Holland America Reintroduces Guest Tours of Restri...

When you’ve ever questioned how a Holland America Line cruise ship actually operates, you’ve acquired to look previous the general public areas and staterooms and discover the inside workings of the vessel. 

That chance is as soon as once more a actuality, for the reason that cruise line has resumed providing its behind-the-scenes ship excursions.

These insider peeks at locations most passengers won’t ever see can deliver a brand new perspective to cruise visitors, who might be given guided excursions of their ship’s bridge, principal galley, laundry operations, the engine management room, and different areas.

Friends who join the tour, which carries a price ticket of $179 per particular person and might be booked on the road’s website online as a shore tour, will meet the crew members who work within the varied departments.

“We hear so usually from visitors who’d like to see the bridge or the place our cooks put together their meals. By bringing again this tour expertise we’re pulling again the curtain to those areas which are hardly ever visited,” stated Carole Biencourt, vice chairman of onboard income at Holland America Line. 

“It’s a captivating take a look at the inside workings of a cruise ship, and visitors love assembly the crew members who work behind the scenes to create such a memorable expertise,” Biencourt added.

A number of the ship’s officers — maybe even the captain, chief engineer, or govt chef — will work together with visitors and supply insights into the operation facilities. And there are some perks for visitors who ebook the tour, together with a particular lanyard, a memento picture, and a commemorative certificates.

The excursions are being supplied on some ships now and might be expanded to the entire fleet by the top of July 2025.

The cruise line is getting the phrase out in regards to the excursions through social media. A put up invitations visitors to “step into the guts of the ship with uncommon entry to the bridge, galley, engine management room, and extra! Plus meet the unimaginable crew who make all of it run easily.”

The $179 price ticket, nonetheless, acquired mixed reviews from commenters.

“That’s approach an excessive amount of cash to be proven across the ship,” wrote one cruiser.

“It was supplied on my cruise final month..however I discovered it too costly..would have cherished to have accomplished it in any other case,” commented one other.

Others expressed a whole lot of curiosity within the excursions.

“Oh my gosh…I might love to try this. That’s so cool,” stated one.

Added one other: “Would love this. I hope they’ve obtainable on my subsequent cruise on the finish of August.”

Firsthand Account: My Tour of the Line’s Zuiderdam

The $179 tour value however, take it from somebody who just lately participated in a ship tour just like the one described — do it, you’ll find it irresistible. 

Whereas crusing aboard Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam on a Canada/New England cruise in fall of 2024, I joined a media group tour of the 1,900-guest ship, hosted by the cruise director.

We began out on the bridge, the place one of many senior officers defined the ship’s huge pc system and confirmed us how nearly all the vessel’s operations are monitored 24/7 from the bridge.

From there we acquired a take a look at the principle galley, the place the lion’s share of the ship’s meals is ready and cooked, then continued into the principle laundry space. 

Learn Additionally: What a Cruise Ship Engine Room Looks Like

This was an actual eye-opener: large bins holding clear sheets, bathrobes, and towels stuffed the massive area, and crew members stood at large tables folding every one of many objects with care and precision.

Holland America Line just isn’t the one model providing ship excursions. Carnival Cruise Line does as nicely.

It’s Behind the Enjoyable tour is much like Holland America’s and it additionally fees for the exercise. The payment varies based mostly on the ship. For instance, the value ranges from $90 on ships like Carnival Radiance and Carnival Sunshine, rising to $150 on Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras.