holland america cruise questions

Holland America

My 11 essential Holland America Tips and Tricks for Cruisers

by Gary Bembridge · October 31, 2013

In this article I share my 11 essential Holland America tips and tricks for cruisers thinking of cruising with this line. They are based on my decade of cruising experiences and a Mediterranean cruise on Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam. Drawing on both of these, I have put together 11 essential tips to help anyone considering cruising with the Holland America Line.

1: Ensure Holland America is the right cruise line for you.

My number one cruise tip is always to make sure you are going on the right cruise line. Lots of cruise lines can take you to the same or similar places, but the experience, accommodation, fellow passengers, activities and services provided will differ greatly. If you get it wrong you may have miserable time. If you get it right it will make your vacation magical.

In my view, Holland America is perfect for people who enjoy a sophisticated and refined environment. It is important to note the following when considering if they are the line for you:

Holland America is built on a heritage of 140 years of transporting passengers around the world. They try to retain some of the traditions of cruising into its on board offer. It provides an up-market experience. You will find a focus on food with fine dining and cooking demonstrations. You will find decor that is subdued and full of art and maritime artifacts. You will find entertainment that focuses on the classical and classics, with most passengers preferring to sit around the piano in the piano bar singing popular tunes than disco dancing the night away. You will find talks about the history and culture of destinations. You will not find water slides, high energy on deck games and round-the-clock partying.
Despite the line’s Dutch roots, most of the passengers will be American. Though most cruises can have up to 40 or 50 different nationalities on board. In the European summer season the British and the Commonwealth countries, like Australia and Canada, are well represented.
The language spoken on board is English in all announcements and publications, although they will cater for other language groups as needed. The entertainment caters for a North American and English speaking sensibility in my view.

For people new to cruising it is worth thinking of Holland America as an alternative to staying in a smart five star hotel.

2: Make sure you chose the right cruise itinerary.

The passenger profile changes based on the itinerary and this is worth bearing in mind when considering which cruise will be best for you. The following is worth noting:

Passenger profile tends to be in their early 60s as an average, with many couples or solo travellers in their 50s, 60s and up to 70s on board.
The average age reduces in school vacation time when more families come on board. You will find quite a few children and families on the ships in peak holiday periods.
The age profile also reduces in the Caribbean when younger couples looking for a calm and sophisticated break chose this line.
The age profile increases on the repositioning transatlantic crossings and on the long grand voyages. This is due to the time of the year that they happen in and the time required which means they best suits people with plenty of leisure time.

3: Make sure you sign up for their emails with offers and promotions.

Holland America emails provide regular updates on deals, promotions and offers. They are invaluable for finding the best cruise deals. Sign up for them on the website. They will often have offers targeted at different types of travellers, such as solo travellers or families, and so are really worth looking out for if you fall into these traveller types.

They are also very active in social media with an active cruise blog with news and reports from the ships and passengers as well as being on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.

4: Make sure you chose the right dining option and approach.

You can chose to either have fixed seating at one of the two set dining times in the main restaurant (on the Nieuw Amsterdam this was upstairs in the Manhattan Restaurant) or you can also chose to opt into the any time dining. This means no fixed table, and the flexibility on dining time each evening. I think the latter is better – as you can then chose when to dine based on how busy your day has been.

5: Make sure you get insider tips and all your answers and concerns answered by experienced Holland America cruisers before you book and before your cruise.

I strongly recommend that you follow the Holland America Line forum on CruiseCritic.com . There is a wealth of advice from past passengers who will answer every question you possibly have, and will give you advice. You should sign up for the Roll Call for your cruise and also for the “Meet & Greet” that will take place on board. In these roll calls passengers provide tips on getting good airline deals, arrange to share transfers, plan to go on the same excursions – and may even make plans to group together and self tour if there is someone with lots of knowledge of the destination being visited.

Also make sure you review my tips for travellers on cruising with Holland America !

6: Make sure you budget correctly to get the cruise experience you really want to have.

While your accommodation, meals and entertainment is included in your fare, you should also make sure you include in your budget allowances for things that may be important to creating the sort of cruise experience you will enjoy. These may include:

Speciality dining . While meals in The Lido, main restaurant and room service are included in your fare, there are a number of restaurants on the ships offering special menus that require an additional charge. For example, on the Nieuw Amsterdam these included The Pinnacle Grill serving large steaks and The Tamarind serving Asian fusion.
Private pool cabanas . On the Nieuw Amsterdam there are some located pool side, but also there is the Cabana Club which is a private space overlooking the pool. This private deck area serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon treats and you have seating areas and loungers.
Excursions . If you want to go on escorted excursions in ports of call you need to budget for between about $50 and $150 per person for each excursion. Many ports will have free bus transfers into town, but not all. Check with your agent or Holland America when booking for your budget.
Transfers to and from the ship before and after the cruise.
Entertainment such as gambling.
Duty free shopping on board, and in ports.
Spa treatments .
I nternet access . As on all ships this is fairly costly. I had a package that cost around $100 for 250 minutes, although you can also buy smaller and larger packages.

When budgeting remember that gratuities will be added onto your bill on board automatically.

7: Review and Pre book as much as you can before you go on your cruise, including excursions, spa and speciality dining.

You are able to pre book many of your on board activities and excursions before your cruise. You should be able to book from about 90 days before the cruise and up to about 3 days before online. It is worth doing this to ensure you get your first choices and ensure you have what you want to do confirmed.

8: When packing make sure you bring the right clothes for the dress code on your cruise.

There are 2 main dress codes for the evenings. There will usually be around one formal night per seven nights (dark suits and tie or tuxedo for men and formal or cocktail dresses for women) and smart casual other nights (which does not mean jeans but does mean short sleeve polo style shirts for men and smart but informal dresses for women). Make sure you have clothes to cover these evenings in addition to your day vacation wear.

9: Get involved in and take part in the “On Location” activities on board during your cruise.

Holland America have introduced an “On Location” program to bring more of the ports of call and region experience onto the ship. Each day there will be a range of activities which can include local drinks and food events, talks about the destination, local entertainment and local goods to buy. They are advertised in the daily program. I went to some amazing events and parties with incredible food.

10: Attend and enjoy the free activities and services provided by Holland America on board partners.

The cruise line has a number of partnerships with experts and famous brands and they provide free activities and events. These include:

Digital Workshop with Windows
Explorations Cafe, Cyber cafe and library with New York Times. You can view the paper and website for free on the computers in the cyber cafe.
Culinary Arts Center with Food and Wine magazine, with regular free cooking demonstrations.
“Dancing with the Stars”, in association with the popular TV dance competition there will be lessons on dances from the show and a competition that runs through most cruises to find the dance champions for each one.

11: Watch the on-board TV channel to get information, insights and tips about the cruise, the ship, special activities, promotions and the destinations.

Often overlooked, this is the channel on the in-room TV that runs a daily program presented by the Cruise Director featuring events and activities. They also run the talks and presentations by the “On Location” port experts and cruise sales team. I learnt so much by having the channel on every time I was in my cabin, getting up in the morning and getting ready for dinner. I highly recommend doing the same.

Have you cruised on Holland America? If so what other essential tips would you add to this list?

Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam Atrium

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I travelled as a guest of Holland America Cruises on their MS Nieuw Amsterdam ship on a 7 Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona visiting Naples, Palermo, Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence/ Pisa), and Toulon. Holland America are a Premium Cruise line with Dutch origins dating back to 1873.

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6 Responses

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Did 11 days last March on Zuiderdam on a Caribbean cruise and had a great time. This March will be 14 days on Rotterdam, same area different ports to relax and vacation. Im in a wheelchair so getting around and finding shore excursions has been tricky. My wife is able bodied so she can help me. Looking forward to a great vacation in March. Dr. Alan Mandel and Joan Fifield

Good to hear you had a good time, and hope your next trip is great. usually Holland America are good at having tours that work for people in wheelchairs but in the Caribbean I guess more challenging as so many can be focused around beach time and active pursuits. keep me posted on how it goes and what ports you go to as I could perhaps try and build up recommendations for ports for people looking for wheelchair friendly and engaging tours> gary

I really like Holland America-I’ve got 49 cruising days with them over the years, but now I’m a widow. Now if I want to take a cruise I must pay for a non existent traveling companion. Are there any cruise lines that do not apply such a penalty? Thanks.

Hi George, The Queen Mary 2 has quite a few single rooms for solo travellers. When they did their big upgrade a couple of years ago, they added many more. We’ve sailed on this ship twice. It’s been wonderful.

I’d recommend an update to this great article. Things like the Holland America app help plan your day on board and I’ve found on the last three cruises, it’s usually cheaper to book spa activities onboard.

With the newest ships, Holland appears to of blended upscale amenities with classic culture. I think it aged down with these two newest ships. Something that is hard to say about Holland America.

[…] 11 essential Holland America Tips and Tricks for Cruisers from Tips For Travelers […]

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26 Things You’ll Want To Know Before Cruising Holland America

Endless allures and unbeatable luxury accentuated by mesmerizing views of the open sea. Some travel by air, others prefer embracing the perks of cruising escapades. After all, it is a floating island of abounding culinary fares, out of this world fun, boatloads of entertainment options, and an awesome time with some of the friendliest people on Earth!

Holland America offers a no-nonsense cruising experience with premium amenities and deluxe packages. It’s a perfect way to relax in style and indulge in culinary pleasures. However, if you are new to the world of cruising, you might have questions on what to expect, and what is included in your cruise fare.

If you picked Holland America Lines(HAL) for your next cruise adventure, here are 26 things you’ll want to know before your set sail. This way, you can really make the most out of your cruise without missing out on any of the fun.

