Volendam

Marking its 130th anniversary in 2003, Holland America Line beginnings stretch back to 1873 with the Netherlands-America Steamship Company. Launch of transatlantic crossings to America brought about transition to the Holland America name. As a Carnival Corporation premium brand, HAL’s mid-sized ships specialize in seven-, 10- and 14-day Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Tampa. In warmer months, HAL offers an extensive line-up of Alaskan itineraries, along with options for pre-post cruise land exploration. HAL also sails Panama Canal, Asia / Pacific, Canada / New England and Europe cruises. Flagship Rotterdam VI and other ships in the line’s still-growing fleet carry names of predecessors from Amsterdam to Zaandam. As a premium cruise leader, Holland America has earmarked $225 million for its Signature of Excellence initiative to provide unmatched fleet enhancements. Signature of Excellence comprehensive product / service upgrades focus on five areas central to HAL guest experiences: Spacious, elegant ships and accommodations, sophisticated dining; gracious, unobtrusive service; extensive enrichment programs and activities, and compelling worldwide itineraries. Enhancement completion is projected by the end of 2006.

Quick View

Volendam offers a classic mid-priced cruise experience on a mid-sized ship loaded with modern-day cruising comforts. Flowers of all kinds dominate the ship’s artwork and interior design. The motif unites Volendam’s classic attributes including a multitude of popular mini-suites with verandas, an Internet center and the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill. Volendam’s Marco Polo Restaurant provides a warm Pan-European venue for tasty cuisine.

About Gratuities
Quietly dispensing with its long-standing “tipping not required” policy forbidding solicitation, Holland America now automatically adds a gratuity of $10 per guest, per day to onboard accounts for dining / stateroom services. A 15 percent service charge is added to bar bills and dining room wine accounts.

Disabled Access
Volendam and seven other Holland America ships are equipped with wheel-chair accessible tenders. Public spaces accommodate wheelchairs including public restrooms. Staterooms in various categories are equipped for wheel-chair users with amenities such as roll-in showers. Portable commodes and elevated toilet seats are available. Hearing impairments are accommodated with TTY / TDD equipment, and service animals are welcomed.

Ship Features

Volendam and sister ship Zaandam have an extra set of elevators instead of the escalators aboard other Statendam-class ships. Volendam also has an Internet Center and the Pinnacle Grill, a reservations-only Pacific Northwest specialty restaurant carrying a service charge. Spacious cabins - many with private verandas – along with ballroom dancing and bridge are ship hallmarks.

Staterooms
Volendam accommodations include a Penthouse Suite, 28 Suites, 168 Mini-Suites, 392 Outside Staterooms, and 131 Inside Staterooms.

Stateroom amenities
Volendam staterooms have television, telephone and multi-channel music. Deluxe suites with private verandas, dressing rooms and whirlpool baths have complimentary personalized stationery, hors d’oeuvres, dry cleaning and more, plus special disembarkation privileges. Veranda Suites have a whirlpool bath, mini-bar, VCR and private veranda large enough for lounging and dining.

Kid & Teen Stuff
Club HAL, with a KidZone and WaveRunner rooms, has story time, arts and crafts, ice cream sundae parties, and candy bar bingo for up to age 8. Tweens (9 through 12) and teens enjoy miniature golf, pool and pizza fests, disco, movies and more. A kids’ menu has hot dogs, burgers and chicken dippers.

Cruises Specials

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Life Aboard

Dining
The 747-seat, dual-level Rotterdam Dining Room has two traditional seatings. Pinnacle Grill, a jackets required alternative restaurant with an add-on service charge, features Pacific Northwest cuisine and wines. Lido Restaurant serves casual seated dinners and buffet-style breakfast / lunch with stations for omelets and stir-fry, deli, and ice cream at lunch.

Sports / Health / Fitness
Two swimming pools, one with a retractable roof, whirlpools, and a pair of tennis / volleyball courts are aboard Volendam. Ocean Spa has exercise bikes and treadmills, weight stations and free weights, plus an aerobics area. The Spa, with dual saunas, steam and a half dozen treatment rooms with private showers and toilets, offers massages, facials, and hair salon / barber services.

Entertainment
Frans Hals Show Lounge on two decks hosts sparkling production shows and other entertainment, and the Ocean Bar attracts the pre- and post-dinner cocktail crowd. Wajang Theatre serves hot buttered popcorn while showing new-release comedies, dramas, and thrillers. The Crows Nest observation lounge has a 320-degree view for taking in port departures and arrivals. Volendam also has the 24-seat Erasmus Library, an Internet Cafe and chic shops stocked with duty-free goods.

Casino
Blackjack, stud poker, draw poker, roulette, dice tables, and 109 slot machines.

Bars
Options include Explorer’s Lounge, Piano bar, Ocean Bar, and Java Café.