Ward Wagner of Holland America Cruise Line
We enjoy talking to representatives of the different cruise lines to stay updated on the latest with their products. Recently we met with Ward Wagner, a 20 year veteran of Holland America, to get an update on the many cruises HAL offers.
FamilyTravelGurus: How does Holland America differ from other cruise lines? What are your strengths?
Holland America Line has been sailing the World for over 135 years. We operate 14, mid-sized ships in the Premium category, all with 5 Star ratings. The Holland America Line fleet is unique amongst premium lines. Designed to be large enough to offer the amenities required by today’s discriminating traveler, but carrying fewer quests than other lines. The décor of our ships feature traditional elements and gracious appointments, art and antiques, and fresh flowers through out the ship. All, a compliment to our 135 year old heritage.
FamilyTravelGurus: We specialize in family vacations; what features of a Holland America cruise make it a good option for families?
Many families are discovering that cruising gives them the ideal combination of a variety of activities, opportunities for time together, and unique travel experiences. At Holland America Line, our ships, programs, and even menus are designed around the unique needs of families traveling together. We have special rates too for 3rd & 4th passengers sharing a cabin with 2 adults. Great programs….and great pricing.
Club HAL, our kids program, offers complimentary programs for kids age 3 to 17. We have activities catering to a broad range of interests and age groups to inspire creativity and social interaction. And expanded our facilities for kids, tweens, and a loft for teens.
We also have a great Family Reunion Program, that is available on every ship and sailing. It offers reduced group fares, a keepsake family photo for every cabin, a soft drink card, and a Pinnacle Grill lunch for all family members.
FamilyTravelGurus: Alaska is another area we specialize in – tell us about HAL’s Alaska offerings for 2009.
We will have 8 ships sailing every week in Alaska in 2009. Roundtrip from Seattle, roundtrip from Vancouver, and one way sailings from Vancouver to Seward or reverse. We also offer CruiseTours in Alaska with lots of exclusives only offered on Holland America Line. In addition to the Alaska cruise, you travel the McKinley Explorer railcars to Denali National Park, to the Yukon and the Gold Rush. And Holland America Line includes more visits to Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier than any other cruise line. U.S. Park Rangers come aboard and share insights into park history, point out wildlife, and answer questions. And our midsize ships are a perfect complement to the destination.
FamilyTravelGurus: Why is Holland America a good choice for Europe? The Caribbean?
6 of our ships will sail in Europe during the Spring-Summer-Fall season. Itineraries from 7 to 28 days in length, offering itineraries from Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and Russia, to the more tropical Mediterranean sailings from Rome, Venice, Barcelona, and Athens. Many of our itineraries offer “overnights in port”, where the ship serves as your hotel, giving you an extra day to sightsee in places like St. Peterburg, Venice, Istanbul, and Barcelona.
For the Caribbean, Holland America Line sails roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa with cruises from 7 to 14 nights. We feature Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean itineraries, and most of them offer a day in Half Moon Cay, our Award Winning private island. We sail the Caribbean from October til April.
FamilyTravelGurus: We understand you have a new class of ships, the Signature Class. What are the unique features of the Eurodam, your first Signature class ship? When will the next Signature Class ship come out?
In July 2008, we introduced the Eurodam in front of the original Holland America Line office building in Rotterdam. Thousands of people were there for the event, which included the Christening, entertainment, and even fireworks to end an incredible day. The 2nd Signature Class ship (named the Nieuw Amsterdam) is currently under construction, and will come into service in July 2010, sailing from Venice. The Signature Class ships are a compliment to the Signature of Excellence program that Holland America Line started in 2004. It was an investment of nearly $1 Billion, for upgrades and enhancements to ALL of our fleet. Euro-Top beds, oversized towels, massage shower heads, hair dryers, Elemis spa products, bathrobes, flat panel televisions and dvd players. In addition, we added a Culinary Arts Center with complimentary cooking demonstrations, the Explorations Café with books, internet access, and listening stations. And enhancements to dining, service and enrichment on all of our ship. New to the Signature Class ships is an alternative Asian restaurant named Tamarind, and a Northern Italian restaurant named Canaletto, and As You Wish Dining. More choices and options for our premium passengers.
FamilyTravelGurus: What is your personal favorite among the cruises Holland America offers?
This is the hardest question! A few years ago, I was able to sail from New Zealand to Australia. It was the year of the America’s Cup sailboat races in Auckland, and the ship was docked right where all of the sailboats were. We sailed to both the North and South Island of New Zealand, then to Tasmania, and on to Melbourne and Sydney in Australia. Being on the top deck of the ship the morning we sailed into Sydney Harbor, with the famous Opera House gleaming in the sunshine….is an image I will always remember.
FamilyTravelGurus: Thanks Ward. Holland America sounds like a great cruise choice to a variety of destinations.