#1 Travel Documents

Travel documents vary depending on the requirements of your nationality and the ports you’re visiting. Regardless, don’t forget to bring all your travel documents otherwise you will be denied boarding and no refunds will be given.

For US citizens, you must bring one or more of the following travel documents for closed-loop cruises: a. Valid passport with at least 6 months from expiration (Note: This is the recommended travel document for travel on land, air & sea) b. Passport card c. State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License d. Certificate of Naturalization with a government issued photo ID e. US Birth Certificate with photo ID

#2 Dining and Beverage

Whether you are satisfied with what’s complimentary to your fare, or treat yourself to new culinary heights at specialty dining venues, the choice is yours.

Complimentary Dining Options:

a. Lido Market – Casual buffet dining b. Dive-In – Burgers and Hotdogs c. 24 hour in room dining d. New York Pizza – Thin crust pizza and salads e. The Dining Room – main dining room (MDR) with dining served a la carte f. Tea Time – perfect spot for an afternoon cup of tea

Specialty Fine Dining Options:

a. Pinnacle Grill – Steakhouse restaurant b. Canaletto – Italian fare c. Tamarind – Pan Asian flavors d. Rudi’s Sel De Mer – Classic French cuisine e. Nami Sushi – Japanese restaurant

Specialty Casual Dining Options :

a. Grand Dutch Cafe – cold beer, coffee and snacks b. Gelato – ice cream parlor c. Explorations Cafe – fresh pastries and specialty coffee

The Dining Room options:

Choose your dining preferences while doing your online check-in. a. Pre-Set Scheduled Seating and Dining Times(Early at 5:44pm or Late at 8pm) b. Flexible Open Dining or “As You Wish”(5:15pm-9pm)

Dining Packages:

These packages help you save you money dining at specialty restaurants. a. Signature Dining Package

$35 per person
Good for one night at the Pinnacle Grill and one night at Canaletto

b. Distinctive Dining Package

$50 per person
Good for one dinner each at the Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto & Tamarind

c. Evenings at the Pinnacle Package

$52 per person
Two nights at the Pinnacle Grill

Beverage Packages:

a. Signature Drink Package

$51.69 per day if purchased pre cruise, $57.44 if purchased on board
unlimited alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages valued at $9 or less

b. Elite Beverage Package

$63.19 per day whether purchased pre cruise, or on board
unlimited alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages valued at $15 or less
On Koningsdam, this also includes the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines

c. Quench Beverage Package

$17.95 per person per day
unlimited nonalcoholic beverages and specialty coffees

d. The Coca-Cola Package

$8 per person per day
unlimited fountain drinks

e. The Water Package

12 one-liter bottles of water for $32

f. Cellar Master Package

$ 252 per person
Choice of 5 wine bottles
Standard and Premium wine tasting
One dinner at Pinnacle Grill
Wine accessory gift set
A Holland America commemorative bottle of wine

Notes: a. Prices include 15% gratuity b. Available for purchase on board on the first 48 hours of cruise only c. If someone buys the signature or elite beverage package, everyone in the stateroom ages 21 and above must also buy one d. Maximum of 15 drinks per day. Drinks are served one at a time.

#3 Luggage Tags

Luggage tags are for those who would like to check in their luggages to be delivered to your stateroom. Printable luggage tags are available at the Online Check-In start page. You may select to print as many as you need for your vacation.

Generic HAL luggage tags will also be available for you at the airport or the pier prior to your final check in. Be sure to print your name, stateroom number, and sailing date. Luggages without tags or owner identification may not be loaded on the ship.

#4 Holland America Line Connect

HAL allows you to stay connected via satellite internet with the following WiFi plans:

a. Social Plan

Limited access that allows you to get connected via Facebook or WhatsApp
Priced at $14.99 per day, or a discounted $69.99 for a 7-day cruise

b. Surf Plan

Allows you to check your email or surf the web.
Priced at $24.99 per day, or a discounted $99 for a 7-day cruise

c. Premium Plan

High speed internet that allows you to stream videos, music and so much more.
Priced at $29.99 per day, or a discounted $139.99 for a 7-day cruise

#5 Dress Code

On most evenings smart casual attire is appropriate.

On Gala Nights in fine dining restaurants, collared shirts and slacks are required for gentlemen. For ladies, elegant dresses, skirts, or slacks are all acceptable. Jeans, shorts and T-shirts are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants.

You can pre-order formal wear for gentlemen for your cruise by calling Cruiseline Formalwear at (800) 551-5091 or (305) 252-6565 . Your formal wear will be in your stateroom when you board. (Edit: Cruiseline Formalwear is no longer in business so you will have to bring in your own formal wear during formal nights.)

#6 Laundry Services

In your stateroom closet, you will find laundry bags and price lists for HAL’s laundry services.

Onboard coin-operated self-service launderettes consisting of washers, dryers, irons and ironing boards are available on the Amsterdam and Maasdam. Iron and ironing boards are provided at no cost.

For safety reasons, travel irons, and electric water heaters/kettles are not allowed in your stateroom.

#7 Limited Electrical Outlets

All staterooms are equipped with standard 110 AC and 220 AC outlets. All staterooms are equipped with hair dryers. Electrical devices such as small fans , power strips , multi plug box outlets/ adaptors , and extension cords without surge protectors are allowed onboard when used with proper caution.

#8 Ground Transportation

Transfers from the port city airport to the ship and back are available for purchase by calling Holland America Line at (877)724-5425 .

For guests who purchased the Fly Cruise Plan and transfers through Holland America Line, Holland America Line representatives will be stationed in the airport baggage claim area or outside the customs area.

Confirmation of transfer reservation and flight arrival information is required at least 14 days prior to their sailing date.

#9 Excursions

Shore Excursions are available to book online up to three days before sailing or by calling (888)425-9376 to book by phone.

For avid cruisers who would like to heighten their cruising experience with a specialized set of excursions available at select ports, there is a number of collections available for you. You can click here for more details.

a. Medallion Collection – exclusive excursions with small groups b. Encore Collection – showcases hidden gems and inside stories for attractions you’ve already seen c. World Wonders Collection – focuses on natural treasures, architectural marvels and even the seven wonders of the world d. Signature Collection – independent travelers who want to customize their time by reserving their own private transportation e. Cruise with Purpose Collection – cruise with a deeper purpose of giving back and improving our planet

#10 Cruise Cabin Types

HAL offers staterooms with ample closet space, secure safe for your valuables, flat-screen television, and a hair dryer.

Types of Cabins on Holland Ships:

a. Interior Staterooms – cheapest but smallest and without natural light. Perfect for budget cruisers.

b. Ocean View Staterooms – rooms accentuated with gorgeous views of the open sea

c. Verandah and Lanai Staterooms – all the perks of an Ocean View cabin with a private furnished balcony and small sitting areas

d. Suite Staterooms – Holland America has four types of suites differing both in accommodation size and luxury: Vista, Signature, Neptune and Pinnacle.

All suites contain premium duvets, sitting areas and a furnished balcony. Suites can easily accommodate families and larger groups thanks to extra beds or sofa beds.

Neptune or Pinnacle Suite bookings come with private concierge services and the Neptune Lounge, which features a library, a flat-screen TV and refreshments throughout the day.

e. Spa Stateroom or Suite – while similar in size and amenities to rooms in the same category, these rooms earn a “Spa” label thanks to their proximity to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon. Perks include extras like yoga mats and iPod docking stations. Exclusive spa services can be booked for an additional fee.

#11 When & Where Newsletter

When and Where is the HAL’s daily program newsletter. It is sent to your room at night and contains a detailed breakdown of next day’s schedule.

Information it contains: a. Schedule of onboard activities b. Times and location of musical performances c. Onboard dining venue, seating times, dress code and surcharges d. Special offers and discounts on shops e. Important announcements f. Weather forecast g. Ship’s anticipated arrival time and the time of the last tender back to the ship on port days

#12 Beverages On Board

Guests are allowed to bring in bottled water and soda as long as they carry it on board during embarkation.

Wine or Champagne Guests 21 years and older may bring one bottle of wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) onboard in carry-on luggage during embarkation. No corkage fee is charged if consumed in the stateroom. Additional wine or champagne bottles are welcome, but will incur a US$18.00 a corkage fee each, regardless of where they are intended to be consumed.

Purchased Wine or Champagne in Ports of Call Wine and champagne bottles (no larger than 750ml) purchased in ports of call can be brought onboard and subject to a US$18.00 corkage fee each, regardless of where they are intended to be consumed. Guests can opt to have these bottles stored and returned on the last evening of the cruise at no charge.

All other alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of calls as well as all alcoholic beverages purchased from onboard shops will be stored and returned on the last evening of the voyage at no charge.

#13 Infants & Pregnancy

According to HAL policy, “Infants 6 months or younger at the time the cruise commences and women who will be 24 or more weeks pregnant during the course of their travel are not permitted to participate in the cruise.”

Note: Pregnant women must provide a medical note from your physician stating your expected due date and medical fitness to travel.

#14 Muster Safety Drill

Muster Safety Drill is a mandatory drill instigated by the US Coast Guard so guests will know what to do in an emergency situation at sea or when the alarm is sounded. This is done before the ship leaves the dock at the port of embarkation.

Guests will be provided with clear instructions including the following pertinent information: a. Location of their muster stations b. Essential actions to take during an emergency c. How to put on a life jacket

#15 Key Card

Your stateroom key card also serves as your onboard charge card. With the exception of the casino, cash is not accepted for individual transactions on your cruise.

To keep them from getting lost, check out these nautical-themed water resistant badge holders you can use.

Notes: a. You can register a debit or credit card as part of your online check in. On embarkation day, HAL places an initial hold for $60 per person per cruise day on your card. b. Alternatively, you can visit Guest Services and deposit $60 in cash per person per cruise day. Excess deposit will be refunded at the end of the cruise. c. Traveler’s checks may be cashed at Guest Services. Personal checks, however, are not accepted.

