Holland America’s Lanai Staterooms Get Rave Reviews

Holland America Line

 

Holland America Line’s latest Signature of Excellence innovation has received rave reviews from guests on the Veendam.

 

Similar in size to the premium line’s outside-view staterooms, the new Lanai accommodations were recently added to the ship and feature large, sliding glass doors with direct access to the Lower Promenade wrap-around teak walking deck.

 

 Each Lanai Stateroom also features reserved deck chairs outside the sliding glass doors that have a one-way mirrored coating to ensure privacy.

 

 Lanai staterooms will be added to the Rotterdam this year and to three other ships by 2013.

 
The addition of 38 Lanai staterooms on the Veendam is a key feature in the latest round of Signature of Excellence enhancements at Holland America Line.

 

Thirty-two new Verandah staterooms also were built on the aft portion of the ship, along with eight new inside staterooms.

 

All staterooms aboard Veendam also received new decor, modern wall sconces, carpeting, drapes, pillows and bed runners and resurfaced desks and vanities. Bathrooms  received new vanities and cabinetry.

 

 A final stateroom enhancement was the creation of 15 Spa staterooms, including 12 outside converted to Verandah in dry dock and three other inside, featuring a variety of exclusive spa amenities.

 

 The rooms offer their own ambiance with a decor reflecting natural elements and earth tones.

 

 A counter-top water feature in each stateroom provides a natural, ambient background sound, and artwork reflects images in nature. Exclusive spa treatments and a spa room service menu are available only in these staterooms.

 
This next phase in the Signature of Excellence commitment aboard the Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam and Rotterdam includes the resort pool feature called The Retreat, the Showroom at Sea, and the new Mix, which consists of three specialty lounges midship.

 

 Completing the projects will be the addition of Canaletto, Holland America Line’s complimentary casual Italian restaurant, introduced on the Eurodam in summer 2008.

 

Overall, Holland America Line has committed $525 million to its Signature of Excellence program.

RCI Details Oasis of the Seas Dining Options

 

Royal Caribbean Newset Ship Oasis of the Seas

 

Royal Caribbean International executives presented details of the dining options that will be available on the Oasis of the Seas later this year during a live web chat with travel agents and media.

 

Frank Weber, the line’s vice president, food and beverage operations, began the virtual culinary tour by saying that deciding on the culinary options for the ship was a matter of finding the right balance, with restaurants that are familiar to the Royal Caribbean product, some familiar options that have been further developed, and some new concepts.

 

Each option will fit into one of the ship’s distinct “neighborhoods.” Among the neighborhoods and dining options, The Boardwalk neighborhood will feature a Johnny Rockets, a familiar restaurant. It will “be in the center of activity for the first time for us,” said Kenneth Taylor, RCI’s director of restaurant operations. It will offer a large, outdoor dining area.

 

Across from Johnny Rockets will be the Seafood Shack, which will serve items like soups with sourdough rolls, baby back ribs and shrimp. “Surf music with surf sounds will permeate the area,” Taylor said.

 

 The Boardwalk Donut Shop will offer 10 to 15 varieties of donuts with special fillings and other surprises, which will change daily, as well as complimentary coffee and espresso-based coffee drinks for purchase.

 

 The Boardwalk Bar will be available for quick bites, plus wine, beer, liquor and specialty drinks.

 

And the Ice Cream Parlor, a new feature, will be a 1950s-style serving classic fountain treats, as well as sorbets.

 

 In the Central Park neighborhood, 150 Central Park will be “our most exclusive dining venue on Oasis of the Seas,” Weber said. It will feature tasting menus and “an extraordinary wine selection,” he said.

 

Chops Grille, a familiar concept, will offer outside dining on the Oasis of the Seas.

 

Giovanni’s Table will replace Portofino (found on other RCI ships) and offer Tuscan cuisine in a “more casual, more active” setting, according to Weber.

 

 Park Café will offer quick service with sandwiches, salads and soups, as well as full meals, with indoor and outdoor seating.

 

 And Vintages wine bar is an evolving concept with a tapas menu and indoor and outdoor seating.

 

The Royal Promenade neighborhood will include Sorrento’s, a familiar restaurant on the Freedom-Class ships, with pizzas and other items. On the Oasis of the Seas, passengers will be able to walk up to counter, make a special request and watch as the chef prepares a customized pizza.

 

 And Cafe Promenade, a familiar option on the Voyager and Freedom-Class ships, will offer coffees, pastries and sandwiches.

 

 The Mondo Café, a new addition to the Royal Promenade, will feature coffee, sandwiches and pastries native to countries like Italy, Spain and Cuba.

 

The Pool and Sports Zone will feature the Solarium Bistro, located adjacent to solarium pool, which will offer wholesome, healthy fares buffet-style for breakfast and lunch and a full-service, health-conscious menu for dinner with individual items containing 500 or fewer calories.

 

The Wipeout Café, located in the teen area, will feature ice cream, hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, pizza and other teen-friendly items.

 

 The Vitality Café, near the spa and fitness center, will offer health-conscious smoothies, teas and snacks.

 

The Windjammer Marketplace will be similar to the Windjammer Cafes on other RCI ships.

 

And Izumi will be a new, Asian restaurant with a sushi bar and a hot rock concept, where food is served on superheated volcanic rocks.

 

Some of the restaurants require a cover fee or offer a la carte items for a nominal fee. The Solarium Bistro, Chops, Giovanni’s, 150 Central Park, the Seafood Shack and Johnny Rockets have a cover charge.

 

 Izumi offers an a la carte menu, and Vintages charges a fee for certain items. The Oasis of the Seas also will feature My Time Dining, whereby passengers can make reservations for whatever time they prefer and can request a specific waiter and table.

 

And, beginning July 9, passengers booked on an Oasis cruise can make reservations for any of the specialty restaurants on the online at www.royalcaribbean.com, said Adam Goldstein, RCI’s president and CEO.