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World-Renowned Wine Critic James Suckling Named Holland America Line’s New Wine Curator

Sucklingtapped to cultivate and develop an industry-leading wine list for the cruiseline

Seattle, Wash., March. 5, 2018 —Holland America Line is tapping into the expertise of one of the world's mostacclaimed wine critics, James Suckling, to curate an extensive new wine listthat will be featured on all ships in the premium fleet. As Holland AmericaLine's official Wine Curator, Suckling will lead the design and development ofthe premium line's wine offerings and provide wine selection tips on the menusand wine lists of all shipboard dining venues and bars.

Holland America Line currently features more than 300 labels from more than 30countries, and Suckling is working with the cruise line to review and craft anew vision for the wine program. When the list is complete, a large majority ofthe selection will have an impressive rating of 90 points or higher — based onSuckling's own 100-point scale. Holland America Line expects to have the newlist in place fleetwide by the end of 2018, in time for the launch of Nieuw Statendam.

"Wine is a big part of the cruise experience for many of our guests, and havingthe best wine list at sea, or anywhere, allows us to guide novices to findtheir new favorite label or indulge an aficionado who appreciates our deepselection from global wineries that can be hard to find," said Orlando Ashford,president, Holland America Line. "It is an honor to welcome James Suckling asour wine curator, and we know he's going to create an unrivaled list andfurther develop our wine-pairing program so our guests can have the perfectwine with every meal."

"What better way to enjoy and learn about wine than on a cruise with HollandAmerica Line," said Suckling, who last year rated more than 17,000 wines withhis team around the world. "Wine is an experiential product that brings familyand friends together and enhances life, just as the special travel experiencesdelivered by Holland America Line."

About James Suckling
Suckling began his wine critic career in 1981 as an assistant editor for WineSpectator magazine. Four years later he moved to Paris, France, to establishWine Spectator's European bureau. This put him at the center of European wineproduction and cemented his relationships with thousands of vintners, as well ascontributed to his expanding knowledge of wines throughout the continent. Intotal, Suckling spent nearly 30 years as senior editor and European bureauchief of Wine Spectator and as European editor of Cigar Aficionado.

In 2010 Suckling launched JamesSuckling.com, a site that evolved fromseeing a need for wine information to be communicated in a more modern way.Suckling and his team of critics rate about 17,000 wines a year, and Sucklingestimates that he's tasted close to 200,000 wines in his career.

Suckling also promotes and creates pieces for Lalique, the famous Frenchcrystal manufacturer. He also makes documentary movies. In 2017 Sucklingreceived a knighthood from the Italian government — Cavaliere dell'Ordine dellaStella d'Italia — for his decades-long coverage of Italian wines. He alsorecently received an honorary citizenship from the town of Montalcino for hisalmost 40 years of writing about and rating Brunello di Montalcino.

Suckling is the father of Jack and Isabel. Jack is the tasting editor for andhas tasted 5,000 wines for JamesSuckling.com. Suckling's wife, MarieKim-Suckling, a former wine merchant originally from Seoul, South Korea, isvice president of the international media wine company. He still lives nearFlorence, Italy, part of the year, as well as in Hong Kong, China, and in NapaValley in California. For more information, visit JamesSuckling.com. Visit James Suckling onTwitter, Instagram, Facebook and WeChat as well as JamesSuckling.com.

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AboutHolland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offersmore than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98 countries, territories ordependencies around the world. From shorter getaways to 113-day itineraries,the company's cruises visit all seven continents, with highlights includingAntarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations, Cuba cruises andexotic Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; andpopular sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada and New England, Bermuda,Europe and the Panama Canal. The line welcomed Koningsdam in 2016 and has a secondPinnacle-class ship,Nieuw Statendam, tobe delivered in December 2018. A third Pinnacle-class ship, due for delivery in2021, recently was announced.

The company is undergoing $300 million in brand enhancements to secure itsposition as the leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships featureinnovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused ondestination immersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand theirknowledge through an exclusive partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine; duringan America's Test Kitchen show; at Explorations Café presented by The New YorkTimes; and by taking a Digital Workshop powered by Windows. Outstanding entertainmentfills each evening at venues including Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboardand B.B. King's Blues Club. The dining experience can be savored at a varietyof restaurants with menus that feature selections from Holland America Line'sesteemed Culinary Council, comprising world-famous chefs who design dishesexclusively for our guests.

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