Category — Holland America

Holland America Hot Deal

Holland America Hot Deals
Holland America – Holiday Specials
Holland America – Alaska Cruise Deals
Holland America – Alaska CruiseTour Specials
Holland America – Asia Special Offers
Holland America – Caribbean Special Offers
Holland America – Mexican Riviera Discount Cruises
Holland America – Panama Canal Cruise Deals
Holland America – South America Cruise Deals
Holland America – Australia & New Zealand Specials
Holland America – Hawaii Cruise Deals
Holland America – Canada and New England Specials
Holland America – Europe Cruise Deals
Holland America – Bermuda Cruise Deals
Holland America – Grand Voyage Special Offers

October 31, 2009   1 Comment

Holland America Hot Deals

Holland America Hot Deals
Holland America – Holiday Specials
Holland America – Alaska Cruise Deals
Holland America – Alaska CruiseTour Specials
Holland America – Asia Special Offers
Holland America – Caribbean Special Offers
Holland America – Mexican Riviera Discount Cruises
Holland America – Panama Canal Cruise Deals
Holland America – South America Cruise Deals
Holland America – Australia & New Zealand Specials
Holland America – Hawaii Cruise Deals
Holland America – Canada and New England Specials
Holland America – Europe Cruise Deals
Holland America – Bermuda Cruise Deals
Holland America – Grand Voyage Special Offers

October 24, 2009   No Comments

New Innovative Pool Concept to Debut on Five Holland America Ships

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

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.

June 25, 2009   No Comments

Holland America Expands Digital Workshops

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.

May 27, 2009   No Comments

Holland America Debuts Explorations Book Club

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.

April 16, 2009   4 Comments