#16 Souvenir Photos

At the Photo Gallery, HAL’s talented photographers are available to assist you with all your photographic needs.

Joe Craig Black Label Art Photography An exclusive portrait service offered by HAL to guests onboard the ship. Sittings are limited, so make sure to book early.

#17 Online Check In

Online check-in must be completed through the website at least 72 hours prior to your sail date.

Note: If Online Check-in was not completed at least 3 days prior to departure, you will still be able to print your Express Docs, including the boarding pass, up to the departure date. Guests who have not completed the required check-in prior to departure time may be denied boarding.

#18 Hotel Service Charge

HAL charges an automatic Hotel Service Charge of $14.50 per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $16.00 per guest per day for suite guests. A 15% Bar Service Charge is automatically added to bar and Dining Room wine purchases.

Note: Hotel Service Charges are paid to HAL crew members as part of their compensation.

#19 Luggage Transport Services

Save time and enjoy the perk of not having to handle your bulky luggages when you travel. HAL has the following luggage handling options for guests:

a. Luggage Forward – this option allows you to have your bags picked up at your home and delivered to your stateroom. Upon disembarkation, your bags will be delivered back to your home.

Advantages:

International service
No unpredictable checked bag fees
No risk of airline losing your luggage
Full money back plus $500 on-time guarantee

To Book: You can book online by clicking here , or call them directly at (877)466-2247.

b. Luggage Direct – this option gives you the extra convenience of receiving your airline boarding passes and checking your luggage in to your flight while still onboard the cruise ship.

TSA-approved partners will take your luggage directly from the ship and deliver it to your plane. You will claim your luggage at your final airport destination.

Priority disembarkation
No need to locate your luggage or wait for a porters assistance in the terminal
Avoid lines at the airport

To Book: You can book online by clicking here , or by calling them directly at (877)847-0045. Cost is US$25.00 per person.

#20 Mariner Society

The Mariner Society is HAL’s loyalty program that rewards you points for each day you cruise and for purchases made onboard. You are automatically enrolled after you book your first cruise.

Mariner Society Reward Tiers: a. Star Mariner – 2nd cruise up to 29 cruise points b. 2-Star Mariner – 30 up to 74 cruise points c. 3-Star Mariner – 75 up to 199 cruise points d. 4-Star Mariner – 200 up to 499 cruise points e. 5-Star Mariner – 500 or more cruise points

Click here to know more about the perks of each tier.

#21 Communication

Here are some ways you can communicate onboard HAL ships:

a. Holland America Line Connect

Simply register through HAL’s Navigator App, select “Paid Internet” and choose between a Voyage and a Daily plan.

b. Fax Service

Contact the Front Office if you wish to send a fax.

c. Mail Service

Letters and postcards may be mailed from the ship while in ports of call.
Stamps can be purchased in port or from the Front Office and charged to your shipboard account.

d. Mobile Phones

HAL has a mobile cell tower while cruising on international waters. This way, you can make calls and send text messages while ‘roaming’. Charges and fees are based on your carrier’s international roaming plan.

Note: If you have AT&T service, you may choose from a selection of packages offering discounted rates for international calls, texts and data while on board. Click here for more details.

#22 Babysitting

Club HAL After Hours offer babysitting services for children 3 years and up between 10pm and 12 midnight. Cost is $5 per hour per child.

At other times and for children under the age of three, limited babysitting is available through the Front Office on a volunteer basis. Cost is $8 per hour for the first child and $5 per hour for each other child.

#23 Boarding

Here’s a quick summary of the boarding process: a. Complete your online check-in b. Print your boarding pass c. At the pier, present your boarding pass and all your travel documents d. Have your picture taken e. Take your stateroom key and you’re good to go!

Note: Please remember that you must be on the ship at least one hour before departure.

#24 Seasickness

When you’re on a cruise, getting seasick is a sure way to ruin the cruising experience. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent you from being seasick.

Here’s a few of our recommendations that helps: a. Scopolamine patch (Prescription – prevents motion sickness) b. Dramamine (Over the counter but get the less drowsy kind) c. Zofran (Prescription – helps with nausea) d. Ginger Pills (Natural way to prevent motion sickness) e. Seabands (Naturally prevents motion sickness by applying pressure to certain point on your wrist) f. Choose a stateroom on a lower deck and located mid ship. Rooms closest to the front or the stern of the cruise ship experience most of the rocking motion.

#25 Club HAL Youth Program

Holland America Line’s Club HAL offers an impressive array of entertainment options and age-appropriate fun for kids and youngsters aged 3 – 17.

Programs include arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties. To know more about Club HAL, please click here .

#26 Smoking Policy

Smoking is only permitted on certain designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

Check out HAL’s designated smoking areas by clicking here .

Notes: a. Cigar and pipe smoking

Not allowed anywhere inside the ship except for the Oak Room on the Noordam; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed.

b. Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices

Permitted in staterooms but are not permitted on stateroom balconies. These devices may be used in all designated smoking areas listed above.

c. Any guest caught smoking inside staterooms will be charged US$250 per day of violation.

To learn more about cruising, check out other articles on our site:

1. 33 Things To Pack For A Cruise Besides Clothes 2. Things to Leave Behind When Packing For Your Next Cruise 3. 18 Hidden Costs That Bump Up Your Cruising Budget

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Just an update, Cruiseline Formalwear has gone into bankruptcy and is no longer available for people to rent their tuxedos, etc. Also, suggest Bonine or the generic meclizine as a seasick remedy – it works well and doesn’t provide drowsiness as other methods so.

Thank you for this update Geraldine. I will add it to our post.

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Holland America: 10 things you should know

GUEST POST: EMILY

Why Holland America?

Holland America has long been known to be one of the “old folks” cruise lines. I knew that stereotype had been fading over recent years, but I wasn’t sure how much that had changed until I took my first cruise with the line. I embarked on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard ms Eurodam in January of 2018.

I am a 24 year-old woman, so anticipating a cruise experience on a Holland America ship left me with many questions. What will the ship be like? Will there be enough to do? Will the bars close too early? Should I be concerned that I’m worried about bar hours? Will the pools be crowded? The cruise experience is something that I’m very familiar with. I did not assume that the experience would be drastically different from my cruises on other lines – and it wasn’t. The biggest noticeable difference was no Disney characters and no action-packed activities a la Royal Caribbean.

Returning to my roots!

So, before I dive into things, I want to say that going on a Holland America cruise was a little bit of my returning to my roots, and connecting with my great-grandparents. Holland America Line is one of the oldest cruise lines still in operation, but they were called the Netherlands-America Steamship Company back in the day (1873 – wow!). My grandmother told me while we were on our ship that my great-grandparents (her parents) sailed to America from Europe on the old ms Rotterdam many many years ago. She didn’t remember the exact year, but I hope I can learn that detail someday. My grandmother is my cruise-mate and financier, and I love spending the time with her and getting to travel with her. She’s been on about 13 Holland America cruises herself; she’s a 3-star Mariner with the line and she’ll make sure you don’t forget it!

For those who are unfamiliar with Holland America Line, I will scan in a daily programs at the end of this post, just so you can get a look at the daily onboard activities for a sea day and a port day. If you’ve been on Royal Caribbean, for example, it will look a lot different from the Cruise Compass.

So – without further ado, here are THE 10 things that you should know about Holland America Line!!

1. The Lido Pool –

The Lido Pool is found midship on Eurodam, and most of the other Holland American ships. It’s best feature is the retractable roof – perfect to be open on a warm sunny port day. The Eurodam also sails to Alaska in the summer, so it’s a great area to swim when the roof is closed and the weather is cooler. Sometimes it’s too windy to be at the aft Sea View Pool anyways so it’s a perfect mix of both worlds. Plus, it’s right near the Dive In grill…..which we’ll talk about later…..

Losing my drink

But, going on – I go up to the Sea View Pool for a nice dip with my rum and coke in-hand on our first sea day. Set my drink down on the pool barrier only to have a gust of wind shoot through and knock my drink over! I cried a little on the inside as I approached the bar to buy a replacement, and decided to discover the wonderful world that is the Lido Pool. They had the roof cracked open to let in the right amount of fresh air and sunshine, and my drink was safe and everything was right once again.

2. The Chocolate Surprise –

The Chocolate Surprise was something that was announced near the end of my cruise, and it took place on the last Gala night of the voyage (Gala night is their formal night). Crew from the dining room appeared in the various public venues with trays of chocolate goodies, all complimentary. I tried a chocolate shot and a chocolate rice krispie type cookie. There was SO much more to choose from too. All the chocoholics out there would be coma-induced from this event. I found the crew with these treats in the Ocean Bar on deck 3 and the casino on deck 2. It was a nice added touch and the chocolate eased the last night send-off blues. According to their website, this takes place on all ships fleet-wide.

3. The Ginger Guy –

Okay, so I’m not sure what his official title is, and I tried to research it to find out, but I had no luck unfortunately. So we’ll call him the Ginger Guy (upon further review – one cruise blog referred to him as the “Yum-Yum Man – can anyone confirm or deny?). If you wanted to settle your stomach after dinner, or freshen your breath, he had a cart of ginger candies and mints, as well as dried dates. He would wait there every night outside the dining room entrance and wait for guests to leave. It was such a different thing for me to see on a ship – but a good different! You could stop by and he had little napkins folded into cones that he’d fill with the mints, or he’d spear a ginger candy on a toothpick at your request. This was complimentary as well.

holland america eurodam yum yum man ginger man after dinner sweets

4. Music Walk complex –

Three AMAZING music venues had been added to Eurodam and several other ships in the fleet over the past few years. It is known as Music Walk and it consists of Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard, and B.B. King’s Blues Club. Each part of this experience has its own venue onboard.

