Holland America - Profile

Holland America Website

Onboard (Cruise Critic Review)

One of the nice things about Holland America's onboard ambience is that its arty, colorful ships, though all carrying an individual decorating theme, have a pleasant consistency. Holland America ships have numerous traditions -- such as afternoon tea, gentlemen hosts for dancing on cruises over 10 days and a quaint "chime ringing" to announce dinner -- that are consistent throughout the fleet.

The line distinguishes itself with an eclectic yet thoughtful collection of artwork onboard, and art tours are definitely worthwhile. Self-guided iPod tours are even available. The devices can be borrowed from each ship's Explorations Cafe.

Holland America offers some special-touch services not found on other cruise lines. If you're on a warm weather itinerary, you'll find waiters roaming the decks with tall glasses of iced tea or lemonade. In Alaska, you'll warm up on the outside decks with mugs of delicious Dutch pea soup.

The line was a pioneer in introducing the alternative restaurant concept with the introduction of Odyssey Restaurant onboard the Rotterdam. These days, the concept has evolved, and the line's signature restaurant, the Pinnacle Grill, is in place, fleetwide, as the alternative dining venue. The Pinnacle Grill is a reservations-only venue with a $10 cover charge for lunch and a $20 charge for dinner. The atmosphere is elegant, and the menu features meat and seafood dishes with a Pacific Northwest theme. The line's newest vessels, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, introduced Tamarind, an Asian specialty restaurant featuring fee-free Dim sum and $15 dinner.

Holland America has long been one of the more traditional cruise lines when it comes to main restaurant dining, but it does now offer passengers more flexibility with "As You Wish" dining. It works like this: One level of the ships' two-deck-high dining rooms will be dedicated to traditional, early (5:45 p.m.) or main-seating (8 p.m.) while the other is open from 5:15 to 9 p.m. daily. (Breakfast and lunch are already open-seating.) Passengers opting for open-seating can make reservations ahead of time -- or simply walk in.

Evening entertainment, consistent with the Holland America experience, is fairly understated with pre-dinner cocktails generally being the liveliest time. However, there are numerous entertainment options, from disco-style dancing in the Crow's Nest and flicks in the cinema to Vegas-style revues in the main theater.

Fellow Passengers

Holland America has long had a reputation for catering to a well-heeled but somewhat traditionally minded crowd. Perhaps that's due to the line's insistence on maintaining its traditions with set-seating dining, elegant afternoon tea, ballroom dancing and on-ship tennis courts. But Holland America is also making an effort to entice a younger, hipper customer base by integrating some of cruising's most important new features, such as Internet cafes with wireless access, alternative boutique restaurants, concierge service for upper-level accommodations and indoor-outdoor pools for year-round use. Camp HAL has also been upgraded to meet the needs of younger families with children -- especially during summer sailings to Alaska and the Caribbean and on weeklong (as opposed to two-week-plus) voyages. Although Holland America is not likely to rival Disney for the breadth and depth of its programs, most of the ships offer Club HAL children's programming, particularly during the summer and other school holiday periods.

The Club HAL programs are divided into three age groups: 3 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 to 17. All of the ships now have expanded children's facilities, dedicated teen lounges and parent-free zones with computers, conversation areas and gaming stations. Teens can take advantage of these spaces, which bear names like The Loft and The Oasis and have themes to match.

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Ships cruising to, from or within Australia in 2012-13

Volendam

Zaandam

Oosterdam

(SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA) The Holland America Line is a British-American owned cruise line. It was founded in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company (Dutch:Nederlandsch-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij), a shipping and passenger line. Headquartered in Rotterdam and providing service to the Americas, it became known as Holland America Line. HAL is now headquartered in Seattle, Washington, U.S.^[1]

The first ships sailed between Rotterdam and New York in 1872, with New York remaining the American terminal. Other services were started to South Americaand Baltimore. Cargo service to New York was added in 1899. During the first 25 years the company carried 400,000 people from the old world to the new world. Other North American ports were added during the early 20th century.

Though transportation and shipping were the primary sources of revenue, in 1895 HAL offered its first vacation cruise. Its second vacation cruise, from New York to the Holy Land was first offered in 1910. In 1971, HAL suspended transatlantic passenger trade and in 1973 sold its cargo shipping division.

In 1989, HAL became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corp. The company operates 15 ships to 7 continents and is expected to carry over 750,000 cruise passengers in 2012.^[2] In addition to its cruise line, Holland America operates the Westmark Hotel chain in Alaska and the Yukon.

