Holland America Cruise

Holland America Cruises

Over the course of the company’s long history, first as a cargo- and passenger-shipping carrier, and subsequently a leisure-cruise line, Holland America Line has carried more than 10 million passengers from Europe to the New World and to vacation destinations across the globe.

Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe.

Holland America Line recently completed an unprecedented $425 million investment in unparalleled product and service enhancements to its fleet of five-star ships. Called Signature of Excellence, this initiative built on Holland America Line’s renowned Tradition of Excellence by significantly raising the standard in premium cruising. The comprehensive enhancements focused on five areas central to the Holland America Line guest experience: spacious, elegant ships and accommodations; sophisticated five-star dining; gracious, award-winning service; extensive enrichment programs and activities; and compelling worldwide itineraries.

Holland America Line was founded in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, a shipping and passenger line. Because it was headquartered in Rotterdam and provided service to the Americas, it became known as Holland America Line.

Holland America Cruise! There’s nothing cruising-as-usual about it

Holland America has earned “highest rated premium cruise line” status from readers of Condé Nast Traveller and Travel & Leisure (a very sophisticated, cruise savvy audience), every year for well over a decade! They have also garnered a multitude of prestigious awards for quality, food service, entertainment, best onboard service, and best private island from such respected publications as the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society, Porthole Cruise Magazine and Onboard Services Magazine.

The Service

Did you know that Holland America sails with more crewmembers per guest than any other cruise line in their class?

The Dining

Fantastic cuisine. Diverse restaurants. Oops! Buon appetito! Fettuccine, linguine, pizza rustica, osso bucco. A cover charge applies when meals are taken in alternative restaurants.

With pre-dinner cocktails you get hot hors d’oeuvres and at the pool and patio there’s a bar and grill. The perfect place for deck parties and lunches al fresco.

Accommodations

Now this is where Holland America really shines and spacious comfort is the theme refrained throughout the fleet. Staterooms on all HAL ships have two lower beds which may be converted to either one queen-size or one king-size dependent upon category (except ms Noordam - all staterooms have two lower beds except Cat.

The Suite Life

Holland America suites are big on luxury and if you select this category of accommodation you’ll enjoy a host of complimentary services and amenities that will forever spoil you for any other stateroom category.

For example, Veranda Suites include soft cotton robes, extra luxe towels, access to a no-host fully stocked mini-bar, VCR and access to a well-stocked video library plus personalized stationery.

Deluxe Veranda and Penthouse Veranda Suites have robes, complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning. Complimentary in-suite high tea on silver service, complimentary in-suite pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres, fresh fruit, stocked mini-bar, special lounge for disembarkation and so much more, such as an exclusive Indonesian Rijstaffel luncheon hosted by the Captain and Hotel Manager. For suite guests on cruises 10 days and longer, the Captain and Hotel Manager host not only the lunch, but a dinner as well, including pre-dinner cocktails.

Holland America’s dazzling shows have been created by a production team with more Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar nominations than any other cruise line. And there you are, perfectly centered, champagne in hand.

Holland America Fleet:

Spacious yet intimate floating resorts, where the most modern advances in guest amenities and nautical design are celebrated. Holland’s impressive fleet boasts 13 classically elegant five-star ships, including three new sisters. Upon embarkation, a string ensemble plays; a white-gloved steward escorts you to your stateroom, musical chimes summon you to dinner. More spacious staterooms, the rapt attention of award-winning Indonesian stewards, un-crowded public rooms, a profusion of flowers, rich museum quality art collections, a teak promenade deck encircling the ship - all give you an expansive sense of comfort.

Executive summary about Holland America Cruise by William Lezubski

Check my other posting about America Cruises here!