The cruise line: a 140-year success story in the tradition of large luxury liners
Holland America Line is a traditional name that you can rely on! The excellent reputation is no coincidence. Holland America (HAL) is something very special among the large cruise companies with European roots: the classic cruise operator, which is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, looks back on over 150 years of history and follows the tradition of large luxury liners.
Today, 11 proud premium ships belong to the fleet under the Dutch flag, which, with sizes ranging from around 60,906 to 99,500 GRT, can each welcome between 1,432 and 2,668 passengers on board and delight them with luxurious cabins, excellent food, excellent wines and excellent service. The experienced cruising guest Thomas, for example, raves about his experiences with the MS Nieuw Amsterdam in the kreuzfahrten.de forum and gives the cruise line top ratings: “The best cruise ship we have sailed on so far. The ship and the crew exude absolute calm – pure relaxation on the ship!” The company Holland America Line, together with Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia, forms the exclusive “club” of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines.
Discover all seven continents: a comprehensive range of travel destinations for globetrotters
Travelers are spoiled for choice: Holland America Line has 14 unique destinations and over 473 ports (as of January 2022) in its repertoire. Any examples? The cruises with different travel durations take guests to, among other places, Antarctica, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and also South America. Also in the program are cruise classics with sailing areas around Europe, off Alaska, Canada and New England as well as in the Caribbean or off the coast of Mexico. Another special feature of the Holland America Line is that all of its ships are suitable for the Panama Canal, making its passage another specialty of the cruise line.
And that wasn't all! With the “Grand World Voyages” Holland America Line stands out from other providers on the market. With the legendary world cruises, guests enjoy the ultimate freedom! For example, a 128-day global tour is planned for 2023, starting in Fort Lauderdale/Florida on the Zuiderdam. The route plan includes cities and islands in Africa, Australia and Europe as intermediate destinations.
Which season should it be?Cruise offers for all seasons
Would you like to take a classic Mediterranean cruise in summer? Or are you thinking of a very special cruise in winter during the Christmas holidays? Holland America Line also has fantastic routes planned for the fall. Keyword North Pacific crossing! Ask our team at kreuzfahrten.de what special cruise offers are planned for the 2022 and 2023 season. We would be glad to help you find the travel destinations that perfectly suit your preferences.
Various cruises depart from Amsterdam in 2022 and 2023
If you take a look at Holland America's travel program, you will quickly see that the cruise line offers a variety of cruise routes from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. In the footsteps of the Vikings: cruises to Norway in particular (absolute highlight: Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord, Eidfjord, Oslo, Bergen!) are an absolute guest favorite. But cruise offers to Iceland and transatlantic crossings also start from Amsterdam.
4 classes, 11 ships: the current Holland America Line fleet in a fact check
The Holland America Line currently has 11 ships of four different classes sailing the world's oceans. And the cruise line is constantly investing in new ships or comprehensively modernizing its existing ocean liners.
Latest generation: Pinnacle class cruise ships
In the summer of 201, the Italian Fincantieri shipyard handed over the brand new flagship to its long-time regular customer HAL. The MS Rotterdam is the 17th ship that the cruise line has had built by the loyal partner. By the way, an anecdote about the name: the tradition of Rotterdam ships goes back to 1872, when the “first Rotterdam” began its maiden voyage from the Netherlands to New York. The current MS Rotterdam is now the seventh ship to carry on this naming custom. The third ship in the Pinnacle class offers space for 2,668 passengers, has 99,500 gross tons and measures 297 meters in length and 114.8 meters in width. The medium-sized cruise ship focuses on diverse gastronomy and fabulous evening entertainment in the form of lots of music. The concept of the Music Walk, which celebrated its premiere on the MS Koningsdam, also found its way onto the MS Rotterdam: several bars and lounges, each with their own stage, are located right next to each other. The different live acts rotate so that you can enjoy fantastic musical entertainment throughout the evening. It started with her: The MS Koningsdam, the sister ship built at the Italian Fincatieri shipyard in 2015, ushered in a new era with the new Pinnacle class. With a capacity of 2,650 guests and 99,500 GRT, the ocean giant is the largest ship in the fleet. Larger cabins and suites, more balconies and, for the first time, family cabins as well as single cabins for single travelers caused fans and connoisseurs of the cruise scene to go wow. Other candidates in the Pinnacle class: MS Nieuw Statendam was launched in December 2017 and pampers its 2,666 possible guests with every conceivable comfort and extensive service. Already knew? The godmother was the American talk show host Oprah Winfrey!
