 Life
aboard a Holland America ship is always exciting--because there's
always something happening. Join in a myriad of planned
activities, or enjoy quiet time in superb surroundings. This is
what the good life is all about: choosing how your hours will be
filled.
 Activities
On Board
What will you do today? There are so many choices on your Holland
America cruise. You may choose to participate in as many (or as few)
activities as you wish. Each day, you will receive a complete
schedule of shipboard activities to help you plan your day. The
choices are many. You can play bingo, board and card games or lip
sync to the Oldies. Maybe you'd like to work out in the gym or
participate in deck sports or pool activities, attend an art
auction, theme party or a wacky golf tournament. You may wish to
sunbathe, swim or simply find a quiet spot and do nothing at all.
In the evening, you'll find a wide variety of music and
entertainment throughout the ship. From award-winning production
shows to our headline entertainers or our string ensemble, there's
never a dull moment. Other evening activities include dancing,
casino gambling, crew shows and movies.
Shore
Excursions
An extensive program of
shore excursions has been carefully prepared to enhance your
cruise experience. Holland America and agents along the route have
spent much time in the selection of these programs ashore. Please be
aware, however, that although every effort has been made to present
you with the best available facilities in the countries we visit,
many of these tours may not have amenities such as air-conditioning
and toilets on buses.
Shore excursions will help you make the most of your time in port
and provide you with the best transportation and guide services
available. Options may include sightseeing, flightseeing and
adventure tours. A shore excursion brochure has been enclosed with
your travel documents so you may familiarize yourself with the tours
prior to embarkation. Check your Daily Program for shore excursion
and port lecture times. Advance shore excursion bookings may be made
online at
www.hollandamerica.com approximately 60 days prior to your
scheduled cruise departure date. Changes or cancellations may be
made up to 10 days prior to your scheduled cruise departure date.
Vouchers will be delivered to your stateroom on the day of
embarkation. You will also be able to request tours on the ship at
the Shore Excursion Office. Please note that requests are processed
on a first-come, first-served basis. As several ours have limited
availability, advance booking is highly recommended to avoid
disappointment. Requests for excursions which are fully booked are
placed on a waiting list.
Guests with physical limitations should review the "Which Tours are
Best for You" section of the shore excursion brochure. You may
choose the excursions that most interest you by using the icons as a
general guide to the level of activity involved. Please note that
wheelchair lift vehicles are not available in some ports. Please
check with the Shore Excursion staff on board for the most accurate
and up-to-date information.
Please note: No refund or allowance can be made to any guest
who might, for any reason (including medical), cancel, deviate from,
or otherwise not utilize all of the services scheduled to be
provided by any excursion. Guests on any excursion who elect to
leave the automobiles or motorcoaches in the shopping area, or
elsewhere, must provide their own transportation, at their own
expense, back to the port.
Club
HAL Youth Program
Club HAL®
Youth Program
Holland America has a youth program for kids and teens age 5-17.
Each ship is staffed with a professional Club HAL Director
dedicated to making sure children have a great time. Some of the
fun-filled activities include bingo for prizes, arts & crafts,
special parties and much more. Each participant also receives a
Club HAL t-shirt. An activity schedule for each age group will be
delivered to your stateroom each evening.
Activities are offered for kids (ages 5-8), 'tweens (9-12) and
teens (13-17). The program has an open door policy, which means
participants may come and go as they please. All activities are
supervised; however, the Club HAL Director is not responsible for
any child if he/she chooses to leave the activity. Children under
five years of age are welcome to participate in the program,
provided an adult accompanies them.
Services
On Board
Holland America ships have all the amenities and services you
would expect to find in a fine resort-as our valued guests, we
don't want you to lack for a thing!
Beauty Salon: Our Beauty Salon staff can make you look and
feel your best. Specially-trained professionals offer a full range
of services such as hairdressing and beauty treatments. All
services are available from 8:00am until 8:00pm. Appointments are
strongly suggested (particularly for formal nights) and can only
be booked on board.
Massage: Each Holland America ship carries certified
massage therapists to help you relax and relieve stress. You can
enjoy a twenty-five or fifty minute massage. Appointments can be
made in advance through the Beauty Salon. Due to their popularity,
we recommend you reserve early.
