Holland America: Four Cruises, Three Of Them Successes Over Five Years

Holland America is one of our preferred rides, a cruise line that is above average in many ways compared to other mainstream brands.

That was our positive experience in three of the four cruises we completed in five years, the last just last Spring. We chose the first two trips to see the ports of call. The third and fourth cruises had an additional purpose-- transportation to get to our main holiday destination. (Cruises as simply transport is a topic explored in a later column.)

Holland America’s main tag line is “Savor The Journey,” perhaps a promise that its 15 “mid-size” ships will offer a more welcoming and comfortable sailing than the huge floating hotels that other brands offer. For many guests, the lower key environment is a relief, compared to the Vegas Strip vibe grafted onto some of the newest, largest ships of other cruise lines.

If you want a circus atmosphere or a continuous party for your next cruise, do not choose Holland America.

Mostly traditional decor recalls a bit of the great age of the ocean liner, and art throughout the ships draws on Dutch roots in Holland and Indonesia.

In the past Holland America was stuck with a reputation as a magnet for older guests, a stereotype it has been seeking to shed through new and refurbished ships.

At www.hollandamedrica.com new presentations make the younger pitch. An example:

THE JOY OF CRUISING

Welcome to today's Holland America Line — classic, premium and energized with new ideas. You can see it in the growing list of new experiences we offer our guests.

NORTH by Holland America RYNDAM

In June of 2012 we sailed from Dover to the Baltic, a 21-day journey that was our first bet on Holland America. The Ryndam was launched in 1994 before the rise of the present day behemoths. We were satisfied with the compact size, attentive staff, good food, and spectacularly close fjord views available from this 1200 passenger ship.

Holland America offers similar itineraries today on other ships, now usually sailing round trip from Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or Rotterdam. Prices quoted by agents today for an ocean view cabin range from about $170 to $210 per day per person for a 10 night itinerary.

SOUTH by Holland America STATENDAM

Statendam was built as a twin to Rydam, but as we wrote to Holland America's management, she was no sister ship by 2014 when we had the misfortune to sail the Statendam from San Diego to Lima and back. Knowing the ship was soon to be handed off to P&O Australia, the Statendam crew and staff had pretty much given up on her and, in our opinion, on her passengers. The service, food, and excursions were disappointing. Also, this was the only one of the four Holland America ships we sailed that matched the stereotype of mostly quite elderly guests.

WEST by Holland America VOLENDAM

The Volendam itinerary from Vancouver via Alaska to China met two of our needs: First, it gave us our first trip to Alaska’s dramatic vistas. Second, it was a convenient way to get to China 28 days later to begin our own land itinerary. And this without jet lag or the outrageous price of a pair of business class airline tickets. 

We flew from Phoenix to Vancouver in September 2016, spent the night, and boarded the 1400 passenger Volendam (built 1999, refurbished 2014). We booked our usual balcony cabin, which on a few smaller Holland America ships counts as a suite in the returning customer “Mariner Society” with double nights credited to our account.

Service, public and private areas, and dining were all satisfactory.

September 2018 a similar 28-day itinerary from Vancouver to Shanghai on Westerdam, reviewed below, is priced at a net total of about $4000 per person, or $143 per night per person. That is the price for a balcony cabin, ideal for Alaska views.

EAST by Holland America WESTERDAM

This year we chose Holland America as transportation, simply to get from the United States to Europe in early spring so we could spend a month on the ground, principally in Sardinia. Westerdam (built 2004) was the least expensive eastbound transatlantic crossing, 14 days Ft. Lauderdale to Civitavecchia. The bargain prices, which had dropped to about $800 per person for remaining balcony cabins in the month before departure, were because she was on her way to Italy for a week-long refurbishment of cabins and public areas.

As a bonus, Westerdam called on Funchal, Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, just in time for processions and other festivities the week leading to Easter.

We met a clever couple who also disembarked in Rome, spent a week ashore in Italy, and then re-boarded the now-refurbished ship, which continued on to Venice. 

The Westerdam offered good service, food, and entertainment, and presumably cabins and public areas have benefited from the extensive refurbishment.

An outstanding feature was the B.B. King Blues Club, a dedicated lounge being rolled out on several Holland America ships. The musicians and singers were well above the usual shipboard standard. We managed to get a seat every night even as word spread among passengers that it was a must-see.

UP-SIZING on Holland America KONINGSDAM

Holland America’s latest ship, the Koningsdam (built 2016), breaks the size barrier and bends its design heritage. Interiors were designed by Adam D. Tihany, who Seabourn chose the do the modernized interiors of its mid-sized Encore and forthcoming Ovation. Koningsdam carries 2650 passengers, hundreds more than Holland America ships we have enjoyed.

CRUISING GRADE

We will travel on Holland America again, which is about the best thing we can say about a cruise line.