Signature Class cruise ships
The Signature class currently consists of two ships. The MS Nieuw Amsterdam was put into service in 2010 and is 285 meters long and has a tonnage of 86,273 GRT. It also offers space for 2,104 passengers in 1,052 cabins. The older sister ship MS Eurodam, which began its maiden voyage in 2008, complements the duo. New bathrooms, furniture and technology as well as timeless modern decor have adorned the suites of both fleet members since the major renovation phase in 2015 and 2016.
Vista Class cruise ships
The Vista class includes four ships that were put into service between 2002 and 2006, are each 285 meters long, have a tonnage of around 82,300 GRT and offer space for around 1,900 passengers: They are called MS Zuiderdam, MS Oosterdam and MS Westerdam and MS Noordam. More luxury since 2016: These ships have also received extensive improvements thanks to extensive modernization measures.
R-class cruise ships
The two sister ships MS Volendam and the MS Zaandam, which were launched between 1999 and 2000, are placed in the R class of the Holland America Line. The duo shares the following dimensions: 238 meters long, around 61,200 - 61,300 GRT, 1,432 passengers in 716 cabins. An extensive renovation took place in 2014.
140th company anniversary: seven oceans and a sea of flowers
In spring 2013, the Holland America Line celebrated its 140th birthday - in Keukenhof in Holland, world-famous for its floral splendor. A fitting location, and not just because of the cruise line's Dutch roots. Because you hear again and again from Holland America Line passengers that, in addition to the first-class service, the excellent cuisine and the excellent equipment of the ships, they are also particularly impressed by the great flower arrangements on board - a real sea of flowers!
Stein Kruse, then President and CEO of Holland America Line and today Senior Advisor to the parent company Carnival Corporation, summed it up at the celebration of 140 years of Holland America Line in Keukenhof: “I can't imagine a more fitting way to celebrate our anniversary than christening a tulip in one of the most famous flower parks in the world." For the celebratory event, Jan Pennings, master breeder at Keukenhof, created a slender, white tulip variety with delicate petals, which Stein Kruse named Signature on April 19, 2013. “The Holland America Line has its roots in the Netherlands. To have a tulip dedicated and to be baptized is a great honor,” says Kruse.
Rotterdam I. to VI.– six flagships that set standards
Over the course of its long history, the Holland America Line has transported well over eleven million passengers, first from Europe to the New World and later to holiday destinations around the world.
When the Holland America Line was founded under the name Nederlandsch- Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij (NASM) in Rotterdam on April 18, 1873, an extraordinary success story began that continues to this day and to which many chapters will certainly be added. The flagships of the Holland America Line fleet were traditionally named Rotterdam. This was the name of the cruise line's first ship, which last sailed in 1997 with the Rotterdam VI. and in 2021 the Rotterdam VII received its last successors to date. The first Rotterdam ran on a regular route from Rotterdam to New York. And the rapid success of the young NASM as a passenger and cargo ship company for transatlantic liner services ultimately led to the official introduction of the name Holland America Lijn in 1896.
Cruises already started in 1895
The Holland America Line's liner service was so successful that the cruise line quickly expanded its offers: As early as 1895, the Rotterdam II set off with wealthy passengers on the first holiday cruise in the history of the Holland America Line. The guests went on a summer cruise from Rotterdam to Copenhagen through the Kiel Canal on the 122-meter-long ship.
When the Holland America Line celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1898, the fleet already included six cargo and passenger ships. In its first 25 years, the Holland America Line transported more than 400,000 passengers and no less than five million tons of cargo - especially flower bulbs, herring and gin, all classics from the Netherlands. The ending “-dam”, which is still used to this day, is still a valid part of the name of all Holland America Line passenger ships, while the names of the cargo ships end in “-dyk” or “-dijk”.
The Spotless Fleet gave hundreds of thousands of people a new life
The Holland America Line played an important role during the great wave of emigration when millions of people from the Old World immigrated to the United States between 1880 and 1920. The Holland America Line fleet brought no fewer than a million people safely across the Atlantic so they could start anew in America.
During this time, the Holland America Line earned the honorable nickname “The Spotless Fleet” because of the outstanding quality and meticulous cleanliness of its ships.
However, cruises were not an issue for the Holland America Line at that time: 15 years passed from the first offer in 1895 to the next cruise. In 1910 the Statendam I set off from New York to the Holy Land. Another 16 years later, the Holland America Line offered the first cruise to the Caribbean in 1926. Only then did Holland America Line's cruise program grow. In 1938 she was already able to offer more than 35 holiday cruises.