Lincoln Center Stage features small ensembles playing classical chamber music. Billboard Onboard is a music lounge featuring dueling pianos and vocalists singing a variety of chart-topping hits from over the last 50 years or so. On the Eurodam this venue is located right next to the casino so if you’re not sure whether you want to gamble or enjoy some music – fear not, for you can do both! B.B. King’s Blues Club features the B.B. King All-Star band, playing funky songs, soul songs, blues songs, and more. The club on the ship even features signature craft cocktails, some of which were pulled from the menu at the land-based B.B. King’s clubs. I loved the music at this venue! The band was phenomenal, and just about everyone that could get up and dance did so.

5. America’s Test Kitchen –

Holland America Line is a sponsor of America’s Test Kitchen, and onboard their ships, you can take part in demonstrative cooking shows. It is based on the actual television series of the same name. Cruisers are able to take part in hands-on cooking experiments as well as relax and enjoy a live cooking show. On Eurodam, these scheduled events were held in the B.B. King’s Blues Club venue during the daytime, as the club would come alive with music in the evening. I did not attend any of the shows for this onboard feature, but in hindsight I probably should have. I love cooking and baking recipes from Pinterest at home so maybe I could’ve learned a few tricks. Holland America was busy introducing this to their ships over the past year, so it should be available fleet-wide by now. HAL’s website features workshop details and the types of cooking shows that you can find on their ships if anyone wants to learn more.

6. The Crow’s Nest –

It’s a bar – no, it’s a game room. It’s a cafe. No it’s an internet cafe. It’s a library. No, it’s panoramic sea views. No, it’s…all of the above? The Crow’s Nest on Eurodam has everything you ever need, so you never have to leave! Need a coffee or snack? Visit the Explorations Cafe! Need a cocktail or mocktail? The bar’s right there! Wanna play a game? There’s two panel shelf units with everything from cards to checkers to Chutes & Ladders to puzzles. Read a book? The library’s stocked! Upload some pics to Facebook or check into your flight home? Luckily there are some computer stations tucked away on the starboard side. And if none of that tickles your fancy, there are some beautiful, large windows so you can sit, put your feet up and watch the sea go by with your cruise companions.

7. The Lido Market –

The Lido Market is the buffet on Holland America. It’s just like your typical cruise buffet with the different stations: meat carving, create your own pasta, make your own crepes or omelettes at breakfast, sweets & ice cream, and more. But, there’s a twist. One of my favorite elements to this buffet was that it was NOT SELF-SERVE!!!!!! How many times have you been on a cruise and watched people enter without using the hand sanitizer at the door, or coughed/sneezed into their hand and go back to get another plate and then they’re touching the serving spoons and tongs with their gross hand? Or someone takes too much food on their plate and you watch half of it get wasted because they can’t finish it?

Food stations!

In the Lido Market, the crew working at the stations ask you what you want. They fill up your plate with just the right amount and there is no need to deal with much food waste. (Hey, maybe you tried something that wasn’t your cup of tea. It happens) No touching unsanitary serving utensils! However, there are pre-portioned small plates and desserts available that you can help yourself to, and you can still pick out your own fruit and bread.

8. The Mainstage –

The Mainstage is the large theater onboard the Eurodam. There is one tip I have regarding balcony theater seats on this ship. My family loves to sit in the balcony seats, usually in the very front row so heads aren’t blocking our view. But, on this ship, the barrier between the balcony and the floor seats was so tall for some reason? We sat down for the first show we attended in the front row of the balcony, and we couldn’t even see the stage! We’re not a short family, more like a mid-size, but we would’ve had to sit all the way forward in our seats in order to see the full production. We moved up to the next row behind us and it was a better view. It was just a very odd thing. Whoever designed that was probably 7 feet tall and had no problem. All the way around the balcony, not one person sat in that front row at the shows we attended.

Eurodam is going into dry dock this April, and I hope they have some updating planned for the theater. Also an extra quick note – at the shows I went to at The Mainstage, I didn’t notice too much bar service in the balcony section. So if you want to enjoy a drink while you watch a show, you should probably stop at a bar on your way there to get one. And, there is a secret cupholder that pulls out of the armrest of your seat!

9. Dive In/New York Pizza –

Everyone looooooves poolside grub, right? Holland America is no stranger to that idea, and they kind of upped the ante. New York Pizza has different pizzas you can choose from on the menu, or switch it up and create your own. The pizzas you can order have NYC-themed names, like Tribeca, which has chicken, cilantro, mozzarella, BBQ sauce, and onion, or the Grand Central that has tomato, basil, olive oil, mozzarella, and pomodoro sauce. They also have pre-made salads and mini-desserts. This restaurant is complimentary and is located by the aft Sea View Pool.

Which leaves us with Dive In. My favorite lunchtime spot.My favorite anytime-between-11am-and-5:30-pm spot. They had specialty hamburgers, hot dogs, and french fries to enjoy in the Lido Pool area. They take your order at the window and give you a pager. When your order is ready the pager goes off and you can go back to the window to pick it up.

My favorite burger was the Cannonball, which had gouda cheese, bacon, and sautéed onions, along with the special Dive In sauce, which I guess was like a zesty mayo? It was a mystery but it sure was tasty. The french fries came plain, or covered in Dive In sauce, OR smothered in melty cheese sauce. I’m not a hot dog person, but my dad and grandmother both enjoy hot dogs and they were not impressed with the hot dogs on the ship. There is a certain brand of hot dogs (Sahlen’s) that they are accustomed to which is native to Western New York, where we live, and I guess these hot dogs did not match up. This restaurant was also complimentary. And I should mention the pizzeria functioned the same way with the pagers when you ordered, and the pizza might take up to a half hour to be ready if the place is especially busy.

10. It’s not just for the oldies anymore! –

Holland America has, for a long time, been seen as an “old folks” cruise as I mentioned at the very start to my list. Maybe they weren’t always for the oldies but the relaxed pace of the ship life drew in a lot of older people. I saw many families with children onboard the Eurodam, and even for the second week of January there was a lot of kids. The ship does have a host of kids clubs and activities, called Club HAL. They have groups for the tots, tweens, and teens. According to the HAL website, ms Prinsendam is the only ship of the fleet not to offer Club HAL.

The music venues of Music Walk attract an array of age groups since the music spans a variety of genres and decades. The entertainment is family friendly. The comedian on our ship, Kevin Jordan, did his set without dropping swear words and got some of the kids in the audience involved in his jokes. They still have the typical bingo and trivia events that always draw in people of all ages.

They even have a website “app” that you can use on your mobile device during the cruise, called the Navigator. It’s free to use when you’re connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi, meaning you do not have to purchase an internet package to take advantage of this. You can pull up the daily activities (no more carrying around the folded up daily brochure in your back pocket!), view your personal account statement, view and book shore excursions, make dinner reservations and view dining menus, and even purchase internet packages (if you desire – the Wi-Fi wasn’t great in comparison with VOOM on Royal Caribbean which I tried last year).

Text message chat

Another cool feature is that you can add a travel partner from your stateroom or another stateroom to a text message-type chat in the app. So you can stay in touch if you split up on the ship. When you get on the ship, turn on the Wi-Fi and open your internet browser and type in login.com and it will take you to the Navigator home page. Then create an account using your name and room number so you can use all the great features.

Should you try a Holland America cruise?!

If you have never cruised on Holland America, I hope this post entices you to try them out! I wasn’t sure how I’d enjoy it as a 24-year old. But I was surprised with all they had to offer once I got onboard. I have cruised with Celebrity and Princess in the past, so if you read this and say, “Hey, me too!” to one or both of those cruise lines, you’d probably really like Holland America. The food was great (Celebrity fans know Celebrity is big on their food), and the pace was nice and easy-going. The crew was not super pushy when it came to purchasing packages onboard. Or reminding you to fill out the survey when you got home (some lines are like that – any come to mind? I won’t name names).

Onboard activities

There was enough to do onboard without having to choose between 2 or 3 different things. The service was so personal and everyone greeted you with a smile and asked how things were going. The cabin stewards and dining crew at your table always greeted you by name as well. Everyone seemed happy to be doing their job. I felt like my fellow guests were friendlier and more willing to strike up a conversation as well. Overall I’d give the whole experience 5 stars. 10/10 would recommend. Emily approves.

Daily schedule – sea day example:

Thanks for much for this one Emily! I have always wondered what Holland America cruises were like. I have to admit I have never looked into cruising with Holland America , I have always just assumed (rightly or wrongly) that the ships were small and therefore boring. Despite not having all the bells and whistles of the newer ships the onboard experience sounds really good. I could be convinced to try Holland America, watch this space!

holland america eurodam emily of the seas

Emily Knab is a college student (for one more semester!!). Hotel desk agent, and full-time cruise enthusiast from New York State. She loves to plan cruises for her friends and family and herself. She has cruised with Disney, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Holland America Line. You can find Emily on Twitter here and Instagram here.

– – –

Saturday 23rd of April 2022

My husband and I will be on our first Holland America cruise ship (Eurodam) to Alaska in September! Thank you for the info! So many things to look forward to!

Emma Le Teace

Friday 8th of June 2018

Absolutely! I definitely don't think that the bigger ships are always better. Some of my favourite ships are smaller ships.

Thanks for commenting Brian! :)

Monday 29th of January 2018

Hey Bob! Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the post :)

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Holland America’s Standby Program: Is This the Best Deal in Cruising?

Holland America Line's Standby Program offers significant discounts for cruises—but with very short notice if you're selected. Here's what to know before taking the gamble.

By Dan Jakes

July 9, 2024

Last summer, Holland America Line rolled out an enticing, novel proposition for cruisers.

