Holland America Line is another British-American cruising company. When it was founded in 1873, its headquarters were in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Nowadays it is based in Seattle, Washington, in the United States. It is also part of the Carnival Corporation. Its fleet includes 15 ships, mainly of smaller sizes, but in 2015 a 2,660-passenger cruise ship is expected to be delivered. Holland America Line offers both long and shorter cruises. From the 16-night Barrier Reef cruise, to the 27-night Australia and New Zealand, to the even longer 110-night Grand World Voyage, there is something for every taste and budget. Holland America Line focuses on classic luxury. Here you will find organic cotton bathrobes, personalized spa treatments and yoga programs and the Mariner Dream Bed, for a perfect sleep on board. These are all features of their “Signature of Excellence” program, which guarantees constant upgrades in their ships. New furnishing, pools and entertainment areas are added often, to keep their ships in an excellent and up to date state. Furthermore, if you are an art lover you will love Holland America ships, as they offer not only original works of art in great prices, but the thrill of auctions as well! The on board experience is more focused in relaxation and pampering than crazy party life or kids, thus its a good choice if you are going for a quiet, intimate vacation. Sydney in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand are the ports mostly used for embarking and/or disembarking in the Southern Hemisphere. This cruising lines offers also a variety of on shore experiences, like a visit at Waitomo Caves, a Panoramic Melbourne tour, an evening at the Sydney Opera house and many more, that cover most tastes.
So, what is your choice? Holidays with your friends and party till the dawn on a Carnival ship? Old-time luxury and getting to know the Universe with the Cunard lectures? Adrenalin-filled cruise with rock-climbing and surfing on a Royal Caribbean ship? Splurging on Mangan’s great dishes over at P&O? A romantic cruise with your significant other on a cozy Princess Cruise vessel? Or a soul-searching cruise around the world with Holland America? Whatever your preferences, there is a company that is right for you and will accommodate your needs on every level. Happy cruising!