As of July 2008, the line operates 15 ships, from the smaller and older S Class vessels; the mid range R Class; the Vista class; the newest and largest Signature class and the small 793-passenger Prinsendam (originally the Royal Viking Sun, then Seabourn Sun until HAL's purchase in 2002). All HAL ships have a dark blue hull with white superstructure, with the company's logo featured prominently on the functional smoke stacks.

Holland America also owns:

• the Westmark hotel chain operating in Alaska and the Yukon
• Worldwide Shore Services, providing warehouse and logistical support
• Half Moon Cay, a private Caribbean island, known officially as Little San Salvador Island) with most Caribbean cruises spending a day there.

On April 3, 2008 Micky Arison, the chairman of Carnival Corporation, stated that due to the low value of the US dollar, inflation and high shipbuilding costs, they would not be ordering new ships for their US based divisions (Holland America, Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises) until the economic situation improves. Nevertheless, Carnival Breeze was ordered in 2010, and two Princess liners in 2011, one of which will be the new Royal Princess.^[3]

Statendam Class (S Class)

Vessel Name	In HAL Service	Gross Tonnage	Maximum Speed	Passenger Complement	Enclosed Passenger Decks	Notes	Image
MS Statendam	1993	55,819	22 knots	1,260	9	April 2010 refit added spa staterooms, Mix lounge and Showroom at Sea
MS Maasdam	1993	55,575	22 knots	1,258	9	April 2011 refit added Lanai and spa staterooms, Mix lounge and Showroom at Sea
MS Ryndam	1994	55,819	22 knots	1,260	9	February 2010 refit added spa staterooms, Mix lounge and Showroom at Sea
MS Veendam	1996	57,092	22 knots	1,350	9	April 2009 refit added Lanai, spa and verandah staterooms, Mix lounge, Showroom at Sea, the Retreat aft pool area with shallow pool and movie screen (moved up to Lido deck level), and duck tail for stability. April 2011 refit updated Retreat area, removing wading pool in favor of several smaller hot/cool tubs.

The four S Class ships above began life as virtually identical vessels except for décor. They were the first new HAL cruise ships to incorporate features like the atrium, the two-deck main dining room and show lounge, and the Lido pool with retractable roof. These vessels are currently undergoing a series of major refits. See above for details.

All S Class ships received the first phase of Signature of Excellence upgrades (detailed above) between 2004 and 2006.

[edit]Rotterdam Class (R Class)

Vessel Name	In HAL Service	Gross Tonnage	Maximum Speed	Passenger Complement	Enclosed Passenger Decks	Notes	Image
MS Rotterdam	1997	61,849	25 knots	1,404	9	December 2009 refit added Lanai, spa and verandah staterooms, Mix lounge, Showroom at Sea, the Retreat aft pool area (moved up to Lido deck level) with shallow pool and movie screen
MS Volendam	1999	61,214	23 knots	1,432	9
MS Zaandam	2000	61,396	23 knots	1,432	9
MS Amsterdam	2000	62,735	25 knots	1,380	9

Unlike the vessels of the S Class, Holland America Line's R Class ships did not all start out identical. Rotterdam, the first of the four, was similar to the S Class, but slightly longer and wider, with a third set of passenger stairs/elevators and some new facilities. The twins Volendam and Zaandam followed, similar to Rotterdam, but with a different (single) funnel and larger because the aft pool was moved up one deck to the Lido level, creating more space for passenger accommodations below. The final R Class ship, Amsterdam, like a hybrid of Rotterdam and Volendam/Zaandam, incorporates Rotterdam's twin funnels as well as the Lido deck aft pool. Together, Rotterdam and Amsterdam are considered HAL's flagships.

All R Class ships received the first phase of Signature of Excellence upgrades (detailed above) between 2005 and 2009.

[edit]Vista Class

Vessel Name	In HAL Service	Gross Tonnage	Maximum Speed	Passenger Complement	Enclosed Passenger Decks	Notes	Image
MS Zuiderdam	2002	82,305	24 knots	1,916	10
MS Oosterdam	2003	82,305	24 knots	1,916	10
MS Westerdam	2004	82,305	24 knots	1,916	10
MS Noordam	2006	82,318	24 knots	1,924	10

HAL's four Vista Class ships are named for the points of the compass in Dutch. Noord for north, Zuid for south, Oost for east and West for West. These ships were designed mainly for shorter (less than two weeks) cruises in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe. These ships are notable because of the exceptionally great number of oceanview and verandah staterooms - more than 85% and 67% respectively. The first three Vista Class vessels were built as identical triplets. Noordam incorporated a few design changes, including a more vertical aft profile, which makes her larger, with a slightly greater passenger capacity. The success of Noordam's revised design caused HAL to modify the other three Vista Class ships with aft expansions to mimic Noordam.

In 2006, the Vista class cruise ships were awarded the 2006 Green Planet Award for outstanding environmental standards by Kuoni Switzerland.^[4]

Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and Westerdam received the first phase of Signature of Excellence upgrades (detailed above) between 2005 and 2006, while Noordam was built to SOE1 standards.

[edit]Signature Class

Vessel Name	In HAL Service	Gross Tonnage	Maximum Speed	Passenger Complement	Enclosed Passenger Decks	Notes	Image
MS Eurodam	2008	86,273	23.9 knots	2,104	11
MS Nieuw Amsterdam	2010	86,700	23.9 knots	2,106	11

The Signature Class ships are essentially an enhanced Vista Class design. The main difference is the addition of a deck between the Lido and Observation decks. This allows for more cabins (mostly spa accommodations) and some additional facilities including the specialty restaurant Tamarind and the Silk Den lounge.

Both Signature Class ships were built to Signature of Excellence (first phase) standards (detailed above).

[edit]The "Elegant Explorer"

Vessel Name	In HAL Service	Gross Tonnage	Maximum Speed	Passenger Complement	Enclosed Passenger Decks	Notes	Image
MS Prinsendam	2002 (built 1988)	37,983	22 knots	835	8

The smallest and oldest HAL ship, Prinsendam is in a class by herself. The only Holland America Line ship not built for the line, Prinsendam enjoyed a career with Royal Viking Line, Cunard and Seabourn Cruise Line before joining the HAL fleet after an extensive refit in 2002. Prinsendam does not have a two-deck main dining room or main lounge, an indoor/outdoor pool, or dedicated children's facilities like other HAL vessels.

Prinsendam received the first phase of Signature of Excellence upgrades (detailed above) in 2005.

[edit]

Features and Amenities

Legend

All Ships

Some Ships

No Ships

Stateroom Amenities

TV/Radio

CD Player

In-Stateroom Movies

iPod Docks/Stereos

In-Stateroom Internet Access

Direct Dial Telephone

Private Safe

Minibar/Refrigerator

Hair Dryer

Dining

Traditional Assigned Seating

Open Seating

Formal Nights

Specialty/a la carte Venues

Coffeehouse/Patisserie

24 Hour Food Service Available

Children and Families

Family Staterooms

Reduced Cruise Rates

Babysitting Available

Cribs Available

Organized Age-Specific Programs

Games/Contests

Organized Parties and Events

Organized Sporting Activities

Cartoons

Movies

Educational Programs

Environmental Awareness Programs

Children-Only Pool

Children's Playroom

Teen Center or Disco

Teen Counselors

Youth Counselors

Meetings and Conferences

Meeting Coordinator

Meeting Space

Conference Dining

Private Party/Events

Business Center Services

Audio Visual Equipment

Computer Equipment

Email Access

Special Programs/Services

Weddings/Honeymoon Packages

Guest Lecturers/Educational Programs

Cell Phone Service

iPod and/or iPhone Rental

Special Dietary Needs (Advance Notification Required)

Wheelchair Accessibility

Sports and Fitness

Cardio Equipment

Weights (free weights and/or machines)

Personal Trainer

Total Fitness Program

Group Fitness Classes

Yoga/Pilates

Jogging Track

Basketball

Volleyball

Multi-use Sports Court

Paddle Tennis/Ping Pong

Rock Climbing Wall

Bowling Alley

Miniature Golf

Watersports Platform

Snorkel Lessons

Discover SCUBA /Resort Course

SCUBA Certification

Golf Programs

Golf Driving or Simulator

Clinics/Lessons

Onboard Pro

Golf Packages

Spa/Wellness

Aromatherapy

Body Wraps

Mud Therapy

Ionithermie Treatments

Reflexology

Thalassotherapy

Massage

Facials

Manicure/Pedicure

Full Service Beauty Salon

Teeth Whitening

Nutritionist

Fitness Evaluations

Steam Room or Sauna

Jacuzzi or Whirlpool