ONBOARD OUR SHIPS > ACTIVITIES
Onboard Our Ships - Activities
Onboard Our Ships - Activities
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ACTIVITIES

Overview

Each New Day, a Wealth of Cruise Activity and Indulgences

Every day aboard a Holland America cruise ship brings a wealth of cruise activities and indulgences, along with the freedom to partake in as many - or as few - as you please. It's an opportunity to try something new that surprises you, every day. Dabble, discover, daydream - do everything, or do nothing at all.

Whether you want to work-out in the fitness center, learn yoga, pamper yourself with a massage and spa treatment, or listen to music and check your email in the Explorations Café, there's a perfect onboard activity for everyone.

In every cruise port, make your cruise vacation even more memorable with our extensive Shore Excursions program of activities. See, explore, discover: arts and cultural activities, athletic expeditions, city tours, shopping and more.

Spa & Fitness

Refresh, Relax, and Rejuvenate

Of all the fascinating places you can visit on a Holland America cruise ship, none rejuvenates and relaxes like the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, featuring heavenly beauty and wellness rituals. Choose the blissful pampering of a facial therapy or let the trained fingers of a massage therapist sooth your muscles while working fragrant oils into your skin. Enjoy therapeutic water treatments as you steam in a thermal suite or bathe in herbs, all the while cruising to exotic destinations and enjoying the indulgences that are a signature feature of luxurious Holland America Line cruises.

Relaxing treatment rooms also offer breathtaking views where guests can enjoy exotic skin, body, and hair treatments ranging from hot stone massages and pedicures to hair styling and facials. Facilities include:

  • A hydrotherapy pool bubbling with warm, therapeutic sea water
  • Heated ceramic lounge reminiscent of an opulent Turkish bath
  • Private treatment rooms, including couple's massage rooms
  • Massage therapy inspired by an exotic blend of cultures - from Hawaiian Lomi Lomi to Chinese
    Tui Na
  • The latest exotic skin, body, hair and
    nail treatments
  • Knowledgeable, professional therapists trained to guide you through your spa experience

For rejuvenation thru exercise, Holland America Line spas offer fitness classes to help you achieve optimum health and vitality. Yoga, Pilates, *spinning, aquarobics and cardio circuit training are available for participants at all levels. Take advantage of treadmills, stationary bikes, stairsteppers, rowing machines, weights, and weight machines. Staffed with professionals, the tranquil Greenhouse Spa and Salon invites guests to embrace sensory indulgence on a luxurious cruise vacation to remember.

*except ms Prinsendam

Because the Greenhouse Spa & Salon is such a popular destination, we encourage you to book spa appointments early, preferably right after boarding the ship. Visit timetospa to order Greenhouse Spa products online.

Recreation and Fitness

  • Fully equipped Fitness Center
  • Classes in low-impact aerobics, yoga and Pilates
  • Basketball, ping pong, tennis, volleyball,
    walk-a-mile
  • Golf Simulator and golf swing analysis on the ms Prinsendam (golf shore excursions in
    selected ports)

Fitness Center and Onboard Recreations

Holland America Line makes it easy for you to stay fit and trim while on your journey with fully equipped fitness centers and sports courts. Fitness centers aboard each ship include exercise and weight training equipment, and sports courts may include tennis, volleyball or basketball. Our broad, generously proportioned teak decks are perfect for walkers and joggers, and when you are finished exercising, cool off in one of our pools. To maintain or achieve optimum health, work with one of our qualified personal trainers or take one of our fitness classes lead by knowledgeable instructors. Fitness classes may include:

  • Pathway to Yoga: Yoga is an ancient Hindu practice that offers a pathway to enlightenment through specific postures and breathing techniques. We offer a variety of Yoga styles in classes for students of all levels.
  • Mat Pilates: Developed in the 1920s by the legendary personal trainer Joseph Pilates, the Pilates method is an exercise system that combines posture and controlled moves. Our class is mat based and appropriate for students of
    all levels.
  • Cardio Ki-Bo Circuit Training: A great combination of Chi-releasing moves including boxercise, kickboxing and aerobic conditioning. We place emphasis on technique and help push you to your cardiovascular limit.
  • Aquarobics: This program features a low-impact water workout. You will effortlessly strengthen tone and energize mind and body.
  • Pilates Reformer: The Pilates method is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. The Pilates method is not just exercise; it is a series of controlled movements engaging your body and mind, performed on specifically designed exercise apparatus and supervised by trained fitness directors.

Youth

Youth Programs

On Holland America ships, we provide a wide variety of exciting youth- and teen- friendly activities and facilities for guests ages 3 to 17. With supervised fun for our younger guests, the entire family can have the cruise vacation of their dreams.

Safe and Managed Supervision

You can feel at ease knowing that your child's on board experience is safe and well-managed. All Club HAL® activities are supervised by permanent, full-time staff, and are designed to be kid friendly and age appropriate. Youth Staff hold degrees in education, childhood development, recreation, leisure studies or related fields.

