While Holland America Line has been around for over 136 years (the company has its roots as the Dutch-America Steamship Company founded in 1873), the shipboard experience has evolved from trans-Atlantic steamer to a global cruise company. Today’s Holland America is the epitome of contemporary elegance. The leading competitors to Holland America Line are Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises.
The Holland America experience is more refined as evidenced by:
Outstanding cuisine. Both the main dining room(s) and the alternative dining restaurants offer a wide selection of choices that are often influenced by the cuisine of the locale in which the ship is sailing. The alternative dining options onboard Holland America Line are renowned. Canaletto features Italian cuisine, Tamarind offers an Asian Fusion dining experience, while the Pinnacle Grlll offers a range of dining options highlighted with Holland America's Sterling Beef. Additionally, Holland America now features Le Cirque at Pinnacle Grill for an extraordinary dining experience on just one night during each cruise.
Well-outfitted staterooms. The cabin size is generous and the bedding package is reminiscent of premium bedding found at Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons hotels. You will be hard-pressed not to have a good night sleep on a Holland America Line cruise.
Contemporary meets classic décor. The ships are a thoughtful blend of contemporary décor with wonderful glass objects d’ art found along side antiques from the history of Holland America Line and from the far-reaching corners of the globe.
Sophisticated itineraries. While the cruises will frequent major ports of call, Holland America often finds the off-the-beaten-path ports frequented mostly by small ship cruise lines. Holland America positions its ships throughout the year to the best cruising markets in a given season – Europe (England, Northern Europe, Greek Islands and the Mediterranean) and Alaska in the Summer, Caribbean, Mexico and South America in the Winter. And, Holland America features exotic cruises to Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, the Middle East (Dubai) and Asia (Vietnam, India, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.). Holland America even features a world cruise each year.
A more up-market clientele. Seasonally, Holland America competes with several of the mass market cruise lines in the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera (Mexico west coast). There is a decided difference in the passenger profile of Holland America vs mass market cruise lines. The easiest way to put it is that we have never heard that Holland America has ever held a “hairiest chest contest” at the pool.
Of particular note with Holland America Line is the Culinary Arts Center which features cooking demonstrations. Also, the Collections of Holland America Line offer specially chosen shore excursions that enhance guests' appreciation and understanding of the port of call.
Holland America Line continues to improve the onboard experience and has committed $525-million in their Signature of Excellence program. The program is adding new facilities and public spaces, added services and amenities of each ship. Holland America has been recognized for this effort in receiving the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award from The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.
Holland America Line Resources:
Holland America Line Restaurant Menus