SEATTLE - World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS) members named Holland America Line the Best Overall Cruise Value 2013 for the 21st consecutive year in the publication's annual Best Cruise Value Awards.
Holland America Line also received top marks in the High-Deluxe, 5-Star-Plus, Large Ships category in recognition of its premium cruise experience.
"Everyone at Holland America Line is proud to continue to win this award year after year," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "The cruise industry is continuously evolving, and we are honored that such an esteemed group of travelers recognizes our efforts to continually enhance the Holland America Line premium cruise experience."
WOCLS members are experienced cruisers who take an average of two cruises a year. The society reviews all cruise lines annually, and in its monthly Ocean & Cruise News publication noted, "When we consider the consistency of the product over the years, something that is hard to achieve, the cruise line in 2013 that we continue to feel offers the very best cruise value, to the most cruise passengers, and is therefore awarded our Best Overall Cruise Value award for 2013 is Holland America Line."
"They (Holland America Line) still provide their passengers with an added class and sophistication and numerous small touches that are either overlooked by other cruise lines or have been eliminated as a result of cost-cutting measures," wrote Thomas Cassidy, editor of Ocean & Cruise News. "More reasonable pricing should not mean less quality service and touches."
WOCLS cited Holland America Line's "... Signature of Excellence upgrades, the immaculate appearance of its ships and its friendly and professional Indonesian and Filipino crew, the extra effort to properly train and supervise its staff, the more extensive choice of dinner menus in its main restaurant, variety of alternate restaurants and all the little extras such as canvas tote bags, hot hors d'oeuvres at cocktail time, chilled beer glasses and later lunch hours when in port" as contributing factors to the line's selection as Best Overall Cruise Value of 2013.
To take top honors in the High-Deluxe, 5-Star-Plus, Large Ship category, WOCLS said, "For the same prices, and often less, than those being charged by other cruise lines Holland America continues to provide its passengers with an Old World ambiance, friendly yet excellent service, fine food and many extra touches that passengers do not expect and do not get on other lines within this category. Also adding to the sense of value is the strong consistency of the product that Holland America delivers across its entire fleet."
