Cruise ship tour: Holland America Line's Volendam

The Volendam was built by Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy, in 1999.

Christened by tennis star Chris Evert, the Volendam is the third Holland America ship to be named for the town north of Amsterdam.

Shown here in a painting by maritime artist Stephen Card, the first Volendam was a 15,434-gross-ton liner built in 1922 that operated for HAL until it was retired in 1951. It was scrapped the following year.

Shown here in another painting by Stephen Card, the second Volendam was originally Moore-McCormack Line’s Brasil of 1958. It was sold to Holland America in 1972 and sailed on and off for the company until 1983. After a long career for various owners, it arrived at Alang, India, for scrapping in late 2004.

This Stephen Card painting shows the current Volendam as built - before alterations were made to its superstructure.

When the Volendam was refitted in 2006, the top portion of its superstructure was extended forward to allow the expansion of the spa and gym area (the rectangular windows) above the bridge.

The Volendam and its near-twin, the 2000-built Zaandam, each have a traditional funnel that is distinguished by hoop-like tubing around its base.

The uppermost of Volendam’s nine passenger decks, Sky Deck (10) features an open sunning area that surrounds the radio mast.

This is a view facing aft from Sky Deck, showing the midships pool area and the walking track on Sports Deck (9).

Sky Deck resumes aft of the funnel with the Retreat, an outdoor recreation space that was originally designed for teens but is now for the use of crew.

The next level, Sports Deck, features a walking track that encircles the midships Lido Pool area.

Sports Deck features several shuffleboard courts near the base of the funnel.

There is a basketball court on the starboard side of Sports Deck.

There is a tennis court on port Sports Deck.

A crescent-shaped terrace on aft Sports Deck overlooks the stern.

This is a view of the aft Sea View Pool from Sports Deck.

Shown with the sliding glass-and-steel Magrodome open, the all-weather Lido Pool on Lido Deck (8) features a large pool and jacuzzi, plenty of sunning space and a bronze dolphin sculpture by Susanna Holt.

The Lido Bar serves the Lido Pool area.

The open-air Sea View Pool is on aft Lido Deck.

There is a sheltered terrace overlooking the Volendam’s wake on aft Navigation Deck (7).

There is a nice observation terrace on forward Verandah Deck (6).

Another sheltered terrace is located on aft Verandah Deck.

In a time-honored Holland America tradition, the Volendam boasts a gorgeous teak-lined, fully encircling promenade on Promenade Deck (4). Three-and-a-half times around equals 1 mile.

Situated in a lofty position above the bridge on Sports Deck, the 220-seat Crow’s Nest observation Lounge offers wonderful views through full-length windows on three sides.

A cozy seating area on the port side of the Crow’s Nest.

There is a nook with marquetry decking on the starboard side of the Crow’s Nest.

Club HAL is a playroom on aft Sports Deck.

In Club HAL, computer stations are available for preteens.

The Loft is a teen venue adjacent to Club HAL.

The Greenhouse Spa is located on forward Lido Deck.

The Greenhouse Spa has separate men's and ladies' changing areas.

This is a typical single treatment room in the Greenhouse Spa, where massages and skin therapies are available for a fee.

This is a couple’s treatment room in the Greenhouse Spa.

Greenhouse Spa patrons have access to a thermal suite with heated stone loungers and a jacuzzi.

There is a private open terrace for the exclusive use of Greenhouse Spa patrons on the starboard side of Lido Deck.

Traditional saunas are available for guests’ use in the Greenhouse Spa.

The Greenhouse Spa has a beauty salon for hair and nail treatments.

Accessed via the Greenhouse Spa, the Fitness Center is open to all guests and features a stretching area, free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment.

The Lido Market is a casual buffet-style eatery on Lido Deck that seats up to 394 guests.

The Lido Market has numerous stations, including hot entrées, a deli, a salad bar, Asian, pasta (shown) and desserts.

At night, a portion of the Lido Market becomes the extra-tariff Italian Canaletto eatery.

The Neptune Lounge is a concierge lounge on midships Navigation Deck (7) for the exclusive use of Pinnacle and Neptune suite guests.

Complimentary specialty coffees, beverages and snacks are available throughout the day in the Neptune Lounge.

The double-deck Mainstage is the Volendam’s showroom. It begins two full levels of public rooms on Upper Promenade (5) and Promenade (4) decks.

The Ocean Bar is located on the starboard side of Upper Promenade Deck, just aft of the Mainstage. It features a large dance floor with brass inlays and full-length windows on its starboard side.

A series of shops follows the Mainstage on the port side of Upper Promenade Deck, overlooking the Atrium.

The Casino is on port Upper Promenade Deck.

A large shop is on the starboard side of Upper Promenade Deck, just aft of the Atrium.

The Mix is a sports bar complex on Upper Promenade Deck that begins with a beer and whisky bar.

