Getting to Know the ms Volendam Our Inside Passage Cruise is a major feature on our Alaska tours, but what is it like to journey on Holland America’s award-winning cruise ship? Holland America Line’s ms Volendam is our home during the Inside Passage leg of two of our most well-liked tours: Alaska & the Inside Passage Cruise and Alaska & Glacier Bay Cruise. While guests look forward to a number of outstanding attractions on the mainland, we thought we would shed some light on what life is like during those days you’re cruising North America’s Pacific Coast. Firstly, it’s a cruise like no other The Inside Passage is the island-speckled waterway that makes up all of southeast Alaska, running alongside Canada’s British Columbia. These coastal islands and mountains rise steeply out of the ocean and are covered in dense forests. These dramatic landscapes also create a remarkably peaceful cruise experience because those islands protect the ship from the kinds of waves, wind, and weather you may expect from a cruise in the open ocean. The ship is beautiful and comfortable The ms Volendam is a midsized vessel that cruisecritic.com calls “the perfect ‘Goldilocks ship’ – big enough to offer plenty of activities and enrichment, but not so big that you get lost in the crowd.” At almost 800 feet long and a guest capacity of less than 1450, we enthusiastically agree. With very low guest-to-staff ratios, Holland America Line is known for its extraordinary guest service. Set to the theme of flowers, the ms Volendam’s interior is decorated in floral tapestries and arranged floral displays in vases throughout the ship’s staterooms and public areas. Dine how you want, where you want, when you want Enjoy fabulous dining featuring regional specialties in five venues. Guests may join their Tour Director in the Rotterdam Dining Room for dinner each night. While other cruises offer pre-set seating and dining times, Holland America Line’s “As You Wish” dining program provides a completely flexible dining schedule and free room service available 24 hours a day. All meals are included aboard ship!