Baggage Insurance
Although every effort is made to see that your bags are handled as
carefully as possible while in our possession, please be aware
that Holland America Line cannot guarantee there will be no loss
of, or damage to your baggage or belongings. For this reason, we
suggest you purchase baggage insurance before you leave home. Your
travel agent can provide you with additional information if you
are interested in this option. Please refer to your Cruise
Contract for the Holland America Line baggage policy.
Passengers
Under 21 Passengers under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a
parent, guardian or chaperone who is at least 25 years old;
one adult chaperone is required for every five people under
21. Parents, guardians and chaperones are responsible for
overseeing the onboard conduct of minors. Alcoholic beverages
will not be served to passengers under age 21.
Shipboard
Account
The "cashless society" is designed to make your life on
board as simple as possible. You simply sign a receipt for each of
your on-board purchases and then settle your shipboard account at
the end of the cruise. Cash, VISA, American Express, MasterCard,
Discover, and personal or traveler's checks are accepted as
payment (U.S. or Canadian funds only, please).
You will be requested to register your credit card at the front
office. Your card will be preauthorized for US $25.00 per person
for each day of your cruise. To avoid delay in obtaining credit
card preauthorization on board, guests with credit cards issued by
banks outside the U.S. and Canada are advised to inform their
credit card issuer in advance that the card will be used on a
Holland America Line ship. At the end of the cruise your account
will be charged only for the actual amount of your purchases.
The no-cash system applies to shipboard shop purchases, shipboard
services (massages, beauty treatments, etc.), beverages in the
lounges, dining room and nightclub, party foods and beverages,
bingo, decorations and musicians for private parties, shore
excursions and telephone calls. Casino chips/tokens may either be
bought in cash or signed to your account (certain restrictions
apply).
Changing Your Itinerary
With very limited exceptions (such as the Panama Canal cruises), a
person cannot begin their cruise in one U.S. port and end it in a
different U.S. port. Passengers who desire to change their
itinerary by disembarking the ship at a different port than
originally intended need to be aware of this restriction.
Communication
At Sea
Telephone: Direct
ship-to-shore telephones can be found in each guest stateroom. You
may easily place a call to friends, relatives or business
associates during your cruise - reception permitting. Similarly,
friends and family in the U.S. and Canada may contact Holland
America Line ships by direct dialing the following number:
1-900-CALL-HAL (1-900-225-5425)
Callers should have the ship name, party name and the cabin number
ready before dialing. Those at home may also dial each ship
directly by dialing International Access #, Ocean Code #, Ship #.
Ocean Codes:
Pacific Ocean Region.....872 Atlantic Ocean
West......874
Atlantic Ocean East......871 Indian Ocean
Region......873
Ship numbers:
Amsterdam........324-437-011 Maasdam.............130-2513
Noordam.............130-2541
Rotterdam........324-616-710 Ryndam..............130-2562
Statendam...........130-2515
Veendam..........330-943-511 Volendam.........324-596-816
Westerdam...........130-2531
Zaandam..........324-644-212
Please note: All phone calls, whether inbound or outbound,
are charged a satellite tariff. Outbound calling rates are posted
near your cabin telephone and will be billed to your onboard
account. These charges are applied to ALL calls including calls to
800, 877 and 888 numbers. Please do not use a credit card or phone
card; your onboard account will be billed in addition to the cost
of the phone card or charges to your credit card. Collect calls
are not possible from the ship.
E-Mail:
On selected ships (currently available on the ms
Amsterdam, ms
Maasdam, ms
Rotterdam, ms
Ryndam, ms
Statendam, ms
Veendam, ms
Volendam and ms
Zaandam), guests can send and receive electronic
mail in real-time, via a high-speed satellite link 24 hours a day,
satellite conditions permitting. You will be able to access a
broad range of communication applications (e.g., Video Mail,
CruisE-mail, Word Processor and Printing just to name a few). You
can surf the Internet, play games, check your stocks, read your
e-mails, send a Video Mail to your loved ones back home and much,
much more! Holland America has even set up your very own CruisE-mail
address for you to use. We also have an Internet Manager onboard
to assist you. There is a charge for these services.
Your CruisE-mail address: Your first initial + last name +
your four (4) digit cabin number (with no spaces in between) +
@"shipname".cruisemail.net
For ships without a 4-digit stateroom number, add an extra zero
before your stateroom number (i.e. stateroom 038 would be 0038).
Example: John Smith, in Cabin 0038 on the Rotterdam, - His
CruisE-mail address will be: jsmith0038@Rotterdam.cruisemail.net
Fax: Facsimile service is also available on board. Please
contact the Front Office for cost and other information if you
wish to take advantage of this service. Additional communication
instructions can be found in your travel documents or on board the
vessel in your cabin information directory.
