For the twentieth consecutive year, the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS) have named Holland America Line “Best Overall Cruise Value 2012” in their annual Best Cruise Value Awards.
In addition to this highly sought-after prize, Holland America Line have also won an accolade in the High-Deluxe, 5-Star-Plus, Large Ships category too, in recognition of the company’s premium cruise experience.
Thomas Cassidy, editor of WOCLS noted that:
“One of the main reasons Holland America Line continues to capture our yearly honour for the best overall value in cruises is that it puts forth an extra effort to offer a number of features that other cruise lines believe are not necessary or too costly to provide.”
“Holland America Line has consistently offered their passengers more than any other comparable cruise lines and they definitely offer extraordinary value for cruise travellers.”
Speaking of the accolades won by Holland America Line, Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs commented:
“To win this award continuously for two decades is an incredible achievement for Holland America Line and a testament to the hard work and dedication we put into providing the finest cruise experience to our guests. We are honoured that such an esteemed group of travellers recognise our commitment, and we will continue to invest in developing our product and brand.”
WOCL noted several features that helped Holland America Line win the “Best Overall Cruise Value” award in particular, these were:
“[the]upgrades, the impeccable appearance of its ships and its friendly Indonesian and Filipino crew, the extra effort to properly train and supervise its staff, the more extensive choice of dinner menus in its restaurant, alternate restaurant and lido and all little extras such as canvas tote bags, hot hors d’oeuvres at cocktail time, chilled beer glasses, a no-charge ice cream bar and later lunch hours when in port.”
In addition, in order to win in the High-Deluxe, 5-Star-Plus, Large Ship category, WOCLS stated that “for the same prices being charged by other cruise lines, simply put, Holland America provides an ambience and a level of service, across its entire fleet of ships, which exceeds the other cruise lines in this category.”
About The World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society:
The World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, which was founded back in 1980, is one of the oldest and largest cruise organisations. Today it is comprised of thousands of experienced cruisers who take on average two cruises per year. The society publishes a 16-page monthly publication giving members all the necessary information about the cruise industry. Because the publication carries no advertising and the organisation are not a travel agency trying to sell you a holiday, you can trust its information to be unbiased and therefore invaluable when planning your next cruise. The society makes it their business to provide reviews of all major cruise lines each year.
About Holland America Line:
Holland America Line has a fleet of 15 elegant mid-sized ships which sail to all four continents on more than 500 cruises per year, visiting 98 countries, territories or dependencies.
Fleet-wide, Holland America Line are dedicated to their $500 million “Signature of Excellence” enhancements program, which is being invested into improving their ships; the changes range from new facilities and public spaces to added services and amenities.
Holland America Line have won many prestigious awards, including the highly sought-after Five Star Diamond Award from The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, plus the company boasts one of the highest rates of repeat guests in the industry.
