Associated, today, with elegant ships, cruises around the world, especially to Alaska, and gracious service, Holland America Line was not always a vacation cruise specialist. Begun in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, Holland America Line has a long and distinguished seafaring history. Created as a shipping company before becoming a passenger line, Holland America, originally based in Rotterdam, was a principal carrier of immigrants from Europe to The United States in the late 19th and early 20th century, carrying over 850,000 people to new lives in America.
Though transportation and shipping were still its primary concern, Holland America offered its first vacation cruise in 1895. A second vacation cruise in 1910 took travelers from New York to the Holy land.
The company persevered during World Wars I and II, losing ships and personnel. During World War II, all 25 Holland America ships were chartered by the British, Americans, and Dutch governments, transporting more than 400,000 military personnel.
After the World War II, demand for leisure travel grew exponentially. In 1951, Holland America Line was the first ship line to give tourist class passengers the run of the ship, soon eliminating this distinction entirely. By 1968, most transatlantic travelers were taking jet planes to their destinations rather than sailing. Holland America reinvented herself as a vacation cruise lines and has concentrated on that business ever since.
Today, Holland America operates twelve ships cruising to 280 destinations around the world. Her premium ships are known for their service excellence. Holland America employs mostly Philippino and Indonesian service personal, taking advantage of cultures that emphasize graciousness and civility.
Holland America’s ships carry fewer passengers than most of her competitors, no more than 1800 passengers. Her ships are named for historic Holland America ships: Westerdam, Ryndam, Volendam, Maasdam, Prisendam. Each ship is graced with an extensive Dutch and Indonesian art collection. Fresh flowers adorn the public rooms as well as the individual staterooms.
Staterooms on the Holland America ships are large and range from inside staterooms to deluxe, outside staterooms with a private verandah to multi-room suites complete with whirlpool, dining room, private verandahs and a guest bath.
Dining on Holland America ships is special. Choices for meals range from the formal, two-tiered dining room to the casual Lido Restaurant, located off the pool area and available for full meals or snacks all day long to 24-hour, in-cabin room service. A new dining option is the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill, a fine-dining restaurant in an intimate setting offering attentive service and featuring the cuisine of America’s Pacific Northwest. A small charge is added for dining in the Pinnacle Grill.
Holland America sails to Europe, The Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Hawaii, Asia, New England, and around the world. Years of experience sailing in Alaska have made Holland America a leader there. Owning its own tour company, Holland America Tours, formerly Westours, gives Holland America the ability to operate cruise/tours in Alaska at very competitive rates.
Cruises offer a plethora of activities and Holland America is no exception. Relax by the pool in the solarium. Be pampered in the full-service spa. Surf the Internet in the Internet café, or bid on original art at the art auction on board. There is something for every taste.
Entertainment is professional and varied on Holland America cruises.
Nightly, professional entertainment is featured in beautifully appointed, two-story showrooms. In addition, there is a full casino on all ships, open when the ship is in international waters. A movie theater shows first-run films, and the newer ships offer culinary demonstrations and cooking classes in a state-of-the-art kitchen showroom.
Holland America also operates Windstar Cruises and its three luxury sailing ships, the Windspirit, Windstar, and Windsurf. These well-appointed 148 to 308-passenger vessels call at exotic ports not reachable by larger ships while still maintaining a casual elegant atmosphere.
Holland America Cruise Line became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation in 1988 but has continued to operate as a separate company. Based in Seattle, Holland America’s future looks bright. A new ship, the ms Noordam, will be launched in early 2006 and more are scheduled to follow.
