Veendam

The Showroom at Sea, a contemporary interpretation of a classic nightclub with state-of-the-art theatre technology. Enjoy dynamic concerts and exciting musical productions featuring Broadway veterans, talented illusionists, as well comedians and musicians.

It all begins with a great photo taken at embarkation- the first of many photo opportunities. Your onboard photographers, called "Image Creators" will be with you throughout the cruise, ready to capture that special moment at the Bon Voyage Party, Formal Night, Scenic Cruising and more.

The Photo Gallery on board offers print and digital photos, photo packages and DVDs of your cruise itinerary and voyage. Be sure to take home memories of your voyage that will last a lifetime.

Whether the look he captures on film is thoughtful, irreverent or joyous, Joe Craig believes a successful photograph reveals the soul of its subject. He has spent his life perfecting his craft and teaching it to others. See what his approach can show you.

Joe Craig Black Label creates images that blend innocence and sophistication. It’s a great opportunity for you and your friends, family or special someone to capture the memory of your voyage in interpretive photography. All Black Label artists onboard are personally trained by Joe, and studio sessions are complimentary, with no obligation to buy and no sitting fee.

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

Narrated by well-known radio hosts Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman, the 30- to 40-minute tours include walking directions, interviews with artists, background music and thumbnails of some of the artwork.

Download the ship-specific art tour onto your personal iPod, MP3 or portable media player before you embark on your Holland America Line cruise. Pre-loaded art tours are also available on board.

A muzzle-loading cannon from the 17th Century, found on the floor of the North Sea is one of the more unusual pieces of art onboard ms Maasdam. Other pieces of note include Lebigre and Roger's unique fountain showing fanciful dolphins and sea creatures, two murals inspired by global exploration by famed Dutch artist Gerti Bierenbroodsport and treasures such as the display of a quill pen, ink well and portable writing desk dating back to 1595. 

Discover a world-class shopping experience only steps away. The Signature Shops on board offer a great selection of fine jewellery, watches, fragrances, premium liquor, exclusive Holland America Line souvenirs and more all at tax and duty free savings.

You’ll find many famous brands with designer names specially selected with you in mind. Knowledgeable specialists will gladly answer all your questions and are dedicated to providing you with excellent service, helping to make your cruise vacation, relaxing and enjoyable.

This exclusive jewellery boutique offers a luxury shopping experience paired with unprecedented designs. Selected for their beauty and timeless elegance, the collection includes stunning designs from Le Vian, Tara Pearls, Effy Couture, Forevermark and many more. Guests can meet with the Merabella Manager onboard to learn about these exquisite jewellery pieces.

A "Mix" of drink and music. An innovative meeting place featuring three specialty venues: 

Champagne, for mid-day mimosas or anytime celebrations.

Martinis, for Grey Goose cocktails and martini flights.

Spirits & Ales for microbrews, single malts and sports updates.

It's cocktails and dancing nightly in the luxurious Ocean Bar. The dance band plays the Great America songbook, so relax and make new friends.

Whether you are an experienced gambler or rolling dice for the first time, the Casino offers games for all levels as well as complimentary lessons from friendly dealers and tournaments for veteran players.

The games offered include:

• Table Games - Play Blackjack, Roulette, Craps (select ships), Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em and more.
  
• Slots - From penny to five-dollar machines and multi-denomination games, plus video poker, there's a game for you. You’ll find slot favourites such as Wolf Run, Wheel of Fortune, Super Jackpot Party and more! And the Megacash jackpot, the biggest progressive jackpot at sea, is linked to over 50 cruise ships worldwide.
  
• Cruise Lottery - Guests can play the cruise lottery for a chance to win a 7-day cruise.
  
• Tournaments - Join in the fun of a Slot or Blackjack tournament for that extra chance to win big.
  
• Gaming Lessons - Learn how to play a new casino game with free gaming lessons on board.

The Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times, offers a comfortable coffee house environment where you can browse through one of the most extensive libraries at sea, view a wide array of audio and video programming, or simply read the morning paper.

Guests can also enjoy fresh pastries and their favourite espresso drink provided by Torrefazione Italia.

Internet stations featuring news and email, with free access to The New York Times online edition (wireless hot spots also available for those traveling with laptops) are also available, as well as destinations-related content and travel-related crossword puzzles provided by The New York Times. For those looking for another kind of relaxing activity, there are also large jigsaw puzzle tables.

This panoramic place to enjoy the sunset transforms into a fun dance club after dark as the DJ spins the tunes.

Enjoy a refreshing beverage poolside in shaded seating around the bar or delivered to your sunny chaise lounge.

Watch movies with free popcorn in the ship's movie theatre, or on the giant LED screen on deck. Ship Flicks, a catalogue of over 1,000 DVD titles is also available for stateroom delivery and viewing.

On selected cruises, guests will have the opportunity to participate in complimentary dance classes based on dance routines from the ABC smash hit show “Dancing with the Stars.” This is a chance to learn the basics or new steps.

They will also have the chance to compete in the Dancing with the Stars: At Sea competition. Following an early elimination process, finalists will have the opportunity to take to the main stage with the ship’s dance professionals. One Cruise Champion will emerge, based on the highest combined point total from our panel of three judges, as well as audience participation.

Finalists, plus a guest, will be invited on a complimentary 7-day Champions Cruise to the Caribbean, where the 15 finalists will dance for the coveted mirror ball trophy and the title Holland America Line Dancing with the Stars: At Sea Grand Champion.