Programs Available
  • Club HAL® - Kids*: Children, ages 3-7, can participate in such activities as story telling, fabric painting, indoor games, arts and crafts, drawing contests, ice-cream sundae parties, puzzles, bingo, pirate treasure hunts or a farewell pizza party. Children in the Kid's age group must be toilet trained. Children in pull-ups or diapers are not allowed in the youth facilities, due to mandates from US Public Health. Exceptions to this rule cannot be made.
  • Club HAL® - Tweens*: Tweens, ages 8-12 might learn golf putting, have disco parties and theme parties, participate in the award-winning National Park Service Jr. Ranger Program on Alaska cruises, compete in on-deck sports events, compete in scavenger hunts or simply play Ping-Pong with a friend.
  • The Loft and The Oasis*: Teens, ages 13-17 will especially enjoy the teen disco, karaoke sessions, video games, teen sports tournaments, card games, trivia contests, bingo, movies and videos. When there are more than 100 children on board, a HAL Talent Show is offered. (The Oasis is not available on all Vista-class ships)

*On the Prinsendam, youth activities are offered for ages 5-17. All other ships offer youth activities for ages 3-17.

Daily Programs

Times vary based on age group, number of children on board and staffing:

  • Sea Day - Morning, Afternoon and Evening Activities
  • Port Day - Morning, Afternoon and Evening Activities

Extended Hours

Club HAL® After Hours is available on all ships (except the ms Prinsendam) from 10:00pm - 12:00am. The fee is $5 per child, per hour. Parents must pick up their children on time or a late fee is charged. For babysitting outside of the hours offered in Club HAL, guests may check at the Front Office to schedule this service provided by staff on a voluntary basis only.

Kids & Teens Culinary Arts Center Program

HAL Kids Culinary Workshops now offer children a unique and fun learning experience. Kids will learn basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety, new ingredients and how to follow recipe instructions. Aside from the fun involved, cooking encourages kids to think about numbers and measuring, cleanliness, safety, and time management. All the workshops are hands-on where questions are encouraged and having fun is a must!

HAL Kids Culinary Workshops are geared toward two age groups; ages three to seven and ages eight and up. Teenagers 15 and up may participate in the adult classes.

  • The menus range from simple to teen gourmet
  • Classes are usually limited to fifteen students unless otherwise noted
  • All classes are hands-on
  • Each student receives copies of the recipes prepared in class
  • All classes are complimentary and last approximately one hour

Additional Family Services

Holland America Line is dedicated to making your family's cruise vacation memorable and happy for each member of your family. We serve a wide variety of kid-pleasing food, including special sandwiches, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza. Baby food, high chairs and booster seats may be requested in advance of boarding. Baby-sitting services are available for a small surcharge. Special-kid friendly birthday parties can also be arranged with advance notice.

Special Needs

HAL Youth Programs recognize that some children may have special needs. Special needs children are invited to attend activities based on their chronological age. HAL Youth Programs have many staff trained to work with special needs children. Guests should make HAL aware of this when booking their reservation.

Important Notes

A limited number of high chairs, booster seats and cribs are available at no charge. These must be reserved in advance at the time of booking. An international children's menu is offered at dinner and includes a variety of appetizers, salads and soups, and standard items such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and chicken, plus chef's specials like beef tacos, grilled cheese, fish and chips or spaghetti.

Special Programs

Art Onboard

Holland America Line is known for the extensive art collections onboard each ship. Now, fine art goes high tech when you sail with Holland America Line. We invite you to enjoy the self-guided walking tour for each ship which highlights the art onboard an eclectic collection that is valued at tens of millions of dollars.

Narrated by well-known radio hosts Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman, the 30- to 40-minute tours include walking directions, interviews with artists, background music and thumbnails of some of the artwork. Download the ship-specific art tour onto your personal iPod®, MP3 or portable media player before you embark on your Holland America Line cruise. Pre loaded art tours are also available onboard.

Art Auctions at Sea

Holland America Line is pleased to partner with Park West Gallery®, founded in 1969 and based in Southfield, Mich., the world's number one art dealer, having brought fine art to over 1 million customers worldwide. Since 1994 fine art auctions have been a regular event aboard our cruise ships and were named 'Best Art Auction Program' in Porthole Cruise Magazine's Readers' Choice Awards.

Fine art auctions are entertaining and informative, and are absolutely free to attend - many guests begin their art collections at our auctions. There are hundreds of original works of art, from the old and modern masters found at fine art museums around the globe to today's most world-renowned contemporary artists.

GOCKEL

TARKAY

PICASSO

Shoreside Shopping Program


A Holland America Line cruise would not be complete without experiencing some of the world's best duty-free shopping. Holland America Line's Recommended Shopping Program will assist you in finding the finest treasures in selected ports of call with significant savings below U.S. retail prices. Each recommended store listed on the shopping map has been chosen on the basis of price, selection and reputation.

Check your onboard daily listing of all activities, for the location and times of the live Port & Shopping Talk, highlighting port information, Holland America Line's 30-day recommended shopping guarantee, participating store locations, specials, raffles, giveaways and more. Customs information, shopping maps and VIP discount coupons will be provided at the talk, as well as at the Shopping Desk onboard.

