Before Your Trip

What’s Included and What’s Not

Just about everything is included in your fare: your cabin accommodations, Olivia’s signature programming and evening entertainment, meals, 24-hour room service, some drinks (coffee, hot and iced tea, milk, and juice during meals), gratuities to your cabin steward, restaurant staff and maitre d’.

The following items are not included: airfare, transfers to and from the airport, travel insurance, personal items, alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water, spa services, beauty salon services, boutique purchases, telephone, fax, internet access, shore excursions, ship’s photos, bingo, casino activities, fuel surcharge, and medical attention.

NDA charges are not included in the price of the trip but have already been added to your reservation as reflected on your invoice.

Travel documentation and identification

You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the Canadian consulate to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Heath Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on "Traveler’s Health" and then "Vaccinations."

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. Olivia has recently partnered with Travel Guard to make things easier for you; you can now add your travel insurance when you book your trip, all in one call. In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your insurance within 15 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about Olivia’s travel insurance, call (800) 631-6277 option 1 to talk to one of our travel consultants.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group, Majestic Alaska Cruise.

About Our Destination

Currency

The local currency is the US dollar. In Vancouver, it is the Canadian dollar, but US currency is also accepted.

Languages

English

Travel and arrival

Air travel

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly into and out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is located approximately 30 minutes away from the cruise ship terminal, Canada Place, which is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. We encourage all passengers to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.

Suggested arrival/departure times

Guests arriving in Vancouver on the day of sailing i.e. September 16, 2012, should arrive no later than 12PM. Guests departing Vancouver on the last day of sailing i.e. September 23, 2012, should plan their departing flights to be at 12PM or later.

Discount airfare offer

We are proud to partner with American Airlines. The AA discount code A5592AZ applies to flights in and out of Vancouver (YVR). Dates of travel are September 9 – 30, 2012. Airfare can be booked approximately 11 months prior to the trip. This reservation can be booked by calling (800) 433-1790 ($25 booking fee applies) or visiting www.aa.com/rainbow (no booking fee and please remove the preceding “A” when booking online).

We are proud to also partner with Alaska Airlines, which offers Olivia travelers a discounted rate of up to 7% when flying into and out of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Visit www.alaskaair.com and use the Alaska Air discount code ECMB38. Your discount code can also be used by calling 800-445-4435 (a ticketing fee applies). Dates of travel are September 11-28, 2012.

Luggage allowances

While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Transfers and meeting up with Olivia

Getting to your pre-trip hotel

Olivia is proud to partner with Marriott for our Majestic Alaska Cruise host hotel. Please contact this conveniently-located Marriott property below for your stay in Vancouver, Canada.

Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel

1133 West Hastings Street • Vancouver, British Columbia V6E3T3 Canada

To book, call toll free 800.207.4150 or call hotel reservations at 604.689.9211 (ask for in-house reservations or Andy Shen)

RATES
Standard Room-Cityside $235 CAD (single/double), plus taxes. Rate includes Canadian buffet breakfast and in-room internet.

Upgraded Room-Harbourside $265 CAD (single/double), plus taxes. Rate includes Canadian buffet breakfast and in-room internet.

CODES
Standard Room-Cityside: OVCOVCA
Upgraded Room-Harbourside: OVCOVCB
PLEASE NOTE: Rates qualify for two nights before cruise (9/14/2012 – 9/15/2012) and two nights after cruise (9/23/2012 – 9/24/2012), subject to availability.

 

Getting to your ship

You can take a taxi from the airport to the port for approximately $45 Canadian dollars, and/or shared limo for approximately $45-$55 Canadian dollars. There is also a bus service called The Airporter for approximately US$15, CDN$15 that will take guests to Canada Place

Ship Check in

Check in and embarkation begins at 11:30 a.m. All aboard is 4 p.m. for the ship’s mandatory safety drill.

