By The Cruise Web, Inc.

Holland America introduced a new vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu of 22-dishes including appetizers, salads, entrées and soups this month. The cruise line will also offer 30 new vegetarian options on their traditional menu. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Holland America Line.

In winter 2012 and spring 2013 two Holland America Line ships –– ms Oosterdam and ms Volendam –– will sail a series of Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises, visiting more than 50 ports where guests can revel in the cosmopolitan attractions of Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, and explore the exotic landscapes of Vanuatu and Fiji in the South Pacific.

The complete series of sailings ranges from 10- to 58-days and features for the first time one of the line’s larger Vista-class ships, ms Oosterdam. This addition represents almost a 25 percent capacity increase in the Australia/ South Pacific region for Holland America Line. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Holland America Line.

Holland America Line has announced the roll out of its new sustainable seafood program which adopts environmentally responsible purchasing practices and features menus that showcase sustainable seafood.

Working in conjunction with the Marine Conservation Institute – a Washington State partner in promoting sustainable and compatible use of the oceans – Holland America Line’s sustainable seafood program emphasizes adopting sustainable seafood purchasing practices.

“Our sustainability program is an important element in our ongoing commitment to oceans on which we sail and to being responsible corporate citizens in every aspect of our business,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs at Holland America Line. “We are proud to roll out this program and know our guests will appreciate the fact that their seafood menu selections are responsibly sourced and help promote the continued availability of fish species that are essential to a biologically diverse marine environment.” [Read more →]

Courtesy of Holland America Line.

Holland America Line has joined with the U.S. National Park Service to produce a “Glacier Bay Ranger Podcast Anthology” that gives guests a unique glimpse into one of the largest protected wilderness areas in North America.

Narrators Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman, radio personalities and hosts of Holland America Line’s iPod Art Tours, present a rare insider’s view into this land of scenic and natural wonders. Each podcast includes in-depth interviews with Glacier Bay scientists, rangers, administrators and even an elder from the native Huna tribe. [Read more →]

By: The Cruise Web, Inc.

Experience Holland America Line’s newest vessel, the Nieuw Amsterdam, in this special three part video series from Cruising Authority. The series is sponsored in part by The Cruise Web and follows Barry Vaudrin, talk show host for Cruising Authority, as he and his family cruise the Eastern Caribbean. See what they have to say about their onboard experience, as well as their time spent in Half Moon Cay, St. Maarten, San Juan and Grand Turk.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3
 

Thanks for watching!

The Cruise Web, Inc.
reply@cruiseweb.com
1-800-377-9383

 By: The Cruise Web, Inc.

Experience Holland America Line’s newest vessel, the Nieuw Amsterdam, in this special three part video series from Cruising Authority. The series is sponsored in part by The Cruise Web and follows Barry Vaudrin, talk show host for Cruising Authority, as he and his family cruise the Eastern Caribbean. See what they have to say about their onboard experience, as well as their time spent in Half Moon Cay, St. Maarten, San Juan and Grand Turk.

Thanks for watching! Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Nieuw Amsterdam video series.

The Cruise Web, Inc.
reply@cruiseweb.com
1-800-377-9383

Courtesy of Holland America Line.

Taking top chefs from kitchens and restaurants all around the world and inviting them aboard Holland America Line ships, the line’s Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, continues to expand in popularity. This year, more than 65 guest culinary experts are participating in the hugely successful program. Culinary notables this season include Bravo-TV’s “Top Chef” contender, Nikki Cascone; Mark Bittman, food columnist for The New York Times and award-winning cookbook author; and Keith Coburn, television personality of the hit series, “Deadliest Catch.”

“Because the Culinary Arts Center is such a hit, we will continue to expand the program and provide our guests with the enriching culinary experiences that have made it so successful,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “For those who love to cook and cruise, there is no more enjoyable vacation experience than taking over a fully stocked and equipped professional kitchen with an expert chef as guide.” [Read more →]

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.” [Read more →]

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.