Volendam

Refined and luxurious, the Pinnacle Grill represents the pinnacle of exceptional dining. Creative, innovative menus featuring choice sustainability raised beef and premium seafood delight the palate.

Named for the famous 18th Century Venetian artist, the Canaletto Restaurant is adjacent to the Lido Restaurant dining area. “Spartire” is the Italian word for sharing; the new menu is designed around this authentic Italian experience and offers a variety of dishes to enjoy and share with family and friends.

Food on offer includes a selection of antipasti, soups and salads, ranging from minestrone soup to tomato, cucumber and olive salad, pastas such as seafood linguini and spaghetti and meatballs and desserts including tiramisu, ice cream and chocolate mille-feuille.

On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. Behind the scenes, master chefs have brought flavours to perfection. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable five-course dinners designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the main dining room is your destination for elegant dining aboard.

As You Wish Dining- Flexibility is the hallmark of Holland America Line's As You Wish dining program, and in the main Dining Room, it’s your choice of a traditional pre-set seating and dining time or a flexible open schedule.

One level of the two-tiered restaurant will offer a flexible/open dining service from 5.15pm to 9 pm daily, and the other will host two seatings, an early seating at 5.45pm and main seating at 8pm. Pre-set dining times are subject to change based on itinerary. Guests selecting flexible open seating may make reservations daily during a cruise up to 4pm, or simply walk up anytime during dining hours.

Holland America Line has added another famous partnership to its innovative culinary program as it enters into an exclusive agreement with the illustrious Le Cirque restaurant to offer “An Evening at Le Cirque” in the Pinnacle Grill. Master Chef Rudi Sodamin worked with Le Cirque’s Executive Chef Craig Hopson to re-create the legendary eatery’s whimsical ambiance and award-winning dining experience onboard — from serving the amuse-bouche on fanciful orange Le Cirque china to featuring the restaurant’s famous crème brûlée.

For at least one night per voyage, the Pinnacle Grill will transform into a Le Cirque–like atmosphere. On these special evenings, menu offerings, wine selections, table decorations and the restaurant setting are tailored to create an authentic Le Cirque dining experience that is sure to impress both the eyes and palates.

Located in the centre of the Lido deck, the Lido Restaurant offers relaxed dining, extensive menu selections and as always, impeccable service from an attentive, yet unobtrusive staff. Bountiful breakfasts feature fresh-squeezed orange juice, cooked-to-order omelettes, pancakes, fresh fruits, natural cereals and yogurts. For lunch, cuisine from around the world, including Asian stir-fry, sushi, pizza, pasta, gourmet sandwiches and an extensive salad bar. At dinner time, the Lido features waiter service and entrées from both the Lido and main Dining Room menus. Dine indoors in air-conditioned comfort or enjoy the fresh salt air on deck.

Located outside on the Lido Deck, the Terrace Grill features portable buffet bars offering pizza, nachos, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings, sandwiches and gourmet sausages.

Whether cruising the tropics where it's sunny and warm or enjoying the cooler destinations under an insulated sliding glass roof, enjoy a relaxed lunch poolside at the Terrace Grill.

Explorations Café on the Upper Promenade Deck features a bar serving speciality coffees and pastries.

The King's Room is an annex of the Rotterdam Restaurant and is available for private dining.

It's cocktails and dancing nightly in the luxurious Ocean Bar on Deck 5. The dance band plays the Great America songbook, so relax and make new friends.

Up on Deck 9, this panoramic place is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset, and then stay as it transforms into a fun dance club after dark, all whilst the DJ spins the tunes.

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

Enjoy a drink and cheer with friends as you watch your favourite teams.

The Casino Bar on the Upper Promenade Deck both serves the casino and acts as the ship's sports bar airing various sporting events on the overhead screens.

Coffees, drinks and liqueurs are served to the classical sounds of the Adagio Strings.

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.

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.

After dinner, take your seat in the ship's magnificent show lounge for a dazzling show.

The lounge, located over the Promenade and Upper Promenade Decks, is the ship's main show lounge- enjoy dynamic concerts and exciting musical productions featuring Broadway veterans, talented illusionists, as well comedians and musicians.

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 onboard.

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.

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.

