Accommodations

Now this is where Holland America really shines and spacious comfort is theme refrained throughout fleet. On average staterooms are a generous 25% larger and there are more outside staterooms and Veranda Suites than on any other cruise line in its class. Staterooms on all HAL ships have two lower beds which may be converted to either one queen-size or one king-size dependent upon category (except ms Noordam - all staterooms have two lower beds except Cat. C and A, which have, queen and king beds respectively).

"The Suite Life"

Holland America suites are big on luxury and if you select this category of accommodation you'll enjoy a host of complimentary services and amenities that will forever spoil you for any other stateroom category.

For example, Veranda Suites include soft cotton robes, extra luxe towels, access to a no-host fully stocked mini-bar, VCR and access to a well-stocked video library plus personalized stationery.

Deluxe Veranda and Penthouse Veranda Suites have robes, complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning. Complimentary in-suite high tea on silver service, complimentary in-suite pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres, fresh fruit, stocked mini-bar, special lounge for disembarkation and so much more, such as an exclusive Indonesian Rijstaffel luncheon hosted by Captain and Hotel Manager. For suite guests on cruises 10 days and longer, Captain and Hotel Manager host not only lunch, but a dinner as well, including pre-dinner cocktails.

The Entertainment

Highly charged! The lights dim, music begins and a sensational production or variety show begins. Holland America's dazzling shows have been created by a production team with more Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar nominations than any other cruise line. And there you are, perfectly centered, champagne in hand. Anticipate nightclubs with great sound, cabaret presentations and lounges with every style of music - pop, disco, standards and classics. Cheer your favorite team in sports bar, join slot machine tournament in casino, and sway to saucy rhythms of calypso and reggae played by guest folkloric troupes on board in select ports. How about a round of snowball jackpot bingo, play a game of backgammon, a hand of bridge, or popcorn at a recently released movie?

Holland America Fleet:

Spacious yet intimate floating resorts, where most modern advances in guest amenities and nautical design are celebrated. Holland's impressive fleet boasts 13 classically elegant five-star ships, including three new sisters. The first of four-planned ultra-spacious Vista-Class vessels: The 82,000-ton ms Oosterdam, ms Zuiderdam, and ms Westerdam. Itineraries bring a kaleidoscope of colorful cultures and somehow, when viewed from deck of a Holland America ship, grand harbors and elegant Riviera of Europe seem more sophisticated, Caribbean appears sunnier, warmer, and Alaska shines brighter than Klondike gold.

The difference is in details! Upon embarkation, a string ensemble plays; a white-gloved steward escorts you to your stateroom, musical chimes summon you to dinner. More spacious staterooms, rapt attention of award-winning Indonesian stewards, un-crowded public rooms, a profusion of flowers, rich museum quality art collections, a teak promenade deck encircling ship - all give you an expansive sense of comfort. You can expect a soul-soothing,attitude adjusting, simply marvelous experience, and there's nothing cruising-as-usual about it!

About the author: William Lezubski (Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), and Certified Travel Counsellor(CTC) - William is a professional in the Travel Industry and the author of “Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site” available at http://www.discount-caribbean-vacations.com/index.htm

Restaurants, cafes, lounges, showrooms, clubs, billiard clubs, card clubs, coffee bars, champagne bars, casinos, ShipShape® Spa, solariums, pools, whirlpools, sports courts, jogging tracks, internet cafes, miniature golf courses, golf simulators, cinemas, video arcades, shops, libraries. Some ships have in-line skating tracks, rock climbing walls (walls and ice rinks are on Explorer, Voyager, Mariner and Navigator). Rock climbing walls are scheduled for all ships.

Adventure Ocean™ Youth Activities Program

RCI knows that a 16-year-old's idea of fun is a far cry from a 5-year-old's. The Adventure Ocean(SM) Programme is designed with that in mind and it is broken down into five different age groups with activities designed accordingly. Each staff member holds a degree in Education, Recreation or related major. All are certified in CPR and Basic First Aid. They have extensive backgrounds in working with large groups of children 3-17 and from 3 to 5 years working in team situations.

