Mission Statement:
~ Through Excellence, we create once in a lifetime experiences every time. ~
About Us:
With more than 130 years of experience, Holland America Line is recognized as the undisputed leader in the cruise industry's premium segment. With the introduction of the 1,918-passenger ms Noordam in early 2006, Holland America Line's fleet grows to 13 ships, offering nearly 500 cruises from more than 25 home ports. Itineraries range from two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including new Australia/New Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise and popular sailings to several ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Europe.
Holland America Line's $225 million, fleetwide Signature of Excellence enhancements feature new programs and amenities including the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts will provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by the New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new cabin amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
Company Profile:
In 1873, Holland America Line first sailed tall-masted cargo ships from Rotterdam in the Netherlands across the Atlantic. Because it serviced the Americas, the company became known as Holland America Line. Initially, only a few passengers traveled with us. As the popularity of traveling by ship increased, Holland America Line ocean liners became known for their elegant accommodations and premier service. During our first 100 years, we welcomed more than 4.5 million guests. Among those guests were 850,000 people who immigrated to the United States from Europe in search of a better life.
Commercial passenger jets changed the world's travel habits forever. Oceans could be crossed in hours instead of days. However, the desire remained for the elegant ambiance and total escape offered by the great ocean liners. By 1971, Holland America Line had dedicated all its ships to offering the finest cruise vacations available. The deep blue hulls of the Holland America Line fleet are familiar sights in nearly every world harbor. Our ships are as unique as our hospitality.
Although most people associate the Holland America Line name with luxurious cruising, we are in fact good hosts on both land and at sea. Holland America Line includes Alaska's largest land tour company as well as Westmark Hotels and Inns, the largest hotel chain in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Originally founded as Arctic Alaska Tours in 1947, we began showing people the natural beauty of Alaska 12 years before it became a state. Our trademark was, and still is, "A unique exploration of a unique region." Our guests move through the countryside in 175 deluxe motorcoaches operated by our subsidiary Gray Line of Alaska.
Holland America Line is more than a large company, and the individual talents that have brought us success are countless. Everyone working for this company has one thing in common – by instinct, we all enjoy being good hosts. We are extremely pleased with our proud family of employees. Their talents and contributions are an important part of our future success.
EMPLOYMENT
Welcome on board!
Every day, thousands of Holland America Line guests hear this warm greeting as they board our ships. This phrase represents the spirit that inspires our entire company, Holland America Line. There may be more than one thousand job titles at Holland America Line, but all of us have the same goal - to be the world's best hosts. For over a century, we have extended hospitality and world-class service to nearly 10 million guests. We make it our goal to create an excellent work environment for all our staff. It is their effort, loyalty, dedication and talent that are vital to our success and our future.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT:
A commitment to the environment
For many years, Holland America has emphasized environmental awareness,
conservation, waste reduction and recycling in all our operations. Today,
our environmental initiatives positively affect the lives of guests, staff
and the inhabitants of the many regions visited by our cruises and tours.
All of our business decisions are made on the basis of certain fundamental principles. Ensuring safety and protecting the environment are two of the most important of these principles.
This philosophy underlies the new Safety and Environmental Policy. As stated in the policy:
Safeguarding our guests, crews, ships and the environment in which we
live and operate is not only the right thing to do, it is essential to
the successful conduct of our business.
We take care of the oceans:
Our five-star ships are as environmentally sound as they are physically beautiful. We were the first to follow the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) standards for garbage processing and disposal, adhering to the standards three years before they became law.
We take care of the land:
Our conservation measures on land are equally extensive. Guests may choose
from a long list of environmentally sensitive shore excursions with an
emphasis on ecology. In Alaska, where environmental conservation is of
utmost importance, our Westmark Hotels and Gray Line transportation divisions
conduct extensive recycling programs and use environmentally sensitive
products that are federally approved.
As a pioneer in onboard recycling, we introduced a program called "Seagoing Environmental Awareness." The purpose of this program is to educate staff and crew on conservation practices, to encourage suppliers to produce environmentally safe packaging, to use recycled paper products and to eliminate plastic use. Every ship recycles under the program.