Holland America Line

Holland America's rich history stretches back nearly 150 years; the line's maiden voyage, aboard the original Rotterdam, departed the Netherlands for New York City in 1872. And the cruise line has been treating passengers to a classic cruising experience ever since. Today, fifteen Holland America cruise ships - including the all-new ms Nieuw Statendam, the latest addition to the fleet's Pinnacle-class - set sail to over 400 different ports of call across all seven continents, but Holland America's Dutch origins are still a big part of its character, from the cruise line's ship designs and décor to the ship's names themselves. A leader in the premium segment - not quite luxury, but more upscale than contemporary lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival - Holland America is best known for its exceptional gourmet dining, its sophisticated selection of enrichment activities, and for the award-winning and attentive service it provides to its guests. Passengers aboard a Holland America cruise ship tend to skew older, but Holland America has added many modern features to its vessels - cool options for kids (including Club HAL and The Loft and The Oasis for teens), its technologically dazzling World Stage (featuring a 270° LED screen that surrounds the audience), an upscale pizzeria (Slice) located poolside on select vessels, cabins for singles, and more - so there are an increasing number of younger cruisers and families on board.

Holland America's suites and staterooms are some of the most spacious and elegant accommodations found at sea. Interior Staterooms feature premium bedding, deluxe bath products from Elemis® Aromapure, complimentary fresh fruit upon request, and several other premium amenities. Oceanview Staterooms include all of the above plus extra items like Holland America's signature Mariner's Dream™ bedding and a corner bar unit; Family Oceanview Staterooms boast up to four beds (one of them sofa) plus one full bathroom and one half-bath. Guests can also opt for a Lanai Stateroom (its sliding glass doors open onto your ship's Lower Promenade Deck) or a (private) Verandah Stateroom, a great option if you're planning on sailing somewhere that's especially scenic like Alaska or the Panama Canal. Holland America also offers three categories of spa-related accommodation (Spa Vista Suite, Spa Verandah, and Spa Oceanview), which provide easy entry to your vessel's Greenhouse Spa & Salon, plus special in-room amenities, access to spa treatments that can only be booked via these categories, and more. But if you really want to live large, you'll want to treat yourself to a stay in one of Holland America's spectacular suites. The cruise line is in the midst of a $300-million-dollar initiative that will see it upgrade the furnishings, décor, and amenities in every single suite on every Signature-class, Vista-class, and R-class ship (that's all but three Holland America vessels). Be among the first to relax in a newly refurbished Signature Suite or Vista Suite, or go absolutely top-shelf in a Pinnacle Suite, Holland America's largest accommodation (approximately 1,150 sq. ft. including private verandah with whirlpool), or a Neptune Suite, its second-largest (up to 590 sq. ft.); both include exclusive access to the Neptune Lounge, which features complimentary amenities and the personalized, 24-hour services of a concierge. Staterooms for single/solo passengers, which debuted aboard ms Koningsdam in 2016, are also available aboard select Holland America ships.

Holland America's dining has been honored, by both passengers and pundits alike, with some of the industry's most impressive accolades including "Best Cruise Line Chef" (Rudi Sodamin) and "Best Dining Experience" for its extravagant Master's Table (Porthole Magazine, Editor-in-Chief Awards). The cruise line's "Tradition of Excellence" (Holland America's tagline) is on display in every shipboard venue, from casual, on-the-go eateries to Holland's most refined specialty restaurants. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their ship's classic Dining Room or choose from a curated selection of delicious options at the Lido Market, which features themed stations and seating with a view of the ocean. Additional al fresco/poolside options include Dive-In (gourmet burgers and dogs, vegetarian fare) and New York Pizza (build-your-own, each individually sized). Specialty options, which come with a modest surcharge, include Holland America's much-loved Pinnacle Grill (Pacific Northwest staples including king salmon, premier beef, and boutique wines), Rudi's Sel de Mer (a "pop-up" venue featuring contemporary takes on French seafood classics; select ships/evenings only), Canaletto (authentic Italian), Tamarind (exotic Asian), dinner at the Culinary Arts Center, and the aforementioned Master's Table (an enormous multi-course menu; seating is limited and reservations are required). Afternoon tea - one of cruising's oldest and most civilized traditions - is served daily, and guests may also order in-room service around the clock (both afternoon tea and in-room service are included in the cost of your fare).