After 12 days at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo, Italy, at the end of April, Holland America Line's ms Westerdam features major renovations including new public spaces and amenities, including two for the first time: Explorations Central, or EXC, and Rijksmuseum at Sea.
The renovation includes suite updates, improvements to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, renovations to the Club HAL and The Loft youth areas, and the new Holland America Line logo on the funnels. In addition, 25 staterooms were added, increasing the ship's capacity to 1,964 guests.
Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America Line, commented: “Holland America Line is in a phase of transformation, and that will be reflected in the onboard spaces in the coming years, as the ships are updated with new venues and new programming, which are propelling our brand forward.”.
Holland America Line's partnership with the Rijksmuseum – the Netherlands Museum in Amsterdam – showcases the company's Dutch heritage. With Rijksmuseum at Sea aboard the ms Westerdam, reproductions of some of the museum's most famous masterpieces are on display, along with videos about the museum and its collections shown on in-cabin televisions.
Holland America Line is expanding its immersive destination experiences with the launch of the EXC program in Westerdam, which combines a wide range of travel resources with enrichment opportunities for passengers, making their travel experience more engaging. The EXC program offers a full EXC team to engage with guests, EXC Tours, EXC Destination Guides, an EXC Channel, and an EXC Theater.
Guests have even more entertainment options with the addition of Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard. Through this exclusive partnership, Lincoln Center Stage features an ensemble of musicians performing various chamber music programs nightly, while Billboard Onboard showcases the talents of two pianists in live performances.
Gallery Bar serves an exclusive cocktail menu created by renowned bartender Dale DeGroff and is adorned with an eclectic and whimsical mix of artwork. The completely renovated America's Test Kitchen offers onboard cooking demonstrations and hands-on workshops that combine easy recipes with tailored preparations, while the traditional Lido buffet transforms into the Lido Market, a themed market with a selection of delicious options that guests can enjoy at any time, accompanied by coffee, juices, water, or iced tea.
The suites on board have been updated and include a new USB socket added to the headboard of the bed, LED bedside lights, improved sockets and an illuminated wardrobe rail, and the bathrooms have also been renovated.
The ms Westerdam now features a new ship-wide interactive television system, with large LED flat-screen TVs offering complimentary movies and on-demand television programs, as well as easy access to the daily program and onboard information, including images of restaurants and spa services. Several public areas on the ship have received new furnishings and carpeting, while exterior improvements include new sun loungers by the pool and teak decking.
The ms Westerdam is currently crossing the Mediterranean on 12-day itineraries between Barcelona and Venice or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.
