List of cruise news articles updates on Holland America Line thoughtout the day en-gb http://www.iglucruise.com 2010-03-17 Holland America line brought a ship to the area.

Around 800 passengers were on board the ms Prisendam vessel, which is on a cruise around Britain, when it sailed into Newport Docks, the latest in a host of luxury cruise liners heading to Wales.

As part of the 14-day cruise experience, passengers will also get to take in sights in Greenwich, Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Skye.

Matthew Kennerley, port director at operator Associated British Ports, told the BBC: "While cruise ships are no strangers to some of our other Welsh ports, such as Cardiff and Swansea, we are very pleased that Newport is handling a cruise ship for the first time.

"I hope that all of Prinsendam's passengers enjoy their visit to the region."

As well as allowing holidaymakers to travel on cruise breaks around Europe, Holland America also sails ship to destinations including Alaska, New Zealand and the Caribbean.

Among the vessels that holidaymakers have the choice from are Ms Zuiderdam and Ms Statendam.

Written by Chris Smith

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/first-cruise-ship-finds-its-way-to-newport_a19263016 2009-07-14 Holland America Line.

The cruise line has just revealed an itinerary for a 32-night tour onboard its ms Amsterdam liner, which is set to take off from Los Angeles and conclude in Sydney, docking at places like French Polynesia, Fiji, Port Vila and Vanuatu along the way.

A spokesperson for the cruise line commented: "Holland America Line's ms Amsterdam will be your 'home away from home', catering to your every need thanks to a solid history in worldwide cruising."

The ship itself will accommodate nearly 1,400 passengers and boasts a high crew to guest ratio, which Holland America attributes to its "excellent" service.

UK passengers will have to make their way to California from where the cruise is set to embark.

However, the Passenger Shipping Association has criticised such arrangements, saying it is "a lot of hassle" to not set sail from the UK.

Written by Lyndsey Telford


]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/holland-america-line-introduces-south-pacific-itinerary-_a19200481 2009-06-22 MS Rotterdam, the flagship cruise liner of Holland America Line's fleet, is to arrive in Liverpool next week.

The vessel will dock at the city's cruise liner terminal on Tuesday May 26th, making it the first transatlantic liner to call at Liverpool for more then 40 years.

Having left New York, the ship is due to make a stop in Belfast before docking in Liverpool and its arrival has been heralded by Gary Millar, Liverpool City Council's Executive Member for Enterprise and Tourism.

"This is another significant landmark for the cruise liner terminal," he stated, adding that the arrival of the 600,000-tonne ship will signify the "start of a whole new chapter in the city's transatlantic link".

Earlier this year, Holland America Line announced the launch of its Showroom at Sea entertainment programme, which features a number of Broadway performers.

The company's Richard Meadows described the showroom as a "fresh approach to entertainment".

By Tom Musk

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/holland-america-flagship-liner-to-call-at-liverpool_a19184578 2009-05-22 Holland America Line (HAL) and Princess Cruises have announced they intend to reduce their sailings from Vancouver next year.

The move comes soon after Carnival Cruises said it would cut the number of services offered from the Canadian port, reports CBC.ca.

It is expected that the cancelled sailings will be redirected to Seattle.

Peter Xotta, of the Port of Metro Vancouver, said that switching to the US city would be cheaper for American travellers.

"The economic conditions are forcing them to make some drastic decisions around where to deploy their vessels ... and how they can keep them full of passengers that are going on holiday," he commented.

HAL and Princess both operate cruises to worldwide destinations including Alaska, Asia and South America.

Recently, HAL launched new electronic cruise documents that aims to be both environmentally-friendly and more convenient for passengers.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/hal-and-princess-to-cut-vancouver-sailings-in-2010_a19105654 2009-04-02 Holland America Line is to introduce what it hopes will be a pioneering concept in onboard cruise entertainment.

From May, passengers will be able to enjoy the cruise line's first Showroom at Sea, which will present a contemporary take on the classic nightclub, featuring a top music repertory company consisting of seasoned Broadway performers.

Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes, said the cruise line always endeavours to bring cutting edge entertainment to its guests.

"Guests will be wowed by this fresh approach to entertainment and the complete transformation of the showroom," he commented.

