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Een terugblik op het afgelopen jaar
(Gewijzigd op 4 februari 2013)

Holland America, Year in Review
Holland America Line had a relatively quiet year operating their fleet of 15 ships, eight of which have been added since 2000. In late October it was announced that the largest vessel in company history had been ordered from the Fincantieri shipyards in Italy. The new ship will arrive in the autumn of 2015. It is projected to have a gross tonnage of 99,000 tons and carry 2,660 guests. Presumably by staying under 100,000 tons, Holland America will market this as a more “intimate” vessel in keeping with their previous reputation.

The Volendam rescued 70 people from an Alaskan sightseeing vessel, the Baranof Wind, which had run aground in Glacier Bay on August 19th. Under the command of Captain Peter Bos, the ship continued on its course, with the new passengers enjoying the remainder of the day cruising the National Park. In another area, Holland America Line has had a long-standing on-again-off-again relationship with Bermuda.
After completing a final season of cruises, the 1,346 passenger Veendam will leave the lovely island in the Atlantic. Nearly all cruise ships have become too large to enter the harbor at St. Georges, Bermuda, and others no longer fit into Hamilton either, leaving only the busy Dockyards area to handle the big ships.

Seabourn Cruise Line has now been fully integrated operationally into Holland America Line’s corporate offices in Seattle. It remains the most luxurious line in the Carnival Corporation portfolio. Beginning in the winter 2013/14 the Seabourn Quest will offer voyages to Antarctica for the first time, enabling the company to say they cruise to all seven continents of the world. The 32,000 ton ship was built in 2011 and carries 450 passengers in all-suite accommodations.

Half Moon Cay Marks 15 Year Anniversary with Upgrades
Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island, celebrated its 15th anniversary this Caribbean cruise season, and to commemorate the milestone the cruise line has enhanced island offerings and features.

Guests to the island will notice five new, colorful, two-story Beach Villas available for rent during each call. The luxury hideaways boast exclusive hot tubs on the second floor and provide private accommodations for guests while they relax and experience the island’s highlights.

Other beach cabanas were refreshed, and the Grand Cabana received new décor and a slide from the cabana deck straight into the ocean.

“For 15 years, Half Moon Cay has continuously been recognized as the most popular private island in the Caribbean, and to celebrate this milestone we have added several new features,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Our guests already rate Half Moon Cay as their favorite Caribbean port call, and these new enhancements will make the island even more enjoyable.”

A new glass-bottom boat that carries 290 guests also was introduced for tours and features underwater viewing of the island’s colorful reefs and sea life. The horseback riding tour is one of the island’s most popular, and six horses were recently added to the herd so more can enjoy the ride.

The enrichment of the island’s features extended to the Bahamian Church, which has been repainted and outfitted with new pews and interior artwork.

The island’s private chapel is nestled in a garden overlooking the sea and provides the perfect setting for cruise guests to enjoy a unique, romantic wedding ceremony or vow renewal.

Over the past 15 years, Half Moon Cay — with its beautiful, crescent-shaped white-sand beach and warm, blue-green waters — has evolved into an idyllic playground for cruise guests while retaining the scenic natural beauty of the 1,700-acre uninhabited Little San Salvador Island. Recently it was named best private island for the 12th consecutive year by Porthole Cruise Magazine.

On the island guests can find solitude just a short walk down the beach or rollicking fun at Captain Morgan’s Bar. Half Moon Cay offers shore excursions ranging from a swim with stingrays to a horseback ride and swim.

The 700-acre lagoon offers water sports on its protected waters. New amenities and shore excursions have been gradually added to Half Moon Cay over the years, always with an eye to protecting the island’s natural beauty and preserving its status as an important migratory-bird sanctuary.