Category — Holland America

• Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit on select sailings!*

• ms Maasdam: 10-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $1,099!*
  2009: December 18. Christmas Sailing!
• ms Oosterdam: 7-Day Mexico roundtrip San Diego from $1,099!*
  2009: December 19. Christmas Sailing!
• ms Eurodam: 7-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $1,049!*
  2009: December 19, 26. Holiday Sailings!

• ms Amsterdam: 7-Day roundtrip Seattle from $699!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: May 3, 10.
• ms Rotterdam: 7-Day roundtrip Seattle from $649!*
  Receive up to $75 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: May 15, 22, 29.
• ms Volendam: 7-Day roundtrip Vancouver from $649!*
  2010: May 12, 19 & 26; September 15.
• ms Statendam: 7-Day between Vancouver and Seward from $499!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: May 16, 23 & 30.
• ms Amsterdam: 14-Day roundtrip Seattle from $1,899!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: May 17, 31.

• CruiseTour 4: 14-Day Klondike, Double Denali and Glacier Bay from $2,299!*
  2010: May 13, 16, 20 & 27.
• CruiseTour 7: 10-Day Alaska-Yukon Explorer and Inside Passage from $1,149!*
  2010: May 19, 22, 26 & 29.
• CruiseTour 20: 14-Day Alyeska, Double Denali and Discovery Cruise from $1,549!*
  2010: May 10, 17, 24 & 31.
• CruiseTour 23: 11-Day Denali Express and Discovery Cruise from $1,049!*
  2010: May 9, 16, 23 & 30.

• ms Volendam: 15-Day Singapore to Sydney from $2,249!*
  2009: November 21. Thanksgiving Cruise!
• ms Amsterdam: 13-Day Hong Kong to Osaka from $1,999!*
  2010: March 29.

• ms Maasdam: 14-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $999!*
  2009: December 4.
• ms Noordam: 10-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $699!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2009: November 21 through December 11.
• ms Statendam: 10-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $649!*
  2009: December 11.
• ms Westerdam: 7-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $599!*
  2009: November 29; December 13.
• ms Ryndam: 7-Day roundtrip Tampa from $649!*
  Receive up to $50 Shipboard Credit!*
  2009/10: December 13 through January 31.
• ms Eurodam: 7-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale Oceanview from $699!*
  2009: November 28 through December 12.
• ms Eurodam: 7-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $1,049!*
  2009: December 19, 26. Holiday Cruises!
• ms Noordam: 7-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $999!*
  2009: December 21. Christmas Cruise!
• ms Ryndam: 7-Day roundtrip Tampa Oceanview from $1,149!*
  2009: December 20. Christmas Cruise!
• ms Maasdam: 10-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $1,099!*
  2009: December 18. Christmas Cruise!

• ms Oosterdam: 7-Day roundtrip San Diego from $539!*
  2009: November 28 through December 12.
• ms Oosterdam: 7-Day roundtrip San Diego from $1,099!*
  2009: December 19. Christmas Sailing!
• ms Oosterdam: 7-Day roundtrip San Diego from $499!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: January 2 through April 17.
• ms Oosterdam: 11-Day roundtrip San Diego from $699!*
  2010: January 16.
• ms Zaandam: 10-Day roundtrip San Diego from $799!*
  2010: February 5.
• ms Zaandam: 9-Day roundtrip San Diego from $699!*
  2010: March 2.

• ms Zuiderdam: 10-Day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale from $749!*
  2009: December 3, 13.
• ms Maasdam: 14-Day between San Diego and Ft. Lauderdale from $1,399!*
  2010: January 8 through April 16.
• ms Statendam: 18-Day San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale from $1,499!*
  2010: March 8.

• ms Veendam: 12-Day Valparaiso to Buenos Aires from $1,249!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: January 30; February 11.
• ms Veendam: 7-Day Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires from $899!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: March 11.
• ms Veendam: 14-Day roundtrip Rio de Janeiro from $1,399!*
  2010: March 11.
• ms Veendam: 7-Day Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro from $899!*
  Receive up to $50 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: March 18.
• ms Rotterdam: 30-Day roundtrip San Diego from $2,799!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: February 6; April 10.

• ms Volendam: 14-Day roundtrip Sydney from $1,399!*
  Receive up to $125 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: January 6, 20; February 28.
• ms Volendam: 28-Day roundtrip Sydney from $2,699!*
  Receive up to $125 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: January 6.
• ms Volendam: 26-Day Sydney to Vancouver from $2,299!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: April 17.

• ms Zaandam: 15-Day roundtrip San Diego Oceanview from $1,789!*
  2009: December 7.
• ms Zaandam: 15-Day roundtrip San Diego from $1,899!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: January 21; February 15; March 11; April 6.
• ms Zaandam: 21-Day San Diego to Vancouver from $2,099!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: April 6.
• ms Zaandam: 14-Day roundtrip San Diego from $1,499!*
  2010: October 24 through December 19.

