On-board menus to feature ocean-friendly seafood  In honor of Earth Day, 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 pro...

  In a gala ceremony rich with Dutch heritage, Holland America Line named ms Nieuw Amsterdam in Venice, Italy. Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima of the Netherlands officially named the premium line’s 15th ship in front of invited dignitaries, cruise guests and media during the special celebration before the ship embarked on its maiden cruise. “We are exceptionally honored to have Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima as the godmother of this beautiful ship and to continue a long and proud tradition of having members of the Dutch Royal Family name our ships,&rd...

CORAL SPRINGS, FL, October 12, 2009/PRWeb – For the month of October 2009, Cruise Planners will join thousands of cruise-selling travel agents in World’s Largest Cruise Event, an exciting event designed to showcase the incredible choice, diversity and value of cruise vacations—an excellent chance to improve anyone’s CruisitudeSM. Travel agencies across North America will team up with 24 member lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to provide consumers with information on cruise vacations and exceptional offers. If they choose, area residents can fi...

Holland America Line beefed up its loyalty club with the Mariner Society Rewards Program, providing on-board discounts while sailing, special rates on select cruises and reduced or free third and fourth rates when booking future cruises.Based on past cruises recorded as cruise days, members now get Star levels and automatically collect additional cruise day credits based on their on-board spending or by purchasing one of the line’s suite options.  The Star Mariner level gives a gift, special offers on select sailings, 50% discount for third and fourth passengers on select saili...

What is a Lanai, anyway?  You have probably lived in an apartment or house that claimed to have one but never quite figured out the difference between a patio and lanai.  Well it would appear that they are one and the same.   So, why the buzz from Holland America about “lanai staterooms” being introduced on the Veendam?   Well, it’s due to the fact that oceangoing lanais are a rarity and Holland America seems to be cornering the market on them.  These staterooms offer direct access to the open decks.  It is funny how old things becom...

As part of its ongoing Signature of Excellence, Holland America Line is doubling the amount to be spent in upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of the line's most popular ships. Over the next two years, the ms Statendam, ms Ryndam, ms Maasdam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new décor and more. The $200 million program will begin when Veendam enters an extended dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for completion in early 2011. The investment in this new series of enhancements will include a new...

The Pinnacle Grill, the exclusive, reservations-only dining venue on all Holland America Line ships, debuts a tantalizing new menu this fall. Created by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and introduced with rave reviews on ms Eurodam earlier this summer, the expanded menu introduces new Pacific Northwest specialty entrees and adds creations ranging from lobster "mac & cheese" to Colorado lamb chops. Delectable seafood dishes include broiled, troll-caught salmon, broiled or poached lobster tail, cedar-planked black cod with shrimp scampi and the Master Chef's interpretation of surf-a...

Five Holland America Line ships will soon undergo individual month-long dry docks at a total cost of approximately $200 million. The most dramatic alterations during the latest Signature of Excellence enhancements will result in an additional 32 verandah staterooms added to the aft portion of each ship. In addition, 46 new innovative lanai staterooms will allow guests direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck and on four ships verandahs will be installed on 12 staterooms on Deck 9 forward. On the five ships, ms Statendam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam, forty-six stat...

As part of its ongoing Signature of Excellence, Holland America Line is doubling the amount to be spent in upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of the line's most popular ships. Over the next two years, the ms Statendam, ms Ryndam, ms Maasdam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new décor and more. The 18-month, $200 million program will begin when Veendam enters an extended dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for completion in late 2010. The investment in this new series of enhancements will inc...

Dim sum, satay and Rijsttafel all take the stage at Tamarind, one of three new dining venues debuting on ms Eurodam in July. Tamarind, a Pan-Asian restaurant with a capacity for 144 diners, will serve reservations-only lunch and dinner. The complimentary lunch menu will feature dim sum, an assortment of classic Asian dumplings and accompanying fusion sauces for dipping. Soup and salad, as well as dessert temptations - like green tea tiramisu and mango sorbet - will also be included on the lunch menu. "We took into account every aspect of the Pan-Asian fine dining experience when we d...

Guests on Holland America Line ships will be able to "show and tell" their vacation memories when the companies launch Holland America Line Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows on the ms Amsterdam and the ms Oosterdam, followed by the ms Westerdam in June and the line's new Signature-class, 2,104-passenger ship, the ms Eurodam, in July, expanding fleet wide within 18 months. Free workshops led by Microsoft-trained "techsperts" will show even the most novice camera or computer user how to take better vacation photos, make movies, edit pictures and create scrapbo...