Kids dine with Youth Program staff members and friends (offered on select nights). Special menus at Windjammer Café and Solarium are available. Aquanauts Ages 3-5: Adventure Science, Adventure Art, and Pirate Night, Camp Aquanaut Night, Sail into story-time. (Pagers are available to all Aquanaut parents).

Explorers Ages 6-8: Wacky Water Workshop, Wacky Olympics and Talent Show, lots of art projects. Voyagers Ages 9-11: The Mystery of Making of Motion Ocean and The X Games, beach relays, tug of war and parachute games.

Navigators Ages 12-14: A less structured atmosphere and Navigators can come and go as they please. Activities include scavenger hunts, adventure sports, video game challenge. Guests Ages 15-17: These soon-to-be-adults have more freedom and can come and go at their leisure. Events include a hot tub party, theme parties, and even a battle of sexes. The Living Room and Fuel are two great places for teens to get away from it all. Living Room has a laid-back atmosphere where kids can just hang and chill, and Fuel is a party where they can gather, dance and enjoy tunes.

Golf Ahoy® Program

A unique combination of a world-class cruise and championship golf on courses worldwide. Royal Caribbean is official cruise line of PGA TOUR and Senior PGA TOUR. The Adventure of Seas, Brilliance of Seas, Explorer of Seas, Jewel of Seas, are a few ships listed that offer a 9 hole mini-golf course onboard, putting greens or golf simulators.

Ship Shape® Fitness Program

Ship Shape Fitness Program features low- and high- impact aerobics, a jogging track, basketball (on some ships) and wide selection of exercise machines.

Ship Shape® Spa Program

Flawless pampering is practiced by genies amid tranquility and serenity of incomparable ShipShape® Spa. Through their invigorating therapies, you're pretty much guaranteed a new lease on life. There is also a fitness program, which features low, and high impact aerobics, jogging track and a wide selection of machines.

Royal Romance Wedding Program

Royal Romance Wedding Program helps you plan a shipboard wedding, from ceremony to reception to honeymoon.

Royal Reunions

Offered on Voyager-family ships sailing Caribbean itineraries only. Events will be scheduled by ship and based on shipboard needs and requirements. There is a minimum of eight cabins to qualify. Royal Reunions Package #1: Welcome letter from Captain, Aqua Park passes or Sports Desk Fast Pass, Photo package, Door decorations, Personalized cake, Royal Reunions gift set, Daily Royal Reunions challenge.

The Crown & Anchor Society

The Crown & Anchor Society is RCI's past guest programme which rewards their most loyal guests with exciting benefits and savings. There are three membership levels: Gold (after 1st completed cruise), Platinum (after 5th completed cruise) and Diamond (after 10th completed cruise). The benefits increase at each level. The more you cruise, more you receive. Benefits include a subscription to award-winning magazine, Crown & Anchor, special on board events and special savings certificates to use in spas, casinos, bars and more. Other benefits include an invitation to join Member cruises whereby exclusive savings, complimentary wine tasting, welcome back parties and commemorative gifts are available.

RCL Fleet:

Royal Caribbean still boasts largest and most innovative ships at sea with most in 70,000 to 90,000 ton range. Nordic Empress, even at an impressive 48,000 tons, is a whippersnapper when compared to Adventure of Seas, Voyager of Seas and brand new Mariner of Seas which weigh in at a staggering 138,000 and 142,000 tons respectively. RCI has just announced a design for an even larger and more spacious class. Dubbed Ultra Voyager and deliverable in 2006, this ship will be full of world's biggest "this and that's!" Guest capacity will be 3,600 double occupancy, 500 more than its Voyager Class predecessor. Registered tonnage will be just under 160,000.

About the author: William Lezubski (Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), and Certified Travel Counsellor(CTC) - William is a professional in the Travel Industry and the author of “Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site” available at http://www.discount-caribbean-vacations.com/index.htm