In exchange for deep discounts, uber-flexible, adventurous travelers can pay upfront to be added to a standby list for a specific voyage from eligible sailings. If a spot opens up on the cruise, standby passengers are notified that the gamble paid off—though with as little as 2 days' notice in some cases. (Holland America says the standard window is 2 to 7 days before departure; cruisers report the range is typically more like 2 to 5 days.)

The Standby Program , which the cruise line recently expanded to a larger number of eligible sailings, launched with advertised rates as low as $49 per day. Prices are currently $99 per day for an inside or ocean view stateroom, or $129 per day for a Verandah stateroom. Compared to paying full price (as we'll show you in a moment), those numbers are still pretty good, especially considering that the rate now includes taxes and fees (but not gratuities or other add-ons).

Holland America rolled out the program, one of the company's PR specialists told Frommer's, because “circumstances may arise for booked guests where they must cancel a cruise the week before sailing, so this really is to fill those last-minute available staterooms.”

But is the program worth trying for consumers? Here's what to know before you go on standby.

How Holland America's Standby Program Works.

First, find an eligible sailing that appeals to you on the webpage for Holland America's Standby Program . You'll find upcoming sailings to and from Vancouver, Seattle, Boston, Montréal, and other destinations.

To get on the standby list for your preferred cruise, you'll need to call 877/724-5425 .

You'll be charged the standby amount (starting at $99 per day) right away, and Holland America will let you know by phone or email whether a vacancy has opened for you within days of departure.

If you are not selected for the cruise, the amount you paid will be refunded. If you are selected and choose not to go on the cruise, no refund will be issued. So make sure you want to do this.

Guests are selected from the standby list in the order they were added. You can't remove yourself from the list once you're on there.

Your stateroom options are limited to either an inside or ocean-view cabin (if you pay the $99 per day rate) or a Verandah stateroom (for the $129 per day rate). Beyond that, you don't get to choose your accommodations. You get what you get and you don't get upset.

Is Holland America's Standby Program a Good Deal?

Standby cruisers will almost certainly pay less than passengers who book the usual way.

For example: A weeklong "Canada & New England Discovery" cruise this fall from Québec to Boston starts at $1,578 for an interior cabin, while a solo standby cruiser would pay only $693, a savings of 56%. An occupant of a guaranteed-rate Verandah cabin, meanwhile, would pay $2,678 with taxes and fees, while a traveler who's lucky enough to snag that room after a cancellation would only pay $959, a 64% discount.

Because the same per-person standby rate applies whether you're planning to travel on your own or in a double-occupany cabin, the standby option should be especially appealing to those cruising solo.

In fact, cruising YouTuber Ken Bryan of My Travel Window calls Holland America's Standby Program "one of the best values for a solo traveler"—provided, of course, "you can deal with the uncertainty of possibly not sailing." According to Bryan, "You will almost certainly have a better price and more choice with the Holland America Standby Program."

That's largely because solo standby cruisers do not have to pay the dreaded "single supplement," the extra fee that many travel companies charge solo guests as a penalty for missing out on opportunities to upsell phantom impulse buys to your phantom cabin mate.

What Are the Drawbacks to Holland America's Standby Program?

Beyond the risk of disappointment if you don't get the cruise you went on standby for—and the last-minute scramble of it all if you do—the very limited cabin options are probably the first caveat to consider.

Going to the standby list is the cruise line's last-ditch effort to fill beds, after all, so multitudes of travelers have had their pick before you. Is it guaranteed you’ll be stuck in a windowless cell under the nightclub DJ booth? Not necessarily. People with nice cabins cancel, too. But it's important to remember you will have zero avenues for finagling your way to a more desirable cabin if you end up in cramped quarters.

Remember as well that add-ons such as excursions, specialty dining, and onboard packages are not included in the standby rate. Getting a coveted slot on a dog-sledding ride or eating at one of the non-complimentary restaurants will cost extra, so you might be better off shopping around for a discounted (but not standby) voyage with more inclusions. “If you or your travel advisor do some research," says Rob Clabbers, founder and president of Chicago-based Q Cruise + Travel , "you may very well find some sailings at fares that are similar or even lower than the [$99 per day] standby fare—and without the restrictions.”

For $55 per day per person, standby cruisers can upgrade to Holland America's "Have It All" status, which locks in a bundled rate for a shore excursion credit, a signature dining meal, Wi-Fi, and a basic drink package. But if frugality is on your mind—and if you’re even considering a standby cruise, it probably is—then you might want to determine which, if any, extras you absoultely can't live without and pay for them a la carte instead of potentially overpaying for drinks, activities, and specialty dining you could have skipped.

Tips for Trying Standby Cruising

The New York Times described the experience as a “hair-raising, last-minute scramble,” but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case, even if you’re not within driving range of your port of departure.

A smart strategy, during the buildup to bon voyage: Act on the assumption you’re going, but have a backup plan if you get a thumbs down .

Remember, only your cruise confirmation will come at the last minute. You can be proactive in other areas, such as locking in advance rates for hotel accommodations in the departure city and airfare if necessary. In the case of plane tickets, make sure you book an airfare that won't come with change or cancellation fees if you need to alter your plans (budget or basic economy tickets are often impossible to change for free ).

Pick a cruise with a departure city you’ll be happy to spend a few days in . That way, if you get a last-minute no from Holland America, you’ve still got a nice couple days in Seattle or Boston or Vancouver on your calendar.

Since you’ll probably not want to spend a full cruise-length duration paying for a hotel in a port city, one option to make life easier is to book two return flights: one for the scheduled disembarkment, and an earlier one as a backup. Then you can just cancel the one you don’t need and bank the travel credit.

Do some research to find which cruises likely have more vacancies . By starting a mock booking through Holland’s website, you can get a general idea of how booked up a ship is once you reach the cabin-selection page, and/or by comparing costs for the same voyage at different times of the year (if they're going down, the sailing is likely well under-capacity).

A standby spot on a more popular voyage might yield you a worse cabin but save you more money. Likewise, a spot on an undersold voyage may not result in eye-popping savings, but you could wind up with a more spacious stateroom.

At the moment, the standby list is limited to sailings with select departures from Montréal, Boston, Whittier, Seattle, and Vancouver. The Holland America publicist tells us standby fares from San Diego and Fort Lauderdale will be available again soon.

To see a list of cruises eligible for standby rates as well as answers to frequently asked questions, go to HollandAmerica.com .

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20 Holland America Interview Questions and Answers

Prepare for the types of questions you are likely to be asked when interviewing for a position at Holland America.

As one of the oldest names in the cruise industry, Holland America has a reputation for excellence. If you’re lucky enough to land an interview with this company, you’ll want to be prepared to answer some specific questions about your qualifications and experience.

In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer Holland America interview questions so you can make a great impression and increase your chances of getting the job.

Holland America Interview Process

The interview process at Holland America can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Youth Staff or Musician, the process is fairly straightforward and only requires a few steps. For other positions, like Paid Search Manager or Financial Analyst, the process is more involved and may include multiple interviews. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, though some applicants have reported feeling ghosted or disorganized.

Why do you want to work for Holland America?
What is your experience in the cruise industry?
Are you comfortable working with a wide range of people from different cultures and backgrounds?
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict within your team, how did you handle it?
Do you have any experience working on a boat or ship before?
How would you respond if a passenger became angry at you?
Would you be uncomfortable working long hours?
Are you willing to relocate for this position?
What are your thoughts on customer service?
What qualities should we look for when hiring someone for this position?
Describe the best manager you’ve ever worked for.
When was a time that you went above and beyond for a customer?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Working on a cruise ship can be stressful. Have you dealt with stress on the job before?
Can you tell us more about your background in music?
What is your favorite place in the world?
What kind of environment do you like to work in?
We need someone who’s flexible. Will you be able to work weekends, holidays and nights?
What type of music do you play?
What makes you qualified for this position?

1. Why do you want to work for Holland America?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working for their company. It’s important to show that you have done some research on Holland America and can speak positively about its history, values or mission statement.

Example: “I want to work for Holland America because I’ve always been fascinated by the cruise industry. I love traveling and exploring new places, so I think it would be an amazing experience to get paid to do what I love. I also really admire the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.”

2. What is your experience in the cruise industry?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working in the cruise industry. If you don’t have any experience, it’s important to highlight other relevant work experiences and how they relate to the job.

Example: “I worked as a server on a luxury cruise ship for two years before I started my current role at the resort. My previous position was very similar to this one, where I had to interact with guests and provide excellent service. This experience has given me valuable insight into what makes a good cruise experience.”

3. Are you comfortable working with a wide range of people from different cultures and backgrounds?

Holland America is a company that prides itself on its diversity and inclusivity. The cruise line hires employees from all over the world, so it’s important to be able to work with people of different backgrounds and cultures. Your answer should show your willingness to learn about other cultures and adapt to new situations.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with people from different backgrounds. I have worked for companies where my coworkers were from many different countries, and I’ve learned how to communicate effectively with them. I also speak two languages fluently, which has helped me understand cultural differences even more.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict within your team, how did you handle it?

Holland America is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. Your answer should show the interviewer how you can work well with others, even in challenging situations.

Example: “I once worked on a project where my team had to collaborate with another department. The other team was very unorganized and didn’t communicate effectively. This led to miscommunication between our teams, which caused some delays in our project. I met with the other team leader and discussed ways we could improve communication and avoid future issues. We both agreed to hold weekly meetings to discuss progress and any challenges we faced.”

5. Do you have any experience working on a boat or ship before?

This question is asked to see if you have any experience working on a boat or ship. If you do, the interviewer wants to know how it compares to working on a cruise ship. If you don’t have any experience working on a boat or ship, explain why and what your previous work experience was like.

