Holland America increase Panama Canal cruises

Holland America Line is to be offering an incredible 45 Panama Canal cruises on nine different ships in 2009. Ranging in length from 10 to 28 days, Holland America Line’s Panama Canal itineraries feature more port of call options than any other major cruise line, with many port visits exclusive to Holland America Line.

Guests travelling on Panama Canal cruises with Holland America Line can experience daylight transits of the historic and fascinating Panama Canal and the opportunity to visit diverse and intriguing ports of call throughout their voyage.

“We’ve increased our Panama Canal capacity significantly this year to make 2009 a very exciting season, especially with full transit cruises through the winter season,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “While the roundtrip Florida canal experiences have been very popular, our guests have been asking for more Panama Canal cruises between the east and west coasts throughout the winter season. So now, there are canal cruises to suit everyone’s tastes for season, length and ports of call.”

Microsoft Digital Workshops rolls across Holland America fleet

Holland America Line has announced schedule details of their popular Microsoft Digital Workshops. The program began last April and soon became very popular with guests. It has now been put into place on five of Holland America Line’s ships, ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Eurodam and ms Noordam with a further seven ships to be completed by 27 May 2009.

“The Microsoft Digital Workshops have become among the most popular activities for all ages on our ships,” says Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The relationship with Microsoft has been fantastic and we are looking forward to having this well-received program across most of the fleet.”
“We are thrilled that passengers of Holland America Line are finding value in the Microsoft Digital Workshops,” said Chip Wood, group manager, Consumer Segment Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “Providing guests with a comfortable environment where they can learn how to create, edit and share digital memories is a fun and unique way for Windows to enhance the cruise experience.”
The onboard workshops are offered complimentary and are led by Microsoft-trained ‘techsperts’ who demonstrate state of the art technology, enabling all levels of camera and computer users to take better photos, make movies, edit and share scrapbooks and share digital memories. Guests have the chance to learn how to share their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking so that friends and family back home are view their cruise experience even before they get home.
Guests on board Holland America Cruise Line ships can decide to attend all or just some of the multiple workshops which are held daily. The program has its own dedicated area on each ship. Microsoft Digital Workshops will begin with the cruise dates and ships listed below:
ms Zaandam, Jan 21, 2009 in Hawaii
ms Maasdam, Jan 30, 2009 in Caribbean
ms Zuiderdam, Feb 17, 2009 in Caribbean
ms Ryndam, Mar 5, 2009 in Mexico
ms Veendam, April 27, 2009 in Panama Canal
ms Statendam, May 10, 2009 in Alaska
ms Volendam, May 27, 2009 in Alaska

Holland America introduce The Retreat

Holland America Line’s next phase of their Signature of Excellence program will include the addition of a new resort-style pool area on the aft of the Lido deck. Holland America Line’s ms Statendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam and ms Veendam will be dry-docked for nearly a month and the pool area, to be called The Retreat, will be one of the highlights catering to the preferences of today’s upscale travellers.

The Retreat will feature a shallow area with forty-four lounge chairs allowing guests to relax and dip their fingers and toes in the water. The pool will be divided into three main sections separated by low, curving walls. The middle section is 16 inches deep with built-in benches in the water so guests can dangle their legs. The two side sections feature lounge chairs in eight inches of water and there are waterfalls and spouts all enhancing the decor, as well as a hot tub for total relaxation.


“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.”


Holland America Line has also introduced an upscale pizzeria called Slice and there will be tables and comfortable, padded chairs under a sunscreen for dining al fresco. There will even be a stage for low music and an LED screen and sound system for playing movies.


The first of the dry-dock periods begins with the Veendam in spring 2009 and ends with the Maasdam in early 2011. Improvements will also include a new bar concept called Mix featuring different areas - Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. Staterooms will receive a makeover and there will be 38 lanai staterooms added which give direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck. New spa staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon will offer special in-room spa amenities.


Holland America Line has invested a total of £525 million to their Signature of Excellence program, ensuring their position as the premium cruise line.

Holland America launch new Shore Excursion e-Brochure

Holland America Line are pioneering a new Shore Excursion e-Brochure on-line system which allows guests to view and print shore excursion information relating to their specific booked cruise. The new system allows guests to receive the latest personalised information for their cruise itinerary and the opportunity to access and update any shore excursion that applies to their cruise.

“We strive to personalize each guest’s experience and to endeavor to make their interaction with us as easy and enriching as possible,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “By giving our guests the flexibility of printing an e-brochure with their shore excursion options that is tailored specifically to their cruise itinerary, we are able to present the exact information they need—when they need it. Additionally, more and more of our guests applaud our online efforts from an environmental standpoint.”

The Shore Excursion e-Brochures are tailored to each guest’s ship and sail date and the new online versions offers guests the same useful information at the printed versions but also tour pricing and excursion departure times.