Ocean Spa: To help keep you in shape, all Holland America
Line ships are equipped with a fitness center, the Ocean Spa,
offering both aerobic and strength-training equipment. In
addition, our Ocean Spa is staffed by a professional attendant who
can instruct you in the proper techniques of exercising. The Ocean
Spa is open from 6:00am until 9:00pm. Pilates, yoga, and personal
training classes are available for a fee.
Swimming: Swimming pools are available on board all of our
ships and on deck there are plenty of deck chairs and beach towels
available for your use. If you would like a beach towel to take
ashore, please ask your cabin steward. Should you need anything-a
refreshing beverage or a lap blanket-an attentive deck steward is
never far from your side.
Shop On Board: On all Holland America ships, we provide a
variety of wonderful merchandise from around the world. Items for
purchase range from jewelry to clothing and souvenirs, together
with a selection of toiletries and drug store sundries. The shops
on board offer duty-free/tax-free prices for most items and are
open during the posted hours when the ship is at sea. The shops
are not allowed to open in port in accordance with Customs
regulations.
Port Shopping Ambassador Program: Your cruise vacation
would not be complete without experiencing some of the world's
best duty-free shopping. Holland America's Port Shopping
Ambassador Program has been designed to assist you finding the
finest treasures in the ports of call at savings of 20-60% below
U.S. prices. Each recommended merchant has been selected on the
basis of price, selection, reputation, quality, service and
commitment to shopping satisfaction. Therefore, you can shop with
confidence knowing these merchants have all committed to stand
behind your purchases. Check your Daily Program for location and
times of the Port Shopping Ambassadors Port & Shopping Talk.
Important Customs information and shopping maps will be provided
at the talk. For additional shopping information, tune in to
Shopping Treasures in Paradise on your in-stateroom TV. Also, be
sure to enjoy the Welkom Book located in your stateroom.
Future Cruise Consultant: We are pleased to offer the
services of a Future Cruise Consultant, on selected cruises. The
Future Cruise Consultant, "your Travel Agent's assistant at sea, "
is on board to assist you with making reservations for your next
cruise. Your travel agent will be advised of your new reservation
and will finalize details with you upon your return home.
Photographers: The ship's photographers record as many
memories of your cruise as is possible. Pictures taken are then
displayed at the Photo Gallery, where you may make your direct
purchase by conveniently charging your shipboard account. We offer
a developing service on board along with a Formal Portrait
Package. Details can be found in the Daily Program.
Casino: You can try your luck at blackjack, roulette,
craps, stud poker, Caribbean stud poker and other table games, or
one of many state-of-the-art slot machines in our casino.
Tournaments are held each cruise. Local regulations do not allow
the casino to be open while in port or in certain restricted
waters. You must be at least 18 years old to play in the casino.
Reading Room: All of our ships have a Reading Room/Library
containing books and periodicals as well as a quiet corner where
you can curl up with a good book.
Religious Services: In order to serve the spiritual needs
of our guests, we provide the following services. Your Daily
Program will list times and locations.
Catholic - Mass is held daily.
Interdenominational - An interdenominational service is
conducted each Sunday and on appropriate religious holidays.
Jewish - A Sabbath Eve is held each week. Anyone wishing to
volunteer to lead this service should contact the Cruise Director.
A Rabbi is on board for High Holiday services.
Stateroom: Your stateroom is furnished with a ship-to-shore
telephone which enables you to easily call anywhere in the world,
24 hours a day (prices are found in your stateroom directory).
You'll also find ample closet and drawer space,
individually-controlled air conditioning, a television for viewing
CNN, movies and on board features.
Laundry: For your convenience, we offer full laundry and
dry cleaning service. You will find laundry bags and price lists
in your closet. Self-service laundromats are situated in various
locations on board, except the ms Zuiderdam and ms Oosterdam. The
facility consists of washers, dryers, irons and ironing boards.
There is a charge for the use of washers & dryers. Irons, ironing
boards and soap are provided at no cost. For safety reasons, we
ask you to refrain from ironing clothes in your stateroom.
