About the Holland-America Cruise Line
 Port of registry: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Holland America's launched its first ship, the 1,684-ton Rotterdam, in 1873. The Holland America Line was founded in 1873 as the Dutch-America Steamship Company (Dutch: Nederlandsch-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij), a shipping and passenger line. Because it was headquartered in Rotterdam and provided service to the Americas, it became known as Holland America Line (HAL). The first ships sailed between Rotterdam and New York in 1872. In the first 25 years of its existence the line carried 400,000 people from the old to the new world.

Marking its 130th anniversary in 2003, Holland America Line offers premium cruising, with virtually unlimited cruise and cruise tour options that span the globe and satisfy every traveler's appetite for exploration. During the company's rich history - first as a shipping and passenger line and subsequently as a cruise line -- Holland America's fleet has carried nearly 10 million passengers.

Holland America Lines boasts 13 ships that sail to more than 280 ports of call on all seven continents. In 2003, Holland America Line was the highest rated premium cruise line, focused on value and service according to the readers of Travel & Leisure. It was also Conde Nast Traveler's top-rated major cruise line. The company has received the "World's Best Cruise Value" award from Ocean & Cruise News for the last 12 years.

Dining on your favorite cruise ship
Holland America Line serves world-class cuisine, from endless buffets to elegant dinners accented by classic signature touches featuring Rosenthal china, starched linens, fine silver, and fresh flowers. The Holland America Line chefs, who are all members of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs gourmet society, prepare continental, regional, and traditional favorites.

World's Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, The Yachts of Seabourn, Princess Cruises, and Windstar Cruises. Together, these member lines share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets and sail to some of the world's most exciting destinations.

Entertainment
The multi-tiered show lounges play host to Las Vegas-style productions that feature incredible performances by vocalists, comedians, and illusionists. Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar nominees assist in creating these magical performances.

Stateroom & Suite Amenities
Spacious and elegant staterooms include quality amenities such as Premium Plush Euro-Top mattresses, high-quality cotton bed linens, large plush towels and terry bathrobes, massage showerheads, and a welcome basket of fresh fruit. A white-gloved steward will escort guests to their room upon boarding and provide unobtrusive service.

Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay is Holland America's private island, is located in the Bahamas, less than 100 miles southeast of Nassau. In order to preserve the setting's natural beauty, Half Moon Cay is built on just 45 of the island's 2,500 acres of crescent-shaped, white-sand beach. The island offers a variety of shore excursions, as well as a Food Pavilion and West Indies Village, an aqua sports center, Club HAL playground, supervised swimming area, nine-mile stretch of beach, wild bird reserve, Bahamian-style chapel, and beach chairs. In 2003, Half Moon Cay won the Editor-in-Chief award for "Best Private Island" in the cruise industry from Porthole Cruise Magazine.

Back to main Cruise ship pages on our website

View many photos of various vessels of the Holland America Line

Pages on each vessel from the Holland America Line on our website:
Cruise ship MS Amsterdam, Cruise ship MS Oosterdam, Cruise ship MS Ryndam, Cruise ship MS Statendam, Cruise ship MS Volendam, Cruise ship MS Westerdam, Cruise ship MS Zaandam, Cruise ship MS Rotterdam, Cruise ship MS Zuiderdam


Home page: Visit the the official home page of the Holland America Lines


Communicating with vessels from the Holland America line while sailing
While navigating the waterways of the BC and Alaskan coasts, The Mad Dogs have, on several occasions, had radio conversations with various ships from the Holland America Line. The Holland America crew are very professional and are "first class" in communicating with all vessels, both large and small, that share the same waters as the large cruise ships from the Holland America Line.

Thanks for your professional conduct and interest in safety for all vessel sharing the waters!

The Mad Dogs
Exploring to inspire…”