Activities and adventures vary by port, but you can explore on your own or take a guided tour (referred to as shore excursions) in every destination. Holland America Line offers a wide variety of shore excursions to fit your lifestyle, ranging from easygoing activities to high adventure. Search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids or a horse across hills and beaches. Climb a mountain or a pyramid. Or sun and swim at some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Each tour provides the highest level of quality, safety, convenience and value.

Once you have booked your cruise, you can easily book your shore excursions on your own or guided by a CruiseInsider expert. Whatever you choose, we recommend you book early for the best selections.

"Throughout your cruise vacation, you may enjoy delicious and innovative menus across a broad range of dining venues. On your Holland America Line cruise you're free to dine As You Wish®, from a casual bite poolside to a formal five-course affair in their classic main Dining Room, where you can choose traditional pre-set seating or a flexible open schedule.

Restaurant options may vary by vessel, but some of the fine dining options include: —The Dining Room: your destination for sophisticated dining —Pinnacle Grill: dishes inspired by America's Pacific Northwest —Canaletto: authentic Italian fare —Tamarind: exotic options from Asia —Rudi's Sel De Mer: a contemporary twist on classic French cuisine —Culinary Arts Center: a casual setting for cocktails, classic pub fare and heartier, changing menu items

Casual restaurant options include: —Lido Market —Dive-In —New York Pizza —Grand Dutch Cafe —Gelato —Tea Time —Explorations Cafe

Not interested in dining out? You can always take advantage of 24-hour room service on your verandah. The choice is always yours on Holland America Line.

Each Holland America ship has an onboard Medical Center staffed by licensed physicians and critical care nurses. While not a full-service hospital, the Medical Center is well equipped to handle most emergencies and routine medical procedures.

A customary fee will be charged for services and medications dispensed. If you become ill or injured during the voyage and your diagnostic and/or care needs exceed the capabilities of the medical center, you will be transferred to medical facilities ashore.

If you have a chronic medical condition, please bring a recent report from your physician. The medical staff on board is not available for daily care, unless you are hospitalized in the Medical Center. You must be able to care for yourself, including dressing, eating and attending the ship's safety drills. If you are unable to function independently in these areas, you must bring a caregiver with you. Because of the limited medical facilities, infants 6 months or younger at the time the cruise commences and women who will be 24 or more weeks pregnant during the course of their travel are not permitted to participate in the cruise. If you are pregnant, please provide a medical note from your physician stating your expected due date and medical fitness to travel.

Keep medication close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag. Be sure to bring enough prescription medicine to last throughout your cruise, as it may not be available on board or in some of the countries visited.

Personal enrichment and hands-on learning can make a vacation and are a hallmark of traveling aboard a Holland America Line ship. Start with the Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food and Wine Magazine. This world-class demonstration kitchen is available on every ship for classes and seminars, taught by Holland America Line's own Master Chefs or culinary guests. A partnership with BBC Earth brings you unforgettable new ways to experience the world's natural wonders.

One of the newest features is the Holland America Line Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows. Guests will be able to "show and tell" their vacation memories, learning how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking. Whether you are a novice or an expert, your friends and family can share your experiences, even before you return home.

Every ship boasts a remarkable and extensive art collection, collectively valued at millions of dollars. Art Tour podcasts are available on every ship to guide you in your journey to discover the art onboard your ship.

Travel guides are another feature, providing a pleasant and knowledgeable immersion into the regions visited, to enhance your experience of each port.

Also, Holland America Line’s "On Location" program brings local culture to life showcasing the finest live entertainment as well as the cuisine of each region visited directly from the area’s experts. Steel drum lessons in the Caribbean. Tai chi with a master in Asia. Celtic fiddlers in the Canadian Maritimes. Tango lessons in Argentina. A hula class in Hawaii. Searching the southern sky with astronomer in the South Pacific. The options go on and on.

Holland America Line has a youth program for guests ages 3-17. Each ship is staffed with a professional Club Hal® Director dedicated to making sure children have a great time. Some of the fun-filled activities include bingo for prizes, arts & crafts, special parties and much more. Each participant also receives a Club Hal® t-shirt. An activity schedule for each age group will be delivered to your stateroom each evening.

Activities are offered for kids (ages 3-7), 'tweens (8-12) and teens (13-17). The program has an open door policy, which means participants may come and go as they please. All activities are supervised; however, the Club Hal® Director is not responsible for any child if he/she chooses to leave the activity.

Full laundry and dry cleaning service is available on each ship in the Holland America Line fleet. In your stateroom you will find laundry bags and price lists conveniently located in your closet.

Onboard self-service launderettes consisting of washers, dryers, irons and ironing boards are available on most ships. There is a charge for the use of the self-service launderettes and it is coin operated. Iron and ironing boards are provided at no cost.

Please note: For safety reasons, travel irons, steamers, and electric water heaters/kettles may not be used in your stateroom.

Most evenings smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, pool/beachwear, distressed jeans and men’s tank tops are best left to the daytime and are not permitted in fine dining restaurants.

Gala Nights evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including the five-course gourmet dinner in the Dining Room.

For gentlemen, a jacket and tie is the preferred attire in all fine dining restaurants on Gala Nights, though it is not required, and collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants. For ladies, dresses, skirts, and slacks are all acceptable.

Jeans without holes, tears or embroidery are welcome on most evenings in all restaurants, but on Gala Nights jeans are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants.

A Holland America Cruise can be as engaging or relaxing as you’d like. An energized nightlife beckons: dance the night away in the nightclub; treat yourself to exciting Broadway-style shows featuring award-winning talent; try your luck in the casino; or enjoy a cocktail and live entertainment in one of the many lounges. You can also relax in the privacy of your stateroom and enjoy a movie from a well-stocked DVD library. The choice is yours.

EXC Tours are shore excursions. Available in virtually every port, they are comfortable, convenient and engaging travel experiences covering an amazing array of interests, places, tastes, landmarks, sights, sounds, wildlife, interactions, adventures, activities and experiences. Choose from city tours, culinary explorations, shopping outings, outdoor expeditions, cultural activities and more by speaking with a CruiseInsider expert today.

Yes. Holland America Cruise Line features special pre-or post-hotel packages that allow you to extend your vacation in either your port of embarkation or debarkation. Some of the world's greatest travel highlights are within reach, both before and after your cruise. Why not plan a little extra time and extend your experience even further with an expertly guided tour? Or explore at your own pace, with a premium hotel as your home base? Let our CruiseInsider experts help you arrange extra time to enjoy a city before or after your cruise.