For additional shopping information, while on your cruise, tune in to the All Ashore port and shopping programming on your in-stateroom TV, as well as your complimentary copy of Holland America Line's in-cabin publication Compass, also found in your stateroom.

Explore the ports and shopping in this program:

Single Partners Program

Each Holland America ship hosts a gathering for Solo Travelers early during their cruise. And there are plenty of things for solo travelers do that make it fun and easy to meet fellow cruisers. From cooking classes to computer instruction, dance classes to games, there's something for every interest and skill level. On most cruises of 30 days or longer, we offer dance partners for single ladies.

You can count on our gracious staff and crew to make everyone feel welcome. Guests may even request to be seated with other singles at dinner. Many of our Single Partner Program guests have become fast friends and some even book future Holland America cruises together.

Single guests who agree to share a stateroom with another nonsmoking guest of the same sex pay only the per-person, double occupancy rate. (If we can't find a partner for you, you cruise solo at the agreed-upon double-occupancy fare.) Single guests who prefer not to share a stateroom may book a double stateroom for 150 to 200 percent of the double occupancy fare, depending on the cruise and stateroom category. This program applies to selected staterooms on all ships in our fleet. The Single Partner Program is not available on Grand Cruises (Grand World Voyage, South America & Antarctic Voyage and Mediterranean & North Africa Voyage) or Alaska Cruise tours as well.

Wedding Cruises and Renewal of Vows at Sea...Creating and Recreating Memories




Weddings

Whether you prefer a simple ceremony and a small, elegant reception or lots of family and friends at a larger celebration, a wedding cruise on one of our elegant ships will launch a lifetime of memories. Choose to get married on board, under the palms on an exotic Caribbean island beach or on top of a majestic Alaskan glacier. No matter what your preference, our wedding cruises coordinator is ready to help you tailor a wedding package to meet your needs and help you and your loved ones have the ultimate onboard experience. Wedding cruise packages include:

  • A personalized ceremony
  • Wedding coordinator services
  • Flowers, cake, champagne, a photo album and a keepsake-wedding certificate
  • Services such as photography, live music, receptions and pampering appointments can also be added to customize your wedding cruise package

Wedding cruise packages are available on each ship in our fleet and start at $795 a simple ceremony for two for North America and Caribbean sailings and $1,900 for Europe sailings. To arrange a North American or European wedding cruise, please use the following contact information:

North America/Caribbean:

Royal Ocean Events, Inc.
4337 River Road West
Delta, BC V4K 1R9
PH: (604) 940-1181 or 1-888-475-5511
FAX: (604) 940-6216
info@royalwed.com

Europe:

The Wedding Experience
2600 SW 3rd Avenue, Ste. 200
Miami, Florida 33129
PH: 305-421-1260;
Direct Europe: +39+347+2790978 Jorge@theweddingexperience.com; europe@theweddingexperience.com

Renewal of Vows On Board

For couples that would like to say their wedding vows while at sea, Holland America Line offers an onboard renewal-of-vows package. As part of the package, the bride receives a corsage, and invitations are made available to invite guests to the ceremony and celebration. The couple also receives:

  • A photo and photo album
  • Dinner for 2 one evening in the Pinnacle Grill
  • A celebration featuring live music, champagne, wine and hors d'oeuvres served by Holland America Line's five-star staff

The price for this romantic and memorable occasion is $149 per couple and $12.50 per guest (celebration only). The onboard honeymoon, anniversary and renewal-of-vows packages may be booked through Holland America Line's Ship Services Department, (800) 541-1576.

Renewal of Vows at Half Moon Cay

Guests that visit Half Moon Cay, the company's own island paradise, on Holland America Line Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises may renew their wedding vows on the island in a private, traditional Bahamian chapel nestled in a garden overlooking the sea. This is a more casual ceremony than on board and participants are encouraged to wear their favorite tropical attire. Champagne and cake are served after the ceremony. Each couple is photographed on the island and the photo is delivered to their stateroom in a souvenir frame. Arrangements for renewal of vows at the chapel may be made through the Guest Relations Manager at the Front Office on board the ship. Packages are $49 per couple and $6.50
per guest.

Explorations Café

The Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times offers a comfortable, coffee house environment where you can browse through one of the most extensive libraries at sea, view a wide array of audio and video programming, or simply read the morning paper. Guests can also enjoy fresh pastries and their favorite espresso drink provided by Torrefazione Italia. Additional highlights include:

  • Internet stations featuring news and email, with free access to The New York Times online edition (wireless hot spots also available for those traveling with laptops)
  • Destination-related content provided by The New York Times, as well as unique travel-related New York Times crossword puzzles
  • Large jigsaw puzzle tables
  • The Explorations Speaker Series on longer voyages, feature guest lecturers and discussions on varied topics related to the history, culture and cuisine of ports of call

An Internet Café is available in lieu of the Explorations Café on ms Oosterdam, and ms Zuiderdam. In addition, all Holland America Line ships now have wireless "hotspot" connectivity.

Call your travel professional or 1-877-932-4259 to book your cruise today.

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