Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the flagship Ms Amsterdam sets the standard for five-star cruise ships.

Ms Amsterdam blends the very latest in shipbuilding technology with the artistry, personalized touches, and superior service that has made Holland America Line one of the highest-rated cruise lines in the world.

At the heart of the Ms Amsterdam is the Planeto Astrolabium, a specially commissioned signature sculpture suspended and soaring in a three-story atrium. The stunning Astrolabe tracks constellations, the planets, world time and ship time.

With the capacity to carry 1,380 guests, the Ms Amsterdam features 172 staterooms with verandahs. The Ms Amsterdam completed all Signature of Excellence enhancements to her public rooms and staterooms in spring 2005.

In early 2007 she circumnavigates the globe on her Grand World Voyage.

Signature features include:

The two-tier La Fontaine Dining Room features impeccable service and an extensive wine list, and offers five-course menus, from continental cuisine to vegetarian and low-carb options.

The intimate reservations-only Pinnacle Grill offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience and features premium hand-selected cuts of Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and many select wines.

The Lido Restaurant offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties.

The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, is the setting for gourmet cooking demonstrations and interactive classes.

Explorations Caf?, powered by The New York Times, features the largest library at sea, as well as comfortable music listening stations and Internet access.

The Greenhouse Spa & Salon features thermal suites, hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool, heated ceramic lounges and more.

The Queen's Show Lounge features Las Vegas-style productions, talented vocalists, illusionists, comedians and variety acts.

The Crow's Nest, where sweeping views make observation lounge a top choice for relaxing during the day, and in the evening transforms into a hip, fashionable nightclub features top-notch DJs and live bands.

Dedicated youth facilities and activities for kids ages 3 to 12.

The Loft and The Oasis, designed exclusively for teens to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age.

At the heart of the Holland America experience is a warm and unobtrusive style of service that is never in the way and never out of reach.

Expect excellence: sail with nearly one crew member for every two guests, for the impeccable service that has long defined classic cruising.

Rhythm of relaxing and inspiring days onboard, with a wealth of activities and enrichment programs for pleasure. One day opt for a hot stone massage in luxurious Greenhouse Spa and Salon, another day elect to attend a cooking demonstration in the world class Culinary Arts Center, improve golf swing or spend time at one of the pools.

Discovery, both of new countries and new places, is the true spirit of world travel. World of education, activity, enrichment and inspiration onboard Holland America Line ships.

Public rooms, with rich, polished woods and soft leather furniture create an inviting ambiance.

Staterooms filled with all manner of sophisticated amenities beckon to retreat for hours. There is a certain kind of elegance that never goes out of style, inviting to relax into a world of comfort and easy elegance aboard the spacious ships of Holland America Line.

An African safari, the romance of Venice, the grandeur of Asian palaces, the drama of Machu Picchu and the great pyramids, the exquisite pleasures of a transoceanic crossing.

In 2008, it celebrates the 50th anniversary of first world cruise.

A complete gadget freak - That is Hiren Gada,Vice President Shemaroo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd for you. His likes life on the fast lane, is how he describes it to Richa Dubey.

I keep myself updated about the gadgets that I use. I read magazines, books and watch TV. I own a mobile, MP3 player and a laptop which I carry wherever I travel for official purposes. I prefer the latest configuration on my laptop. The latest one which I am using has got a screen size of 12 inches and is very small and weighs less. I find it very convenient to carry while traveling. It also has different software and a DVD writer. We are a home DVD company so I have a vast DVD collection ranging from classics to newer ones.

I like watching movies in multiplexes as well as at home. Watching a movie in multiplexes is a family experience. I make it a point to watch movies with the family at least once or twice in two weeks.

Being from the entertainment industry I like to watch movies with leisure therefore I have installed home theater in each and every room. I watch movies a lot. I am a big techno freak when it comes to movies. In my hall I have a mini theatre. There is a Panasonic projector at one end and a large screen at the other, which gives a proper theater feel.

