Holland America Cruise Line

Holland America Cruise Lines Experience

Holland America Line (please do not refer to it as "HAL") still maintains much of its original service traditions. Just look at the bellman's uniforms with their little caps. Passengers are still summoned to dinner by the genteel ringing of a chime and then dine to the accompaniment of a string ensemble. Indeed, Holland America's reverence for its own seafaring history and tradition is exceeded only by Cunard's.

The surprising thing about the line, however, is how price competitive they are with even mid-priced cruise lines such as Princess and Royal Caribbean. Great prices can be found on these ships, and if you are looking for quiet elegance on a longer itinerary, it is hard to beat Holland America for a combination of elegant, kid-free cruising at a very affordable price.

In the past, many passengers found Holland's cuisine to be somewhat bland, but a new generation of chefs is changing that. The lines' buffets have always been some of the most tempting at sea. The open daily ice-cream counter (noon to 4:00 p.m.) is the best at sea, with handmade varieties accompanied by toppings like caramel and toasted almonds, and even fresh oven-baked cookies. All of the creamy goodness at no extra charge! Indeed, if there is one complaint creeping in to cruise lines selling at similar prices to Holland America, its the "nickel & diming" other lines do to chase the onboard revenue. Holland America has the good taste to keep public announcements and under the door flyers to a minimum.

Holland America's warmly gracious Indonesian and Filipino crew is probably the single biggest reason that the cruise line gets so much repeat business. The line actually operates schools in each of these respective countries to train their future crewpeople. The line did suffer somewhat during the rapid expansion days of 1998-2002, and keeping up with staffing so many ships was a bit of a challenge. But as the growth slows down and the company has a chance to re-focus on its onboard service, the quality is coming back quickly. The company's famous "no tipping required" policy has given way to a pre-paid $10 per person per day, adjustable at the Front Desk.

That the line is committed to keeping pace with the times is clear from its $225 million "Signature of Excellence" initiative, begun in 2004. New features include tableside waiter service at dinner in the Lido buffet at night, a new Culinary Arts Program with viewing kitchens for demonstrations and classes by celebrity chefs, expansion of spa and fitness facilities, upgraded Club HAL Kids Centers, and new shore excursions. The Explorations Cafe is a combination New York Times-powered library, Internet center, music listening area and sidewalk cafe. Staterooms now offer the best mattresses and duvets sold in Europe, flat screen TVs, and DVD players. Owners of wireless laptops will be delighted to learn that many parts of the ship are equipped for "wi-fi." There's early boarding and a choice of four dinner seatings.

Insofar as cruising to Alaska is concerned, nobody does it better. The company purchased a controlling interest in Alaska tour company Westours in the early 1970's and hence moved their headquarters to Seattle, Washington in 1983. But Alaska is not all they offer. Holland America offers one of the industry's widest choice of itineraries, sailing to over 280 ports of call on all seven continents from 25 home ports, including Benghazi, Libya; Pearl Island, Panama; South Georgia Island in the sub-Antarctic islands; and Narvik, Norway.

Much of the appeal of the line is in it's spacious cabins, welcoming and practical in every category. Every ship boasts a remarkable art collection.

Holland America Cruise Lines | Fellow Passengers

Holland America's longer cruises seem to appeal primarily to those over 60, but the average age on one-week cruises is plummeting, thanks to concentrated marketing to the line to a younger clientele who understands the value the line offers in service & comfort. Such new features as Internet cafes with wireless access and boutique alternative restaurants help, as well as the expansion of the Club HAL program with kids and teens centers.

All that said, those who like to bar-hop or shake their booties well after midnight should stick to the 7-night Caribbean cruises, or are likely to find themselves doing so mostly with the entertainment staff. Bedtime on longer cruises still tends to be about midnight and youngsters are few and far between.

Holland America Cruise Lines | Taking Kids on a Holland America Cruise

Club HAL now includes kids and teens three to 17, whereas previously you had to be at least five for them to take any notice. Dedicated youth coordinators run full days of events for each age group on Maasdam, Ryndam and the Vista-class ships, (Zuiderdam, Oosterdam Westerdam). New teen areas The Loft lounge and The Oasis have sundecks with their own waterfalls, hammocks and covered snack areas.

On Caribbean cruises, the private island Half Moon Cay is without a doubt one of the best in cruisedom. Activities offered; horseback riding including a horseback swim in the ocean, bicycle tours, parasailing, rental of snorkle and scuba-diving gear, deep sea fishing, and an excellent alternative to Grand Cayman for swimming with stingrays. Instead of a 90 minute jaunt by bus and boat to the middle of bay packed with tourists, you can walk down a set of steps and right into the welcoming fins of the sleek creatures. The same experience without the delays and boredom.

Group babysitting is available in the Club HAL facilities from 10 p.m. to midnight at a charge of $5 per child per hour. Limited private babysitting is available through the Front Office for ages 3 to 12.

Holland America Cruise Lines Shore Excursions

Holland America offers expertly managed shore excursions wherever it cruises, and though the line cruises all over the world. They're neither much more nor much less expensive than other cruise lines' excursions.

Tipping:
For years Holland America was known for its no-tipping policy, intended to make passengers believe that staff were doing it for love, rather than money. (Yeah, right.) Nowadays, though, gratuities of $10.00 per person (including children) are automatically added daily to the shipboard account for dining and stateroom service. Visit the front desk to adjust that amount. That a 15 percent service is automatically added to bar bills should surprise no one.

Cruise Lines Repeat Passenger Programs

Mariner Club members receive a quarterly newsletter; special promotional offers, amenities on select sailings; separate check-in; luggage tags; onboard cocktail reception with the Captain; and other onboard goodies based on number of cruises.