The Holland America Line as a pioneer in the cruise industry
In the 1950s and 1960s, the company developed many new cruise amenities for its passengers under the slogan “It’s good to be on a well-run ship” that are now taken for granted. For example, on the SS Ryndam II and the SS Maasdam III, the economy twins, economy class passengers were allowed to move freely on almost all decks for the first time. The first class guests only had the “Upper Deck” exclusively for themselves.
The SS Statendam IV set sail from Hoboken, New York in 1958 for the first world voyage, the Grand World Voyage. A year later, the SS Rotterdam V (respectfully called The Grande Dame) was commissioned as the fleet's new flagship and led the Holland America Line fleet until 1997. There was also a very special record to celebrate in 1964: the 50th Atlantic crossing to New York.
Worth knowing: At the end of the 1960s, Holland America Line was the first cruise line to introduce a hotel management system on all ships. They are also responsible for the groundbreaking open Lido dining concept. This ensured that passengers were no longer tied to fixed table times. As a result, the developments in the cruise business became increasingly rapid, so that the transatlantic liner service was discontinued: The almost 100-year history of the Holland-America-Line transatlantic service ended in 1971 with the last voyage of the Nieuw Amsterdam II.
Two that belong together: Holland America Line and Alaska
The MS Prinsendam (operating as MS Amera for Phoenix Reisen since 2019) was the first Holland America Line ship that was designed as a cruise liner from the start. She went on her maiden voyage in 1973 and offered space for 452 passengers. In 1975 the MS Prinsendam sailed to Alaska for the first time, and another two years later, in 1977, the Holland America Line added the MS Veendam to the MS Prinsendam for the Alaska routes. Less than ten years later, the traditional cruie line set the first “Alaska record” in cruise history: with six ships and 120 Alaska cruises!
Today, Holland America Line is considered one of the specialist cruise lines for the Far North of America. In the 2014 season alone, seven HAL ships sailed on more than 130 to Alaska. In addition, numerous awards prove that the Holland America Line is ideal for this fascinating and sensitive region. For example, the Alaska National Tour Association (NTA) awarded Holland America Line the “Favorite Cruise Experience” award for its diverse cruise program in America's North. The Ocean Stewardship and Sustainability Award was presented to the cruise line by the Alaska SeaLife Center in recognition of its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
Carnival Cruises goes on board with major investments
In 1989 Carnival Corporation & plc.takes over HAL and enables a major expansion program from 1990. This included commissioning the Italian Fincantieri shipyard to build additional ships so that Holland America Line could position itself even better as a global premium cruise line with medium-sized ships.
In 1997, HAL bought its own Caribbean island
A new flagship caused a stir in 1997: The Rotterdam VI. was repeatedly named “Ship of the Year” by the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society. But during this time, the Holland America Line not only impressed with luxury liners, but in 1997 the cruise line also purchased Half Moon Cay - formerly Little San Salvador - its first private island in the Bahamas, which quickly became a model port in the Caribbean.
The great era of the 1990s ended with the start of construction of the ships MS Noordam, MS Zuiderdam, MS Westerdam and MS Oosterdam, named after the four cardinal points, all of which were launched at Fincantieri and now form the Vista class.
Signature of Excellence: much more than a marketing stunt
When Stein Kruse took up his position in 2003, he initiated the successful Signature of Excellence program, by which he brought the entire fleet and the entire cruise offer to a consistently high level of quality in order to be able to inspire an experienced and demanding audience.
The Signature of Excellence program includes exclusive innovations such as the Culinary Arts Center show kitchens on all ships or the as-you-wish dining concept with the choice between classic fixed meal times and flexible dining, which became excellently popular with the guests of the Holland America Line.
In addition to the numerous culinary highlights, the Holland America Line fleet also offers unique show highlights, which often reach Broadway quality under the influence of the Signature of Excellence program.
Sophisticated program, new standards: And Holland America Line hasn't saved on the cabins either. A nice example of this are the Lanai cabins on the MS Volendam, which have direct access to the surrounding promenade deck - covered with real teak! “Between 2003 and 2012, more than $566 million was invested in the Signature of Excellence program,” explains Kruse, “to enable experienced, culturally interested travelers to discover the world in comfort.” Given this extraordinary engagement it is not surprising that in January 2013, Holland America Line was awarded the title of “Best Cruise Line” by the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS) for the 20th time in a row.
