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Holland America Line’s first Vista-class cruise ship, Oosterdam recently emerged from dry dock with exciting updates—including completely refreshed suites and new lounge, dining and entertainment venues, such as Music Walk™, with Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Billboard Onboard. Guests can choose from among delectable specialty restaurants, hone culinary skills with America’s Test Kitchen and thrill to BBC Earth Experiences
Seattle is known as the ‘Emerald City’, and just like the home of the Wizard of Oz in the fairy tale, it is a magical place. Rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities, after Melbourne and Montreal, it boasts among its citizens three out of the world’s ten richest men, including Bill Gates, head of the mighty Microsoft Empire. The city’s emergence as a trend-setting and fashionable metropolis with sky-high property prices has occurred in less than 200 years, since it was founded in 1869.
Sitting at the extremity of the United States’ northwest, at the gateway to Canada, Seattle reaches for the sky with its landmark soaring ‘space needle’, built in the 1960s, a modern monument that epitomises the city’s image as a high-tech, dynamic and young community.
Seattle is not a place that fosters couch potatoes. Visitors and locals alike revel in the outdoor activities the city’s situation provides for. Seattle sits on the shores of two large lakes and Puget Sound, with remote wilderness less than an hour away, and it is flanked by two major mountain ranges (Olympics and Cascades), with Mount Rainier in full view from the city. It is also within easy reach of the San Juan Islands, Pacific Ocean beaches and major rivers.
This active city lends itself to walking tours, particularly around the two main tourist areas, the waterfront and Pike Place Market. In addition, 80 percent of the city limits are surrounded by water, so tour boats also abound. To fully enjoy Seattle be prepared to go boating, and bring a comfortable pair of shoes.
Nicknamed Hollywood North for the ever-present film crews, Canada’s west coast gem of Vancouver is young, thriving and diverse, boasting the perfect combination of wild natural beauty and all the modern conveniences. Named after Royal Navy sea captain George Vancouver, who sailed into the Burrard Inlet on the British Columbian coast in 1792, Vancouver was barely even a town 100 years ago. Today, more than two million people call it home, and the shiny futuristic towers of Yaletown and the downtown core contrast dramatically with the snow-capped mountain backdrop, providing ample beauty among the bustle of Canada’s third biggest city.
Approximately the same size as the downtown area, the city’s green heart is Canada’s largest city park, Stanley Park, covering hundreds of acres filled with lush forest and crystal clear lakes. Visitors can wander the sea wall along the exterior of the park, catch a free trolley bus tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride or visit the Vancouver Aquarium housed within the park. The city’s past is preserved in historic Gastown with its cobblestone streets, steam powered clock and quaint feel, though this is combined with expensive souvenir shops and galleries aimed at tourists. Neighbouring Chinatown, with its weekly market, Dr Sun Yat-Sen classical Chinese gardens and restaurants adds an exotic flair. For some retail therapy or celebrity spotting, there is always the trendy Robson Street.
During the winter months snow sports are the order of the day on nearby Grouse Mountain, perfect for skiing and snowboarding, although the city itself gets more rain than snow. Vancouver’s incredible ethnic diversity and combination of mountains, sea and city, offers visitors an endless supply of things to see and do, no matter the budget.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
At Holland America Line, we believe travel has the power to change the world. It enriches us as we discover new places, cultures and people. It’s this belief that drives our guiding purpose to help make the world a better place through opening minds, building connections, and inspiring a shared humanity.
For 145 years, Holland America Line has been carefully crafting your next journey. Our fleet of 14 spacious, mid-sized ships offer a classic style of cruising to more than 425 ports of call in 100+ countries on all seven continents.
To this fleet of 14 ships, we welcome our second Pinnacle-Class ship, Nieuw Statendam, when she debuts in December 2018 for her inaugural season in the Caribbean. Sister-ship to Koningsdam, her addition means that you now have twice the Pinnacle-Class experience.
For travelers looking for the most complete and immersive culinary experience at sea, you’ll enjoy dining influenced by our global culinary council of seven world-renowned chefs. The Dining Room is renowned for everyday excellence, while restaurants like Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, and Canaletto offer specialty options. You can enjoy an extensive wine selection, chosen by our Wine Curator James Suckling; and spirits enthusiasts appreciate our classic cocktails, with direction from our Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff. But the experiences don’t stop there, as you can hone your skills with America’s Test Kitchen and explore the culinary side of destinations through exclusive culinary excursions by FOOD & WINE magazine.
Through exclusive partnerships with highly acclaimed brands in entertainment and personal enrichment, Holland America Line ensures both days and nights are filled with delight and inspiration. Music Walk® features live performances at Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Billboard Onboard. The Mainstage features exclusive live performances and state-of-the-art theater technology. And you will enjoy fun and life-enriching activities and workshops in partnership with BBC Earth; O, The Oprah Magazine; America’s Test Kitchen; Microsoft Windows; The New York Times and Rijksmuseum.
As part of our collective social responsibility, the company, employees, and guests have joined together to give back to communities and organizations around the world. Whether it’s donating shipboard items to an orphanage, cleaning up a neighborhood park, walking 5K onboard to raise funds for cancer research, or donating money to disaster relief, Holland America Line and our employees share time and resources to make a difference.
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience. Because travel is more than an itinerary. It has the power to change us and our world. Journey by journey.
Prices are per person, double occupancy, and do not include government fees, taxes, or airfare unless otherwise noted. Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. While we do our very best to ensure that information and pricing appearing in this website is complete and accurate, we cannot be responsible for incomplete and inaccurate representations, which may or may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing error, misrepresentation or omission, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing or make any other corrections.
We create customized corporate cruises and floating conferences for companies and organizations or groups.
Our corporate cruise events are an excellent way to provide you a cost effective and memorable brand awareness, marketing opportunity or incentive to make you money.