Category — Holland America Line

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw Amsterdam, currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard, was floated out of its dry dock at Marghera, Italy, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. The floating out – considered a significant milestone in the construction process – was prefaced by several traditional ceremonies.

Following the ancient practice of shipbuilders, two commemorative coins were sealed in a compartment in the traditional Coin-Under-the-Mast ceremony, believed to bring good fortune to a vessel.

“It is always a meaningful moment to bring a new ship along to this point in the building process,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. “With the rich legacy of the name Nieuw Amsterdam, and this being the fourth ship in our 136-year history to carry this name, it is all the more significant for our company.”

The special coins used in the ceremony were minted to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the river in New York that bears his name. In 1609, Hudson, an English explorer employed by the Dutch East India Company, sailed his ship Half Moon up that river. Hudson’s explorations eventually led to the first permanent Dutch settlement in North America – a tiny village on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, which was named Nieuw Amsterdam.

In recognition of that longstanding connection, several rooms on Nieuw Amsterdam will have New York City themes. The main restaurant is the Manhattan Dining Room, the atrium art is inspired by the city’s skyscrapers and the youth area will feature an authentic 1981 New York Checker cab.

After the blessing of the ship and the ceremonies, floodgates on the dry dock opened. As the dock began to fill, a bucket was lowered into the water and some of the first water to touch the ship’s hull was captured and preserved in a crystal bottle that is presented to the captain during the ship’s official dedication.

Nieuw Amsterdam was towed to the fitting-out dock where she will be finished and delivered in early July 2010. Second in the Signature Class and sister ship to the ms Eurodam, she will carry 2,106 guests and 929 crew.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Promoting relaxation and well-being, three Holland America Line packages provide guests with more ways to customize their cruise vacation. The Well-Being Package, Suite Amenities Package and Suite Elite Package feature select combinations for fitness, luxury and revitalization.

“As the needs and expectations of our guests continue to diversify, we, in turn, continue to vary our offerings that entertain, educate and energize,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest services. “These packages further enhance luxury cruising for our guests that are wanting an exclusive and personal experience.”

Well-Being Package
The Well-Being Package promotes rejuvenation through the Greenhouse Spa and fitness center. One fitness session is included which guests can choose from a class schedule while onboard. Guests select either a fifty minute facial or massage treatment from a collection comprised of a La Therapie Facial, an Elemis Aromapure Facial and a Swedish or an Elemis Deep Tissue Massage.

Guests will also enjoy an advanced revitalization treatment with an Alpha Capsule session which combines dry-heat sauna, vibratory massage and soothing aromatherapy. Unlimited access to the hydro pool and thermal suite is added with a souvenir monogrammed bathrobe for each guest. At a preferred time, a platter of sliced fresh fruit is delivered daily. The Well-Being package starts at $299 per person on seven-day sailings.

Suite Amenities Package
The Suite Amenities Package offers special suite-like services for guests booked in staterooms other than suites. Either high tea or cold canapés are delivered to each stateroom daily as well as complimentary laundry and pressing through the length of a sailing. Guests also enjoy an Explorations Café coffee card for ten drinks and a daily DVD selection from the video library with hot popcorn. For an evening of fine dining, a dinner for two is provided at the Pinnacle Grill restaurant.

Fresh flowers, pillows à la carte and a beverage set-up with two bottles of wine and two bottles of liquor are prepared along with two souvenir monogrammed bathrobes in each stateroom. Special disembarkation including luggage pick-up and departure at leisure is offered with access to a disembarkation lounge with refreshments. The Suite Amenities Package starts at $285 per person on sailings up to 10 days.

Suite Elite Package
Exclusive to suite guests, the Suite Elite Package pampers guests even more with additional amenities for a deluxe cruise experience. An initial beverage set-up of two bottles of wine and two bottles of liquor are placed in each stateroom. A Culinary Arts Center cooking class is included along with a session of premium wine tasting and a dinner to share in the Pinnacle Grill.

For relaxation, unlimited access to the hydro pool and thermal suite is offered on all sailings. An internet card of 100 minutes, an Explorations Café coffee card for ten drinks, daily turndown truffles and a deluxe flower arrangement complete this package. The Suite Elite Package starts at $429 per person on sailings up to 10 days.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Holland America Line is offering exciting new World Cruise tours and Overland Adventure tours in some of the world’s most exotic locations: South America, Africa, India and the Far East.

Overland Adventures allow guests to extend their holiday or Grand World Voyage with an in-depth exploration of regions such as India, the Far East, Africa and South America. The adventures range from two- and three-day tours to eight-day explorations.

“More cruise guests are looking to fully immerse themselves in the culture they’ve flown thousands of miles to see,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “By prearranging and offering these unique tours, we’re making it simple for our guests to take full advantage of their time.” [Read more →]

Explorations Book Club Debuts on Holland America Line
Courtesy of Holland America Line

An enriching new book club program will debut on Holland America Line’s sailings of 14 days or more starting in May 2009. As part of the cruise line’s ongoing Signature of Excellence initiative, the Explorations Book Club will launch with the popular novel “Like Water for Chocolate” on the Panama Canal ms Veendam sailing. Book club gatherings will be implemented on select sailings of 14 days or more starting in the fall, with a different novel selected for each itinerary.

Lively book discussions will be hosted by the on-board librarian in the Explorations Café powered by the New York Times. Guests interested in joining the discussion will have time to read the selected book as the chosen title will be posted online prior to each sailing.

The on-board librarian will plan and facilitate two to three discussions for each book. Books chosen will relate to the sailing destination whether by author or topic. For example, books under consideration are “In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson for Australia itineraries or “Saving Fish from Drowning: A Novel by Amy Tan” for Asia cruises.

On Veendam this May, guests traveling through the Panama Canal and along the Mexican coast can enrich their travels with the fiction novel “Like Water for Chocolate” by Mexican Novelist Laura Esquivel. Originally published in Spanish as “Como agua para chocolate,” the book has been translated into thirty languages with more than three million copies in print worldwide.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Imagine sailing with a well-known executive chef from a famous restaurant or an inspiring culinary television personality. Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center program makes these dreams a reality by inviting chefs from kitchens and restaurants all around the country and making them part of the guest enrichment program. While on board, the guest chefs and experts offer culinary demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes to guests, in addition to participating in question and answer sessions. [Read more →]