The cabins: elegant and with heavenly sleeping comfort
Your home at sea: the cabins and suites of the Holland America Line
The Holland America Line is one of the cruise line whose ships are predominantly equipped with spacious sea view cabins and, as a special highlight, often have verandas that are lined with real teak wood and thus convey a particularly maritime flair. On the verandas you can not only sunbathe away from the hustle and bustle of the sun decks, but you can also have a private meal in the fresh sea breeze.
A wide range of accommodation categories: from the fully equipped inside cabin to cabins with sea views, Lanai cabins and various suites to the truly luxurious Pinnacle Suite, there is something for every guest requirement. With the MS Koningsdam of the Pinnacle class, there have also been additional cabin classes since 2016: the “Spa Verandah” and family cabins with sea views.
Extensive equipment leaves nothing to be desired
The cabins of the Holland America Line cruise ships are characterized by upscale, luxurious furnishings in a classic, elegant style. The special “Mariner's Dream™” beds with tried-and-tested Euro-Top mattresses and fine-meshed cotton bed linen, which all cabins and suites are equipped with, regardless of the category, ensure heavenly sleeping comfort.
Of course, all accommodations also have daily housekeeping and free shoe shine service, so that your home at sea and your wardrobe are always in immaculate condition. And if something is still missing, the free 24-hour cabin service will help. This will also bring your meals to your cabin if you want to dine privately. Pure Egyptian cotton towels, fluffy bathrobes, scented soaps, lotions, shampoos and other bath products from Elemis Aromapure, lighted magnifying mirrors, massage shower heads and hair dryers can also be found in every category on a HAL ship. In addition, all cabins are of course equipped with air conditioning.
What media is available in the cabins? Flat-screen televisions with a variety of programs such as on-demand films, music channels and live television are certain on the Holland America Line. There is generous storage space including a safe for your luggage and valuables. Fresh fruit and ice cubes for a cool drink are also included.
Particularly popular: Lanai cabin and the upscale Pinnacle and Neptune Suites
The Holland America Line offers a special feature in the cabin categories with Lanai cabins that is very rare on cruise ships: cabins with direct access to the promenade deck, for example on the MS Volendam. The glass front of the large sliding door, which leads outside to the reserved teak deck chairs, is of course mirrored from the outside so that no one can see into the cabin. However, it is of course possible to look outside.
If you like to live like a prince while you're at sea, we recommend the Pinnacle Suite. The exclusivity of these suites is clear from the fact that the Neptune Lounge is only open to their guests and those of the Neptune Suites - a private space for relaxing and socializing with other suite guests who want to enjoy individual service from a concierge.
Neptune Lounges, available across the Holland America Line fleet, are equipped with work desks, large-screen televisions, a library, sofas and armchairs, refreshments available at any time of day and, for a small fee, Wi-Fi. In addition, Pinnacle Suite guests can take advantage of numerous amenities, including free laundry , ironing and dry cleaning for the duration of the cruise. There is also a coffee and espresso machine available in both suites. A mini refrigerator is also available, as in the other cabins and suites.
Upon embarkation there is complimentary sparkling wine in the Neptune Lounge, premium breakfast and dinner menu, binoculars and parasols for use during the cruise, an invitation to the cocktail party in the Neptune Lounge, priority boarding at advertised ports of call and on the tender boats and much more up to individually designed cruise stationery.
New cabin categories with the introduction of the Pinnacle Class
The Holland America Line describes the 21 square meter spa veranda cabins on the MS Koningsdam as a “private harbor full of light, space and elegance”. The interior of the cabins aboard MS Koningsdam was developed with guest feedback in mind, resulting in the inclusion of modern elements such as bedside USB ports, frameless shower doors and custom wooden cabinets. There are also two twin beds that convert into a queen-size bed, a living area, a private veranda and floor-to-ceiling windows for uninterrupted sea views.
The particularly quiet veranda cabins in the immediate vicinity of the “Greenhouse Spa & Salon” are even equipped with yoga mats and an iPod docking station. The family cabins of the new Pinnacle class, which are also around 21 square meters in size, offer enough space for up to five people in addition to an unrestricted sea view. So that everyone has enough space, in addition to two single beds that can be converted into a queen-size bed, there is also a sofa bed for two people and a loft bed. And as a special highlight: two bathrooms! One with a bathtub, shower, sink and toilet, the other with a shower and sink. Of course, there is also additional closet space that offers enough space for five people's wardrobe.