During your trip

Amenities

Cabin amenities include: Premium euro-top mattresses, deluxe bathrobes, individual stateroom thermostats, 24-hour room service, hair dryers, 24-hour front desk, laundry, pressing and dry cleaning service, telephone, flat panel TV and DVD player. (Television and telephone are available when signal permits). There are fees for laundry and dry cleaning, as well as for phone use.

Ship amenities include: Enjoy all that the ship has to offer including a Las Vegas-style casino, fitness center with fitness classes, spa services, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, shopping boutiques, photo center, 24-hour Internet center, laundry service, and a movie theater. There is a fee for some of these services/amenities. There will also be plenty of dancing, music, and entertainment.

Dining

Seating policy

Seating is open so you may sit where you wish! A special dining area for breakfast, lunch and dinner will be designated for our solo travelers.

Times

Be sure to choose your dining time at the time of booking. First seating dinner is at 6 p.m. and second seating dinner is at 8:15 p.m.

Restaurants

Rotterdam Dining Room

The Rotterdam dining room features impeccable service and an extensive wine list. Five-course menus include continental cuisine, vegetarian, vegan and low-carb options.

24-Hour Room Service

If you would like to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or a midnight snack in the comfort of your cabin, a room service menu is available 24 hours a day.

The Lido Restaurant

The Lido Restaurant features both an indoor, air-conditioned restaurant and portable buffet bars outside on the deck, offering healthy choices, such as make-it-yourself deli sandwiches, pasta dishes, Italian salads and entrees. Stir fry as well as hamburgers, sandwiches, desserts and the daily ice cream bar are also offered. Have breakfast, lunch or dinner in a relaxed ambiance.

The Pinnacle Grill – Specialty Restaurant

The Pinnacle Grill, the ms Zaandam’s specialty restaurant, is a great addition to your dining options. Spoil yourself with exquisite menus and a fine dining experience, including many wines rated “Excellent” by Wine Spectator. A per-person nominal charge will be applied to your ship account. Reservations are required and can be made once onboard.

Electricity

The cabins have 110-volt electricity, which is the same as that which is used in the US.

Excursions

Exploring our ports of call will be the highlight of your cruise. Holland America takes pride in offering the best shore excursion options for our guests. Excursions may be booked up to 30 days in advance. We will notify you via email when excursions are available for online booking.

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maitre'd and other-behind-the-scenes crew members.

Internet/e-mail/fax

There is an Internet center onboard with minute plans which can be used with the ship’s computers or with your own personal laptop. Connectivity can sometimes be slow due to satellite connections.

Letters and postcards may be mailed from the ship while in ports of call. You may buy stamps in port or purchase them through your onboard account.

Laundry and dry cleaning

Laundry, pressing and dry cleaning service are available onboard for an extra charge. Self-service launderettes are also available.

Medical services

Should you need medical attention, there is an onboard infirmary. Medical services entail an additional fee.

Money: Paying for things on board

All purchases made on the ship will be charged to your onboard account, which you create when you first check in. The ship will process credit card cash advances for a three percent fee at the front office. You can also obtain cash through your onboard account in the casino.

Phone

Each cabin has a phone. There is an additional fee to use this phone.

Smoking policy

We have designated smoking and non-smoking areas onboard. The non-smoking areas include all staterooms, all public areas and the starboard (right) side of all outdoor areas. Smoking is permitted outside on verandahs and on the port (left) side of outside decks.

Spa services

Indulge and pamper yourself at the Greenhouse Spa. Enjoy everything from facials to massages. There is an additional fee for these services.

Solo travelers

Traveling solo? You’ll never be alone. We bring solos coordinators who plan an entire week of activities for our solo travelers. Enjoy our daily solos mixers or join in our solos dining areas for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Special Needs

If you have a special medical or dietary need, please advise us at the time of booking.

After your Trip

Transfers to the airport

For those going directly to the Vancouver airport, you can take a taxi from the port to the airport for approximately $45 Canadian dollars or take a shared limo for approximately $45-$55 Canadian dollars. Airport transfers will be available to book via the Shore Excursion office onboard.

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out our Olivia travel FAQ. Or call us at 800.631.6277