Example: “I’ve never worked on a boat or ship before, but I did work as a bartender for three years at a local bar. The job required me to multitask between serving customers drinks and taking orders over the phone. It also involved cleaning up after myself and my coworkers when we were done with our shifts.”

6. How would you respond if a passenger became angry at you?

Cruise ships are often home to a diverse group of people, and sometimes conflicts arise. Your answer should show that you can handle conflict in a professional manner while maintaining the safety of yourself and others.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they were upset. If it was something I could fix, I would do so immediately. If not, I would apologize for their inconvenience and offer them an alternative solution. If the passenger became aggressive or threatening, I would call security and alert my supervisor.”

7. Would you be uncomfortable working long hours?

Cruise ships are often staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Holland America is no exception to this rule and employees may be required to work long shifts or overtime. The interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with the schedule that’s typical of working on a cruise ship.

Example: “I’m used to working long hours as part of my current job. I enjoy being busy and find it rewarding when I can help others. However, I also know how important it is to take time for myself and have scheduled breaks throughout the day.”

8. Are you willing to relocate for this position?

Holland America is a cruise line that offers cruises to destinations all over the world. As such, they are looking for candidates who are willing to relocate if necessary. If you have no problem with relocating, be sure to mention this in your answer.

Example: “Yes, I am more than happy to move to any location where Holland America has a ship docked. I love traveling and exploring new places, so moving would not be an issue for me.”

9. What are your thoughts on customer service?

Customer service is a key part of working in the hospitality industry, and cruise ships are no exception. Holland America wants to know that you understand how important it is to provide excellent customer service to their guests.

Example: “I believe that providing great customer service is one of the most important parts of my job. I want every guest who comes on board to have an amazing experience, so I always go above and beyond to make sure they’re happy. If there’s something they need or if they have any questions, I’m always available to help them out.”

10. What qualities should we look for when hiring someone for this position?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and what they value in their employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list out specific qualities that you have or that you think are important for someone working on a cruise ship.

Example: “I believe Holland America values hard work and dedication from its employees. I am always willing to put in extra time to make sure my work is done well and on time. Another quality they should look for is customer service skills. As a guest services representative, I would want to ensure that all guests feel welcome and comfortable while onboard.”

11. Describe the best manager you’ve ever worked for.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you’re looking for a manager who can help you grow and develop as an employee. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills or characteristics of your previous manager that made them so effective.

Example: “The best manager I’ve ever worked for was my supervisor at my last job. She was always very encouraging and supportive when we needed her to be, but she also knew how to hold us accountable when we weren’t meeting our goals. She had a lot of experience in customer service, which helped her give us advice on how to better serve our customers.”

12. When was a time that you went above and beyond for a customer?

Cruise lines are in the customer service industry, so it’s important to show that you’re willing to go above and beyond for your customers. This question is a great way to showcase your dedication to providing excellent customer service.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job as a sales associate, one of our most loyal customers came into the store looking for a new pair of shoes. He had been wearing his current pair for years, but they were starting to fall apart. I asked him what he liked about his old shoes, and we found a similar style that would work better for him. He ended up buying two pairs because he loved them so much.”

13. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s used to determine your career goals. Holland America wants employees who are motivated and have plans for their future. When answering this question, make sure you show that you’re ambitious and willing to work hard to achieve your goals.

Example: “I see myself as the manager of my own department at Holland America. I’m very passionate about customer service, so I would love to be able to oversee all of the staff members who provide excellent service to our guests. In five years, I hope to have worked my way up to this position.”

14. Working on a cruise ship can be stressful. Have you dealt with stress on the job before?

Cruise ships are often busy places, and employees may have to work long hours. Holland America wants to make sure you’re prepared for this type of environment. In your answer, explain how you’ve dealt with stress in the past. Share a specific example from your experience that shows you can handle stressful situations.

Example: “I’ve worked on cruise ships before, so I know what it’s like to be working in a fast-paced environment. When I was working as a server at a restaurant, we had a very busy night where we were short staffed. I took charge of my section and helped out wherever I could. We got through the rush without any issues, and our customers left happy.”

15. Can you tell us more about your background in music?

Holland America is known for its live music and entertainment, so the interviewer may want to know if you have any experience in this area. If you do, share your past experiences with them. If not, explain that you are willing to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve been playing guitar since I was a teenager. My parents were always supportive of my passion for music, and they even paid for lessons when I was younger. I played in several bands throughout high school and college, and I also taught private lessons at a local music store.”

16. What is your favorite place in the world?

Cruise ships often travel to many different destinations, so it’s important that you enjoy traveling. This question helps the interviewer learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their team. Answer honestly and try to include details about why you like this place.

Example: “My favorite place in the world is a small island off the coast of Florida called Sanibel Island. I’ve been going there since I was a child, and my family has a vacation home there. It’s such a beautiful place to relax and unwind, and I love being able to spend time with my family while enjoying the beach.”

17. What kind of environment do you like to work in?

Holland America is a cruise line that offers many different kinds of cruises, from family-friendly to more adult-oriented. The interviewer wants to make sure you will be comfortable in the environment they offer on their ships.

Example: “I love working with people and I enjoy being able to help them have a great time. I like to work in an environment where we can all have fun together while still maintaining professionalism. I think Holland America has a reputation for offering both.”

18. We need someone who’s flexible. Will you be able to work weekends, holidays and nights?

Cruise ships often have special events and holidays, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re flexible enough to work when needed. Answer honestly about your flexibility and willingness to do whatever is necessary for the job.

Example: “I’m happy to work any time of day or night as long as I get my eight hours of sleep. I understand that working on a cruise ship means sometimes having to work weekends and holidays, but I am willing to do what’s best for the company.”

19. What type of music do you play?

Holland America is known for its live music, and the cruise line often hires musicians to perform on board. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience playing a variety of instruments and can play in front of an audience. If you do not have professional musical experience, you can talk about your love of music and how you enjoy listening to different types of music.

Example: “I played trumpet in my high school band, but I also really enjoy classical music. My favorite composer is Mozart, but I also like Beethoven and Chopin. When I’m not working, I like to listen to classical music while I read or write.”

20. What makes you qualified for this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this position. Use examples from your experience that show you have what it takes to succeed in this role.

Example: “I am an experienced customer service representative, so I know how important it is to make sure every guest has a positive experience on board. In my last position, I was responsible for answering phones and emails, as well as resolving any issues guests had with their reservations or onboard experiences. I also worked closely with other departments to ensure our customers’ needs were met.”

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Can you bring snacks on a cruise? What to know about bringing your own food and drinks

Between buffets, dining rooms, specialty restaurants and pool deck grills, it might not seem necessary to bring your own food on a cruise . But you'd be surprised by the number of times you find yourself wishing for a granola bar between meals or in the middle of a particularly long shore excursion .

Perhaps you or someone with whom you're traveling has dietary restrictions or medication that needs to be taken with food. Or maybe you've got picky kids who might turn up their noses at dinner or a spouse who has 2 a.m. cravings but doesn't want to spend extra for late-night room service .

So, what's the deal with bringing snacks on a cruise? Is it allowed, and if so, are there restrictions? And can you bring your own drinks on a cruise, too?

Here's everything you need to know.

Note: If you have a special need or dietary restriction, it's a good idea to contact your cruise line's special requests department well in advance of sailing to make sure they will provide the food you need or allow you to bring it on board.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Can you bring food on a cruise?

The short answer is yes, you can. However, there are restrictions that limit the types of food and how they're packaged. You can't, for example, waltz on board with several dozen of grandma's freshly baked cookies or the ingredients to make your own salad.

What kind of snacks can I bring on a cruise?

Cruise ships permit just about any food that's prepackaged. That includes items like granola, protein and cereal bars; packs of crackers and cookies; nuts; beef jerky; and bagged items like chips, crackers and popcorn. It also includes baby food and formula.

Candy is also allowed, so pack all the fruit snacks, M&M's and licorice you'd like.

The catch is that your treats have to be shelf-stable and sealed, so don't crack open a giant bag of Reese's Pieces, Life Savers Gummies or Doritos, eat a few handfuls and then try to board with the bag open.

You should also avoid bringing anything that's fresh, that requires refrigeration or that you prepared at home and put in your own container. If it can spoil at any time during your sailing, it's a no-go.

Can you bring drinks on a cruise?

This answer isn't as simple as yes or no. You can bring drinks, but there are limits, especially when it comes to alcohol.

Each cruise line has its own policy, but generally, each person can bring a limited amount of their favorite nonalcoholic drinks, including water, juice, soda, coffee, sports drinks and energy drinks. Lines that allow it are Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages. Lines that do not allow this are Holland America (with the exception of bottled water, which is allowed in limited quantities), MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Note that all major cruise lines do have alternative milks, including soy and almond. Some also offer oat and coconut milks. If you require a specific type, your cruise line should be able to accommodate you with advance notice, so you do not have to bring your own.

In terms of alcohol policies , just about every mainstream cruise line allows one bottle of wine, sparkling wine or Champagne of up to 750 mL per person 21 years of age or older. Sometimes the line will charge a corkage fee of between $15 and $25 per bottle; some lines will only charge it if you consume the bottle outside of your cabin.

None of the major lines allow passengers to bring their own beer or liquor.

The exception is luxury cruise lines . Because they include alcohol in their fares and don't stand to miss out on the related onboard revenue, they allow cruisers to bring as much alcohol as they'd like, within reason and regardless of type.

All cruise lines will also allow passengers to bring distilled water onto ships for use in medical devices, such as CPAP machines.

How to bring drinks on a cruise

If you're traveling with drinks that don't include alcohol, the most common rule is that each person can have up to 12 cans or cartons. Sometimes plastic bottles are allowed, but you should check with your cruise line to be certain. Glass bottles are almost always prohibited. Drinks must be sealed; open containers aren't allowed, even if they comply with the above rules.