Guests on Holland America Line's new ms Eurodam who want to enjoy the outdoors in the comfort of their own private haven will delight in the cabanas on the Observation and Lido decks of the company's first Signature-class ship. The airy, tented cabanas are located on Observation Deck in an area called the Retreat and around the mid-ship pool on Lido Deck. Furnished with modern woven chaises, ottomans and upholstered settees, all cabanas come stocked with bathrobes and plush towels, handheld fans, an Evian spray mister and iPods™ preloaded with great music. Chilled waters are availabl...

In the next two years, Holland America Line plans its most diverse offering of Caribbean cruise options with new ports, back-to-back itineraries, and the introduction of its newest ship, ms Eurodam, in late 2008. Holland America Line has increased its presence in the region due primarily to the addition of the new 2,104-passenger Eurodam and has planned more 10-day and longer journeys along with some gateway changes to introduce in-depth itineraries. Beginning in 2008, Holland America Line also will embark on a full season of a southern Caribbean itinerary that proved to be a popular ch...

Holland America Line, the world's leading premium cruise line, sails to all seven continents, and also offers passage to the new seven wonders of the world on its more than 500 worldwide cruise itineraries. The line also visits the cruise port gateway to honorary wonder of the world -- the Pyramids of Giza -- the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. "Cruising opens up new horizons to travelers," said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest services. "As the world's leading premium cruise line, we explore destinations off the beaten p...

Holland America Line launches “As You Wish” dining, an innovative program that allows guests to choose from the best of both worlds – either traditional pre-set seating and dining times, or a completely flexible dining schedule. One level of the two-tiered restaurant will offer a flexible/open dining service from 5:15 to 9 p.m. daily, and the other will host two seatings, an early and main seating. “Providing more options for our guests has been a hallmark of our Signature of Excellence initiative,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, mar...

Holland America Line has launched a kids and teen Culinary Arts Center activity program to bring the joys of cooking to the younger set. Taking advantage of the fleet-wide million dollar show kitchens, the premium line now offers classes that teach kids and teens how to make dishes from breakfast to dinner. “Learning about the culinary arts and cooking isn’t just for adults,” said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “We’ve developed some fun recipes and classes so that kids, tweens and teens can discover more ab...

Holland America Line has simplified its dress code for evenings from three options to only two, smart casual and formal, beginning with the May 2 Rotterdam Europe cruise from Piraeus, Greece. “We made the dress code change as a result of our guest surveys,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. “Our new policy will preserve our popular formal nights yet allow guests to simplify packing by not having to worry about bringing an extra suit and dress or two for what we used to call informal.” For smart casual ...

Holland America Line recently opened the new over water Grand Cabana at Half Moon Cay. This Grand Cabana offers a great opportunity for groups and large families to lounge in privacy. The cabana includes 480 square foot sun deck, an eight person hot tub, a 1,140 square foot covered deck, separate male and female changing and rest rooms, an indoor and an outdoor fresh water heated shower, teak dining table and chairs for six, BBQ area, a full wet bar complete with teak lounges, double lounges, and bar stools to accommodate 12 guests, refrigerator, iPod music system, massage table, 100-foot ...

Holland America Line has decided on a name for its first Signature-class vessel: the Eurodam. The 2,044-passenger ship, the largest to be constructed by the line, is to be delivered in summer 2008. The 86,000-ton Eurodam will be built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard with an estimated all-in cost of $450 million. HAL has a second Signature-class ship on option with Fincantieri, with delivery scheduled for spring 2010 "We chose the name Eurodam to celebrate our European and Dutch heritage and our third century of sailing in one of the world’s most popu...

Creature comfort is the mantra of today's leisure traveler. Holland America Line is answering that call by enhancing their Mariner's Dream stateroom experience with a variety of pillows. The new pillows will come in three comfort levels and will be available in all suites aboard the fleet of 13 five-star ships. The premium line is a trend leader in hospitality innovations at sea, setting the standard in stateroom comfort. "When traveling, a good night's rest can elevate the enjoyment of life's experiences," remarked Richard D. Meadows, CTC, Holland America Line's senior vice pre...

Dancing waiters! A napkin ballet! Flying pepper grinders and a plate-spinning kick-line! “Dinner theater” takes on a whole new meaning on Holland America Line with the debut of the entertaining and innovative Signature Master Chef's Dinner which combines the premium line's award-winning cuisine, service and entertainment into an engaging new fine dining concept at sea. “We are well-known for our outstanding service, excellent food and innovative entertainment,” said Richard D. Meadows, vice president of marketing and sales. “Our new Signature Master Chef's Din...