| v> | | | | special menus in select restaurants for children, which |
| | | | have been masterminded to please even the most |
| Holland America has earned "highest rated premium | | | | finicky eater. |
| cruise line" status from readers of Condé Nast | | | | Accommodations |
| Traveller and Travel & Leisure (a very | | | | Now this is where Holland America really shines and |
| sophisticated, cruise savvy audience), every year for | | | | spacious comfort is the theme refrained throughout |
| well over a decade! They have also garnered a | | | | the fleet. On average staterooms are a generous |
| multitude of prestigious awards for quality, food | | | | 25% larger and there are more outside staterooms |
| service, entertainment, best onboard service, and | | | | and Veranda Suites than on any other cruise line in its |
| best private island from such respected publications | | | | class. Staterooms on all HAL ships have two lower |
| as the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society, | | | | beds which may be converted to either one |
| Porthole Cruise Magazine and Onboard Services | | | | queen-size or one king-size dependent upon category |
| Magazine. There is no question that Holland America | | | | (except ms Noordam - all staterooms have two |
| lives up to its reputation asthe best overall cruise | | | | lower beds except Cat. C and A, which have, queen |
| value in the business today. Not unexpected given | | | | and king beds respectively). |
| they have 130 years of experience catering to very | | | | "The Suite Life" |
| discerning guests indeed. | | | | Holland America suites are big on luxury and if you |
| The atmosphere | | | | select this category of accommodation you'll enjoy a |
| Like that of a modern, gracious home (staff included) | | | | host of complimentary services and amenities that |
| where the scenery changes every day. Everywhere | | | | will forever spoil you for any other stateroom |
| a sense of style and elegance pervades. Brass | | | | category. |
| railings, sweeping staircases, grand floral displays. | | | | For example, Veranda Suites include soft cotton |
| Spaciousness, serenity and comfort all around. | | | | robes, extra luxe towels, access to a no-host fully |
| The Service | | | | stocked mini-bar, VCR and access to a well-stocked |
| Did you know that Holland America sails with more | | | | video library plus personalized stationery. |
| crewmembers per guest than any other cruise line in | | | | Deluxe Veranda and Penthouse Veranda Suites have |
| their class? Simply ask and it shall be done - perfectly | | | | robes, complimentary laundry, pressing and dry |
| and promptly by award-winning indonesian stewards, | | | | cleaning. Complimentary in-suite high tea on silver |
| many of who are graduates of Holland America's | | | | service, complimentary in-suite pre-dinner hors |
| exclusive school in Jakarta. When you think about it, | | | | d'oeuvres, fresh fruit, stocked mini-bar, special lounge |
| outstanding service is the sum of many small actions. | | | | for disembarkation and so much more, such as an |
| From the steward who folds your child's napkin into a | | | | exclusive Indonesian Rijstaffel luncheon hosted by |
| bunny or surprises you by rinsing your flippers, to the | | | | the Captain and Hotel Manager. For suite guests on |
| waiter who graciously serves you at dinner and | | | | cruises 10 days and longer, the Captain and Hotel |
| brings you a snifter of armagnac to sip at the rail, | | | | Manager host not only the lunch, but a dinner as well, |
| you feel (and are) completely and utterly cared for. | | | | including pre-dinner cocktails. |
| The Dining | | | | The Entertainment |
| Fantastic cuisine. Diverse restaurants. Where to dine | | | | Highly charged! The lights dim, the music begins and a |
| tonight? A delicious five-course dinner in the beautiful | | | | sensational production or variety show begins. Holland |
| main dining room? An intimate table for two in the | | | | America's dazzling shows have been created by a |
| reservations-only restaurant? And in the morning, | | | | production team with more Emmy, Grammy, Tony |