One of it is movable, such that I can watch it while having meals. I have a set top box, a DVD player and amplifier. All of these are attached to the projector and speakers around the room. I use 5 remote controls for them but it pays well. The experience of watching and listening to music in such an environment is amazing. I own all the original DVDs and depending on the mood I watch them.

My collection of movies range from Lawrence of Arabia, Da Vinci Code, Anand etc.

In mobile phones I have kind of stabilized on Nokia 9300 since two years. It is a communicator and I never found any cell as good. This is the one which has everything in one and suits my profession. I have a blackberry installed so I get mail alerts on it when I am not carrying my laptop. Communicator is a holistic device in its own right. But I do keep a track of every new mobile in the market.

While traveling, schedules are tight so I hardly get time to shop or check out for small electronic gadgets but in duty free I do check out the price and new features. I also carry my MP3 player while traveling. It also has a radio in it. I have never bought an Ipod because I feel it is as good as having an MP3 player. If they come out with an Ipod cum radio I will surely buy one. I am looking for different features in an Ipod like video.

I begin my day
I leave home early, that is around seven in the morning. I actually sacrifice my early morning sleep to make it to the gym, which is next to my work place. At the gym it's mostly a session of calisthenics. I lug my breakfast along with me, which is mostly some light sandwiches to go along with a nice hot cup of tea from office.

My diet regime
I don't follow a strict diet, but I am definitely careful about what I eat. If I happen to gorge on sweets and desert at night, I workout even more to compensate for it the next morning. To maintain myself, I often grab some low calorie food for lunch. Dinner is one meal of the day that I look forward, as after a long days' work I am usually at peace with myself. I love non- vegetarian food; in fact I must confess that I simply can't resist it. I freak out on chicken and prawns. To dine out I love going to Tantra in Andheri, and simply relish the sumptuous kababs at Bade Miyan in Colaba.

Shopping
I don't really shop much. And whenever I go shopping, I stick to branded stuff since I don't know how to bargain at all. Provogue is one brand I wear almost all the time. Apart from this, my other favourites remain Nike, Color Plus and Arrow. Since, I am not too much into shopping, I sometimes tell some of my very close friends my requirements and budget and they get it for me.

Travel Destination
I am extremely fond of travelling but unfortunately most of the time I am not able to. I normally don't like going out of India much, as I feel that India is in itself a mini globe. I had recently gone to Sikkim with a few friends. It was great fun remembering the good old days and pulling each other's leg.

Relaxing Mantra
I quite enjoy my work, so I don't really feel stressed. But after a long day at work, I love to generally relax and watch television or just chat with my friends. Watching television also keeps me well informed of all the happening around the world which is very important in our profession.

In conversation wiith Shailesh Kapoor, Head of Marketing and Content, Filmy Sahara

Gadgets and Gizmos
Being an engineer I ought to love gadgets, but I am not really a gizmo freak. I own a Sony Ericsson K750 mobile phone. I do possess a DVD player and a laptop which are basic necessities for me. Though, I don't like to buy too many of gadgets & but I but I do like to read and know more about them.

My Favourite Car
I drive the Palio which I have been driving for the last three years. And for the near future, I want to possess a Mercedes, just as every one else.

On Books
I am not too fond of books. I think reading requires a lot of devotion and time. I am more of an outdoor person. So, even when I have time on hand I do not like returning home early from work. I would much rather go out with my friends rather than sit at home and read. Sometimes I read fiction if I am ever in a mood to read. Recently, I quite enjoyed reading Richard Barker's production management book- Goal.

I have a fetish for
I have a great fetish for movies. I just love watching movies and I am a self confessed movie buff. I prefer watching more of Bollywood masala stuff rather than Hollywood. My all time favourite is Sholay. I loved watching Lagaan and from the Hollywood world, I loved Devil's Advocate. Rishikesh Mukherjee, Ram Gopal Verma and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are some of my favourite directors.

My idea of entertainment
A movie followed by an amazingly planned dinner with friends or my near and dear ones, is something that brings out the real me. This is my idea of complete entertainment.