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Holland America Line Crowns Katrina Pedersen ‘Dancing with the Stars: At Sea’ Champion and Mirrorball Trophy Winner

Champions Cruise with 15 guestcompetitors held on msNieuw Amsterdam<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Seattle, Wash., Feb. 2, 2016 – Duringthe Jan. 10 Champions Cruise aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland AmericaLine crowned guest Katrina Pedersen of Sunnyvale, California, the line’s final“Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Champion. Pedersen, who represented msMaasdam, triumphed over 14 other guest competitors to claim the title andtake home Holland America Line’s coveted “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea”Mirrorball Trophy.

ABrigham Young Universitystudent who dances almost daily, Pedersen performed in the ship’s main showlounge in three elimination routines before making it to the finals, where sheexecuted a tango and waltz with shipboard dancing partner Ben Henley in frontof a judging panel that included “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer Kym Johnson, television personality Carson Kressleyand actress Florence Henderson. “Dancing with the Stars”professional dancer Tony Dovolanico-hosted the finale with Holland America Line Dancing with the Stars hostJason Venner.

“TheChampions Cruise is the culmination of a year of fun and exciting guestcompetitions across the fleet, and we congratulate all the dancers who workedso hard to compete and entertain their fellow cruisers,” said Orlando Ashford,president of Holland America Line. “Special congratulations to Katrina forearning the Mirrorball Trophy and impressing everyone on board with her winningperformances.”

BeforePedersen was named champion in the final round, three elimination rounds wereheld during the cruise to reduce the 15 competitors down to three finalists.Elise Jensen of Mangerton, New South Wales, Australia, representing msVolendam, and Stephan Reynolds of Atlanta, Georgia, representing msNoordam, also advanced from the early rounds to dance in the finals.

The15 Champions Cruise competitors represented each of the ships in the HollandAmerica Line fleet (including the former ms Ryndam and ms Statendam) andare from their respective ship’s “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” dancecompetitions that were held on board every cruise throughout the past year.

Joiningthe Champions Cruise to perform in a special production show were ABC’s“Dancing with the Stars” professional dancers and show champions Kym Johnsonand Tony Dovolani. Celebrities who joinedthe pros to perform were America’s favorite TV mom, Florence Henderson, and television personality Carson Kressley.

Additionalevents on the cruise included a special fashion show featuring the glamorousshow costumes, a chance to meet the dance pros and celebrities, and aquestion-and-answer session.

The Jan. 10 Champions Cruise visited the eastern Caribbean,sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with calls at Grand Turk, Turks& Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Half MoonCay, the line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas.

HollandAmerica Line’s partnership with “Dancing with the Stars” culminates with thisChampions Cruise following a successful three-year collaboration.

For more information about Holland America Line,consult a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

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