MAIL: LETTERS AND POSTCARDS MAY BE MAILED FROM THE SHIP
WHILE IN PORTS OF CALL. GUESTS MAY BUY STAMPS IN PORT OR PURCHASE
THEM, WITH US CASH, FROM THE FRONT OFFICE. ALL MAIL IS SUBJECT TO
LOCAL POSTAL OFFICE PROCEDURES AND RATES IN THE PORT MAILED.
Currency
Exchange
Although many of the destinations you'll visit have their own
currency, major credit cards are readily accepted and some
countries will even accept U.S. dollars. If you choose to use U.S.
dollars, carry smaller denominations-ones, fives, tens and
twenties.
You may easily exchange money and traveler's checks into local
currency at banks, airports and major hotels in many ports of
call. Currency exchange facilities are offered on our Europe
cruises. There is a customary service charge for this service.
Please note: Foreign currencies cannot be accepted or
exchanged by the Front Office.
Transportation of Currency: You may take on your trip as
much currency or as many monetary instruments as you wish.
However, if you take out or bring into the United States more than
US $10,000, you are required by law to file a report with the U.S.
Customs Service.
Customs Information
In order to avoid problems when returning home, please take note
of the following tips. For more information consult your Customs
Agency.
Registering Your Valuables: We strongly recommend that you
register your valuables with Customs before leaving home. This
should be done well in advance of travel at a customs office near
your home. Items that should be registered generally include those
not manufactured in your country. Customs pays particular
attention to cameras (including special lenses and video
equipment), binoculars, radios, laptop computers, foreign-made
watches, and other similar appliances. Customs officials will not
be available at the ship during check-in to register valuables.
Customs Allowance: Each U.S. resident is allowed a
duty-free exemption of US $400. Guests may include 100 cigars
(Cuban cigars are not allowed) and 200 cigarettes (one carton) in
their US $400 exemption and guests over 21 may also include one
liter of liquor. An additional US $1,000 worth of articles may be
brought in and taxed at a flat duty rate of 10%. After an absence
of 7 days or more, Canadian citizens may bring back to Canada up
to CAD $750 worth of duty-free merchandise, which may include a
maximum of 40 ounces of liquor or wine and 200 cigarettes. Guests
who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check with the
customs service agency in their country for allowance information
before departing.
Additional information concerning customs matters will be provided
during your cruise.
Documents
Please review all of your documents including the Cruise
Contract, as they contain important information.
Guests with Disabilities
Holland America does not discriminate against persons on the basis
of disability. They seek, to the extent feasible, to accommodate
guests with disabilities. Holland America has a limited number of
staterooms designed to be wheelchair and scooter accessible.
Certain ship transfer operations (i.e., during tendering and at
the gangways) may not be fully accessible to wheelchairs or
scooters. Some guests with limited mobility may find it difficult
to embark or disembark the ship at certain times while at dock or
while tendering due to steep gangways and steps, particularly
during low or high tide. The decision whether or not to provide
mobility assistance to a guest and their mobility assistance
device (wheelchair, scooter, walker, etc.) up or down a ship's
gangway, or on or off a tender boat, is at the sole discretion of
the Captain and will be made based on his evaluation of guest and
crew safety. The Captain will try to reasonably accommodate
passenger needs. For persons not capable of walking on their own,
the use of a wheelchair will be the primary mobility assistance
aid. In some situations, mobility assistance will involve carrying
passengers. Situations may occur in which mobility-impaired guests
may not be able to go ashore at the time they desire or are unable
to go ashore at all in certain ports. For the safety of all
concerned, the Captain shall make the final determination
regarding the carrying of mobility-impaired guests, taking into
account all appropriate matters including, but not limited to,
weather conditions, ship's location, weight of the passenger,
etc.
Guests must also be aware that certain transfer and shore
excursion facilities may not be fully accessible to guests with
disabilities. Although we endeavor to make sure other companies
providing transfers and shore excursions comply with legal
requirements, we cannot guarantee all of these companies are able
to provide facilities that are accessible to persons with
disabilities. For detailed, up-to-date information on
accessibility issues involving shore excursions, we strongly
recommend visiting the Shore Excursion Office on board.
In limited situations (either on board or ashore), where an
individual with a disability would be unable to satisfy certain
specified safety and other criteria, even when provided with
appropriate auxiliary aids and services, we may find it necessary
to ask the individual to make alternative travel arrangements.
Guests who are unable to care for their basic needs (e.g.
dressing, eating and attending safety drills) MUST have a capable
traveling companion. It is essential that we be notified of any
special medical, physical or other requirements you may have as
soon as possible.
Wheelchairs: Due to a limited number of wheelchairs on
board, guests who require the use of a wheelchair should plan to
bring their own rather than relying on the availability of Holland
America Line's equipment. Wheelchairs and scooters must be stored
inside the cabin and cannot be parked in the corridors. Holland
America's wheelchairs are for onboard use only and are not allowed
off the ship.
Oxygen: Any guest needing continuous oxygen for chronic
conditions must make their own arrangements prior to travel.
