Holland America Line has a long and storied history as one of the world’s premier cruise lines. Founded in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, it is now a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and based in Seattle, Washington. holland america cruises

Holland America offers cruises to all seven continents, including Antarctica. Its fleet of 14 ships carries over 800,000 guests each year. The mid-sized vessels accommodate between 1,350 and 2,650 guests, offering an intimate cruising experience. Holland America is known for refined sophistication and classic elegance.

On board, guests can enjoy gourmet dining options, Broadway-style shows, and enriching activities. Holland America focuses on exploration and making travel meaningful, with experts on board lecturing on destinations. Itineraries feature scenic cruising and both marquee and boutique ports of call. From the Caribbean to Alaska to the Mediterranean, there are diverse cruise options spanning the globe.

Staterooms range from interior cabins to spacious suites with ocean views and private balconies. A variety of recreational facilities are available, like spas, pools, fitness centers, and lots of space for walks on the deck. Holland America cruises offer the perfect blend of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Fleet Information

Holland America Line’s fleet consists of 11 ships ranging in size from 55,000 to 99,500 gross tons. The ships cater to a mid-sized crowd, carrying between 1,350 to 2,650 guests each.

The current fleet includes:

• ms Rotterdam (2021) – The newest and largest HAL ship at 99,500 gross tons with a guest capacity of 2,668. She features contemporary interior design and amenities.

• ms Koningsdam (2016) – The second-newest, at 99,000 gross tons with a capacity of 2,650 guests. Her interiors pay homage to the music and feature unique venues.

• ms Nieuw Statendam (2018) – The third newest ship at 99,500 gross tons with 2,666 guests. She’s the sister ship to Koningsdam with similar style and amenities.

• ms Eurodam (2008) and ms Nieuw Amsterdam (2010) – These mid-sized sisters weigh in at 86,000 gross tons and hold 2,104 guests each. They feature a resort-style layout.

• ms Westerdam (2004), ms Zuiderdam (2002), and ms Oosterdam (2003) – Ranging from 82,000 to 86,000 gross tons, these trio ships have room for 1,924 to 1,964 guests in spacious staterooms.

• ms Zaandam (2000) and ms Volendam (1999) – The smallest of Holland America’s fleet at around 61,000 gross tons. They offer an intimate atmosphere for up to 1,440 guests in ocean-view staterooms.

The ships feature a range of stateroom categories from inside cabins to spacious suites, most with ocean views. Decor varies across the fleet but overall exudes classic elegance with modern touches.

Onboard Experience

Holland America Line is renowned for its exceptional onboard experience. With a sophisticated yet casually elegant atmosphere, the cruise line ensures every guest feels pampered.

Dining is a highlight on Holland America ships, with an array of dining options to satisfy all tastes. The main dining room offers a rotating menu along with nightly signature dishes. Casual poolside venues serve gourmet burgers, pizza and more. Specialty restaurants require reservations but serve cuisine such as Italian, French, and steakhouse fare. 24-hour room service is available for all meals.

By day, a host of activities entertain guests of all ages. Adults can partake in enrichment programs focused on culinary arts, digital photography and more. The Greenhouse Spa and Salon provides rejuvenating treatments. Fitness classes range from yoga and Pilates to cycling. Several pools, hot tubs and a walk-around promenade deck offer places to unwind.

At night, Las Vegas-style production shows dazzle in the Mainstage theater. Live music and dancing take place in lounges and bars. Guest performers such as musicians and comedians add variety. For gaming, the lively casino features slots, poker and blackjack.

With exceptional service, activities staff and dynamic spaces, Holland America Line ensures guests enjoy every moment onboard. The cruise line’s onboard product is consistently ranked among the best at sea.

Destinations

Holland America Line sails to all seven continents, visiting over 470 ports of call. Some of the top destinations include:

Alaska

Alaska cruises allow you to experience the state’s gorgeous scenery, glaciers, and wildlife up close. You’ll likely visit popular ports like Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Sitka. Cruises that include Glacier Bay National Park provide the opportunity to view massive tidewater glaciers like Margerie and Grand Pacific. Holland America has several Alaska cruise itineraries ranging from 7-14 days.

