Holland America Cruises
Written by Vacation Idea.com Travel Editors.
One of the top premium cruise lines, Holland America was founded in 1873 as a shipping and passenger line. The cruise line offers seven-, ten-, and 14-day cruises to the Caribbean, 10- to 24-day Panama Canal cruises, special holiday cruises, extended cruises to South America, European cruises, and Asia/Pacific voyages. The Holland America also cruise from New York to Eastern Canada/New England, and from San Diego to Hawaii and Mexico.
Seven- and 14-day cruises to Alaska are offered from Seattle, Vancouver (B.C.), Seward (Alaska), and San Francisco. Ships cruise to the Inside Passage and on the Golf of Alaska Glacier Route from May to September.
Holland American offers numerous cruisetour packages in Alaska through the company's subsidiary Holland America Tours. Packages range from adventure shore excursions to full itinerary land tours of Alaska and the Yukon.
The the Caribbean, Holland America has a private island in the Bahamas where guests can try an array of watersports, lounge on sandy beaches and dine with a view of the sea. Find out more about Half Moon Cay.
Destinations
Spring: Mexico, Hawaii, Transatlantic, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America
Summer: Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Russia, New England, Canada, Caribbean
Fall: Mexico, Hawaii, Transatlantic, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, New England/Canada, Caribbean, Europe
Winter: Grand World Voyage, Southeast Asia, Africa, Far East/Orient, Panama Canal, Caribbean, South America, India, Antarctica, Australia/New Zealand
Winter, Spring & Fall: Panama Canal
The Fleet
A New Ship to Be Named in 2008, 2,044 berths
ms Amsterdam: 61,000 tons, 1,380 berths
ms Maasdam: 55,451 tons, 1,266 berths
ms Noordam (2006): 1,918
ms Oosterdam: 1,848 berths
ms Prinsendam: 38,000 tons, 794 berths
ms Rotterdam: 59,652 tons, 1,316 berths
ms Ryndam: 55,451 tons, 1,266 berths
ms Statendam: 55,451 tons, 1,266 berths
ms Veendam: 55,451 tons, 1,266 berths
ms Volendam: 60,906 tons, 1,440 berths
ms Westerdam: 1,848 berths
ms Zuiderdam: 85,000 tons, 1,848 berths
In 1988, Holland America purchased the luxury Windstar Sail Cruises. In 1989, Holland America Line Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corp., the largest cruise company in the world.
