Holland America Line has hired Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri Cantieri Navali SpA to build two new 84,000-ton cruise ships for about $400 million each.
The ships are expected to sail in the fall of 2002 and summer of 2003, and Holland America has reserved the right to order up to three sister ships for delivery from 2003 to 2005.
The 1,800-passenger vessels will feature exterior elevators that provide guests with panoramic sea views, large cabins, art collections, spa facilities and cabaret lounges.