Caribbean

The azure waters and warm beaches of the Caribbean are a classic cruise destination. Typical ports include the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Aruba, Curacao, and the Cayman Islands. Holland America Caribbean cruises range from 7-21 days, many round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. Short itineraries focus on the Western Caribbean while longer sailings also explore the Southern and Eastern Caribbean.

Europe

From the Mediterranean to Northern Europe and the Baltic, Holland America cruises cover all corners of Europe. Popular ports include Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Athens, Lisbon, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg. European itineraries range from 7-21 days, offering a convenient way to experience the history, cuisine and culture of multiple countries.

Panama Canal

Transiting the Panama Canal is an unforgettable experience. Holland America itineraries feature partial transits on shorter cruises and full transits on longer, 15+ day sailings. Ports of call may include Cartagena, Puntarenas, Fuerte Amador, and Colón. Both westbound and eastbound itineraries are available.

Other Notable Destinations

Depending on the ship and time of year, Holland America also visits destinations including Canada & New England, Hawaii, Australia & New Zealand, South America and exotic ports in Asia and Africa. Theme cruises focus on music, food & wine, or enrichment.

Staterooms

Holland America offers a variety of stateroom options to accommodate different budgets and needs. Staterooms range in size from interior cabins to spacious suites.

Interior Staterooms

Interior staterooms are the most affordable option. Ranging from 150 to 200 square feet, they have all the standard amenities like flat-screen TVs, but no window or balcony. Great for travelers who plan to spend most of their time exploring the ship’s public areas.

Ocean View Staterooms

Ocean-view staterooms offer a window to enjoy the sights. They run from 170 to 200 square feet. Some have obstructed views, with lifeboats or other ship parts partially blocking the ocean vista.

Verandah Staterooms

Verandah staterooms feature a private balcony with lounge chairs, ideal for relaxing and enjoying sea breezes. They range from 200 to 300 square feet including the verandah. Most balconies are 30 to 50 square feet. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors access the balcony.

Suites

For extra space, amenities and service, suites range from 300 to 1,200 square feet. They offer separate living and sleeping areas, large balconies, premium bedding, bathrooms with tubs and showers, and access to exclusive areas like private lounges. Some feature walk-in closets. Pinnacle Suites are the most luxurious.

Dining

Holland America is known for its exceptional dining options that allow guests to explore an array of flavors and cuisines each day. There are several complimentary dining venues, along with specialty restaurants for an extra charge.

The main dining room is an elegant two-story restaurant where guests can opt for a set dining time and table assignment or a flexible open seating plan. Menus often highlight regional specialties from the ships’ ports of call. Dinner typically features appetizers, salads, soups, fresh pasta, entrees, and decadent desserts.

The Pinnacle Grill is a popular specialty restaurant focused on premium cuts of meat and fresh seafood. Guests will find options like filet mignon, rib eye steak, king salmon, lobster tails, and more. Make reservations to enjoy an intimate evening of fine dining.

Tamarind showcases the flavors of Southeast Asia. Try specialty dishes like butter chicken, Vietnamese summer rolls, wok-fried noodles, and green tea crème brûlée. The atmosphere is relaxed and contemporary.

For casual fare with an Italian flair, check out Canaletto. The restaurant serves cooked-to-order pasta, salads, antipasti and risottos. Large windows provide views of the sea during dinner.

The Lido Market offers fresh, cooked-to-order selections for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. Guests can choose from several buffet lines, along with Dive-In for burgers, fries and hot dogs by the pool.

Activities on Holland America Cruises

Holland America ships offer a variety of activities to keep guests entertained day and night.

Pools

There are multiple swimming pools across Holland America‘s fleet, including the Lido Pool located near the Lido Market and a sheltered pool with a retractable roof. Pools are surrounded by loungers and hot tubs. The Pinnacle Pool is an adults-only retreat.

Spa

The Greenhouse Spa offers a comprehensive menu of treatments including massages, facials, reflexology, and teeth whitening. There are hydrotherapy pools, heated ceramic loungers and relaxation areas. Treatments can be booked on sea days and in port.

Fitness Center

State-of-the-art fitness centers are equipped with cardio machines, weight machines and free weights. Group exercise classes are offered most days including yoga, Pilates, cycling and stretch classes, some may have a fee. Personal training sessions are available.