Each night, passengers will be able to enjoy performances from classical vocalists backed by a 14-piece orchestra, a resident comedian or pop and rock musicians.

Earlier this month, Holland America Line launched a new cookbook, A Taste of Elegance, written by the cruise line's top chef, Rudi Sodamin.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/holland-america-line-to-introduce-innovative-showroom-at-sea_a19081115 2009-03-18 Holland America Line has launched a new documentation procedure for customers travelling on any of its cruises setting sail from May 9th, it has been announced.

It is hoped the Express Docs will provide a more convenient and environmentally friendly way for passengers to acquire travel details.

Richard Meadows, executive vice president of the cruise line, said the documents would contain all the information guests require.

"Guests who still prefer paper documents can request full cruise documentation and tickets to be mailed," he commented.

The documents will include cruise and flight information, boarding passes, transfer vouchers and important notices.

Holland America Line, which was recently named the best-value cruise line by the Ocean and Cruise Liner Society, has also launched an innovative community charity scheme which will see many of the line's reusable goods being donated to good causes.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/holland-america-line-to-launch-eco-friendly-documentation_a19063725 2009-03-09 Holland America Line (HAL) passengers can do their bit for the environment with new "green" cruise documents.

For all cruises departing after May 9th 2009, the cruise line will provide passengers with electronic documents, helping to save on waste.

As part of its Express Docs programme, passengers will be provided with clear and easily accessible cruise details, as well as transfer vouchers and shore excursion reservation information.

Richard D Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes, said: "Express Docs provide all the same information our guests expect and will also help them finalise vacation plans much quicker and they provide greater flexibility in providing copies for family and friends."

However, those who would rather receive paper versions of their documents can still be accommodated, he added.

In other news, HAL recently announced plans to expand its Panama Canal cruise programme for this year.

Written by Fiona Mayers


]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/hal-launches-electronic-cruise-documents_a19062491 2009-03-06 Holland America Line has announced plans to introduce a number of itineraries in the southern hemisphere.

The cruise line will offer a number of 14-day sailings Down Under, as well as a 34-day circumnavigation of Australia onboard ms Volendam, which will include a two-day cruise around the Great Barrier Reef.

Richard D Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes, said that for many people a trip to Australia and New Zealand is a once-in-a-lifetime "must".

"Holland America Line offers more itineraries and more time cruising throughout Australia and New Zealand than any other premium cruise line," he added.

The new itineraries will be offered from 2010, with the 14-day round-trip Sydney cruises departing on January 20th and February 28th.

In other news, Holland America last week announced plans to celebrate Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood with discounts on its CruiseTour itineraries.

Written by Fiona Mayers

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/holland-america-line-plans-to-circumnavigate-australia_a19026017 2009-02-13 Holland America Line is set to offer its passengers more trips around the spectacular Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

The cruise line has been allocated 65 "use days" of the area every year from 2010 – more than any other company.

Richard D Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes, said Glacier Bay is a "must see" destination.

"We are honoured to show this magnificent place to our guests, and we remain committed to conserving it for future generations."

The slots were reportedly allocated to cruise lines that were able to demonstrate their commitment to minimising water and air pollution.

Glacier Bay is included in four of Holland America Line's itineraries.

In other news, the cruise line was named as the 'best value' cruise provider by the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society, for the 17th consecutive year.

Written by Fiona Mayers

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/holland-america-line-to-offer-more-glacier-bay-trips_a19009455 2009-02-04 Holland America Line has launched a new fleet-wide blog, enabling passengers and potential guests to interact and learn more about the cruise line's ships.

The decision comes in the wake of Holland America's recently launched Eurodam blog, which proved popular with cruise enthusiasts eager to learn about the ship's construction.

Each of the cruise line's 14 ships will have their own dedicated blog and passengers will also be able to follow the building of the hotly anticipated ms Nieuw Amsterdam.

Richard D Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes, said the Eurodam bog had already created a large online community.

"Now, with the Holland America Blog, we want to expand that community to engage Mariners, ship aficionados, potential guests and people interested in learning more about Holland America Line's brand of premium cruising," he added.

Ships currently operated by the cruise line include the ms Veendam, ms Rotterdam and ms Ryndam.

Written by Fiona Mayers

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/holland-america-line-unveils-new-blog-series_a18999812 2009-01-29