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Holland America Line

The Holland America Line is one of the world's most prolific cruise lines, offering more than 500 cruises each year from 25 ports that are home to the line's 13 magnificent ships. Holland America is consistently recognized as one of the top cruise lines in the industry, garnering awards and accolades from many sources including travel organizations and publications.

The varied destinations of the Holland America Line are just one of the things that make it most attractive to travelers. It seems that you can travel just about anywhere in the world aboard a Holland America ship and many of the cruises are quite unique.

For example, travelers can enjoy a land/sea tour of Alaska and the Yukon, including railcar travel, tundra wilderness tours at Denali National Park, and stays in some of the area's best hotels.

Holland America Line ships also head to Asia and the Pacific, stopping at ports of call that might include Yokohama, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, Bora Bora, and Papeete. Head further south on the ms Statendam and visit the cities of Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Milford Sound, and Aucklund in Australia and New Zealand.

Every year since 1958, Holland America designs a Grand World Voyage for those seeking an extended vacation that encompasses six continents, 22-26 countries, and more than 30,000 nautical miles. These Grand World Voyages usually last more than 3 months and Holland America's flagship, the ms Amsterdam, is often the carrier, though other ships in the fleet are also suitable for these long sailings. Ports include Manta, Ecuador; Tahiti in French Polynesia; American Samoa; Fiji; Australia; Indonesia, Vietnam; Malaysia; Sri Lanka; Egypt; Israel; Turkey; Greece; Italy; Monaco; Portugal; and New York.

Holland America also travels to more common cruise destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, New England/Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and the Panama Canal.

The line's fleet of five-star ships boasts just about every amenity you'll need for your dream vacation. The newest Vista Class ships, five in all, including the 2006 ms Noordam, contain all the latest shipboard technology as well as more spacious staterooms and public areas. The ms Prinsendam is designed to carry smaller groups on extended voyages and the Veendam, Ryndam, Statendam, and Maasdam are among the most spacious ships to sail the seas.

While offering all the usual shipboard activities like swimming, volleyball, exercise classes, and sunning, Holland America Line's new Signature of Excellence® series includes lectures, an internet café, art tours of the ship's masterpieces, and a culinary arts center for interactive cooking lessons and demonstrations.

Holland America heartily welcomes children and is eager to make them feel at home by offering plenty of kid-friendly food like hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza. Club HAL is the kid's domain on these ships, featuring an activity program for children age 5 to 12.