Holland America Line

Line: Holland America Line
Established: 1873
Vessels: 15
Tonnage: 37,848 - 86,700
Passengers: 793 - 2,104

What's included in the price:

• Accommodation
• Most meals
• Entertainment
• Port taxes
• Government fees

What's new?

Holland America Line has long been one of the more traditional cruise companies. Everything about the line’s ships is premium class, but understated and refined. Ships are artistically decorated whilst all having a different theme. There are traditions that are maintained on all ships such as afternoon tea and chimes being rung to announce dinner. All ships have a collection of artwork and the tours, which can be heard on an iPod, are well worthwhile.

The line has pioneered many concepts in the cruising industry and introduced the alternative dining venue, which has been copied by so many other cruise lines now. Each ship has a Pinnacle Grill that is reservations-only and levies a cover charge of $10 for lunch and $15 for dinner. These restaurants are elegant and the menu features meat and seafood dishes with a Pacific Northwest theme. The newer ships, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam have a Tamarind restaurant which features Asian dishes and offer a $15 dinner.

The line has very slowly introduced a flexible dining plan where passengers can make reservations or simply walk in for dinner outside of the formal arrangements. Part of the two deck main dining rooms are set aside for these diners. There are two formal dining nights each week when passengers cannot deny themselves the pleasure of tuxedos and cocktail dresses.

Evening entertainment on a Holland America ship is fairly understated with pre-dinner drinks usually being the liveliest time. There are numerous options including disco dancing, a cinema and a Vegas style revue in the main theatre. The newer ships have a culinary arts centre and invite celebrity chefs to demonstrate their particular favourites and specialities. The increased interest in fine dining at home makes this a very popular daytime venue. The digital workshops are very popular with younger people of all ages. They are sponsored by Microsoft and here passengers can learn how to create graphics, design and put up a website and many other digital doings.

There is a wide choice of cabins on a Holland America ship. Every cabin has a small dining area, a desk, a stocked fridge and the usual en-suite bathroom comforts. Bedding and towels are of very good quality and add to the feeling of being on a premier class ship. Cabins have plenty of storage space and are not small. Even a passenger in the lowest priced economy cabin will not feel cramped. All cabins are also equipped with flat screen TVs that offer the usual range of channels. Over 1,000 movies are available free of charge and there are also news and variety channels available. At the top of the scale there are Penthouse suites which have separate sitting rooms, dressing rooms and butler’s pantry equipped with microwave and full size refrigerator. Occupants of these suites have dining facilities on their balcony and access to the exclusive Neptune lounge, which offers snacks and drinks throughout the day, a computer and a concierge.

The ships are very comfortable for all classes of passenger. There are multiple lounges, a piano bar and casino on all ships. On one evening each week the crew lead a pub-crawl through all of the bars on board. This is a very popular event so needs to be booked early. A touch of class is that each ship publishes a newspaper each day clearly designed to help passengers plan their activities. It shows the times of events, meals and the movie that is to be shown in the cinema.

Holland America aim to project themselves as a cruise line at the premium end of the market. Any age of person will enjoy one of their cruises and feel that they have done so in style. There is no over-excitement and glitz, but an atmosphere of fun with quality and class about a Holland America ship.

Onboard Experience
	Entertainment After a day of exploration and sight-seeing, nights on board glitter with choices. Commence your evening with drinks and dancing in the Ocean Bar, take in a movie or visit one of the lounges. Try your luck at the Las Vegas-style casino or catch an extravagant Broadway-style production.
	Dining From a casual bite poolside to a formal five-course affair in the classic main Dining Room. Led by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, chefs create innovative signature dishes using the freshest produce and highest quality meats and seafood. Knowledgeable wine stewards pair the perfect wine with every dish. Whether you desire the relaxed atmosphere of the Lido or dinner on your private verandah, the choice is always yours.
	Facilities During your days at sea, you have the choice of plenty of onboard amenities including two swimming pools, nine bars and lounges and Broadway-style productions, relax at the at the spa with a sauna, indulge in a massage, go to the beauty salon or visit the gym. There is also a full gambling casino, library and cinema.
Accomodation
	Accommodation Enjoy a range of accommodation options from Inside and Outside staterooms through to Suites and Penthouses. Regardless of which type you choose, each stateroom is furnished with premium linens, Egyptian cotton towels and generous storage. Daily housekeeping and turndown service keep staterooms immaculate.