Food and drinks on board: The culinary advisory board ensures quality on the ships of the Holland America fleet
Renowned chefs guarantee top gastronomic performance
The culinary offers have a decisive influence on the quality of a cruise. Holland America Line is aware of this and gives top priority to the quality of food and drinks. For this reason, the culinary advisory board, called the Culinary Council, was created, which includes David Burke, one of America's culinary pioneers. The ensemble also includes: the Frenchman Jacques Torres (chocolatier and one of the world's best pastry chefs), sushi guru Andy Matsuda (founder of the Southern California Sushi Chef Institute), Jonnie Boer (head chef at the Dutch 3-star restaurant De Librije in Zwolle) and Kristen Kish (restaurant owner of Arlo Grays in Austin, Texas and winner of Season 10 of Top Chef). Last but not least is Ethan Stowell, who is one of the best chefs in the USA. These renowned chefs support Rudi Sodamin, Master Chef of the Holland America Line, with their excellent skills, for example by developing recipes for HAL that bear their typical signature and are on the menu on all ships - from the breakfast buffet at the Lido restaurant to fine dining at the Pinnacle Grill. A concept by which the Holland America Line consistently achieves top gastronomic achievements.
Culinary Arts Center: experience the art of cooking live
Another special feature of the HAL are the “Culinary Arts Centers” on all ships: large show kitchens in which informative and entertaining cooking demonstrations and cooking courses – often with well-known guest chefs – are offered for adults and children. Adult guests particularly enjoy the wine tastings or cocktail seminars. The regular themed evenings at the “Pinnacle Grill” are also a culinary highlight. “An Evening at Le Cirque” is the name given to the famous New York restaurant “Le Cirque”, and therefore everything – from the serving of the dishes on the imaginative orange porcelain to the famous lobster salad and the legendary crème brûlée – is modeled after the New York restaurant “Le Cirque”. At the “Taste of De Librije” aboard the MS Eurodam, a tasting menu by three-star chef Jonnie Boer from his famous restaurant De Librije will delight you.
From the development of special vegetarian menus to the exclusive use of fish and seafood from sustainable fisheries, Holland America Line's gastronomers respond to the wishes and requirements of their guests - while offering as much variety as possible. With the full range of dishes and dining options comes Holland America Line's As-You-Wish dining service. This means you can choose Italian cuisine one night and be served a perfectly grilled porterhouse steak the next. This also means that you can sit down in the dining room at a specific table time or you can simply appear there spontaneously - depending on your wishes.
You can find everything from the main restaurant included in the travel price to “The Pinnacle Grill”, “Canaletto Restaurant”, “Tamarind Restaurant”, “Master Chef's Room” and Lido Restaurant to the “Dive-In at the Terrace Grill” on the pool deck - restaurants for every taste aboard a HAL cruise ship. Guests with food intolerances or allergies can use the Guest Accessibility service before the start of their cruise. The Holland America Line is prepared for many gastronomic specialties. The professionals at kreuzfahrten.de will be happy to help you. Simply choose completely flexibly - and also benefit from a flat rate for drinks by booking one of the drinks packages. With the Signature Package for passengers 21 and over, you can enjoy a variety of wines, beers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and even hard liquor in the lounges, bars and restaurants. A coffee after dinner in the “Explorer's Lounge”, a fresh espresso in the “Explorations Café” or refreshing lemonades and drinks by the pool are also included in the all-inclusive drinks package - a worthwhile offer, despite the already comparatively moderate drink prices of Holland America Line (as of January 2022).
Leisure activities on Holland America: no room for boredom!
Try something new every day!
Whether you work out at the onboard fitness center, simply listen to music in one of the cozy lounges with a view of the sea, learn yoga, treat yourself to a massage or spa treatment or read a book with a cappuccino and pastries in the Explorations Café: aboard a ship of the Holland America Line you will never get bored. This is ensured by a variety of possible activities - just take the freedom to take part in them to the extent you feel like.
A place for body and soul: Greenhouse Spa & Salon
Of the many exciting places on a Holland America Line ship, there is one that is perfect for relaxation like no other: Greenhouse Spa & Salon. Indulge there with heavenly beauty and wellness programs, such as a soothing facial treatment or the practiced fingers of a massage therapist. The treatment rooms aboard HAL cruise ships offer breathtaking views while you can enjoy skin, body and hair treatments. Some ships even have a hydrotherapy pool bubbling with warm, therapeutic seawater.
How to stay fit: sports classes and fitness center
The spas of Holland America Line also offer a variety of fitness classes: yoga, Pilates, spinning, low-impact aerobics classes and valuable cardiovascular exercises. The training sessions are available for all ages and fitness levels. The technical equipment includes treadmills, ergometers, steppers, rowing machines, weights and strength machines. But in the fitness centers aboard the ships, guests not only find equipment for exercises and strength training, but can also work out a lot in the sports courts, for example playing tennis, volleyball or basketball, and compete with other players. In addition, the wide, spacious teak decks are ideal for walkers and joggers who like to cool off in one of the pools at the end of their workout.