Select cruises will also feature dance pros and celebrities from ABC's “Dancing with the Stars”. Guests will enjoy a chance to take photos, get autographs and ask questions. A special fashion show features the glamorous costumes from the show and a dazzling evening production will star the dance professionals and celebrities.

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

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

Facilities include:

• A hydrotherapy pool bubbling with warm, therapeutic seawater. (Available on select ships only.)
  
• Heated ceramic lounge reminiscent of an opulent Turkish bath.
  
• Private treatment rooms, including couple's massage rooms.
  
• Massage therapy inspired by an exotic blend of cultures — from Hawaiian Lomi Lomi to the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage.
  
• The latest exotic skin, body, hair and nail treatments.
  
• Knowledgeable, professional therapists trained to guide you through your spa experience.

Holland America Line makes it easy for you to stay fit and trim while on your journey with fully equipped fitness centres (minimum age for guests using the fitness centre is 16 years old) and sports courts. Fitness centres aboard each ship include exercise and weight training equipment, and sports courts may include tennis, volleyball or basketball. Their broad, generously proportioned teak decks are perfect for walkers and joggers, and when you are finished exercising, cool off in one of the pools. To maintain or achieve optimum health, work with one of the qualified personal trainers or take one of the fitness classes lead by knowledgeable instructors.

Fitness classes may include:

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

Other recreation and fitness facilities include:

• Basketball, ping pong, tennis, volleyball, walk-a-mile
  
• Golf shore excursions in selected ports
  

The Lido pool, located on the Lido Deck, is protected from varying weather by the ship's retractable glass roof. There are also two whirlpools available- the area is served by the Lido Bar and Terrace Grill.

The Sea View Pool is the ship's outdoor pool and is located at the back of the Navigation Deck.

Children, ages 3-7, can participate in such activities as pirate treasure hunts, hands-on pizza making, storytelling, "Little Artists" crafts, ice cream sundae parties and a farewell pyjama party.

All children participating in Club HAL must be completely toilet trained. No diapers or pull–ups are permitted in the Youth Centre. Youth Staff cannot assist children in the restroom.

Tweens, ages 8-12 take part in Xbox and Wii tournaments, relay races, scavenger hunts, karaoke disco parties and participate in the award-winning National Park Service Jr. Ranger Program in Alaska on Alaska cruises.

Teens, ages 13-17 enjoy mocktail mixology classes, late night sporting competitions, teen yoga and hip hop classes, guys verses girls scavenger hunts, cooking demos, tech classes and teen only night club events. When there are more than 100 children onboard, a HAL Talent Show is offered.

Workshops and lively demonstrations for kids and teens offering basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety and recipe instruction. Workshops are offered for two age groups: ages 3-7, and ages 8-15. Demonstrations are open to all ages.

From steel drum lessons in the Caribbean, to tai chi with a master in Asia, to Celtic fiddlers in the Canadian Maritimes—Holland America Line’s "On Location" program brings local culture to life showcasing unique entertainment and enriching activities as well as the cuisine of each region.

"On Location" provides so many experiences for guests to enjoy, like taking a Tango lesson in Argentina, a hula class in Hawaii or searching the southern sky with an astronomer in the South Pacific, the options go on and on. The Culinary Arts Center also comes alive as visiting chefs from along the route add local flavour to cooking shows and hands-on classes. Guests may choose to prepare the perfect salmon in Alaska, make sushi in Asia or learn to enhance dishes with the spices of the Caribbean.

Wine lovers can pair food with the perfect wine as experts from vineyards in Europe, Australia and Chile host tastings.

There will also be a new sizzle to Holland America Line’s menus each day. The onboard chefs will create dishes using locally sourced ingredients, which will delight guests with an enticing array of regional cuisine.

Hosted by the onboard party planner, classes take place in the Culinary Arts Centreholla, a first-class “show kitchen at sea,” or in one of the many bars and lounges. The line schedules classes throughout the day on both sea and port days to fulfil the demand for the culinary program.

Ranging from seasonal cuisine to fruit and vegetable art, the flavourful and fun classes enable guests to learn from Holland America Line’s own professional culinary staff and discover the finer art of entertaining during their cruise. Itinerary themed cooking demonstrations focus on the ship’s sailing region and bring the local flavours on board. When in Alaska, the program offers “Flavours of the Northwest” and “Fresh Ketch.” 

Guests sailing on Caribbean itineraries may learn how to make jerk chicken or shrimp scampi, while those on Mediterranean cruises could prepare pasta with chorizo sauce or a warm crostini with classic caponata and mozzarella.

The Culinary Art Centre features a theatre-style venue, with two large plasma video screens and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn from Holland America Line’s own professional culinary staff. Offered on all sailings and ranging from itinerary based cuisine to fruit and vegetable art, the flavourful and fun classes enable guests to discover the finer art of entertaining during their cruise. Sign up for an intimate hands on cooking class or attend one of the very popular cooking demonstrations in the theatre.

In conjunction with the Holland America Line Beverage team, the Culinary Art Centre offers a Signature Cocktail program where guests can learn how to prepare world class cocktails from one of the ship’s bartenders. Wine tastings hosted by the Cellar Master and Party Planner are also available on every cruise. You can enjoy two different tasting levels – Navigator Wine Tasting or Premium Wine Tasting.

To complete the culinary experience the Culinary Art Centre features demonstrations on the Fine Art of Flower Arranging, Ice Carving, Cake Decorating, Plate Presentation and Garnishing, Easy Entertaining and more. All hosted by the onboard Party Planner and demonstrated by Holland America Line culinary experts, florists, and carvers.