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Holland America Cruise LineMore than any other line today, Holland America Cruise Line (HAL) has managed to hang on to some of its seafaring history and tradition, offering an affordable, classic, ocean liner-like cruise experience. The line consistently delivers a worthy and solid product for a fair price, and is unique for offering midsize ships (there are no megaships in this fleet) with an old-world elegance that remains appealingly low-key and not stuffy. These ships aren’t boring, but they’re sedate, so it’s no surprise that the line attracts predominantly passengers in their 50s and 60s and up (the age range has widened a bit as the line has introduced new vessels).
Amsterdam The line’s well-maintained ships are not big, by industry standards of the day (they range in capacity from the Prinsendam’s 794 to the 1,848 of the new Westerdam and its fleet mates HAL’s Vista Class of ships), creating a cozy atmosphere, with excellent layouts to ease passenger movement. HAL’s ships tend to be relatively plain, with one-level dining rooms and pleasing, but simple, public rooms. The newer ships, such as the Westerdam, are more lavish, but still in an understated way. The Holland America Cruise Line emphasizes tradition, and that’s what sets it apart. In the public areas you’ll see antiques, trophies, and memorabilia, and the very names of the vessels hark back to ships in the line’s past. For example, the line’s flagship, the 62,000-ton Rotterdam, is the sixth HAL ship to bear that name. Pros • Traditionalism. The extraordinary assortment of artifacts and beautiful works of art on the ships replicate Holland America’s imperative place in seafaring history and this provides the ships a great ambience with a wholesome and inspiring traditional perspect that can never be witnessed on any other cruise lines. • Great gyms. The management has taken ample care, to make proper utilization of their lavish layouts, as something productive, by offering its guests some of the best and most sophisticated workout areas, with facilities for hardcore workout fanatics as well as simple aerobic exercises. Cons • Lethargic nightlife. One of the hollowest features of this cruise experience is the lackluster nightlife. Even though there are certain occasional periods when you get to enjoy a somewhat busy-ish nightlife, but from the point of view of nightlife buffs, who are big in terms of barhopping and dance-floor popping, you will easily get choked up, and may only have a few cruise staffs accompanying you on your hunt for some night partying. • Similar passenger profile. Usually cruisers setting out to voyage on these cruise ships are not overly adventurous, and are mostly on the wrong side of 50, in terms of their age. This will mostly put a huge bar, if you wish to mingle with the crowd. However this experience is changing a lot, with the management introducing more “Fun Stuff”, to attract a younger crowd. THE FLEET Holland America fleet at this moment has 14 ships in full operation, with the recent addition of the Zuiderdam, the Prinsendam, and the Westerdam to the already famous range of megaships. In Europe, it is currently positioning its oldest vessel, the Noordam, and three newer ones, the Rotterdam (1997), the Prinsendam (2002), and the Westerdam (2004). ms Zuiderdam In conclusion, it can be said that, if you are looking forth to a low key, relaxed vacation on board a quiet cruise-liner, Holland America Cruise Line should be just perfect for you, as it will mesmerize you to have a soothing impression upon your overworked body, torn by the grueling lifestyle amidst the ever-changing global demand structure.
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