Holland America Line: Cruise Line Profile

Before you even leave port, you're in another world. Holland America ships are worlds apart from others sailing the globe. Everywhere a sense of warmth and luxury pervades. Huge bouquets of fresh, fragrant flowers are everywhere. Priceless antiques and artwork line the halls. And each features a teak promenade that completely encircles the ship, which means there will always be room for you at the rail for sunset watching.

Perhaps you'll start your day with breakfast in bed, followed by a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck (five times equals one mile). Call the Ocean Spa for the full treatment, from thalassotherapy to aromatherapy or maybe step ashore to shop in quaint boutiques, or join a shore excursion to a city's famous landmark or to a romantic sidewalk café.

Never has the Holland America Five-Star fleet been so attractive. Enjoy the following features onboard the fabulous ships:

Bring the kids and make it a family cruise. Thanks to Club HAL®, a special program that offers oceans of fun for guests 5 through 17, the entire family can have the vacation of their dreams. You snorkeling in crystal blue waters, the kids building sand castles on the beach, or vice versa. Club HAL® activities are captivating enough to engage youngsters ages 5 to 8, cool enough to attract tweens and teens.

It all begins with a special Welcome Aboard meeting the first night of the cruise with Holland America's full-time youth coordinator and continues throughout the cruise with a dedicated daily youth program filled with fun: storytelling, crafts and candy bar bingo for the little kids; putt-putt golf, pool parties and video games for tweens and teens. And the fun lasts well into the night with movies, pizza and disco parties, so you can enjoy your evening knowing the kids are having a good time properly supervised.

Food to please the most finicky eaters: Call it what you will -- finicky, particular, hard-to-please -- the kids will tell you it's simply a matter of taste. Which is why Club HAL® designed a menu that includes their favorites: hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, fish n' chips, chicken dippers and more. Bolstered by the fresh salt air, your kids just may surprise you with their new appetites for life!