Sports

Holland America has sports courts for basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Table tennis is also available. On some ships, you’ll find a jogging track and golf simulator. Scheduled tournaments take place and equipment is available to borrow.

Entertainment

Holland America provides a wide range of evening entertainment and activities to keep you engaged and entertained during your cruise. The ships feature Broadway-style stage shows in the main theater, smaller more intimate productions in the smaller World Stage, live music across multiple venues, comedy shows, theme parties, and lively nightlife.

Shows

The main theater hosts Broadway-style musicals and high-tech productions that rival shows you’d see in Vegas. Past productions include popular shows like Step One Dance Company, Billboard Onboard, and Rockin’ Road to Dublin. The production casts are made up of talented singers, dancers, acrobats and musicians. Holland also partners with well-known entertainment companies like BBC Earth to create exclusive documentary-style shows for guests.

The World Stage offers a more intimate theater experience, with innovative productions that feature the ship’s culinary crew or spotlight different destinations. Look forward to interactive cooking demonstrations, remixes of popular tunes, and engaging storytelling.

Live Music

Holland America has made live music a focus. No matter your taste, you’ll find something to enjoy. Listen to live jazz in the Lincoln Center Stage, rock and rolling in the Rolling Stone Rock Room, or piano melodies in the Piano Bar. The B.B. King’s Blues Club brings New Orleans-inspired tunes to sea, while Billboard Onboard offers everything from latest Top 40 hits to sing-along classics. You’ll also find smaller ensembles playing classical and acoustic sets in lounges around the ship.

Comedy & More

In addition to musical acts, Holland America brings top-notch comedians on board for several shows throughout your cruise. Laugh it up with hilarious standup routines and improve nights. Many ships also have BBC Earth Experiences, where you can watch natural history documentaries on the big screen. And of course, no evening is complete without a lively dance party – there are themed costume parties as well as club nights to dance the night away. With all these options, you’re sure to find entertainment that excites you.

Family Offerings

Holland America Line has a long tradition of providing excellent family offerings onboard its cruises, making it a popular choice for multigenerational travel. A cornerstone of HAL’s family program is Club HAL, their youth activities program focused on kids ages 3-17.

Club HAL provides supervised activities and spaces tailored to different age groups. Kids can participate in arts & crafts, video game competitions, sports tournaments, scavenger hunts, themed parties, and more. Counselors lead activities based on the interests of kids onboard.

For tweens and teens, The Loft is a dedicated space filled with video games, movies, music, Internet access, and more. The Loft has comfy beanbag chairs, and snacks, and allows teens to socialize. Organized activities range from pool parties to Xbox tournaments. Teens have their private prom on formal nights.

Cruisers ages 13-17 can join Club HAL’s teen activities for social events like mocktail parties and late-night movies. Excursions for teens may include jungle ziplining, kayaking, or exploring Mayan ruins onshore. Back on the ship, teens have activities just for them.

With supervised programs, dedicated youth spaces, and counselor-led activities tailored to different age groups, Holland America provides excellent family cruising options. From toddlers to teens, kids can make new friends and take part in exciting activities while parents also enjoy a great cruise experience. With something for everyone, Holland America cruises are ideal for multigenerational travel.

Booking Your Holland America Cruise

Choosing the right Holland America cruise for you comes down to selecting the ideal itinerary, cruise length, and timing.

Holland America sails all over the world, with popular cruise regions including Alaska, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal, Canada & New England, the South Pacific, Antarctica, and more. Consider when you want to cruise and where you’d like to visit to narrow down your ideal sailing.

Cruise lengths on Holland America range from short getaways of a few days to grand voyages lasting over two months. Decide how much time you want to spend at sea and in port to determine the best length. Short cruises are great for first-timers, while longer cruises appeal to experienced cruisers.

It’s wise to book early to get your preferred room type, sail date, and itinerary. Booking 6-12 months in advance can yield the best rates and cabin selection. Use a travel agent or book directly with Holland America online or by phone.

Register for Holland America’s Mariner Society loyalty program for the best deals. Members get access to special promotions, privileges, and insider info.

Consider trip insurance and excursions during the booking process too. You’ll also need to arrange flights, transfers, and hotels if needed. With planning and preparation, you’ll be ready to set sail and enjoy an amazing Holland America cruise.

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