Holland America Volendam

The beautiful garden theme of the ms Volendam includes an artful floral motif throughout the ship's spacious public rooms and elegant staterooms (149 of which have private verandahs). "Flowers" can be found in abundance on her public decks and in unexpected places in the forms of floral fabrics and tapestries, as well as huge vases of tropical floral arrangements and chrysanthemums. This beautiful ship accommodates 1,440 guests.

In addition to fresh flowers throughout the ship, Holland America Line has drawn on its stores of incredible artwork to enhance the interior of this beautiful ship's public spaces. Everything from pre-Columbian fetishes and sculptures to Renaissance-era fountains imported from Italy are included in its hallway galleries. At the heart of the ship an elegant sculpture by Luciano Vistosi, inspired by the myriad of moods and colors of a kaleidoscope, greets visitors in a soaring three-story atrium. The ms Volendam completed all Signature of Excellence enhancements to her public rooms and staterooms in Fall 2005.

Sail aboard the ms Volendam in 2006-2007 for a Caribbean cruise, take a cruise vacation to the exotic Hawaiian Islands, or transit the Panama Canal. The ms Volendam also offers cruises to Alaska's Inside Passage and Glacier Bay.

The basic layout of the public rooms of the new ship will be the same as that of the Rotterdam, including the alternative dining restaurant, a lounge featuring an additional dance floor, and a children's room on Sports Deck that also may be used as a meeting or reception room. The new ship also will feature three staircases for the convenience of passengers, as on board the Rotterdam.

The Volendam's alternative restaurant will take on the persona of an "artists' bistro," serving Italian fare, including pastas, pizzas, salads and more in a relaxed setting. Its beechwood walls will feature the drawings and etchings -- reproductions and originals -- of artists ranging from the old masters to perhaps a struggling new talent who may have traded artwork for a meal.

The Casino Bar, in addition to being the ship's sports bar, will feature cinematic memorabilia, including costumes, props, photos and posters of movies and the stars who made them.

The Volendam's main show lounge will feature colorful colonnades against satiny dark wood walls. The decor will hearken back to the Art Deco era, with a design inspired by the famous Tuschinski Theater in Amsterdam, Netherlands.