| made to order or buffet breakfasts feature freshly | | | | and Oscar nominations than any other cruise line. And |
| squeezed orange juice, eggs made to order, fresh | | | | there you are, perfectly centered, champagne in |
| fruit, Belgian waffles, cheeses, hot and cold cereals, | | | | hand. Anticipate nightclubs with great sound, cabaret |
| gourmet coffee and teas. Oops! You slept in. No | | | | presentations and lounges with every style of music - |
| matter, room service is on call 24 hours a day. | | | | pop, disco, standards and classics. Cheer your |
| Buon appetito! Fettuccine, linguine, pizza rustica, osso | | | | favorite team in the sports bar, join the slot machine |
| bucco. The cuisine of central Italy is prepared to | | | | tournament in the casino, and sway to the saucy |
| perfection in the intimate Marco Polo Bistro on ms | | | | rhythms of calypso and reggae played by the guest |
| Volendam and ms Zaandam and in the Odyssey | | | | folkloric troupes on board in select ports. How about |
| Restaurant on ms Zuiderdam, ms Oosterdam, ms | | | | a round of snowball jackpot bingo, play a game of |
| Westerdam, ms Amsterdam and ms Rotterdam. On | | | | backgammon, a hand of bridge, or popcorn at a |
| all ships except ms Noordam, a new alternative | | | | recently released movie? |
| restaurant have been introduced - The Pinnacle Grill - | | | | Holland America Fleet: |
| where menus feature fine wines and specialties | | | | Spacious yet intimate floating resorts, where the |
| inspired by the Pacific Northwest. (And speaking of | | | | most modern advances in guest amenities and |
| wines, Holland America uncorks a selection that The | | | | nautical design are celebrated. Holland's impressive |
| Wine spectator rates "excellent"). Another highlight | | | | fleet boasts 13 classically elegant five-star ships, |
| for those of you sailing a tropical itinerary is the | | | | including three new sisters. The first of four-planned |
| beach barbecue on Half Moon Cay, Holland's private | | | | ultra-spacious Vista-Class vessels: The 82,000-ton ms |
| island in the Bahamas. Juicy burgers on the grill, chilled | | | | Oosterdam, ms Zuiderdam, and ms Westerdam. |
| salads, ripe fruit, and cool drinks - ice cream too. A | | | | Itineraries bring a kaleidoscope of colorful cultures and |
| cover charge applies when meals are taken in | | | | somehow, when viewed from the deck of a Holland |
| alternative restaurants. | | | | America ship, the grand harbors and elegant Riviera |
| Every afternoon traditional Dutch high tea is | | | | of Europe seem more sophisticated, the Caribbean |
| presented on deck with delicate china and petit fours | | | | appears sunnier, warmer, and Alaska shines brighter |
| (accompanied by a string quartet of course). | | | | than Klondike gold. |
| Complimentary espresso and hand-dipped chocolates | | | | The difference is in the details! Upon embarkation, a |
| are served in the evening in the | | | | string ensemble plays; a white-gloved steward |
| Explorer's Lounge, or adjourn to the Lido for cognac | | | | escorts you to your stateroom, musical chimes |
| and hand-rolled "cigars under the stars." With | | | | summon you to dinner. More spacious staterooms, |
| pre-dinner cocktails you get hot hors d'oeuvres and | | | | the rapt attention of award-winning Indonesian |
| at the pool and patio there's a bar and grill. The | | | | stewards, un-crowded public rooms, a profusion of |
| perfect place for deck parties andlunches al fresco. | | | | flowers, rich museum quality art collections, a teak |
| Suddenly have a craving for Torrefazione coffee, | | | | promenade deck encircling the ship - all give you an |
| double Dutch chocolate cake or other dessert | | | | expansive sense of comfort. You can expect a |
| extravaganza? It's as far as the Windstar Café | | | | soul-soothing,attitude adjusting, simply marvelous |
| does, early morning to late night. After indulging here | | | | experience, and there's nothing cruising-as-usual about |
| you will appreciate even more the "In Balance" cuisine | | | | it! |
| designed by celebrity chef Jeanne Jones! There are | | | | |