• ms Maasdam: 15-Day Ft. Lauderdale to Montreal from $1,499!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: May 14.
• ms Maasdam: 7-Day between Montreal and Boston from $799!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: May 29 through October 2.
• ms Eurodam: 10-Day between New York and Quebec City from $1,399!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: September 6, 16 & 26.
• ms Eurodam: 10-Day Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale from $1,299!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: October 6.
• ms Maasdam: 13-Day Montreal to Ft. Lauderdale from $1,499!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: October 9.

• ms Eurodam: 16-Day Ft. Lauderdale to Rome from $1,299!*
  2010: April 3.
• ms Eurodam: 10-Day roundtrip Rome from $1,399!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: April 19; May 9.
• ms Noordam: 13-Day Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona from $899!*
  2010: May 14.
• ms Nieuw Amsterdam: 10-Day roundtrip Venice from $1,799!*
  Receive up to $100 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: July 4.

• ms Veendam: 7-Day roundtrip New York from $899!*
  Receive up to $150 Shipboard Credit!*
  2010: April 25 through October 3.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

One of the key highlights of Holland America Line’s latest Signature of Excellence enhancements is The Retreat, a new resort-style pool area on the aft of the Lido deck. Catering to the preferences of today’s upscale travelers, the indulgent retreat is a first for the industry and currently on the first ship to showcase the recent upgrades, ms Veendam.

The main focus of the new pool experience is a shallow area with forty-four lounge chairs where guests can relax and dip their fingers and toes in the water. Built-in benches create another place for guests to relax and dangle their legs in the refreshing water.

“The Retreat is a totally new approach for us to this area of the ship,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “We’re creating an area where guests can relax outside in a sophisticated environment, and we’re adding other fun and convenient features such as a whirlpool, a band and DJ stand and even a pizzeria.”

The Retreat’s pool is divided into three main sections separated by low, curving walls running the length of the pool. The middle section is 16 inches deep so guests can sit on built-in benches in the water. The two side sections feature lounge chairs in eight inches of water—perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Water falls and spouts enhance the décor. At the aft end of the pool is a hot tub for soothing relaxation.

Slice, an upscale pizzeria, has been incorporated into the area, serving signature pizzas, whole pies and slices to order. Tables and comfortable, padded chairs under a sunscreen provide an inviting place to dine al fresco. And, in order to provide live music, a stage was added near the pool. For added entertainment, an LED screen and sound system is integrated into the ship’s superstructure, providing movies and video to The Retreat.

Except for Veendam, completed at end of April 2009, and Rotterdam, to be completed in December 2009, The Retreat enhancements will be completed during the second series of drydocks planned for Signature of Excellence. First, in a series of drydocks in 2010 and 2011, Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam will receive stateroom enhancements, the Mix and Showroom at Sea. The second phase of drydocks in 2012 and 2013 will add The Retreat and new staterooms on the aft portion of the ships, as well as forward verandah and spa staterooms.

Courtesy of Holland America

More Opportunities to Learn New Skills While Cruising

Holland America Line’s popular Digital Workshop powered by Windows is adding new workshop sessions to help guests learn social media and new digital skills. Twelve ships now will offer 11 complimentary, hour-long classes ranging from photo and video editing to displaying pictures in digital frames.

“Guests have given the workshops rave reviews since we began offering them on four ships last summer,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “We have worked closely with Microsoft to expand the scope of the program to include more ships and more workshops since our guests enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to learn new skills.”

Sessions are offered multiple times on each cruise so that guests may take the ones that interest them most, or the complete series, at their convenience. Session offerings include the following:

• Put Your Best Face Forward 1: Edit Your Cruise Photos
• Your Away-From-Home Movie: Turn Your Cruise Photos and Videos into a Movie
• Insert Photo Here: Getting Your Photos Out of the Camera and Into the Computer
• Your Fifteen Minutes of Fame: Learn to Blog About Your Cruise
• Put Your Best Face Forward 2: Advanced Editing of the Cruise Photos
• A Space to Call My Own: Signing Up for Your Own Personal Webpage
• Show and Tell: Sharing Your Cruise Photos via Email and the Internet
• Safe and Sound: PC Safety and Maintenance
• Say Cheese: Understanding the Basics of Your Digital Camera
• That’s a Print: Printing Your Cruise Photos at Home
• I’ve Been Framed: How to Set-up and Use a Digital Photo Frame

Digital Workshop powered by Windows will show even the most novice camera or computer user how to take better vacation photos, make movies and edit pictures using a variety of Microsoft Windows and Windows Live services. Guests will learn how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking – so friends and family can see where they’ve been cruising even before they return home.

Taught by Microsoft-trained “techsperts,” the workshops are limited to 15 participants per session so that instructors can provide personalized assistance. In addition, instructors maintain “techspert time,” where guests can get their individual questions answered and work on personal program-related projects. Each ship has a dedicated space for the classes, complete with computers, printers and other necessary equipment.

New classes will be added to the existing program by the end of May. Plans are under development to extend the program to ms Rotterdam and ms Prinsendam.

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.