Continuing education: Holland America Line offers photography, video and software workshops
Holland America Line makes it easy to learn how to use the Internet or expand your knowledge during your cruise. A free digital workshop sponsored by Windows, conducted by a Microsoft-trained technology expert, will show you all sorts of basics such as setting up and writing (email and social media communication) as well as interesting things for advanced users.
Shore excursions: be inspired by the destination when choosing activities
Whether you're learning Tai Chi from a master in Asia or Hula in Hawaii, taking steel drum lessons in the Caribbean or tango lessons in Argentina, Holland America Line's on-site program brings local culture to life and expands the cultural and sporting experience horizon!
And the on-site program also has a lot to offer when it comes to culinary delights! At the Culinary Arts Center you can not only watch live how the professionals prepare specialties, but also pull out the chef's knives yourself. During the cruise, regional chefs regularly come on board and bring local flavor to the workshop participants' plates in practice-oriented courses. Try freshly caught salmon in Alaska, freshly prepared sushi in Asia or try out the diverse spices of the Caribbean and use them to refine your dishes.
Of course, wine lovers can also look forward to a diverse selection. Eye, nose, tongue and finish: International winemakers from wineries in Europe, Australia and Chile organize wine tastings and invite you to exchange ideas and to talk shop.
Families with children are always welcome on HAL!
Children's prices: attractive discounts and reductions
Since families often have to calculate carefully, the question of the costs incurred is very relevant for them, so the quality of the children's fixed prices or the discounts for young people is often of crucial importance. The Holland America Line is taking a path that will be very suitable for most families. All children up to the age of two travel free of charge. Older children traveling as the third and/or fourth person in their parents' cabin (regardless of the children's age) must pay the normal price. In most cases this is still a cheaper solution than with most other cruise lines. With Holland America Line, the third and fourth person in a cabin usually pays less than with other cruise line with children discount. This concept becomes particularly interesting when guests consider a higher-quality cabin category such as a veranda or Lanai cabin and bring older children or teenagers on board, who no longer receive children discounts from the age of eleven with many other cruise operators.
In addition, the Holland America Line is considered to be very accommodating with its “Upgrade Policy”, especially towards families, so that you can change to a higher category if possible - either due to an attractive upgrade offer booked in advance or due to customer-oriented flexibility when boarding. Important: Children must be at least six months old when the cruise begins. For longer cruises such as transatlantic, South American or Asian tours, the required age automatically increases to twelve months.
Child care: knowing your children are in well-trained, safe hands
On every Holland America Line ship there is a range of exciting activities tailored to children and teenagers. And of course the special facility for everyone between the ages of 3 and 17 should not be missing. The top priority is safety for the youngest, because if the numerous fun activities take place under good supervision, parents can also enjoy their wonderful cruise in a relaxed manner. It is important to Holland America Line that trained and professional staff look after your offspring aboard every ship. The two key words are child-friendly and age-appropriate: In the “Club HAL for Children” the professionals provide loving care and organize the various activities for different age groups in three groups each (3 to 7 years, 8 to 12 years and 13 to 17 years). The employees of the youth department usually have degrees in educational sciences, child development, leisure activities, leisure science or related subject areas.
Important information for parents: children who want to have fun in the “Club HAL for Children” must be at least three years old at the time of the cruise and be able to use the toilet independently. In addition: the children and youth program is in English.
There is a lot going on for kids at Club HAL: treasure hunts, ice cream parties and karaoke!
There is a lot on offer for kids aged three to seven years aboard the participating Holland America Line ships. They go on a pirate treasure hunt, relax during story telling or get creative with various crafts. The ice cream parties and the final pajama party as a special farewell gala for the little ones are particularly popular.
The “Club HAL Tweens”, children between the ages of eight and twelve, take part in Xbox tournaments, relay races, scavenger hunts, karaoke disco parties and the award-winning “National Park Service Jr. Ranger Alaska Program”.
At The Loft for Teens, teens between the ages of 13 and 17 can have fun with mocktail mixology classes, video game matches, sports competitions, jewelry making, hip hop classes, technical workshops and nightclub events that are exclusive to teens. The event times of the respective daily programs may vary depending on the number of children on board and the crew.
