Sometimes, you may be planning a trip with friends or family. Finding a solution that makes everyone happy may not seem easy. We need diverse travel experiences that welcome everyone.
One place to look is Holland America Cruise Lines. During a recent cruise, we discovered that Holland America Lines (HAL) caters to nearly every demographic.
Who would be comfortable on a Holland America cruise?
No matter the age or cut of your jib, Holland America offers onboard and shore activities to tempt even the most eclectic traveler.
Here are some of the travelers who will feel at home at sea on Holland America:
- multigenerational group
- LGBTQ+ community
- Couples and solo travelers
- Adult
Why choose Holland America?
HAL has been in the cruise business for over 150 years. They've evolved and transformed their business over that time, but they've always put their customers first.
At Holland America Line, we believe that travel has the power to change the world. We believe our higher purpose is to make the world a better place by opening hearts, building connections, and sharing our humanity.
generations of travelers
If you're planning a trip that includes every member of the family, from great-grandparents to newborns, Holland America should be high on your list.
Activities for Everyone
They offer a variety of onboard activities and shore excursions that will delight everyone in your group. Every trip has its own level of activity or difficulty. We also provide helpful passenger reviews to make your choice easier.
We were happy to see a variety of food and wine activities both on and off the ship. If you or anyone in your group is a “foodie,” you’ll find plenty to keep you busy.
There are also alternatives such as bus rides, hiking trips, and beach activities that give you an overall view of each destination. We toured the Cretan Botanical Gardens and enjoyed seeing the local plants in full bloom.
Supervised age-specific onboard activities are also available for children, tweens, and tweens.
Food for All Ages
Let's talk about eating. There are many options for all ages. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main dining room. I really enjoyed breakfast at the restaurant because it was quiet and the food was delicious. You can sit alone or with other guests. It's a great way to meet other people if you're so inclined.
Lido Market, located on the Lido Deck, offers a more casual cafeteria environment and you'll find plenty of options for a meal or snack throughout the day. Pizza, pasta, salads, ice cream, snacks and more can be enjoyed all day long.
The Dive-In is a poolside grill serving Nathan's hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and more.
Oosterdam has 2 specialty restaurants: Pinnacle Grill, which offers traditional steakhouse specialties, and Canaletto, which offers Italian cuisine. Both require reservations and include additional fees.
Children are also welcome at any restaurant that offers menu items that children will enjoy, such as mac and cheese, pizza, and chicken fingers. There are also half orders from the regular menu offerings.
LGBTQ+ Traveler
When we recently sailed on one of their cruises, we immediately noticed the diversity of their guests. Everyone was clearly comfortable and felt free to be themselves. We saw many LGBTQ+ passengers traveling in couples, families and even alone. The staff certainly goes out of their way to make everyone on board feel at home.
Needless to say, it was important to us. A ‘meet-up’ was held every night where LGBTQ travelers came together. This definitely made us feel welcome.
Couples and solo travelers
We have seen countless couples celebrating anniversaries, weddings and going on vacation. There are many places on the ship where you can escape and enjoy some privacy. If you wish, you can enjoy romantic dinners, spa treatments, private excursions, and more.
If you're looking for a more active lifestyle, we have a full fitness center with a variety of classes to choose from. There is also a basketball court, volleyball court, and pickleball court! It's also a great way to get involved and meet new people. I will confess that I picked up a basketball and shot a few hoops when the court was empty. The muscle memory is still there and it's still in your wrist. It was fun to rekindle the old basketball Jones flame.
Singles will also feel right at home, as there are plenty of opportunities to take part in activities on board, including cocktail-making classes, lectures about the ports you'll be visiting and quiz contests.
entertainment on board
Every night the ship turns into an entertainment center. After dinner, you can enjoy some time at one of the many music venues. There are different types of music such as music quiz, karaoke, dance, R&B, top 40, old standards and jazz. The Rolling Stone lounge in Oosterdam featured pop, rock and country music and had plenty of space to dance or enjoy a cocktail.
senior traveler
Even those who enjoy slow travel will find ample opportunity on Holland America ships. Relax on the outdoor deck and read a good book. There is always a corner where you can get away and enjoy the sea air and light breeze.
Some of your group may like the nightlife and casinos, but we found ourselves going back to the little lounge with a jazz trio every night which we enjoyed. The music was relaxing and the musicians were fun and talented. It was also a great place to have a nightcap.
It's also good to know that Holland America offers many tours that are accessible and easy to do for many people who want to explore but have restrictions or don't want to worry about getting around.
Holland America offers a variety of travel options
One look at Holland America's cultural framework and core values and you'll understand that they take their mission seriously.
- Protect ourselves and the environment
- Take pride in everything you do
- Curious and constantly evolving.
- Celebrate our differences
If you're looking for a cruise experience that caters to a diverse group of people, consider Holland America. Check out HollandAmerica.com for more information on specific cruises and prices.