NEW SHIP REVIEW
Holland America prides itself on being a premium cruise line, and I was delighted to find traditional complimentary perks remain intact in these days of expanding extra charges. Cappuccinos, for example, are offered free-of-charge with meals in the dining room. At breakfast, the orange juice is fresh-squeezed.
Speaking of breakfast, a full complement of hot dishes is available from room service. Eggs are kept hot with special warming plates and your room service steward does not ask for your signature or a tip.
Most cooking demonstrations in the
Culinary Arts Center, even learning to prepare dishes from Le Cirque, are free and include a tasty sample. There is no fee for computer classes in the Digital Workshop, nor for selecting DVDs and watching movies in your stateroom.
STATEROOM STYLE
The 1,053 staterooms come in the usual range of categories, from inside to ocean view to verandah and suites. Two glamorous penthouse suites have both an indoor and outdoor whirlpool, plus a pantry. The 56 Spa staterooms sport special goodies such as a yoga mat, iPod docking and a soothing tabletop water fountain. Beds may be converted from twin to queen-size and come with a blanket in standard cabins, duvets in top level suites. All staterooms come with a
flatscreen TV with DVD player, Wi-Fi, bathrobes, lighted make-up mirror on the vanity and hairdryer. Elemis toiletries are accessed via dispensers affixed to the wall of the shower/tub (interiors have a shower only).
Thoughtful perks include fresh fruit delivered on request and complimentary shoeshine service. Turndown brings chocolates and a cute towel animal. What’s most notable in
staterooms is the new key card system of activating electricity – nothing new for travellers familiar with Europe’s hotels but still quite novel for the cruise world. Sadly, there are no self-service laundry facilities.
choices include troll-caught Alaskan salmon and lobster macaroni and cheese. Tamarind, a lovely pan-Asian dining option ($15), can be tricky to find, but well worth the effort. Together with the Silk Den bar, it is located on Deck 11 amidships. You need to be at the proper elevator bank or staircase (of three) to reach these intriguing sea-view venues. Tamarind, introduced on Eurodam, served my personal favorite dinner, a spicy satay sampler, green papaya salad and Szechuan shrimp. A dim sum lunch is served without surcharge. The two level Manhattan Dining Room opens for dinner at assigned tables (two sittings), or you may dine ‘As You Wish.’ Fresh flowers, one of the line’s signature niceties, adorn all tables. The dining room faces aft and offers three-way ocean views with the ambiance of a Manhattan steakhouse due mainly to its rich red and dark gray décor. For casual dining, the Lido buffet,
poolside Terrace Grill and Slice pizza offer meals from 6.30am until midnight. With separate stations for salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, Asian treats and desserts, waiting time is minimal. Finding an open table either inside or by
the aft Sea View or central Lido pools was never an issue. Getting dinner reservations at the casual Italian hot spot Canaletto, however, was a challenge. This attractive venue located in a forward corner of the Lido is dressed up each evening with white tablecloths and fresh roses.
54 WORLD OF CRUISING I Summer 2011 O
ut on deck, private cabanas have entered the scene. The semi-secluded retreats are found starboard adjacent to the Lido pool and whirlpools, as well as in the exclusive Deck 11 Cabana Club. Each curtained-off space is furnished with loungers and table and chairs and rents by the day ($30- $115) or week ($199-$449). Judging from my recent Caribbean cruise, cabanas have gained a following – book early. Nieuw Amsterdam’s Greenhouse Spa,
forward on Deck 9, offers all the expected treatments, plus a new bamboo stick rub. The spa features a sea-view waiting room, hydrotherapy pool and thermal suite with heated ceramic beds. A well-equipped gym and exercise floor occupies an expansive space forward of the spa. With the exception of Deck 11’s Crow’s
Nest observation bar and Explorations Café for coffees, the Internet and library, public rooms are grouped on Decks 2 and 3. Here, you’ll find the comfy Screening Room for popcorn and current films and an open Shopping Mall, designed without walls, that sells logo items, jewellery, perfumes and duty-free liquor. A classic promenade encircles Deck 3, to the delight of walkers, bookworms and sun- worshippers alike. The always bustling Casino is flanked with bars, including the Casino Bar, a wildly popular sports bar. Each night, the Piano Bar attracts loyal listeners who gather around the piano to sing along to old favourites. The Northern Lights disco, made to resemble a trendy ice bar, was the least used venue during my cruise, likely due
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