Worth knowing: “Club HAL” also invites children with special needs and those who require special support, for example, to take part in activities that are based on their respective level of development. HAL staff is trained to work with children with special needs. If necessary, please inform the professionals at kreuzfahrten.de upon booking. They will be glad to help you.
Is babysitting offered aboard HAL ships?
There is currently no babysitting service available on the ships.
Are there child-friendly facilities on the cruise ships, such as high chairs or cots?
A limited number of high chairs, seats and cots are available free of charge. It's best to register your needs well before the start of your cruise so that there are no bottlenecks. This is especially true if there is a child's birthday to celebrate - the Holland America Line crew will be happy to arrange special children's birthday parties for your offspring with prior notice.
Excursion program with award-winning shore excursions
As on board, so on land: great comfort and first-class care
Holland America Line's carefully planned shore excursions with first-class support are primarily designed to give you close contact with the people and places you visit. The word has now gotten around: HAL's excursions, which have won various awards, are repeatedly rated as “excellent” by guests. Whether you book a guided tour or explore the country with a personal driver. There are no additional costs for the package booked as a flat rate, as there is a fixed and very competitive price for the respective excursion.
Thanks to local experts, you will gain unique insights into the local culture and often access to exclusive opportunities. In addition, with the Holland America Line excursions there is more time for discovery, as there is no additional ticket purchase, no negotiating and no waiting in line to hold you back. All of this could turn your excursion on your own into pure stress, after all, the ship isn't waiting for you to return. When you go ashore with Holland America Line, your timely return is guaranteed.
The Collections program: exclusive shore excursions with a thematic focus
They are called the “Medallion Collection”, “Encore Collection”, “World Wonders Collection”, “Cruise With Purpose Collection” or “Signature Collection” and they offer a lot of fascination: The Holland America Line collection programs only represent a small part of the shore excursions offered, but they each have their own focus. This could be a cooking class with a local chef, your own vehicle complete with driver and guide, or the opportunity to see wild animals or natural wonders up close.
The “World Wonders Collection” brings you closer to nature’s treasures, architectural masterpieces and technical wonders. And the “Cruise with Purpose Collection” is – as Holland America Line puts it: “for every global citizen who has ever dreamed of giving back or giving something in advance”. In short, the “Cruise with Purpose Collection” is about making our planet a little better on every cruise. How is that supposed to work? It's simple: For example, help with scientific research or bring urgently needed equipment to an orphanage. You can also participate in a fair trade or cultural exchange program, reforest local forests, or restore endangered habitats. Admittedly, these are all big tasks to which you will only contribute a small part. But even this small part makes the world a little better.
Finally, the “Signature Collection” is aimed at people who like to travel independently and want to customize and make the most of their time on land by reserving their own transportation option in advance, including an English-speaking driver and a tour guide. The transportation options are diverse: The spectrum ranges from simple cars to minibuses or SUV stretch limousines for families and small groups to boats or even seaplanes. It all depends on where, with whom and how fast you want to travel – you decide. The Signature Collection is also a great option for travelers with disabilities or handicaps.
Entertainment offering: classical entertainment and live music
Live music is at the heart: from chamber music to blues to rock and pop
The Holland America Line's entertainment program is characterized above all by spectacular shows, lots of great live music, various programs in the lounges, entertaining films and exciting casino games, so that the evenings on board offer a wide range of options.
The MS Koningsdam also brought a new concept for live music on board. The “Music Walk” on Deck 2 is a completely new entertainment experience. There are several bars close to each other, each with their own stage. The program cleverly alternates so that guests wander across the deck with the music over the course of the evening. On the Lincoln Center Stage, musicians only play classical pieces. The B.B. King's Blues Club and Billboard Onboard, the comfortable nightclub, take you through 50 years of pop music history and play chart hits from the last decades.
Specials and service
Board language
Anyone who wants to experience a cruise in the style of the classic ocean liner to exotic destinations is of course also welcome as a guest from Germany on the Holland America Line. The language on board is English. Depending on the ship and itinerary, there may also be multilingual staff on board, who can be helpful. German-speaking contacts are not always on the ships. Experience has shown that Dutch crew members who speak and understand German well often travel along.
The shore excursions usually take place in English. According to information from Holland America Line, shore excursions can also be booked in German on selected cruises, for example in Europe.
Dress code: what is the dress code on Holland America cruise ships?
It goes without saying that guests do not come to dinner in shorts and flip-flops. The recommendation: Aboard a Holland America Line ship, you can dress casually during the day. On most evenings you can wear casual, elegant clothing. Pool wear, ripped jeans, shorts or tank tops, for example, are not welcome and are forbidden in upscale restaurants anyway. For gala evenings or special events, the cruise line values tradition and asks for elegant clothing: an evening dress for women, a suit or even a tuxedo for men. Try it; you'll feel like Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant!
