Too Many Holland America Cruisers Keep Getting This Wrong

I’ve just spent 44 days out of the last 60 on board Holland America, where I saw way too many passenger mistakes, meaning they were wasting money and missing out on what the line does best. So, I decided to reveal the things I never do when cruising Holland America to help you save money – and have a better time.

Welcome board, I’m Gary Bembridge. And before I get into money saving, here’s how to significantly improve your on-board experience.

Holland America Tip: I Never Miss These Signature Events

To have a great time on board I never under any circumstances miss their signature events.

Orange Night

First of those is the Orange Night. I’m usually not a fan of themed nights, but skipping Orange Night on Holland America is a mistake. It’s such fun.

Most guests and crew will don something orange, a nod to their Dutch heritage referencing the House of Orange Royal Family, and it has three main elements.

A Dutch dinner menu in the main dining room and in the Lido Buffet.

Usually, before the party kicks off, there’s a high energy, interactive and party-like Senior Officer versus Passenger Music Trivia quiz.

Then the party starts with a line dance to YMCA, which passengers can learn beforehand, before the main dance party with live music and Orange-themed drinks.

On those recent cruises it was spread across two venues, The Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard On Board.

But I also I never miss the lower key signature Holland America events either.

Cake Me Away

One of my favourites is “Cake Me Away” which is usually on the last sea day of the cruise. They create a massive display of at least 19 magnificent cakes, including Vegan options, ranging from 7-Layer Chocolate to Cookies & Cream Cake. All are Instagram worthy and delicious.

Chocolate Surprise

Another never miss for me is their chocolate surprise and extravaganza tradition.

Around 9:30pm one evening towards the end of a cruise, waiters will pour out through the music venue with trays of chocolate treats, including chocolate truffles, cupcakes, covered nuts, and more.

Towel Animal Zoo

Another signature is built around Holland America’s long embrace of the cruise classic: towel animals.

As well as Cabin Stewards creating them in you cabin across the cruise, on most cruises early one morning, a massive display, called the Towel Animal Zoo, will appear on the pool deck. And more recently, oversized ones in the stairwells too.

It’s a tradition I think only they have, and I never miss it as soon as it is announced because it doesn’t stay up for long.

But, while Holland America do a great job at these signature events, I always watch out for more cruise specific ones, linked to the specific season or unique occurrences.

Holland America Tip: I Never Miss Their Special Events

I make sure I look out for and never miss these, as while they go all in on these, they don’t always shout about them in the Daily Program.

During those 44 days I was on board recently here are some I made sure I never missed.

Crossing Equator Ceremony

First, as we crossed the Equator, they held “Crossing The Equator” ceremony on the pool deck.

This ceremony is an ancient maritime tradition where “Slimy Pollywogs” (sailors who haven’t crossed before) undergo a series of lighthearted rituals to become “Trusty Shellbacks” (seasoned sailors). It’s a seafaring rite of passage where people undergoing it pay respect to King Neptune, the mythical ruler of the seas.

King Neptune came on board with this bride. The Pollywogs had to kiss a fish, be covered with slimy stuff and get judged if worthy. It’s a fun event and Holland America lay on a big event for it.

St Patrick’s Day & Easter

Second, as St. Patrick’s Day was during my cruise, they staged a big party along the lines of Orange Party. The ship was decorated, with live music and more.

Third, on Easter, they had an Easter egg hunt, and themed cakes.

Boat Building Challenge

And fourthly, unlike on other lines that run these but have them lower key, I never miss some classic cruise events that Holland America make a bigger deal of.

A notable one being the passenger boat building competition, where passengers must make boats from items available around the ship.

Holland America turns it into a big theatrical event on the pool deck, with the Captain and other Senior Officers judging it.

Next let’s talk food and something I do very differently when on Holland America.

Holland America Tip: I Never Skip The Buffet

Something I avoid on most lines, but don’t on Holland America is I never skip the Lido Market buffet, specifically for lunch. Why?

Partly because they have had washing stations and the food is almost all served by crew, but mostly because of their daily lunch feature “Corner” as they call it.

One station in the Lido Market Buffet is dedicated to a different culinary focus each day. And the Chef really goes all in for these, with major displays and interesting options. So much so it attracts streams of people taking photos as well as lining up to enjoy.

During my time on board recently, they had an amazing Seafood corner, Sushi and Sashimi Corner, and International Cheese Corner.

Then as we passed through different countries, they had regional delicacies Corners for Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Panama, and so on. They even had an Empanada Corner, and a Nachos and Taco Corner on other days.

They are something I never miss as it is well done and adds great variety to cruise lunches. But, what about getting better fares and saving money?

Holland America Tip: I Never Book Unless……

I never book a Holland America cruise during a non-promotional period. If you decide you want to book a cruise and go in and book it there and then, you may as well be throwing money away into the ocean!

I have a system when it comes to booking Holland America cruises to unlock the best fares and get added inclusions.

Plus, I have an insider tip from one of their Future Cruise Sales Team on how to unlock bonus on board credit that few know about.

But let’s talk getting the best fares first.

I never wait until the last minute to book. To get the very best deals on Holland America, I found that planning far ahead is the secret. Around about 18 months or more, booking when they launch itineraries. Why?

Not only are fares at their lowest at launch, but they throw in added high-value bonuses into their “Early Booking Bonus Have It All” package.

The Holland America “Have It All” package is already good value bundling at a big discount versus if bought ad hoc, the Signature Drinks Package, Surfing Wi-Fi, up to 3 Speciality Dining slots, and added Shore Excursion Credit.

But the “early booking bonus Have It All” ramps that up.

At no extra cost, it upgrades the drinks package to the Elite Drinks Package, which has more drinks included and a wider range, upgrades from Surfing to Streaming Wi-fi unlocking the ability to watch Netflix, YouTube, and so on.

But in addition, unlike the regular “Have It All”, it also covers Gratuities (or Crew Appreciation as they call it), and for those booking in the USA and Canada a best price guarantee. So, if the fares fall, which is unlikely if you book early, you can still get the lower fare if you ask for it.

Booking early is worth a lot. I estimate I saved and gained almost $1,200 for my recent time aboard, and I tracked my fare and it was lower than people booking later paid.

The second aspect of my system is for when I have not booked early, but decide I want to go on a Holland America cruise.

While I have missed out on the early booking bonuses, I get more value by waiting for ad hoc and seasonal promotions.

I check social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, and the latest marketing emails from the cruise line I have signed up to, to see if any promotions running.

For example, at the time of making this, I checked and if I did want to book now, they’re running an “Anniversary sale” offering promotional fares which include a standard “Have It All” package and give added onboard credit.

But if there were no promotions running at the time I would wait, as they do run them fairly regularly.

You should know that Holland America tend to have three main promotion types.

• First, low deposits. They’re seem very keen on these, offering sometimes as low as £1 or $1 deposit. This is helpful in non-refundable deposit markets like the UK, as means much less risk of losing significant money if I must cancel or change plans.
• Second, they have become keen on promotions offering kids and/or free third or fourth guests to travel free.
• Third, and what tends to be their best promotional offers is during Black Friday. Last one they had 30% off fares plus included gratuities, and free third or fourth guest.

What about that insider tip on racking up lots of on-board credit I mentioned?

Unfortunately for me, not being in the United States, some of this doesn’t apply.

But here’s what she recommends.

• Book on board to unlock the bonus on-board credit of between $30 to $500 they offer when doing that.
• Next be a member of the AARP (which used to be called the American Associate for Retired Persons) as Holland America will add up to $200 more on-board credit.
• Next get more onboard credit added through Holland America’s Community Appreciation Offer if you’re a past or current military, healthcare, first responder or educator.
• Finally, get more on-board credit by applying for a Holland America Line Rewards Visa credit card and spending $1,000 on it to unlock another $200 on-board credit.

Someone on my cruise told me they booked a 17-night balcony cruise and got $1,150 onboard credit doing this.

Holland America Tip: I Never Forget To Check Club Orange

And still on the topic of money, I never forget to check if Club Orange is available. What is it, and Why?

Club Orange is a paid add-on program designed to give non-suite guests some suite-style perks without booking one.

At time of making this, it costs between $15 and $25 per person per day based on length of the cruise.

They only sell limited numbers of the Club Orange add-on per cruise, and it has many attractive upgrades to a cruise.

The three I like the most are:

• First, an upgrade to the best available cabin in the category booked. So, I can pay for the lowest balcony cabin but get a bigger, better located one, often worth more than the cost of the Club Orange fee alone.
• Second, is the elevated breakfast and dinner dining experience. But note, it’s much better on the three Pinnacle Class ships (Nieuw Statendam, Koningsdam, and Rotterdam) than the other ships as those three have a dedicated stand-alone Club Orange restaurant versus just a separate entrance, check in, and added item on the menu within the Main Dining Room.
• Third, the range of priority accesses it gives. These include priority embarkation and disembarkation, tenders, specialty dining reservations, and dedicated priority lines at Guest Services and Excursions.

There are a bunch of others including bathrobe to use in cabin, tote bag, and event. But those top three are the main reasons I never forget to check when booking if Club Orange is available to add.

Click to access Club_Orange_Benefits.pdf

Now let’s talk some more practical but important things I never do.

Holland America Tip: I Never Expect These..

I never expect nor plan to do self-service laundry as Holland America ships do not have guest laundries. Instead, if I do need to do some, I either buy the Full Cruise Laundry Package or wait for the Fixed Price For a Full Bag promotion. By the way, suite guests get unlimited laundry, as do Four-star and above Mariner levels in their loyalty program.

I never forget to put my cruise card into the Slot Machines when playing the casino because it will unlock offers based on play. This ranges from Free Play, to post cruise discount offers, to full free cruises.

I never leave booking speciality dining and excursions until I’m on board as the best days and times of dining and best excursions will usually be sold out if I do. I met so many passengers during my recent time on board disappointed because some of the things they had booked the cruise for, like seeing penguins in The Falklands, were sold out before Embarkation Day

 

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