Staterooms

Staterooms are large by industry standards, and much higher proportion have bathtubs (with showers) rather than a shower alone. All Holland America Line staterooms feature the following amenities...

• Luxurious beds and premium linens. The mattresses are supportive, with a soft top. The sheets are high thread count, soft and crisp. Suites have duvets, other cabins have triple-sheeted blankets (blankets are covered by sheets, so everything is easily and regularly washed)
• Daily housekeeping to tidy belongings and keep staterooms immaculate.
• Lighted magnifying mirrors. Helpful for applying makeup or touching up eyebrows (unfortunately, no cruise line's onboard salons offer waxing due to safety considerations)
• Salon-quality hair dryers. The rumor is that the CEO's wife has exceptionally thick hair and was called in to test hair dryers. This paid off, and the 1600 watt hair dryers do a great job
• Luxurious bathrobes - not just the usual terrycloth
• Spa-quality bath amenities. These are high-quality, produced by the same company that supplies the onboard spa. Also, HAL thoughtfully includes moisturizer as well as the usual shampoo, conditioner, body wash and soap (some lines neglect moisturizer)
• Flat-panel TVs with DVD players. There is a lending library of DVDs onboard
• Fresh fruit. They give you a menu so you can choose what type you like
• 24-hour room service. And it's good. They use a warming plate to ensure hot foods arrive hot. Also, unlike some other lines they allow all cabin categories to order a full breakfast (on Celebrity anything less than Concierge class can only have Continental breakfast, on Oceania only suites get full breakfast)
• Complimentary shoeshine service

In general there are six categories of stateroom:

Penthouse Suite

This is the largest and most lavish category. It features...

• A vast verandah, which on Vista ships incorporates a private outdoor hot tub
• Separate dining room for eight
• Separate sitting room for nine
• Small kitchenette (useful when entertaining)
• Guest powder room in addition to master bath
• Vast walk-in closet
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Private stereo system
• Master bathroom with oval tub with whirlpool jets, and a separate shower, and side-by-side pair of sinks

XXBrowse HAL Penthouse photos

Deluxe Verandah Suite

488-700 sq. ft. with verandah, depending on the ship.

This category includes

• Very large verandah
• Adequate seating for entertaining eight people
• Sofa bed that would sleep two people
• Separate dressing room and walk-in closet
• Mini-bar
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Personalized stationary
• Complimentary laundry and dry cleaning
• Binoculars
• Access to the suites-only Neptune Lounge, with a dedicated concierge, canapés and cappuccinos throughout the day

XXBrowse HAL Deluxe Verandah Suite photos

Superior Verandah Suite

362-389 sq. ft. with verandah, depending on the ship. (See deck plans for specific information.)

This category represents exceptional value for money, but it does not include access to the Neptune Lounge. What it does include is:

• Large verandah
• Adequate seating for entertaining six
• Separate writing desk and vanity table
• Side-by-side pair of sinks ("his and hers")
• Bathtub with whirlpool jets (also has a built-in shower)
• Additional glass-enclosed shower separate from the bathtub
• Duvet and "pillow menu" with three types of pillow to choose from

Note: this category is only available on Vista-class ships and Prinsendam.

XXBrowse HAL Deluxe Verandah Suite photos

Deluxe Verandah Outside

These staterooms are the best value if your most important criterion is a verandah.

Size: 284-398 sq. ft. with verandah, depending on the ship. See deck plans for specific information.

Be aware: Verandahs are relatively scarce on the smaller ships so if you require a verandah, and book early. On the larger vessels (Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Noordam and Eurodam) there are an abundance of verandahs.

Deluxe verandah outside staterooms feature:

• Verandah with seating for two
• Seating area with room for three
• Bathtub with shower
• Mini-bar

XXBrowse HAL Deluxe Verandah Outside photos

Outside

Size varies from 171 to 200 square feet. Cabins on the Lower Promenade deck look out onto an exterior public walkway, so do not have as much privacy as cabins on other decks. Cabins with an "obstructed view" have a lifeboat in front of the window; these are cheaper but lack a view.

Outside staterooms feature:

• Window with a view of the water
• Two beds that can be converted to a king
• Seating for three
• Bathtub in most cabins of this category (some have showers instead)

XXBrowse HAL Outside stateroom photos

Inside

Size varies from 171 to 200 square feet. These are the least expensive of all cabins, as they lack a window. Some people consider the cabin nothing more than a place to sleep, and so these cabins are ideal.

Inside staterooms feature:

• Two beds that can be converted to a king
• Seating for three
• Bathtub in most cabins of this category (some have showers instead)

XXBrowse HAL Inside stateroom photos