Dining on Holland America Line
Like Carnival, Holland America Line has four seatings in its main dining rooms; you simply choose your preferred time (typically 5.45pm, 6.15pm, 8pm or 8.30pm), although open seating dining is now being introduced. Some tables for two are available, but most are for four, six, eight or 10 – the larger tables are ideal for multi-generational families. All dining venues are non-smoking. Fine Rosenthal china and cutlery are used. Live music is also provided for dinner each evening. ‘Lighter option’ meals are always available for the nutrition-conscious and the weightconscious.
Holland America Line food was greatly upgraded when consultant Master Chef Rudi Sodamin arrived; he introduced his ‘Wild About Salmon’ and other creative ideas throughout the fleet, and the ‘Culinary Arts Centre’ (with its own dedicated live interactive demonstration kitchen and guest chef programme) has been a success story.
Dessert and pastry items are typically good (suited to American tastes), but there is much use of canned fruit and jellied desserts. Forget the selection of ‘international’ cheeses; most is highly coloured, processed cheese (cruises in Europe have better access to European cheeses).
HAL also offers complimentary ice cream during certain hours of the day, as well as hot hors d’oeuvres in all bars – something other major lines seem to have dropped, or charge extra for. Cabin service breakfasts are very basic, with only continental breakfast available and few hot food items.
Alternative dining on Holland America
All HAL ships now have ‘alternative dining’ spots called ‘Pinnacle Grill’ (or ‘Pinnacle Grill at the Odyssey Restaurant’), specializing in ‘Pacific Northwest Cuisine.’ Items include an array of premium quality steaks, presented tableside prior to cooking. These are more intimate restaurants with tablecloths, linen napkins and decently sized wine glasses. The food is better than in the main dining rooms (there is a cover charge, and reservations are required).
Casual Eateries on Holland America Line
All ships feature a Lido Deck self-serve buffet. Most are of the queue type, although the latest ships have more ‘active’ stations and individual islands. There are decent salad bars, dessert bars, regional specialties, and grilled fast food items such as hamburgers, salmon burgers, hot dogs and French fries.
Entertainment on
Holland America Line
Each ship carries its own resident troupe of singers/dancers and audio-visual support staff. HAL also offers a consistently good, tried and tested array of cabaret acts that constantly pop up on the cruise ship circuit. All showlounges are nonsmoking venues.
A number of bands, a string ensemble and solo musicians present live music for dancing and listening in many of the lounges and bars. Each ship has a Crows Nest Lounge (by day an observation lounge) for social dancing, and there is always serenading string music in the Explorer’s Lounge and dining room. Each cruise includes a Crew Show. These vary from poor to very entertaining, depending on your taste. Passengers always seem enthusiastic, because they like connecting staff that they know and have seen during their cruise.
Holland America Line
for Families
Club HAL: Junior passengers are divided into three age groups: 3–8, 9–12, and teens.
Programming is based on the number of children booked on any given sailing, and children’s counselors are provided accordingly. HAL’s children’s programmes are not as extensive as those of Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, although they are improving with the latest ships.
Best ships for children:
Eurodam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam
Ships not suitable for children:
Amsterdam, Maasdam, Prinsendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam
Spa and fitness facilities on HAL
The Greenhouse Spa, beauty and fitness facilities (named after the Texas-based facility of the same name) aboard all HAL ships are staffed and operated by Steiner Leisure, a specialist concession, whose young staff will try to sell you Steiner’s own-brand Elemis beauty products (spa personnel have sales targets).
Some fitness classes are free, while some, such as yoga, kickboxing or Pilates essentials, cost US$11 per class (a special price is offered for unlimited classes). Massages (including exotic massages such as Aroma Stone massage, Chakra Balancing massage and other well-being massages), facials, pedicures, and beauty salon treatments are extra cost items.
Make appointments as early as possible (on embarkation day), as time slots can go quickly.
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