Martini’s is situated in the middle of The Mix bar complex on Upper Promenade Deck.

The Wine Bar is located in the aft portion of The Mix bar complex on Upper Promenade Deck.

Merabella is a high-end jewelry boutique on Upper Promenade Deck.

The Hudson Room is a meeting room on Upper Promenade Deck.

This the forward portion of the Explorations Cafe, a combination library, reading room and specialty coffee venue.

Guests can purchase specialty coffees and other treats at the Explorations Cafe, then settle in for a good read.

The aft portion of the Explorations Cafe has several computer stations (Wi-Fi is available for a fee), reference books and board games.

The handsome Explorer's Lounge on starboard Upper Promenade Deck is the setting for the Lincoln Center classical music venue.

The Future Cruises desk is situated between the Explorations Cafe and the Explorer’s Lounge on Upper Promenade Deck.

Computer classes are held in the Digital Workshop on aft Upper Promenade Deck.

The balcony level of the two-deck Dining Room concludes Upper Promenade Deck.

HAL’s new table settings feature up to six Delft floral plate patterns, fine stemware, linen napkins and fresh flowers.

The King’s Room is a private dining room on the starboard side of Upper Promenade Deck that can also be used for meetings and presentations.

Aft of the Mainstage on Promenade Deck, there is a photo gallery on the port side.

The Guest Services Desk and EXC Tours shore excursions desk are located on the Promenade Deck level of the Atrium.

A gallery offers artwork for sale aft of the Atrium on Promenade Deck.

There is a wine bar on the Promenade Deck passage leading to the Pinnacle Grill.

When not used for movie screenings, the Wajang Theater is also the setting for HAL’s America’s Test Kitchen cooking demonstrations.

The Pinnacle Grill is the Volendam’s extra-tariff specialty restaurant featuring Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine. On certain nights, it becomes Rudi’s Sel de Mer, a French-inspired, a la carte specialty restaurant.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer table settings include custom chargers designed by HAL executive chef Rudi Sodamin.

The lower level of the Dining Room concludes the public spaces on Promenade Deck. Dramatic staircases and ornate chandeliers create a grand impression.

On both levels, the aft portion of the Dining Room has a terrace overlooking the ship’s wake through full-length windows. This is the terrace on Promenade Deck.

Guests often enter the ship in the Lower Promenade Deck lobby at the base of the Atrium.

The Atrium is dominated by a three-deck-tall Murano glass sculpture by Luciano Vistosi called Caleido that is inspired by the facets of a kaleidoscope.

The Volendam has three main stairtowers and 12 elevators. Guests never need to wonder what day of the week it is when riding the elevators.

Passageways are lined with Dutch-themed art prints and photographs of past Holland America Line ships.

The Volendam’s largest and most luxurious stateroom is the 1,126-square-foot Pinnacle Suite. It has a living room with a large cabinet and desk as well as a flat-screen television.

The dining room in the Pinnacle Suite can seat up to eight guests.

This view of the Pinnacle Suite shows a portion of the living room and bedroom.

The Pinnacle Suite bedroom has a king-sized bed, a dressing area and a large flat-screen television.

The Pinnacle Suite master bath has a tub with whirlpool jets, a separate shower and twin sinks.

The Pinnacle Suite is supplied with Elemis toiletries.

In addition to the master bath, the Pinnacle Suite has a powder room for guests.

Pinnacle Suites have their own galley and pantry area.

There is a dining nook and room for a pair of large deck chairs on the Pinnacle Suite balcony.

Twenty-eight Neptune Suites measure 563 square feet. These spacious staterooms have a living room nook and a bedroom with a queen-sized bed or two twins.

Neptune Suites have a walk-in closet with a dressing table.

Neptune Suite bathrooms have a full tub with shower.

Neptune Suites are stocked with Elemis toiletries.

Neptune Suites have teak-lined balconies with space for two chairs and a dining nook.

Neptune Suites have espresso machines that are supplied with complimentary espresso packets.

Vista Suites measure 297 square feet and have a sitting area and a queen or two twin beds.

Vista Suite bathrooms have a whirlpool tub and shower.

Vista Suite balconies have two chairs and a small table.

Lanai Suites are on Promenade Deck and feature full-length glass doors that open onto the promenade.

Each Lanai Suite comes with a pair of reserved deck chairs on the promenade.

Ocean View Staterooms measure between 140 and 319 square feet and have picture windows or portholes. This one is configured with twin beds.

This Ocean View Stateroom has a queen bed configuration.

Ocean View and Interior stateroom bathrooms have a shower.

All standard stateroom bathrooms have environmentally friendly dispensers with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.

Interior Staterooms measure between 182 and 292 square feet.

Volendam has 22 staterooms that are modified for wheelchair use, featuring wider doors, plenty of turning space and roll-in bathrooms with a shower and unfolding seat.