World Cruise

Holland America Line has been in the world cruise business longer than any other cruise line, and has earned a well-deserved reputation for providing a high level of personalized service and extraordinary amenities to its discriminating world cruise guests. To ensure high guest satisfaction, officers and crew are hand-picked from among Holland America’s 5,000-employee fleetwide pool to create an on-board staff of unparalleled excellence and experience, and an array of special world cruise events, services and amenities are provided.

The Amsterdam, which entered service on Oct. 30, 2000 is slated to depart on its maiden three-month Grand World Voyage in January 2002 on what will be the line’s 37th world cruise since 1958. Departing Los Angeles, Calif., Amsterdam embarks on a trans-Pacific crossing that calls at Hawaii, the south seas islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, and proceeds on to New Zealand and Australia before setting off to the wonders of the Far East, Asia, the Middle East and finally, the Mediterranean, before crossing the Atlantic to end its
inaugural world cruise in high fashion in New York.

Grand World Cruise itineraries are created in a unique collaboration between the cruise line and its loyal guests. Through passenger surveys and comments, the line identifies exotic ports of call its world cruise guests desire to visit and sets out to craft a "dream itinerary" from that wish list.

One important aspect of a world cruise is the on-board cuisine. Holland America Line makes a commitment to world cruise guests that it will not repeat a meal during the course of the 99-day cruise. Expansion of the menu provides opportunities to introduce dishes that reflect cuisines and ingredients from the regions of the world the ship visits – paella in Spain, pasta in Italy, pia fish in Tahiti and fresh oysters and rock lobsters in Australia. Further, all full-cruise guests have the opportunity to dine at the captain’s table during the voyage.

On-board entertainment is another important aspect of a Grand World Cruise. Each year a new Broadway-style revue is introduced aboard the world cruise, and the best shows from across the fleet are produced. Celebrities join the Amsterdam at various points along the itinerary to delight guests and local performers also are brought on board in different ports of call for more exotic entertainment fare.

In addition to providing a wide variety of entertainment, Holland America also creates opportunities for guests to broaden their horizons and deepen their knowledge of destinations through its series of on-board cultural and lifestyle lectures. While addressing the intellectual curiosities of its guests, Holland America also sees to their spiritual needs by having clerical staff on board throughout the cruise ministering to Catholic, Protestant and Jewish guests. In addition, gentleman hosts are available to provide companionship and dance partners to female guests traveling alone.

Grand World Voyage guests receive an abundance of memorable gifts throughout the voyage. Surprise gift souvenirs, appear each evening when the cabin steward turns down each bed. The line also provides personalized stationery for each guest as well as travel guides for each port of call. All of these extra services and
amenities,coupled with Amsterdam’s upscale décor and luxurious accommodations,create the perfect milieu in which to experience the world in the grand Holland America Line style.

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Published in the July/August 2001 issue of the AAA Traveler.