All guests that are booked with Holland America need to do is visit the Shore Excursion page on Holland America Line’s website and input their booking number and last name, click on the ‘View Your Personalised Shore Excursion Brochure’ link and a personalised e-brochure will download. Guests can review their personalised Shore Excursion e-brochure from six months to a year before their cruise departs rather than having to wait for the hard-copy which arrives with cruise documents 30-60 days from their cruise departure date.

“With the launch of Shore Excursion e-Brochures we’ve created a way that our guests can leisurely review their shore excursion options in a much timelier manner. This allows guests to book early and to help avoid possible disappointment should the tours that pique their interests potentially sell out,” said Meadows.

Holland America's Eurodam Christened in Rotterdam

In a traditional ceremony yesterday in Rotterdam, Holland America’s newest ship Eurodam was christened by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The christening also marked Holland America’s 135^th year anniversary and was reminiscent of 1873 when the cruise line was founded in exactly the same location, same pier.

"What a day, what an incredibly, marvelous beautiful day," said HAL president Stein Kruse, and he wasn't just referring to the gorgeous blue skies overhead. Kruse paid homage to Holland America’s deep roots in Rotterdam and Holland and the long time seafaring tradition that exists there. Holland America’s offices were in fact situated in what is now the historic Hotel New York nearby for a long period of time.

Eurodam is Holland America’s 80^th ship, the 14^th in Holland America’s existing fleet and the largest to ever sail for the cruise line. Whilst other ships godmothers have been hindered with problems when smashing the champagne bottle against the hull of the ship, Queen Beatrix had no such problem and the magnum smashed with a satisfying soundness.

Eurodam begins sailing regular cruises today and after the taster cruise will celebrate its maiden voyage in the Baltic. Later this summer, Eurodam will venture across the Atlantic, with cruising itineraries in Canada and New England.

Holland America's ms Eurodam luxury Spa Staterooms

Holland America has just received delivery of its latest ship, the 14th ship in the fleet and the first of its new Signature Class series. At a naming ceremony in Venice, Holland America’s newest ship, ms Eurodam, was unveiled and is set to provide guests with a new standard of cruising experience with its luxury spa staterooms.

Located near to the Greenhouse Spa and salon on the Panorama and Observation decks, the luxurious staterooms will have a natural theme with walls of muted earth-tones and accent colours of bright fresh green to reflect natures own and with charcoal coloured carpet to bring the theme together. There will be a tranquil water feature in each room which will enhance the natural, soothing atmosphere with gentle background sounds.

The new Holland America Spa staterooms will also feature organic cotton bathrobes and slippers, a Burmese teak mat for bath and shower and invigorating shower head, as well as a Body Buff Loofah Mit and aroma therapy salts. There will also be additions such as iPod® docking station, a yoga mat, a pedometer for use aboard the ship, fitness DVD, a no-host minibar stocked with speciality waters, a cut-fruit tray at embarkation and a spa concierge to book treatments.

The natural theme Holland America are creating in the staterooms in reflected at the night turn-down, where pillow gifts include organic chocolate truffles, orchids and a line of chocolates called Elements which are herbal infused to enhance a sense of well-being and induce restful sleep.

The 56 staterooms on board Holland America ms Eurodam include two Superior Balcony Suites, 36 Deluxe Balcony Outside Staterooms, four large Ocean-View Staterooms and four large inside staterooms on Panorama Deck. The 10 Spa Staterooms located on the Observation Deck are all Deluxe Balcony Outside rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and scalloped balconies.

"The spa experience is more compelling for today's premium vacation experience,"
said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest
services. "Our spa staterooms are a result of this trend and we expect them to
be popular as more and more of our guests seek the ultimate in
relaxation."

Holland America’s ms Eurodam will depart on its inaugural voyage on the 5 July with a 10 day round trip from Copenhagen.

Holland America Line’s ms Eurodam to Offer Private Cabanas

Holland America Line will be offering guests the chance to really enjoy the outdoors whilst cruising on their new ms Eurodam, the lines first Signature class ship, with a haven of private cabanas on the Observation and Lido decks.

The airy tented cabanas will be located in an area called the Retreat on the Observation deck and around the pool on the Lido deck. There will be modern woven chaises, ottomans and upholstered settees for guests to relax on, plus a stock of bathrobes and plush towels. There will even me Evian spray misters and iPods preloaded with a selection of music.

There will be 14 cabanas offering guests the chance to relax in a spa-like private area where they can enjoy chilled water, iced fruit skewers, frozen grapes, chocolate covered strawberries, or a glass of champagne. Light breakfast options will be available as well, from fresh fruit, salads, wraps and juices.

Discounted select services from the Greenhouse Spa and Salon are available on port days to guests who book the cabanas. The cabanas may be rented for the day or for an entire cruise.

Holland America Line’s ms Eurodam will debut this summer, with a 1 July naming ceremony in Rotterdam with Her Majestic Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, followed by her maiden voyage in the Baltic region. The 2,104-guest Eurodam will offer its first trans-Atlantic cruise and sail Canada/New England in the autumn, followed by Caribbean itineraries the remainder of 2008.