Holland America Line is known for the extensive art collections onboard each of its ships. Now, fine art goes high tech. 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 30-40 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.

As a guest onboard Holland America Line, you are invited to indulge your inner art connoisseur by immersing yourself in the ship’s exclusive onboard gallery and fine art experience. Through exciting live auctions, dazzling gallery exhibitions, enriching educational programs and intimate champagne-sipping enthusiast events, you are destined for a memorable artistic encounter that will ignite your passion for fine art.

Representatives from Park West Gallery bring their expertise to Holland America Line and afford the art novice to seasoned aficionado access to an extensive array of paintings, prints, drawings, watercolours, mixed-media, sports memorabilia and animation art. Park West engages guests in a way that is sure to surprise and delight every level of collector.

Vibrant works of art by world-renowned contemporary artist Peter Max, quiet cottage scenes by Thomas Kinkade and collectable sports memorabilia from favourite athletes are but glimpses of the broad range of exquisite items offered by Park West Gallery to guests on board Holland America Line. Be sure to visit the gallery on embarkation day to pre-register for the art activities and ensure a space in one of the educational programs and champagne events. Gallery event guests also have the opportunity to take home a complimentary gift of art and enter raffle drawings for special art prizes.

Founded in 1969, Park West Gallery has brought fine works of art to more than 1.3 million clients worldwide through events at sea, at its gallery locations in Michigan and Florida, and by select auctions in major metropolitan areas. Every purchase from Park West Gallery comes with a certificate of authenticity, assuring that each is subjected to the highest level of artistic and critical scrutiny. The gallery also offers convenient shipping and framing services so you may easily enjoy your new work of art at home.

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.

Black Label Photography- 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 on board are personally trained by Joe, and studio sessions are complimentary, with no obligation to buy and no sitting fee.

Discover a world-class shopping experience only steps away. The Signature Shops onboard 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.

The Wajang Theatre and Culinary Arts Centre is on the Promenade Deck of the ship, and as well as hosting cookery demonstrations, it is also used as the ship's cinema.

Guests on Holland America Line cruises can learn how to display and share their vacation memories through the Digital Workshop powered by Windows. This enrichment program offers free, informative sessions that are led by a Microsoft-trained "techspert" on a variety of relevant topics such as:

• How to take, edit and enhance better photos

• How to post your photos to the web or email them to friends and family back home

• How to create blog entries, videos, scrapbooks and more

The Digital Workshop offers many free, easy-to-use photo sharing tips and tools, so it's not necessary to be an expert photographer or an experienced computer user to benefit from the program. The workshops showcase state-of-the-art technology provided and maintained by Microsoft -- including Windows8 computers, printers, scanners and a wireless network -- and conveniently have their own dedicated space on each ship. Flat-screen TVs in each session allow for easy viewing of videos and "techspert" demonstrations.

The jargon-free interactive classes include:

• Editing your cruise photos

• Turning your cruise photos and videos into a slide show

• Getting your photos out of the camera and into the computer

• Advanced editing of your cruise photos

• Sharing your cruise photos via email and the Internet

• PC safety and maintenance

• Learning fun ways of staying connected with instant messaging and webcams

• Learning the basics of staying connected through social networking

• Understanding the basics of your digital camera

• Learning what PC is right for your lifestyle and how to find the best offers

• Seeing how Windows 8 can simplify your PC and your life

Guests can choose to attend all or just some of these 60-minute workshops, each of which will be offered at various times and days throughout each cruise. Multiple workshops will be held every day. In addition, one-on-one coaching called "Techspert Time" will also be available every day.

Scheduling of classes can be done on board only and cannot be pre-reserved prior to sailing.

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 on-board party planner, classes take place in the Culinary Arts Centre, 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.

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 [except ms Prinsendam.]

• 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.

Because the Greenhouse Spa & Salon is such a popular destination, you are encouraged to book spa appointments in advance from your My Account page. After you sign in to your account, click "My Reservations," then "View My Itinerary" to browse available spa treatments and services. You can also book appointments once onboard.

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:

• Fully equipped Fitness Centre

• Classes in low-impact aerobics, yoga and Pilates

• Basketball, ping pong, tennis, volleyball, walk-a-mile, shuffleboard, Giant Chess Set
  

• 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 Lido Deck.