Explorations Central™ (EXC®), Holland America Line’s exclusive destination programming, is designed to deepen your understanding of the places you visit. It's indispensable travel resources and opportunities to engage with experts and local insiders, make exploring each port of call more vivid and meaningful. Enjoy the programs listed below and visit our Explorations Central discovery centre on board.

EXC Talks

Get an insider’s perspective at these informative onboard talks. In select regions, EXC Talks feature multimedia presentations that bring each destination to life with captivating storytelling and expert commentary.

EXC Culture

Start your immersion in a destination’s culture and history before you even step on shore, with help from local experts, artists and performers.

EXC Nature

Study the natural world in all its beauty and complexity—from landscapes carved over millennia to animals that have made amazing adaptations to their environments.^

EXC Port To Table

Food is the gateway to understanding a culture. Delve into each region’s culinary traditions through onboard cooking demonstrations, and food and wine tastings (fleetwide Jan. 1, 2020).

EXC Photography

Learn to capture your most memorable travel moments with expert photography instruction and unique opportunities to use your newfound skills in port.

Unique Shore Excursions

Choose from our award-winning shore excursions and immerse yourself in authentic, engaging travel experiences—easily, comfortably and conveniently.

Enjoy classical cruise ship music and onboard entertainment. In an exclusive partnership with the world’s leading centre for the performing arts, music virtuosos perform familiar classics and twists on contemporary favourites.

Our partnership with BBC Earth brings their innovative and breathtaking programming to the World Stage. Award-winning soundtracks are performed live as BBC Earth’s incredible wildlife footage fills the big screen. It’s an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a new perspective on the planet.

2 pianos - 60 Years of Chart Toppers - 100s Of Songs. Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night.

World Stage, the largest theatre on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation Cantaré, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage. Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen.

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges onboard. The panoramic view takes center stage in The Crow's Nest at the top of the ship, where you can relax just about any time of day and enjoy your favorite drink.

The Explorer’s Lounge is an elegant and refined space to enjoy a glass of wine, a cocktail, or your favorite liqueur.

This sophisticated venue is adorned with an eclectic and whimsical mix of artwork including portraits, landscapes, still life and abstract pieces. Order your favorite cocktail or try one from our signature cocktail menu created in partnership with our Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff, a James Beard “Who’s Who” inductee.

Enjoy live music in this popular bar perfect for pre-dinner cocktails.

Discover a world-class shopping experience only steps away. The Signature Shops onboard offer a great selection of fine jewellery, watches, fragrances, premium liquor, exclusive Holland America Line souvenirs and more all at tax and duty free savings. You’ll find many famous brands with designer names specially selected with you in mind. Knowledgeable specialists will gladly answer all your questions and are dedicated to providing you with excellent service, helping to make your cruise vacation, relaxing and enjoyable.

As a guest onboard Holland America Line, you are invited to indulge your inner art connoisseur by immersing yourself in the ship’s exclusive onboard gallery and fine art experience. Through exciting live auctions, dazzling gallery exhibitions, enriching educational programs and intimate champagne-sipping enthusiast events, you are destined for a memorable artistic encounter that will ignite your passion for fine art.

Representatives from Park West Gallery bring their expertise to Holland America Line and afford the art novice to seasoned aficionado access to an extensive array of paintings, prints, drawings, watercolours, mixed-media, sports memorabilia and animation art. Park West engages guests in a way that is sure to surprise and delight every level of collector.

Vibrant works of art by world-renowned contemporary artist Peter Max, quiet cottage scenes by Thomas Kinkade and collectable sports memorabilia from favourite athletes are but glimpses of the broad range of exquisite items offered by Park West Gallery to guests on board Holland America Line. Be sure to visit the gallery on embarkation day to pre-register for the art activities and ensure a space in one of the educational programs and champagne events. Gallery event guests also have the opportunity to take home a complimentary gift of art and enter raffle drawings for special art prizes.

Founded in 1969, Park West Gallery has brought fine works of art to more than 1.3 million clients worldwide through events at sea, at its gallery locations in Michigan and Florida, and by select auctions in major metropolitan areas. Every purchase from Park West Gallery comes with a certificate of authenticity, assuring that each is subjected to the highest level of artistic and critical scrutiny. The gallery also offers convenient shipping and framing services so you may easily enjoy your new work of art at home.

It all begins with a great photo taken at embarkation -- the first of many photo opportunities. Your onboard photographers, called "Image Creators" will be with you throughout the cruise, ready to capture that special moment at the Bon Voyage Party, Formal Night, Scenic Cruising and more.

The Photo Gallery on board offers print and digital photos, photo packages and DVDs of your cruise itinerary and voyage. Be sure to take home memories of your voyage that will last a lifetime.

Black Label Photography

Whether the look he captures on film is thoughtful, irreverent or joyous, Joe Craig believes a successful photograph reveals the soul of its subject. He has spent his life perfecting his craft and teaching it to others. See what his approach can show you.

Joe Craig Black Label creates images that blend innocence and sophistication. It’s a great opportunity for you and your friends, family or special someone to capture the memory of your voyage in interpretive photography.

All Black Label artists on board are personally trained by Joe, and studio sessions are complimentary, with no obligation to buy and no sitting fee.

The Step One Dance Company, comprised of six elite dancers, tours the Holland America Line fleet presenting works from notable choreographers who have blended high-caliber dance with technology to create two unique shows. 

Cantaré is back with electrifying performances featuring iconic pop songs and amazing harmonies.

Refresh, Relax and Rejuvenate

During a leisurely day at sea, few places help you refresh, relax and rejuvenate like the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®. This heavenly retreat nurtures every aspect of your well-being with renowned spa rituals and healing touches. In the spa, pamper your skin with facial treatments featuring premium, naturally sourced ingredients. Nurture your body, too, with massage treatments employing time-honoured, hands-on massage techniques gleaned from around the world.

Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Centre equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilates and more or work out at your own pace. You can also head out for fresh air and exercise on deck, where you'll find basketball and volleyball courts, and two refreshing pools (available on select ships). Some classes may have a nominal fee.

The Sea View Pool aft of deck 9 is the ship's open air pool featuring two whirlpools and served by the Sea View Bar and Slice the pizzeria.

The pool itself has a shallow area around the edge of it for sitting in to cool down. This pool is designated for adults only.

The Lido Pool is also located midship on deck 9. It has 3 hot tubs and is protected by a retractable glass dome cover during inclement weather. It is served by the Lido Bar and Trident Grill for light meals and has a bandstand for live entertainment. 

Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Frequent pickler? Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Hesitant amateur? Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in our retail shops — purchase as gifts for avid players or as souvenirs, so that you can always look back on your pickleball cruise memories.

Highlights for kids ages 3 to 6 include a variety of activities, crafts, games and theme parties, such as “Dino-Mite Night” and “Ships Ahoy Pirate Treasure Hunt Adventure.”

From arts & crafts and sporting events to gaming tournaments and theme parties, tweens will have plenty to enjoy.

During the day, teens meet up for sports challenges and group games while our Hosts provide exclusive teen events like Poker Night and Video Game Tournaments at night.

Kids Club activities are available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on port days*. Lunch is not offered as part of this service. Children must be registered and signed into and out of programming by a parent or guardian.

*Hours of operation may change to better serve our guests.

Children with special needs are invited to attend Kids Club activities based on their chronological age. In some cases, parental supervision may be required. Please let us know when booking your reservation.