If you're bringing wine, sparkling wine or Champagne, glass bottles are permitted.

All drinks must be carried on and cannot be put inside checked bags for boarding. If they're found in checked luggage during the embarkation process, your bags will be held until you can claim them. You will be required to open your bags in front of security personnel, who will decide if what you've packed falls within your ship's rules. If it doesn't, your items will be confiscated.

With all of this in mind, there are still cruisers who will try to sneak alcohol on board . Don't do it. It's not worth the risk that you'll be caught, have your alcohol confiscated and be labeled a cheapskate or a rule breaker.

Can you take food off a cruise ship? How about drinks?

The answer here, again, depends on the types of food and drinks. In many ports of call, you can have prepackaged items, but fresh ones will be confiscated. In other words, don't expect to grab fresh fruit from the buffet at breakfast to take ashore as a midday snack. You often won't be allowed to have it. In certain ports, including some in Mexico, officials use trained dogs to sniff out any contraband produce.

Ports are often a bit more flexible about drinks. This is especially true in warm-weather destinations where it's easier to dehydrate. Be smart about what you bring, though. Bottles of water (whether single-use or reusable ones you fill yourself) are a better idea than to-go cups of coffee, which are sometimes banned.

Can you bring food or drink items back to your ship from port?

The rules here are similar for what you can bring onto a cruise. You can bring back prepackaged, shelf-stable foods, but you'll want to avoid anything that's homemade, fresh, not in sealed packaging and not shelf-stable. I once had to throw away (read: eat and give away as many as I could before reboarding) six of the most beautiful doughnuts because I didn't realize I couldn't bring them with me back on board. I only found out when a ship security guard told me I couldn't board the tender boat with my treats.

You can also bring nonalcoholic drinks that are sealed and fall within your cruise line's limits.

The difference between bringing alcohol on board in port, versus at embarkation, is that passengers are allowed to do it — but there are stipulations.

Cruise lines understand that travelers often spring for duty-free booze as a souvenir. Should you decide to purchase a bottle (or several) to take home with you, you can bring it back to your ship. However, you won't be allowed to keep it with you.

When you reboard your vessel and pass through security, you'll have to leave your haul with a crew member. They will take your name and cabin number, and you can either pick your purchases up on the last night of the sailing, or it will be sent to your room. The same rule applies if you buy bottles in the onboard shops.

Have cruise questions? TPG has answers:

Packing for a cruise? These items aren't allowed on board
What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
Gentlemen hosts on cruises: Who they are and what they do
What is the Jones Act and how does it impact cruise ships?
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What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
What's the difference between a cruise ship concierge and a butler?

Keyword / Category

Location Select Miami Miramar

Work Style Select Hybrid Onsite Remote

Sr. MAST Data Reporting & Analysis Manager

Job description.

This position is responsible for setting up and managing the global MAST Program, a data analysis team to support benefits realization, gain a deeper level of understanding into the asset, HESS and other operational performance on board MAST vessels and communicate recommendations to improve from these learnings to management.

This role will need to build, lead, and manage a supporting data team around a coordinated global maritime data strategy that centralizes all MAST data sets that are currently siloed across multiple teams. The hired person will need to anticipate business needs and showcase the power of organized data by connecting operational data sources to identify leading indicators and monitor business performance.

Essential Functions:

Lead and mentor a team of professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Provide guidance and support to enhance team members' skills and capabilities.
Responsible for the planning, execution, and oversight of Power BI initiatives within the MAST team. This role will work with stakeholders to understand business needs, build and create dashboards, and ensure the successful delivery of data reporting for leadership.
Support the creation and maintaining of data sets allowing MAST team to analyze asset performance data (for maintenance strategy) and Inventory Data (spare part consumption and replenishment strategy)
Analyze planned maintenance data, trends, and reporting to develop and establish performance metrics / KPI’s and provide data to leadership for executive presentations.
Plans, implements, and evaluates improvements in business processes and practices to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the MAST program.
Conduct reviews on a monthly and quarterly basis to prepare reporting packages for MAST and Brand leadership.
Compiles and tracks improvement project data and reports on status of projects and processes.
Represents MAST by being the Subject Matter Expert in managing access and data requests and answering questions from Carnival Corporation’s Data Management and Analysis group.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree
8+ years of data visualization and data analysis experience
Have a good working knowledge of AMOS planned maintenance system and Oracle database. Data visualization, executive level analysis and presentations, SQL, Snowflake, Power BI, Microsoft office 365, excellent written and communication skills. Background in maritime industry and associated systems and processes is a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Technical Understanding of Data Warehouse and data virtualization
Strong Analytical Skills and Attention to detail
Master’s in business administration (preferred)

Physical Demands : Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

Travel : Less than 25% non-shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions : Work primarily in a climate controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

The range for this role’s base salary is $87,200 - $160,000. Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:

Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
401(k) plan that includes a company match
Employee Stock Purchase plan
Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 7 company-wide holidays, plus an additional floating holiday to be taken at the employee’s discretion.
Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year. All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.
Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement
On-site preschool program and wellness center at our Miami campus
A comprehensive benefit program which includes medical, dental and vision plans
Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage and a 401(k) plan that includes a company match
Paid vacation and sick time
Cruise benefits
An on-site fully accredited preschool educational program located at our Doral campus
An on-site Wellness Center and Health clinic at our Doral campus

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Holland America Line

On Board Trivia

By slotl , June 7, 2010 in Holland America Line

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On our recent Zaandam sailing, Cruise Director Mike would go onto the Mensa website daily to obtain his 15 questions for the daily team trivia. That's what he said anyway. We had a great mix of questions and if anyone disputed an answer, he would pull up the facts on his computer.

I thought the trivia questions were standarized.

On our recent Zaandam sailing, Cruise Director Mike would go onto the Mensa website daily to obtain his 15 questions for the daily team trivia. That's what he said anyway. We had a great mix of questions and if anyone disputed an answer, he would pull up the facts on his computer. Jill

Excellent!! I have been told by many of the entertainment staff that "they just don't have the time" or "I have to pay for computer access the entertainment staff does not get special internet priviledges".

Yes, we had right answers that were wrong on the Zaandam in Jan/Feb. Only one I can remember was: how many Scrabble tiles have a value of 9 points. Well, I play computer Scrabble every night before going to bed and I KNOW THIS! The answer is zero - Q and Z are 10 points, J and X are 8 points. But cruise director Anthony read the answer on the paper: 2, J and X. NO! Even though I explained how I KNEW the answer, he looked at me skeptically. The next trivia session, my sons brought the Scrabble game from the library and SHOWED him. He finally conceded, but the moment was lost - and we didn't get our points...

P.S. CD and DJ told us the questions and answers came from a big trivia book Seattle puts out.

I've had the same Trivia answers, sometimes even with the same wrong answer, on many cruises over a span of years. That's across a lot of ships, too.

One question, with an incorrect answer, in Jan. 2002, was also on the list, with the same wrong answer, a couple of years ago. That time I got it "right". ;)

My favorite had to do with the date Bob Dylan died. (um, he hadn't. :rolleyes:)

I don't know about the "shorter" cruises of 7-10 days, but on the "longer" cruises, trivia is the #1 activity on the ship. My problem is that each ship has it's own series of questions......some VERY WRONG (example: on the Volendam which mainly sails Australia/New Zealand, one of the questions was "What was the 50th state admitted to the United States?" Trivia answer: Alaska.) If you have ever played trivia what they have on their answer sheet is ALWAYS correct - so even if it is wrong, the answer given by the staff is right.) The answers are "old" and sometimes "stale". One of the questions on our last cruise was "how old is Holland America?" Answer given by cruise staff 181 years. Unfortunately, 1853 was the year it began, so even if the cruise member couldn't subtract, the answer given is "correct". On our 55 day cruise, the questions were repeated many times during the voyage because they did not have enough questions. The problem also exists on the daily quizes. If people take back-to-back cruises the questions are repeated and the "new" passengers are at a disadvantage. Suggestion: HAL should create "standardized" trivia and daily quiz questions and distribute to the ship's entertainment staff.....or the trivia and daily quizes already onboard, should be reviewed for accuracy and relevancy. I.e one of the questions was "who is the current PM of Spain". The answer was from 2000 and the person was no longer PM. Any comments?

I always enjoy trivia on board. Just got off the Amsterdam 31May, and we had team trivia at least once a day, sometimes in the Explorer's Lounge, other times in the Queens Lounge, or the Crow's nest. In addition, there was 'food trivia', conducted most days in the Culinary Arts Center (where else?). And most evenings we had music trivia in the Crow's Nest. And of course there was the usual library quiz.

I must say the questions were really challenging for the most part. And very eclectic, with few repeats of anything.

Of course, CD Jimmy Lynett gave the usual spiel about his answer's were always right, but he did offer a free prize to anyone who could show proof other than "Wikipedia" that his answers were ever wrong.

I, too, remember more than one particular incorrect answer that was "correct" for the game. I made the mistake of suggesting after play to Bruce Scudder, one time on the 08 Asia/Australia cruise, that he correct the answer for the future -- that I understood that for that day it was incorrect, but that he really should fix it for the future (it was a simple chemistry question and I am a former chemistry teacher -- he was dead wrong) -- and I was told that he had found the answer on the internet, therefore it had to be correct and that it was my knowledge of chemistry that was off ... he was quite not nice about it.

It is not the incorrect answers that bug me, but the perpetuation of the same questions with the same incorrect answers ...