Special celebrations: renewal of vows or celebrating a wedding
If you want to get married on board or simply renew your wedding vows, is on Holland America Line in good hands - regardless of whether it is a simple ceremony, an elegant reception in a small setting or a celebration with numerous family members and friends! An experienced Holland America Line wedding cruise coordinator will help you put together a customized wedding arrangement. There are also wedding cruise packages that include a customized ceremony, wedding coordinator service, flowers, cake, champagne, a photo album and a souvenir wedding certificate. Additional services such as photographers, music, receptions and pampering treatments can also be added individually.
Communication on board: access to the Internet and use of mobile phones
Passengers can use satellite internet on every ship for an additional charge - provided there is no disruption. Computer terminals are available in the Explorations Café. Wi-Fi is also available throughout the ship and in all cabins. However, depending on the location of the cabins, continuous reception is not always guaranteed; fluctuations may sometimes occur. Guests can use their private mobile devices for this. There are currently three different packages to choose from: Social allows access to the most popular social media platforms and applications. With Surf, guests also gain access to email, news and other favorite sites. Premium offers the highest data volume and therefore also audio/video calls and access to streaming services (as of January 2022).
Important information: satellite transmissions are often slower than land connections.
For cell phone service, Holland America Line partners with the Wireless Maritime Service, which offers an advanced roaming network aboard all Holland America Line ships that allows you to make and receive calls, send text messages, and receive, access your email and surf the web while you are at sea. The “Wireless Maritime Service” system can of course also be used when the ship is in international waters. The cell phone display usually shows “cellularatsea”, “Ship Roam” or “901-18”.
Is smoking allowed aboard HAL ships?
Information about the new smoking guidelines introduced in January 2017 provides the answer
Since January 2017, Holland America Line ships have had stricter smoking policies. Smoking in the cabins, on their verandas, in the event rooms and other indoor areas is expressly prohibited. So where is smoking allowed? Smokers are only allowed to smoke cigarettes in designated smoking areas on deck. On the MS Koningsdam, MS Nieuw Statendam and MS Rotterdam, for example, this includes the Sea View Bar area. Smoking is also permitted in the casinos, but only for active players. Attention: The venues aboard the MS Zuiderndam, MS Oosterdam, MS Westerdam, MS Eurodam and MS Nieuw Amsterdam are smoke-free. And what about electronic cigarettes? Holland America prohibits smoking e-cigarettes in cabins and public areas. Guests are only allowed to use e-cigarettes in the designated smoking areas. Smoking cigars and pipes is also prohibited inside the ship and is only permitted on the smoking outside decks.
Excellent social commitment
Anyone traveling with Holland America Line can be sure that they are traveling with one of the most responsible cruise lines. This is demonstrated not least by the award from the American Etisphere Institute, which placed Holland America Line and the Seabourn Cruise Line, which belongs to Holland America Line, as the first company from the cruise industry on the list of the most ethical companies. Holland America Line's diverse charitable programs were recognized with this inclusion on the Etisphere list, which only includes companies that are characterized by convincing sustainability concepts, social commitment, special initiatives in environmental protection and innovative strength. With the Ship-to-Shelter program, Holland America Line collects useful and reusable goods from ships and donates them to charities for people in need. The cruise line also developed “On Deck for a Cause,” a program that focuses on a fundraising run that takes place on every cruise and whose proceeds benefit six international cancer organizations in the USA, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain .
The Holland America Line also sets standards when it comes to environmental protection. Quote from Stein Kruse: “For many years we have placed great value on ecological responsibility and nature conservation in everything we do. Today, our ecological initiatives have a positive impact on the lives of our guests, our employees and the residents of the numerous regions we visit on our cruises and excursions." This makes sense especially because in sensitive regions like those of Holland America a sense of responsibility is required on the coasts of Alaska. “We have an obligation to take care of these places and leave them as we found them,” said Kruse. The introduction of “Emission Control Areas” in Alaska poses major challenges for the Holland America Line, but Kruse is confident that they can overcome them in the interests of the environment. After all, the Holland America Line has long been a pioneer in environmental protection at sea: for example, all ships are equipped with systems that clean the resulting wastewater so well that it should be clean enough to meet the drinking water standards of most communities on land. The Holland America Line standards are therefore higher quality than those of most municipal treatment systems.
