water, employs the latest technologies for wastewater and oily bilge water treatment, and uses innovative strategies to reduce and manage its solid waste stream. Holland America Line also is an industry leader in exploring new environmental initiatives such as a whale conservation and protection program and using shore power in a growing number of ports.

The William M. Benkert Award is the premier marine environmental protection award presented by the Coast Guard to members of the marine industry. This biennial award recognizes organizations for outstanding achievements in all aspects of marine environmental protection. The award was created to recognize outstanding achievements in marine environmental protection that go beyond mere compliance with industrial and regulatory standards.

The World Travel Awards were developed in 1993 to celebrate excellence and achievement in the travel and tourism industry, and winners comprise a "who's who" of the travel community. The Wall Street Journal has called the awards the "Oscars of the travel and tourism industry."

The Blue Circle Awards honor a company's efforts to reduce air emissions, depending on the quality of fuel used and overall emission reductions.

For more information and cruise fares, contact a professional travel agent, 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 The Yachts of 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.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line

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. In the 2006 Portrait of Affluent Travelers survey by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell, Holland America Line topped the list of cruise lines sought after by affluent leisure travelers. Its recently completed $225 million fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements added features such as 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 Café© powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com. Among 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.

More from Holland America Line