Shipboard
Meals
In addition to
breakfast, lunch and a five-course dinner, you can enjoy:
afternoon tea; an outdoor buffet bar featuring hamburgers and hot
dogs; a taco bar, stirfry or pasta buffet; an ice cream bar; hot
hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hours; an evening espresso or
cappuccino; and the traditional late-night snack (one of which
will be our Dutch Chocolate Extravaganza). And, of course,
complimentary room service is available 24 hours a day.
Casual dining is available in the Lido Restaurant every night
except the last night of the cruise. Dining options in specialty
restaurants are available on the ms Amsterdam, ms Rotterdam, ms
Prinsendam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam, ms Volendam, ms Zaandam, ms
Zuiderdam and ms Oosterdam. Reservations may be made on board by
contacting the restaurant manager. There will be a minimal
restaurant charge. Suite guests have reservation preference.
Medical Facilities &
Services
Each Holland America ship has an on board infirmary staffed by a
total of four qualified medical professionals - one licensed
doctor and three nurses. While not a full-service hospital, the
infirmary is well equipped to handle most emergencies and routine
medical procedures.
A customary fee will be charged to your shipboard account for
physician/nurse services and medications dispensed (with the
exception of meclizine for seasickness, Tylenol® and aspirin,
which may also be obtained at the Front Office). If you become ill
or injured during the voyage and your diagnostic and/or care needs
exceed the capabilities of the infirmary, you will be transferred
to medical facilities ashore. Please note that Medicare and many
health insurance plans DO NOT cover the cost of medical care at
sea, in foreign countries, or for air evacuation. Guests are
encouraged to obtain travel medical insurance prior to travel in
order to be reimbursed for services rendered.
If you have a chronic medical condition, please bring a recent
report from your physician. The medical staff on board is not
available for daily care, unless you are hospitalized in the
infirmary. You must be able to care for yourself, including
dressing, eating and attending the ship's safety drills. If you
are unable to function independently in these areas, you must
bring a caregiver with you. Because of the limited medical
facilities, women who will be 24 or more weeks pregnant during the
course of their travel are not permitted to participate in the
cruise. Please provide a medical note from your physician stating
your expected due date and medical fitness to travel.
Keep medication close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag. Be
sure to bring enough prescription medicine to last throughout your
cruise, as it may not be available on board or in some of the
countries visited.
Smoking Policy
For the comfort of all of our guests, designated smoking and
nonsmoking areas are available in most lounges. Smoking is not
permitted at any time in dining areas. Our ships do not have
"nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned
after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests. All
showrooms are nonsmoking during performances.
To
pick out your Holland America Cruise: Click Here
Call
1-800-942-3301 or Email
for Availability, Pricing & Reservations
Nightlife
 Nights
on board glitter with choices. Perhaps you'll begin with
complimentary espresso and hand-dipped chocolates in the
Explorer's Lounge. Or adjourn to the Lido for cognac and
hand-rolled cigars under the stars. There's a recently-released
film to watch in the theater, a blackjack dealer to beat in the
casino, dream dancing in romantic lounges. Click on an activity
below to learn more about the nightlife on board.
Las Vegas
and Broadway Style Shows
Nighttime? That's showtime. The time when your Holland America
ship really shines, dazzling you with great, big beautiful shows.
Real Las Vegas- and Broadway-style productions in the dazzling
two-tiered show lounge feature professional dancers decked out in
gorgeous costumes. The production team behind our shows has more
Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar awards and nominations than that of
any other cruise line.
You'll see a brand new extravaganza virtually every evening. The
bill may include an unbelievably talented illusionist, a vocalist,
or comedian. A new galaxy of stars every night.
On your way, you make an amazing discovery: The Late Night Snack,
tonight's being a sinfully delicious spread where
everything--tortes, cakes, souffles--is made of chocolate. A tough
act to beat.
Crew Show
Our talented Indonesian or Filipino crew members will entertain you
with songs and dances from their native lands.
Fabulous
'50s and '60s Party
Turn back the clock, turn up the oldies and bebop 'til you drop as
the DJ spins the hits of the '50s and '60s.
Call
1-800-942-3301 or Email
for Availability, Pricing & Reservations
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