Luxury Cruising - Holland America

We love the fact that Holland America operates a fleet of modern, midsized, 5 star, traditional style ships and the MS Volendam is one of the most attractive of its fleet.  Spacious public rooms are perfect for sociable conversation whilst elegant staterooms and quiet deck areas provide for private contemplation. The understated luxury of this ship shines and each enjoyable cruise begins with settling in to your ocean view cabin.

Anyone familiar with the Statendam-class of Holland America ships, will quickly find their way around Volendam.  The ship has three distinguishing design features: the aft swimming pool on the Lido Deck, the specialty restaurant, the Pinnacle Grill and a much-needed mid-ship lift bank.

When it was launched in 1999, Volendam had the highest passenger capacity in Holland America's fleet. It is nearly 61,000 tons, with a length of 778 feet, and, in a move that seems quaint now, proved her modernity by being the first ship in the fleet to boast a dedicated Internet centre with some satellite-connected computer stations.

Drawing on the Colonial past of its Dutch roots, Holland America Line has made it a practice over the years to employ Indonesian crew members, touting their friendliness and efficiency in almost all of its corporate literature. Service personnel are primarily Indonesian and Filipino; most officers are European, primarily from Holland.

Another noticeable distinction of Volendam is the manner in which the staff welcome and accommodate passengers. Considerate crew members assist and serve guests and there is never a sense of impatience or rushing.

Julie, our cruise expert, suggests that you sail from Sydney on the flower-filled MS Volendam on 17th April 2010. On this 26 nights cruise you will visit Noumea, Port Vila, Lautoka, Apia, Honolulu and Hilo and arrive into the charming seaboard city of Vancouver on 12th May 2010. Then fly back to Sydney with QANTAS via Los Angeles.

The Holland America cruise includes:

• 26 nights in an ocean view cabin on the Ms Volendam
• port taxes
• all meals
• one way economy class airfare from Vancouver to Sydney (QANTAS)
• Airline taxes

Cost: from AUD5,100 per person, twin share.
Upgrades on the cruise are possible.

Please contact Julie Richards on (02) 8270 4800 or email her at jrichards@conciergetraveller.com.au for more information.