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The sheer breadth of destinations Holland America covers is impressive for such a small fleet. Currently, the line has ships scheduled to call on six continents (plus a sail past the seventh, Antarctica) with stops in more than 50 countries. But that doesn't mean the ships are stuffy, boring or limited to an older demographic. In fact, HAL ships are more modern than ever, with some of the newest hardware featuring high-tech theater shows, extensive art collections and contemporary music that even members of Generation Z are likely to appreciate.
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Passengers can choose from a variety of dining options, including formal dining rooms, specialty restaurants, and casual eateries. Holland America also offers a unique dining experience called "As You Wish" dining, which allows passengers to choose when and where they want to dine each night. Passengers onboard Holland America Line's ships love the line's dedication to traditional cruise activities, including afternoon tea and ballroom dancing, but they also flock to the line's newer options.
How much does it cost to go on Holland America Rotterdam?
In general, Holland America's newest ships are bigger and more amenity-packed than the oldest Holland America ships. But they're not as big as the biggest ships operated by such competitors as Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises. Among the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is known for smaller and more intimate vessels. The newest Holland America ship is typically also the Holland America ship with the most up-to-date venues, including restaurants and bars, as well as the most up-to-date cabins and suites.
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The line's ships operate on a cashless system whereby passengers link a credit card or sum of cash to their room keycards, which can then be used to charge onboard purchases. Because Holland America cruises focus on the destinations visited, rather than onboard attractions, the entertainment roster is lighter than what you'll find with other mainstream lines. However, just because there are fewer options doesn't mean the ones that exist aren't excellent. Foodies will enjoy celebrity chef-led dining experiences and cooking demonstrations on select sailings. Plus, Holland America's Vital Choice program provides passengers with at-home fish deliveries and recipes from the line's chefs so they can replicate the meals they've eaten on board when they return to dry land. Standard features in all Holland America ship cabins include a queen bed that can split into two twins, a couple of nightstands, a vanity/desk area with a chair or stool and a phone.
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Among major cruise lines, Holland America has one of the biggest array of sailings through the waterway. The land tour portion of such trips brings visits to such well-known interior Alaska locations as Denali National Park and the town of Fairbanks. Holland America is also unique among cruise lines in offering cruisetours that include a land tour into the Yukon Territory of Canada. The company's first ship was the original Rotterdam (1872), which sailed its 15-day maiden voyage from the Netherlands to New York City on October 15, 1872.
The five tiers are 1-Star Mariner (after your first cruise), 2-Star Mariner (30-74 cruise nights), 3-Star Mariner (75-199), 4-Star Mariner ( ) and 5-Star Mariner (500 nights or more). An 18% service charge will be added to bar, drink package and spa purchases. Additionally, depending on your sailing, you might have to apply for visas in order to enter certain countries. In many cases, the line will handle the application and procurement for you, but pay attention to special instructions in cases where you might be responsible for obtaining your own documentation. Given the brand's deep roots in Alaska and dedication to serving some of the best meals afloat, it uses sustainable Alaskan seafood sourced through a partnership with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and certified by Responsible Fisheries Management. The line's most popular and frequented destinations are the Caribbean and Europe, with other locales in proximity to North America — such as Canada/New England and the Mexican Riviera — proving to be the second-most popular with Holland America travelers.
In addition to its around-the-world cruises, Holland America is also known for full circumnavigations of South America that begin and end in Port Everglades. Normally, Holland America's around-the-world voyages begin and end at Florida's Port Everglades. These trips typically take place on the line's smaller vessels and can last four months or longer, allowing Americans to travel across the globe without ever getting on an airplane. Among the shore excursions available from the port of Colon is a bus tour to see the locks in action from observation areas on land. Still, the line's heaviest presence by far is in Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean.
Alaska 2024-2025 voyages and cruisetours
Imagine majestic tidewater glaciers, iconic animals roaming freely, breaching whales, colorful Klondike Gold Rush history and wide-open spaces of incomparable beauty.