Please contact your travel agent for more information. Please make
sure you bring the service company's address and their local
contacts in foreign countries, as applicable.
Identification Requirements
IMPORTANT: Guests arriving at embarkation without proper
documentation may not join the voyage and will not be entitled to
a refund. The following documents are required for U.S. and
Canadian citizens.
- Europe, Mexico, Panama
Canal/Coastal or South America:
A valid passport for the duration of the cruise and necessary
visas; expired passports are not acceptable. *Please see note
for minors.
- Alaska, Caribbean, Hawaii, or
New England: Either: 1) A valid passport, or 2) Picture
Identification issued by an official government agency AND an
original or certified copy of birth certificate, or 3) Picture
identification issued by an official government agency AND a
U.S. naturalization certificate.
- Minors: Minors under age 18 traveling to any foreign
country must be accompanied by both parents or have a
notarized letter of consent signed by the parent(s) not
traveling. If the other parent is deceased or the child has
only one legal parent, a notarized statement must be obtained
as proof. Your travel agent can provide additional information
about this requirement.
- Please note: Although some cruises do not require
passports, it is always highly recommended that you carry one
while traveling.
- Non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens: must have a valid passport
and any necessary visas. Please verify carefully the existing
identification requirements for your particular travel
situation. In addition, non-U.S. citizens who have previously
been admitted to the United States for permanent residence
must carry their Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551),
commonly known as a Green Card. Resident aliens not in
possession of this must obtain one at the nearest office of
the U.S. Immigration Service.
Visas: You are responsible for obtaining any necessary
visas. If your itinerary requires a visa prior to boarding,
Holland America Line will send a visa information kit to your
travel agent. The kit will have information for U.S. and
Canadian citizens. Citizens of other countries should contact
the nearest representative embassies or consulates for proper
information. All guests should keep themselves advised of
changes in government requirements.
Immunization
Please contact your local physician, Health Department and/or
travel medicine clinic to discuss immunization requirements
for all countries on your itinerary. It is also a good idea to
bring along a record of your immunizations.
Medical
Facilities & Services
Each Holland America Line ship has an on-board infirmary staffed
by one physician (licensed in North America) and three registered
nurses. While not a full-service hospital, the infirmary is
well-equipped to handle most emergencies and routine medical
procedures.
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
a customary fee will be charged to your shipboard account for
physician/nurse services and for any medications dispensed (with
the exception of Meclizine for seasickness, Tylenol and aspirin).
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 onboard is not
available for daily care (unless 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 you must bring a caregiver with you.
Because of the limited medical facilities, women who will be 24 or
more weeks pregnant at the time their travel would conclude 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.
Pets
With the exception of qualified service animals for guests
with disabilities, animals or pets are not allowed on board
our ships. If you plan to bring a service animal on your
cruise, you must provide health certificate documentation for
the animal. Please talk to your travel agent about this
requirement.
Services On Board
You will find that Holland America Line 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!
Steiner 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 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Appointments are strongly
suggested, particularly for formal nights. Appointments can only
be booked on-board.
Massage: Each Holland America Line 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 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. 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.
Oceaan Boutiques: The Oceaan
Boutiques on all Holland America Line ships 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 ships 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.
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: Tournaments are held each cruise. 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. 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.
Internet cafe: On selected ships (currently available on
the ms
Amsterdam, ms
Maasdam, ms
Rotterdam, ms
Ryndam, ms
Statendam, ms
Veendam, ms
Volendam and
ms Zaandam),
you can browse the web,
receive and send e-mails, check your stocks and keep up with
current news and events. Charges are posted directly to your
shipboard account.
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. You'll also
find ample closet and drawer space, individually-controlled air
conditioning, and a television for viewing CNN, movies and
on-board features.
Laundry: For your convenience, we offer full laundry and
dry cleaning service on board all of our vessels. You will find
laundry bags and price lists in your closet. Self-service
laundromats are situated in various locations on board. The
facility consists of washers, dryers, irons and ironing boards.
There is a charge for the use of washers and 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.
Smoking Policy
To satisfy the majority of their guests, there are designated
smoking areas on the ships. The ships do not have
"nonsmoking" staterooms, however all rooms are
thoroughly cleaned after every cruise to assure the comfort of our
guests. Cigar and pipe smoking are only permitted on the outside
public decks.
"Tipping
Not Required" Policy
Exceptional service is part of the Holland America Line cruise
experience. Because you are our guest, it is our goal to make sure
you receive the finest service possible. Our "tipping not
required" policy ensures that the professional and gracious
service you receive on board is truly sincere; that we are
dedicated to providing the most relaxed cruise vacation, not
simply providing service in return for tips. You are free,
however, to extend monetary recognition if you wish; it's entirely
up to you. (Company policy prohibits us from suggesting how much.)
Please remember that this "tipping not required" policy
does not extend beyond the ship. In terminals, airports, ports of
call, and on special shore excursions, you should tip at your own
discretion.
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