Holland America Cruise Line

Launched in the 1870s when the original Rotterdam made its inaugural trans-Atlantic crossing from Rotterdam to New York, the Holland America Line as it is known today is one of the oldest companies in the passenger shipping business. A major player in Alaska through its subsidiary Westours, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation in 1989. Up to now, the company has offered its premium cruises on mid-sized ships, but as part of an ambitious newbuilding program five new 84,000 gt superliners will enter service with Holland America until 2006.

• Ernest Carlton  Rotterdam  Transatlantic

  This was the best cruise of the 38 we have taken over the last ten years. This was a leg of the Holland America 2009 World Cruise and they did it right. We could find no way to improve any aspect... read more

• Robert Jackson  Amsterdam  RT Seattle-Alaska

  Holland America is, unfortunately, becoming less and less attractive. The staff remains HALs strong suit with friendly and attentive personnel. The Deluxe Veranda suite is spacious and clean.... read more

  2 users found this review helpful.
• Robert Jackson  Amsterdam  RT Seattle-Alaska

  Holland America is, unfortunately, becoming less and less attractive. The staff remains HALs strong suit with friendly and attentive personnel. The Deluxe Veranda suite is spacious and clean.... read more

• Garry Ollenberger  Ryndam  Mexican Riveria

  This is not the first time we have sailed with Holland America, however, we felt that this was less than a stellar cruise. The weather was excellent, the ports of call were all interesting except... read more

  19 users found this review helpful.
• Darren  Noordam  Eastern Med

  HAL is terrible at handling any problems that arise. We had multiple problems. Most of them small, but a couple of them major and they simply have no ability or willingness to fix problems. It's... read more

  13 users found this review helpful.
• Jason Parker  Westerdam  Caribbean

  The cruise was pleasant, but the ship was struck by the Norwalk Virus while we were aboard. Some parts of the ship were closed, including, the sports deck, the hydo-spa, hot tubs...you could not... read more

  16 users found this review helpful.
• Lars Nordstrom  Veendam  Southern Caribbean

  Bad experience. Cruiseline allows smoking onboard in the Bars and Casino. Ports of call were Key West (good) Belize City (OK 15 min Tender into land), Santo Tomas de Castille (commercial port -... read more

  4 users found this review helpful.
• Raymond Hall  Oosterdam  Mexican Riviera

  The overall experience was far below expectatation. Our cabin contained a table but no chairs when we deployed. The ice machines constantly ran out of ice and the wait staff appeared to care less.... read more

  30 users found this review helpful.
• Rita  Zuiderdam  Mediterranean Romance

  I wanted to add this review since so many were negative and we had a very positive experience. Our cruise started off in Venice and continued down toward Greece around Sicily and up the western... read more

  34 users found this review helpful.
• Cindi
  
    Volendam  Southern Caribbean

  HAD A GREAT TIME…Didn't want it to end My sister and I just got back from the April 18th thru 28th - 10 Day on Holland America's Volendam (Wayfarer itinerary). What a great time... read more

  10 users found this review helpful.
• Chuck Reinhart
  
    Zaandam  Western Caribbean

  We recently returned from a Western Caribbean cruise on HAL’s new ship the Zaandam and are happy to report that the Zaandam is a fine ship. Our group included my wife, Rita, our... read more

  9 users found this review helpful.
• Bobby Etchason
  
    Rotterdam  Canada/New England

  To celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary my wife, Becky, and I decided to treat ourselves to something special, so we booked the Canada/New England, Montreal to Boston cruise with... read more

  26 users found this review helpful.
• P. Hawthorne
  
    Zuiderdam  Key West, Nassau

  I am compelled to write after reading the posted review. We had a fabulous cruise, great verandah room, never saw the steward, but the room was spotless, excellent dining service, the... read more

  8 users found this review helpful.
• Calgon
  
    Zuiderdam  Caribbean

  The Itinerary – Day Location Arrive Depart Day 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL 5:00 pm Day 2 Half Moon Cay (HAL private island) 8:00 am 4:00 pm Day 3 At Sea Day 4 Tortola, British Virgin... read more

  34 users found this review helpful.
• Mark R. & Joanne S.
  
    Westerdam  Eastern Caribbean

  We flew down to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday morning, January 6, 2008, with Jet Blue from JFK. The flight arrived early. After a quick baggage return and a short taxi ride to the cruise ship... read more

  50 users found this review helpful.
• Mark Hunacek
  
    Volendam  Panama Canal

  As a change of pace this year, my wife and I decided to spend Christmas and New Year’s on a cruise ship. The two of us, along with my daughter and her boyfriend, took a ten-day cruise... read more

  18 users found this review helpful.
• E. Kilpatrick
  
    Noordam  Southern Caribbean

  EMBARKATION: We went to the pier and took an elevator to the embarkation area, we were given a number and sat down until we heard our number called.  (about ¾ of an hour)  We then... read more

  30 users found this review helpful.
• Dan
  
    Oosterdam  Mexico

  10 Tips You Need to Know About the Oosterdam Mexican Riviera Cruise Overall.  For us, any cruise is a spectacular and wonderful experience.  We really enjoyed the food, service,... read more

  73 users found this review helpful.
• Sabrina Henry
  
    Zaandam  Alaska

  I've just returned from a seven day cruise to Alaska on Holland America's Zaandam. It wasn't my first choice to go HAL but I had family visiting from Australia and their travel agent fixed... read more

  37 users found this review helpful.
• Lynn Holliday
  
    Zuiderdam  Alaska

  Our family of three consists of one “almost fifty year old” Mom and 2 teenagers age 19 and 14.     This was our seventh cruise, the others having been to Caribbean destinations and... read more

  36 users found this review helpful.
• David W.
  
    Westerdam  Mediterranean

  1.      Embarkation We traveled independently and took the train from Rome Termini Station to Civitavecchia.  The cost of the train for 2 people was 9 Euros (about 13USD).  We... read more

  13 users found this review helpful.
• Jorge Gonzalez
  
    Volendam  Vancouver

  This was our first cruise for my wife and I.  We chose HAL for the price and the scheduled fitted our vacation plans.  As a first time traveler on a cruise, it is possible that we were... read more

  13 users found this review helpful.
• Martin Peterson
  
    Volendam  Alaska

  The Volendam is the nicest ship we have sailed on. It's the right size at 63,000 tons and 1400 passengers. It was our third cruise on Holland America. We have cruised to many different ... read more

  20 users found this review helpful.
• Kenneth Eden
  
    Westerdam  Mediterranean

  We elected to try Holland America outside of US waters, and chose this 10 day cruise, with four days in Rome.  We have taken similar cruises to this particular itinerary in the past on... read more

  7 users found this review helpful.
• Greg McDonald
  
    Amsterdam  Alaska

  Holland America was my choice for a retirement gift to myself. I had never been to Alaska and this seemed the perfect way to travel and enjoy the scenery. Holland America does a tremendous ... read more

  37 users found this review helpful.