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Holland America Line won top honors in four
categories in the 2015 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards. The premium cruise
line took first place in Best Dining (large-ship category) for ms Nieuw
Amsterdam, Best Value-for-Money (mid-sized category) for ms Zuiderdam, and Best
Caribbean Cruises and Best Cruises from Florida for Nieuw Amsterdam in the
general categories not based on ship size.
“The readers of Cruise Critic are savvy travelers who candidly share their
cruise experiences, and to receive these awards based on their reviews is an
honor,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Our mission is
to provide exceptional cruise vacations, and when Cruise Critic members rank us
among the best we know we’re succeeding in creating memorable experiences for
our guests.”
The Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards name the best cruise ships of the year
and are based entirely on consumer reviews of cruises taken in 2014 that were
posted to the Cruise Critic website. The awards are broken into three ship
classes based on passenger capacity (large with 2,000-plus passengers, mid-size
with 1,200 to 1,999 passengers, and small with 1,199 or fewer passengers) and
they are calculated using the ratings submitted in each Cruise Critic member
review.
“Being named to this list of winners is one of the highest forms of praise
cruise lines can receive,” said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise
Critic. “The awards represent the compilation of thousands of reviews Cruise
Critic received over the past year, so it’s truly representative of the
experiences of those who have sailed on the ships firsthand.”
Best Dining (large-ship category) for ms Nieuw Amsterdam
Dining options are innovative and diverse aboard Holland America Line’s fleet,
with each venue highlighted by elegant décor for a one-of-a-kind culinary event.
Guests aboard Nieuw Amsterdam can enjoy the sophistication of the main dining
room or casual dining at the Lido Restaurant, Dive-In at the Terrace Grill and
Slice pizzeria. Alternative restaurants include the award-winning Pinnacle Grill
serving favorites from the Pacific Northwest, Canaletto with Italian fare and a
recently introduced “small plate” sharing concept and the Asian-inspired
Tamarind. All menus are developed by Holland America Line’s award-winning Master
Chef Rudi Sodamin, working closely with the line’s team of highly regarded
international chefs.
Best Value-for-Money (mid-sized category) for ms Zuiderdam
Carrying 1,916 guests, Zuiderdam is consistently ranked among Holland America
Line’s most popular ships. Offering a timeless and refined setting with a cruise
experience that is modern, fresh and full of adventure, the ship highlights the
line’s signature style of service and exciting itineraries. And from B.B. King’s
Blues Club to Dancing with the Stars: At Sea, all of the latest entertainment
offerings are showcased onboard.
Best Caribbean Cruises and Best Cruises from Florida for Nieuw Amsterdam
Sailing seven-day eastern and western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., Nieuw Amsterdam took top honors in both categories for its
unique itineraries that sail conveniently from South Florida. Ports of call
include various combinations of Key West, Fla.; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico;
Grand Cayman; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas;
and Half Moon Cay, the line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas.
Back-to-back seven-day itineraries can be combined to form an extensive 14-day
Caribbean Collectors’ Voyage. |