Both Marella Celebration and Marella Spirit sailed for Holland America as the Noordam (1984) and Nieuw Amsterdam (1983) before being transferred to the Marella fleet in 2005 and 2003, respectively. Marella Spirit was operated by Louis Cruises under sub-charter to Marella until 2018, when she was sold for scrap. Marella Dream was built as Homeric in 1986 before moving to Holland America as Westerdam in 1988. Amsterdam makes annual "Grand Voyages" lasting more than 60 days, including a grand circle of the Pacific Ocean each fall and a World Voyage sailing around the world, usually ranging from January to April/May. In March 1918 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation seizing under angary 89 Dutch merchant ships in US ports. They included the HAL liner Rijndam, which was converted into a US troopship,[21] and eight HAL cargo ships.
Carnival's Holland America offers huge cruise deal (act fast) - TheStreet
Carnival's Holland America offers huge cruise deal (act fast).
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:56:43 GMT [source]
In Hawaii, the debut of Nieuw Amsterdam marks a significant addition, as it offers roundtrip itineraries from San Diego, California. Joining Nieuw Amsterdam are Koningsdam and Zaandam, embarking on island-hopping adventures that typically include an overnight stay in Honolulu, Hawaii's captivating capital. These Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises are available from October 2025 through April 2026, with durations ranging from 15 to 22 days. In December 2022, HAL became PPA's exclusive cruise line (Professional Pickleball Association). The company announced plans to add fleetwide pickleball courts (installed on every ship's top deck) by April 2023.
While on board, rejuvenate with a spa treatment in the serene Greenhouse Spa & Salon®, indulge in a tantalizing meal at a fine dining restaurant or play a friendly game of pickleball at sea. Revel in spacious cruise ship rooms, breathe in expansive views and relax in easy elegance. With stately fine dining and enriching activities, Holland America Line's cruise ships welcome you aboard.
Violations of these policies will result in a $250 fine; repeated offenses could cause a passenger to be disembarked from the sailing. The most notable of Holland America's entertainment spaces is the Music Walk, a live music-themed promenade that's home to several venues for everything from dueling pianos and blues performances to rock 'n' roll. Additionally, each Holland America vessel has a buffet that serves a large number of cuisines from several stations for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacking. And, speaking of snacking, afternoon tea is offered on select afternoons on each voyage.
(Volendam) 12-day "Historic Baja & Sea of Cortez" voyage departs on December 10th, 2023, and explores Baha Peninsula. Both HAL ships also are scheduled to meet in Barcelona on April 24th (2025), for a joint overnight port stay with planned festivities to mark the unique occasion. To book the unique itineraries customers were required to contact HAL's World Cruise Reservations Desk or a travel agent, starting from April 20th.
During the summer and holiday periods, the average age onboard comes down as families, particularly multigenerational groups that include the grandparents and grandkids, take to the ships. This is particularly true of the line's Alaska and Canada/New England itineraries. In recent years, HAL has earned a well-deserved reputation for offering some of the best and most varied food at sea.
Holland America Line cruisers usually run 50 or older and are evenly split between being retired and employed -- the longer the cruise, the older the demographic and the more retired passengers there are. They tend to be foodies and music-lovers (two things for which HAL prides itself), and most are from the U.S. and Canada, though about 20 percent of the passengers are international, with the U.K. And finally, the Music Walk entertainment complex has revolutionized Holland America ships.
In 2023, HAL conducted 5 wet-dock refurbishments to expand the casino space on its vessels in the PINNACLE-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam). Each of the enlarged gambling facilities now has 140 of the gaming industry's newest slot and video poker machines. In addition, a separate non-smoking area was added in the casinos of Nieuw Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam. In October 2022 HAL partnered with Pike Brewing Company (Seattle WA-based craft brewery) for "HAL Pils" (limited-edition Pilsner beer) available fleetwide (in all ship bars and lounges) since January 2023. For one simple fare, you can save with Have It All, our premium cruise package that includes Shore Excursions, a Drink Package, Specialty Dining and Wi-Fi. The brand is owned by Carnival Corporation, which has not ordered new ships for the nine lines that it owns for several years as it focuses on paying down debt.
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