OK, here is a dream retirement job for someone to put out to HAL -- offer to produce 15 trivia questions a day and email them to all ships -- all ships use them on the same day ..... certainly HAL appreciates the draw of their trivia games -- anyone who has done a Grand Cruise appreciates that -- it could also make life somewhat easier for the CD's -- they could blame the anonymous "trivia service" -- OK, that's it, even better, set up a trivia question service that provides the questions to many cruise lines -- fresh questions each day ... answers double checked through real edited media rather than the internet ....

Isn't it just supposed to be a fun way to pass some time? Some people already know all the answers to all lifes' questions and are one of the reasons why many people tell me they don't participate in trivia anymore. After watching two idiots coming to blows over trivia on a fairly recent cruise we haven't been into it much either. :eek:

English_in_Spain

I wish they would make the questions more 'international'. There should not be questions about US TV series nor should there be questions about which UK soccer team a player plays for.

Keep the questions to those that everyone has the same chance to answer.

On our last cruise the MC accepted Holland as "the same country" as The Netherlands, even though the answer sheet did not list that as acceptable. Holland, of course, is not a country, but just a region of The Netherlands (two provinces in the west) analogous to our New England. :mad:

Krazy Kruizers

Have only done 22 day cruises as my longest cruises. The trivia on those cruises were Tournament style. Everyone formed groups and had to remain in those groups. No new people could join in. Each time there was a trivia game, one team was eliminated until there was only one team left. The majority of the questions came from the Trvial Pursuit game.

Have done quite a few back-to-back cruises and the questions were only repeated once on the second cruise. Most of the crew are aware of people doing back-to-back cruises.

I also like to play trivia, not to win particularly but for the thrill of the game! ( snickers inserted here) I have encountered Many mistakes, most of which can be proved by info available in the library. I was told that the questions and answers are standarized and are printed off daily. Obviously no one ever checks them or corrects the errors!

When President Obama was sworn into office, there was a daily trivia on the cruise I was on with at least 4 errors. I think I annoyed the staff by mentioning it to them particularly because I am Canadian.

Hi Slotl! I, too, remember more than one particular incorrect answer that was "correct" for the game. I made the mistake of suggesting after play to Bruce Scudder, one time on the 08 Asia/Australia cruise, that he correct the answer for the future -- that I understood that for that day it was incorrect, but that he really should fix it for the future (it was a simple chemistry question and I am a former chemistry teacher -- he was dead wrong) -- and I was told that he had found the answer on the internet, therefore it had to be correct and that it was my knowledge of chemistry that was off ... he was quite not nice about it.

I was on 08 Asia/Australia with Bruce Scudder. He is the MOST arrogant, self-centered, egotist CD I have EVER MET!! He knows it all......just ask him.

One of my favorite trivia questions from that cruise (note: the questions on the Amsterdam were much more interesting and challenging than the questions on the Grand Med/Black Sea).

What physicial trait must a chicken have in order to lay brown eggs? Stay tuned, I will post the answer later. Hint: the answer is NOT that the chicken is female.

The most interesting WRONG answer from our last cruise was 'Which country had the most fatalities in WWII?'. Simple answer (to everyone but HAL) was the USSR with over 20,000,000. HAL's "correct" answer was Switzerland. :confused: :confused: :confused:

No one has more fun at Trivia than we do. But ... we can play Trivia at home, for free, and go for the juggular. On a cruise, we play it for the fun and comaraderie. Although it's always a thrill to win, it's enough to know we are right - especially when the CD is wrong. We don't need a keychain to affirm our intelligence. Though we do tend to fight for the mugs. :)

AlexandNessa

I remember a trivia question on the Ryndam being "What is the official credit card of Disney?" It hasn't been AMEX for years, but that was the answer they threw out. I agree that their trivia leaves a bit to be desired.

Only one I can remember...

I thought of another one: which country produces the most trash/garbage. Everyone said the U.S. The CD said Mexico - he didn't even stop to think about what we were saying in "protest" - you can GUESS the right answer to this one.

When I got home, I looked it up because I was curious about whether Mexico was even on the list of top-trash-producing nations -- they're 6th according to this article, with only about 1/7 of what the U.S. produces.

http://greenanswers.com/q/63410/recycling-waste/garbage/what-countries-produce-most-trash/

This is my opportunity to reopen the discussion on trivia prizes.

I haven't been on HAL from my last in 2007 until my recent cruise last month on the Amsterdam.

The cutbacks in expenses were very noticeable in this area.

In the past, the prizes awarded to the winning team got progressively better through the cruise. They started with bookmarks, mouse pads (remember those?), then pins, keychains, pens, better keychains, sun visors, water wallets, fanny packs, them 'dam' mugs, and finished with HAL umbrellas, nice picture frames, and the top HAL MiniMagLite.

Now they gave out various Amsterdam pins, HAL coasters, set of 3 golf balls and tee's, and then the insulated travel mugs.

And they stopped giving prizes for the library quiz entirely.

Sure many people say it's only for the fun of playing. I agree with that, but who doesn't like to win prizes? Even though they are not high value,

they are very nice souvenirs and remembrances, that are unique in that they are entirely different from the line of items that you may purchase in the logo shop. And if you win a few prizes, it's fun to trade them for others that you did not. Or simply give them away, as I have done with excess 'dam mugs' over the years.

Oh, and I miss the 'dam dollars' too.

We enjoy doing the daily quiz....not for the gifts (although I really do have plenty of luggage tags, key chains, umbrellas, and mugs), but for the "joy" of seeing my winning entry posted.

On one cruise (I forgot exactly which one), we participated in the daily quiz on the first day. We lost to someone who answered 20 out of 20 and submitted the entry at 9:05 AM (the questions are available at 9AM).

Day 2, again we entered, again the "winner" (same person as the day before) had 20 out of 20 AGAIN and submitted the entry at 9:07AM.

On the third day, the theme of the quiz was chocolate.....one of the questions was "how many tons of chocolate chips are produced annually to make chocolate chip cookies?". Again 20 out of 20 at 9:10AM.....same person.

Obviously, she took a back-to-back cruise and the questions were repeated on both cruises or she brought "old" quizes with her on the cruise, but obviously she had all the answers at her disposal.

This does not make the game fun!!:( Does she need the HAL prizes so badly, she cheated? ...or did she like to see her name posted on the winning entry? Only she knows.

Bottom line, no matter what HAL does, it won't be good enough to appease all the trivia buffs onboard.

I would like to see HAL create a standard 366 trivia and daily quiz questionnaire and release it to all the ships at the same time each year, then create a new set for the following cruise year. If you notice, your daily food menus are pre-planned and dated on the bottom right.

It looks like the food department in corporate has it more "together" than the entertainment people in corporate.

Wow....looks like we got lucky on our recent cruise. Maybe having a brand new cruise director and DJ helped?? We love trivia too, and CD Mike really did a great job, and he checked conflicting answers the one or two times someone protested (lightheartedly thank goodness).

Hopefully he's not the only cruise director putting a little effort into trivia.

And that's the way it should be!;) More people cruise for the food than people cruise for the trivia!

I was on 08 Asia/Australia with Bruce Scudder. He is the MOST arrogant, self-centered, egotist CD I have EVER MET!! He knows it all......just ask him. One of my favorite trivia questions from that cruise (note: the questions on the Amsterdam were much more interesting and challenging than the questions on the Grand Med/Black Sea). What physicial trait must a chicken have in order to lay brown eggs? Stay tuned, I will post the answer later. Hint: the answer is NOT that the chicken is female.

I'm not certain but I believe that a chicken must have red ear lobes to lay brown eggs.

Take care, Scott & Karen

Hi Lois, I'm not certain but I believe that a chicken must have red ear lobes to lay brown eggs. Take care, Scott & Karen

Hi Scott & Karen,

Congrats!!! That is the correct answer. You were "addicted" to trivia on the 08 Grand Asia/Australia.....just like we were.

luxurysailer

I and my travel companions particularly enjoy team Trivia; however, we'd like to see the name of the game changed to Significa.

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Drawing on both of these, I have put together 11 essential tips to help anyone considering cruising with the Holland America Line. 1: Ensure Holland America is the right cruise line for you. My number one cruise tip is always to make sure you are going on the right cruise line. Lots of cruise lines can take you to the same or similar places ...
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So, the best choice tends to be a land tour first, cruise second. 2. Arrive Early to Anchorage and Enjoy the State's Largest City on Your Own Time. Reindeer Sausage in Anchorage (Photo: Marilyn ...
26 Things You'll Want To Know Before Cruising Holland America
Priced at $14.99 per day, or a discounted $69.99 for a 7-day cruise. b. Surf Plan. Allows you to check your email or surf the web. Priced at $24.99 per day, or a discounted $99 for a 7-day cruise. c. Premium Plan. High speed internet that allows you to stream videos, music and so much more.
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So - without further ado, here are THE 10 things that you should know about Holland America Line!! 1. The Lido Pool -. The Lido Pool is found midship on Eurodam, and most of the other Holland American ships. It's best feature is the retractable roof - perfect to be open on a warm sunny port day.
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Holland American Cruise: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions
The simple answer to this is no. Everything on Holland America (including the local tour guides) will speak in English to you so you wouldn't have to worry about this. During your free times to explore in different cities you may run into needing to know some simple phrases but most people got by just fine with English. 6.
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Holland America's Standby Program: Is This the Best Deal in Cruising?
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Carnival Corporation & plc is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world. Our portfolio of leading cruise brands includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in North America; P&O Cruises, and Cunard Line in the United Kingdom; AIDA in Germany; Costa Cruises in Southern Europe; and P&O Cruises in Australia.
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Fixed dining is to an assigned table at an assigned time usually quite early around 5:30 for the early seating. Many like this option as you can be finished dining for the first theater show. The first day the maitre de will be available for you to state what size dining group you prefer from 2 to 8.
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