Those looking to take a cruise are faced with a dizzying array of choices, among which is the venerable Holland America Cruise Line. Holland has for many years been the cruise line of choice for the more mature traveler. The senior demographic has flocked aboard to enjoy HAL’s exceptional cuisine, outstanding onboard enrichment programs, and elegant mid-size ships – but families and couples seeking a more lively premium cruise atmosphere have passed over HAL and more often opted to sail with competitors Princess or Celebrity lines instead.
Let’s put it out there. While Holland American offers a first-rate cruise experience, rich in gracious tradition and elegance – it has also been saddled with the reputation for being—perhaps – a tad bit “stuffy.” One of my associates recently described HAL as the “old fogey” cruise line. Passengers looking for something fun to do after, say, 9 pm could be hard-pressed to find a place to plug in. HAL has had problems making it to the short list of options for many regular cruisers.
Well, if you have previously passed on sailing HAL, read on – because things are a-changing at Holland America!
Top leadership in the cruise industry typically comes from people who have worked their way up through the ranks. It’s not unusual to find top echelon leaders who began their careers as business development managers, or even reservation agents. Holland America took a major departure from this model when they brought Orlando Ashford on as President of the cruise line in November 2014. Not only was Ashford a total newbie in the cruise industry – he had never even set foot aboard a cruise ship!
With few preconceptions, it is not surprising that Ashford brought fresh vision to HAL. He quickly established a goal of preserving the traditional essence of Holland America while enhancing the brand with contemporary touches and innovative flair. Under his fresh new direction, HAL is poised to offer much broader appeal to new and exciting demographics.
Bottom line: Passengers who currently love Holland America will continue to love the cruise line. But with exciting new ship launches on the horizon and major updates scheduled for the existing fleet …new family-friendly programming and staterooms …and enhanced entertainment options, an entirely new demographic will enjoy the elegance and tradition of a HAL cruise with an exciting fresh twist of contemporary innovation These changes are sure to enhance the shipboard experience for all.
If you are someone who:
- Loves to travel
- Appreciates luxury
- Seeks exceptional value
- Are destination driven
- Want authentic experiences
- Are excited to learn
- Appreciate rich heritage & classic style
- Enjoy culinary excellence & destination-driven menus
We suggest you consider Holland America for an upcoming voyage! Contact us today for ship and itinerary options! Our cruise expert will be delighted to work with you to plan an unforgettable cruise experience that you will talk about for years to come.