How to Reach “Signature of Excellence Status” with Holland America Exploration Team on Your Side.

For Holland America, "Signature of Excellence" is not just a term; it is an expression of their commitment to continually strive to exceed customer needs. The latest advancement toward this commitment comes in the form of a newly developed Explorations Team.

Consisting of experts in a variety of different fields, the Explorations Team concept promises to be an innovative way to provide yet another valuable source of "edutainment" for Holland America passengers. Including an event planner, a travel guide, dance instructors and a "techspert", passengers will be able to learn through enjoyment in multiple arenas of interest.

Dance directors will be on hand to give lessons on anything from line dancing to ballroom dancing. Each cruise will feature instruction, with opportunities for guests to practice and demonstrate their new found abilities on the dance floors of the Ocean Bar or the Crow's Nest. Dance events will also be offered on the cruise schedule to further enhance the dancing experience.

Party planner. Culinary Arts aboard a ship is a truly unique cruise experience, and Holland America pioneered the events that have so far featured over 70 culinary experts, demonstrating cooking methods and cooking seminars. The addition of a party planner on the Explorations Team will carry the popular culinary concept even further through wine tasting and craft classes, to name a few.

Techsperts. Demonstrating ways technology can enhance vacation memories are the "techsperts" on the Explorations Team. Teaching guests to put vacation photos to best use in scrap booking, lessons on blogging, and answering computer questions are methods these techsperts will enrich passengers.

Travel guides will help guests through one on one interaction for questions on ports of call scheduled for the cruise ship. Guests will find the presentations provided by the guides to be informative and enlightening on the various destinations they will experience. Defining the destination's culture and history will assist in giving the passengers a better understanding of the area once they arrive at the port of call, providing a more enjoyable visit.

Through the addition of the Explorations Team to their quality itineraries, Holland America allows their guests to take the best of souvenirs with them at the conclusion of their cruise: new skills, new talents and new appreciation of the areas they have visited.

Cruising will never be the same again. It has changed for the good. Share your thoughts and opinions at our cruise vacation forum. Let us hear from you what enhancement you hail or decry. We are counting on you to talk cruise and go on a fabulous cruise vacation.