Established in 1873, Holland America was founded as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company (NASM), a shipping and Passenger line. According to the Holland America Line website, because it was headquartered in Rotterdam and provided service to the Americas, it became known as Holland America Line (HAL).
Holland America Cruise Line has been a major part of the premium cruise industry for more than 130 years, with a long list of *awards and accolades from around the country. Carrying more than 700,000 cruise passengers around the globe each year, and offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 homeports, Holland America Cruise Line is arguably one of America’s favorite cruise lines.
Holland America Cruise Line has 14 ships in it’s fleet including: ms Amsterdam, ms Eurodam (to be delivered in summer 2008), ms Maasdam, ms Noordam (introduced in early 2006) ms Oosterdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam, ms Westerdam, ms Zaandam, and ms Zuiderdam.
Accommodations aboard all Holland America cruise ships are elegant, spacious, and unbelievably comfortable. Several types of accommodations are available including: Penthouse Verandah Suites, Deluxe Verandah Suites, Superior Verandah Suites, Verandah Staterooms, Large Outside Staterooms, Large Inside Staterooms, and Large Standard Staterooms.
The ms Amsterdam is Holland America Line’s flagship with the capacity to carry 1,380 guests. Ms Amsterdam houses 172 staterooms with verandahs along with signature features such as: The two-tier La Fontaine Dining Room, the intimate “reservations-only� Pinnacle Grill, and the relaxed Lido Restaurant as well as a Culinary Arts Center, and Explorations Café (featuring the largest library at sea).
Besides a multitude of dining options, ms Amsterdam also features: The Greenhouse Spa & Salon, The Queen’s Show, The Crow’s Nest observation lounge (transforms into a nightclub featuring top-notch DJs and live bands), Club HAL (dedicated youth facilities and activities for kids ages 3 to 12), and The Loft and The Oasis – social clubs designed exclusively for teens. In addition, ms Amsterdam has a Casino featuring 5 blackjack tables; 1 roulette table; 1 dice table; 1 stud poker; 1 Three-card poker, and 11 slot machines.
Holland America cruise ships offer the same luxury features throughout the fleet, with varying destinations. Ships from ms Amsterdam to ms Zuiderdam sail the waters surrounding destinations such as such as: Alaska, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, the Panama Canal, and South America. While some suites are more spacious and luxurious than others, all staterooms offer different levels of luxury and include: fine linens, Egyptian cotton towels and bathrobes, massage showerheads, and flat-screen televisions.
To book a cruise on any of Holland America Line’s cruise ships, you can contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-426-0327. You can also book through a Holland America Travel Professional online at www.hollandamerica.com, or contact your local cruise travel agent.
*Holland America Line Awards:
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
Best Overall Cruise Value (15 consecutive years)
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, Ocean & Cruise News
High Deluxe Five-Star-Plus Rating
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society
International Five Star Diamond Award
The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences
Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction (Large Ships)
TravelAge West
Best Alaska Itineraries, Best Canada/New England Itineraries,
Best Central America Itineraries, Best Overall Facilities for
Physically Challenged Passengers, Best Medical Facilities,
Best Art Auction Program, Best Eco-Friendly Cruise Line,
Best Private Island
Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards
Best Private Island in the Cruise Industry (seven consecutive years)
Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Award
Green Planet Award
Kuoni Switzerland for outstanding environmental standards
Best Cruise Line, Alaska
Travel Weekly, Readers’ Choice Awards
Top Five Cruise Lines
Celebrated Living Magazine
Top Ten Cruise Lines
Departures Magazine
Best Honeymoon, Top Ten Cruise Lines
Modern Bride Magazine
World’s Best Cruise Line
American Association of Travel Editors
Best Family-friendly Cruise ms Zuiderdam 7-Day Caribbean
Parents Magazine
Best Cruise Ship Overall: ms Oosterdam
Cruise Critic
Best Medium-sized Ship: ms Oosterdam
Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards