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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America ship

Of the seven big lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is the brand most known for far-flung, globe-circling itineraries.

You'll find Holland America ships in almost every corner of the world at some point during the year, operating itineraries that are unusual in their diversity of routes and specific port calls.

Still, the line's heaviest presence by far is in Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. In a typical summer, the line will deploy around half of its vessels to Europe while sending the other half to Alaska. The two regions are often the line's entire focus for summers.

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During the winter, the line will move at least half of these ships to the Caribbean, while also sending some on far-reaching voyages across the world to Asia, Australia and South America.

For the coming winter, seven of the line's 11 ships are scheduled to sail in the Caribbean, and there will be at least one ship each in Asia, Australia and South America. There also will be one ship operating an epic, around-the-world voyage — a long tradition at the line.

In all, Holland America ships sail to 98 countries, hitting all seven continents. They visit more than 470 different ports and cruise destinations. These are much larger numbers than found with such rival lines as Celebrity Cruises . The latter boasts voyages to around 300 ports in 79 countries .

Among Holland America's itineraries, you'll find everything from one-night sampler cruises between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., to 128-night around-the-world voyages that feature stops at dozens of countries. That's a much broader range than most other big lines, including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line .

Whether you're looking for a quick getaway or an epic voyage, you can't go wrong with these five top Holland America cruise destinations.

Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained

Some of Holland America's most popular itineraries are in Europe, where the line has traditionally been a significant player. In a typical year, Holland America will deploy around half of its vessels to the region from spring until fall, making Europe one of its biggest focuses for more than half the year.

The itineraries that Holland America offers in Europe are wide-ranging, with a diverse set of routings in both the Mediterranean as well as across Northern Europe.

In the Mediterranean, sailings include everything from seven- to 28-night voyages that offer the chance to see such iconic destinations as Barcelona, Spain, and Rome, Florence and Naples, Italy, on a single cruise.

Some Holland America cruises in the Mediterranean also include visits to Istanbul and Kusadasi in Turkey (the latter a gateway to the famed ruins of Ephesus), and Haifa and Ashdod in Israel (for visits to Jerusalem and other iconic destinations in the country).

In Northern Europe, Holland America will take you to such well-known Baltic cities as Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and St. Petersburg, Russia, in a single sailing (note that Holland America's calls in St. Petersburg are on hold for now due to the war in Ukraine). There also are itineraries that will bring you to Iceland, Greenland and the Norwegian fjords.

Related: The ultimate guide to Holland America cabins and suites

Among the longest sailings Holland America offers in Europe is a 35-night "British Isles, Spitsbergen & Iceland Fjords Explore" trip that brings a complete circumnavigation of England and Scotland, several stops along the coast of Norway, and calls in both Iceland and the Norwegian-controlled Arctic island of Spitsbergen.

In Northern Europe, Holland America ships mostly sail out of Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands (a nod to the company's Dutch heritage) and Copenhagen, Denmark.

In the Mediterranean, the line's hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice in Italy; and Piraeus (the port for Athens).

2. Caribbean and The Bahamas

You usually won't find a single Holland America ship in the Caribbean and the Bahamas over the summer, when the line turns its focus to sailings in Europe and Alaska. However, come winter, Holland America will reposition quite a few of its vessels to the Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.

For the coming winter, for instance, Holland America currently has seven of its 11 vessels scheduled to sail in the regions — including its two newest and biggest ships, the 2,660-passenger Rotterdam and the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam.

Holland America offers a broad range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from a single home port in the regions — Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades .

If you're looking for something short, the line has you covered in the form of quick, three-night cruises out of Port Everglades to its private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay. The line also offers four- and five-night voyages out of Port Everglades to the Bahamas and Key West, Florida. However, Holland America is best known for longer sailings in the Caribbean. These include lots of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean, but also a large number of even longer, 10- to 21-nights Caribbean voyages.

The latter trips offer the chance to see a broader mix of Caribbean islands than is typical on Caribbean sailings.

Related: The ultimate guide to Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program

Among the most elaborate of the itineraries that Holland America offers out of Port Everglades, for instance, is a 21-day "Southern Caribbean Wayfarer/Seafarer" voyage that brings calls at the islands of St. Martin (specifically, to the Dutch side of the island known as St. Maarten), St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Grand Turk, Hispaniola (for a visit to the Dominican Republic), Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

The voyage is actually a combination of two shorter, back-to-back sailings that are designed without repeating ports.

Holland America is particularly known for voyages to Alaska, where it dominates the market for cruises along with sister line Princess Cruises.

In recent years, Holland America has deployed as many as eight ships to Alaska in the summer — far more than most other lines. In the wake of a significant downsizing over the past two years , the line is cutting that number back a bit. However, it's still planning on deploying at least six vessels to Alaska in the coming summers — a huge number.

Holland America also operates its own wilderness lodges in Alaska, as well as tourist trains and buses. It uses the lodges, trains and buses to offer an extensive range of nine- to 14-night Alaska "cruisetours" that combine a cruise with land-based touring.

The Alaska cruise season is a short one, lasting roughly from May to September. For 2022, Holland America plans to deploy six ships to the Alaska market:

• Eurodam : The 2,104-passenger vessel will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Seattle. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan; Icy Strait Point, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia. It'll also visit Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing.
• Koningsdam : The 2,650-passenger ship will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Vancouver, B.C. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Tracy Arm and Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing.
• Oosterdam. Like Eurodam, the 2,388-passenger ship will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Seattle. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan; and Victoria, British Columbia. It'll also visit Alaska's Hubbard Glacier for glacier viewing.
• Zuiderdam . Like Koningsdam, the 1,916-passenger ship will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Vancouver, B.C. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing.
• Nieuw Amsterdam: The 2,106-passenger ship will primarily operate one-way voyages to Alaska between Vancouver, B.C., and Whittier, Alaska. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing, as well as either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.
• Noordam : Like Nieuw Amsterdam, the 1,924-passenger vessel will primarily operate one-way voyages to Alaska between Vancouver, B.C., and Whittier, Alaska. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing as well as either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.

The appeal of the one-way sailings on Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam is that they can be combined with stays at the Holland America lodges mentioned above to create the longer "cruisetours" of Alaska that combine a one-way cruise with a land tour.

The land tour portion of such trips brings visits to such well-known interior Alaska locations as Denali National Park and the town of Fairbanks. Holland America is also unique among cruise lines in offering cruisetours that include a land tour into the Yukon Territory of Canada.

4. Panama Canal

Have you always wanted to experience a transit through the Panama Canal? Among major cruise lines, Holland America has one of the biggest array of sailings through the waterway.

In a typical year, the line will operate more than two dozen voyages to the canal, some of which are round-trip sailings from Florida's Port Everglades while others are one-way trips between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego, California.

In the case of the former sailings, Holland America ships only transit part-way through the canal after entering it through the Gatun Locks on its Caribbean side. Such trips typically include a transit into the canal through the locks, cruising in the canal to Gatun Lake and a transit out of the canal through the locks before a stop at nearby Colon, Panama.

Among the shore excursions available from the port of Colon is a bus tour to see the locks in action from observation areas on land.

Other port calls during such Panama Canal cruises typically include the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao; Cartagena, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

In the case of the one-way voyages between Florida and California, Holland America's ships will make the full journey through the canal's three sets of locks from the Caribbean to the Pacific or vice versa.

Other port calls during such cruises typically include Puerto Vallarta and Hautulco, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Corinto, Nicaragua; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Colombia.

5. The World

In addition to focused voyages in a wide range of cruise destinations from Europe to Alaska, Holland America has long been known for epic around-the-world voyages that include stops at dozens of destinations in four, five or even six continents.

These trips typically take place on the line's smaller vessels and can last four months or longer, allowing Americans to travel across the globe without ever getting on an airplane.

Normally, Holland America's around-the-world voyages begin and end at Florida's Port Everglades.

The line plans one such trip for 2023 — a 128-day voyage from Port Everglades starting on Jan. 3, 2023, that includes stops in North America, Australia, Africa and Europe.

Taking place on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam, the trip includes a transit of the Panama Canal, multiple stops in French Polynesia including Bora Bora and Moorea; visits to multiple destinations in New Zealand; and calls at Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Gambia and Senegal.

In addition to its around-the-world cruises, Holland America is also known for full circumnavigations of South America that begin and end in Port Everglades.

For 2023, the line plans one such journey — a 74-day cruise on the 1,432-passenger Volendam that starts on Jan. 3, 2023.

Bottom line

Holland America offers an incredibly wide range of itineraries in cruise destinations around the world, from South America to Asia. However, you'll find the most choices among Holland America itineraries in Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. The line is also well-known for voyages through the Panama Canal and for its epic around-the-world cruises. Its annual around-the-world sailings, in particular, are something that sets it apart from other big lines.

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Holland America Line

Courtesy of Holland America Line |

Find a Cruise on Holland America Line

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Cruising with Holland America

Holland America Line caters to affluent adults with midsize ships that carry between 1,432 and 2,668 guests. Each ship provides high-quality service with two or three crew members for every passenger. Holland America Line's ships travel to destinations around  Australia ,  Mexico , the  Caribbean ,  Canada , southeast  Asia ,  Europe , South America, Antarctica and more. On Holland America cruises – which depart from U.S. cities like  Boston ,  Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and  San Diego  and can last anywhere from one to 128 days – you can pass the time with enrichment programs like digital photography, cooking demonstrations and mixology workshops, or work up a sweat in spin or Pilates classes before unwinding at the spa.

Though they vary by itinerary, Holland America Line's shore excursions are primarily adult-oriented, with activities ranging from animal encounters to bike tours and even helmet diving. Meanwhile, Holland America Line's dining style allows flexibility when it comes to mealtimes. You can mingle with fellow passengers over a five-course dinner in the main Dining Room, sample fresh seafood in the Pinnacle Grill or take advantage of 24-hour room service.  

U.S. News Insider Tip: Booking non-repeating, back-to-back Collectors' Voyages is a great way to see more than one area of a region and visit several countries on one cruise. – Jill Schildhouse, Contributor

Pros & Cons

Smaller guest capacities make ships feel spacious

Around-the-world voyages available

Cruisers praise friendly crew members

Typically more expensive than competitors like Princess and Royal Caribbean

Wi-Fi access costs extra

Limited onboard activities and dining venues than lines with bigger ships

• Expert Rating » 4.0
• Traveler Rating » 4.0
• Health Rating » 4.6

Holland America Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 5 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• # 5 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• # 10 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples

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Holland America Line Ships

Nieuw Statendam

Nieuw Amsterdam

Before You Book

• You are required to make a deposit within five days of booking to claim your spot. The amount will be determined based on the total cost of your cruise. (Note: A second deposit is required for all Grand Voyages.) Full payment is due within 90 days of your cruise departure date, although exact payment deadlines may vary depending on the cruise.
• Expect to pay an additional $16 to $17.50 per person, per day for gratuities.
• Cancellation policies vary depending on the length of the cruise and the specific itinerary. See the Holland America  website  for details.
• If you purchase a Cancellation Protection Plan , you will be guaranteed a refund of up to 80% or 90% of the eligible amount you've already paid should you need to cancel – as long as you cancel up to 24 hours before departure for the Standard plan or any time before departure for the Platinum plan. Certain plans may also include lost baggage and medical coverage.
• To coordinate special needs requests , such as medical equipment rentals, call Holland America's Accessible Cruising department at 1-800-547-8493 or submit a Special Requirements Information form at least 45 days prior to departure. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, contact the Ship Services department at 1-800-541-1576 no fewer than three weeks before embarkation.

Before You Board

• Holland America strongly encourages using the cruise line's  Online Check-In tool  to complete the immigration questionnaire and retrieve your boarding pass 72 hours prior to embarkation. Passengers can also check in at their ship's departure port; necessary guest information must be given to the cruise line at least 90 minutes before embarkation. 
• You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months after you return from your cruise. If you are a U.S. citizen on a closed-loop cruise (one that starts and ends in the United States), you will be allowed to board as long as you have a government ID, such as a driver's license or a resident card, along with proof of citizenship. Some itineraries also require visas and vaccinations. To learn more about vaccine requirements for various countries, visit the CDC  website .
• No luggage restrictions apply, but Holland America recommends passengers consult airline baggage policies and pack accordingly.
• You may book shore excursions online through the  My Account portal  up to three days prior to your sail date or by calling the Shore Excursions department at 1-888-425-9376. You may also cancel your shore excursion without a penalty up to three days before you depart.
• If you'd like to make reservations at your ship's specialty restaurants, sign into your online account or call the Ship Services department at 1-800-541-1576. Reservations are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so Holland America suggests travelers book dining reservations as soon as possible.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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• Cruise Tips / Cruising

25 Things I Love About Holland America In 2023

by Prof. Cruise · July 7, 2023

I present the top 25 things I love about Holland America here both to inform those who are booked on or considering a cruise on the line, but also for the big cheese at corporate (picture me staring you down as you read these words, Stein Kruse and Gus Antorcha) as a plea to retain these features and resist pressure from your peers to go bigger and splashier and to squeeze every last nickel and dime from the social security checks of your most loyal passengers. Because if there’s one thing I have in common with Holland America, it’s that we’re both unapologetically unhip. And that’s what makes us so great. Right? RIGHT?

I’ll interpret your sudden coughing fit as a yes and continue on to the top 25 things I love about Holland America in 2023:

1. Libraries

I’m going to start with libraries, because I literally wouldn’t be alive without them. Both of my parents started out as librarians. In fact they met and fell in love working at the library, so it’s no surprise that I spend more time (by an order of magnitude) pre-cruise selecting my books than I do packing anything else. And it’s no surprise that I LOVE libraries and really appreciate the Holland America ships that have large, comfy, well-stocked ones. And while pre-Covid many of us feared Holland America was doing away with traditional library spaces onboard, I was thrilled to see a dedicated and refreshed library space on the Westerdam recently. It was stocked with multiple copies of recent titles in a variety of genres that people may actually want to read and not tattered books written in a now extinct language about how to construct an earth oven or romance novels with questionable stains.

I’ve heard reports that quite a few other other HAL ships either have these new library spaces already or are getting them (please share to the comments if you’ve sailed on a ship with one recently). Here’s what the one on the Westerdam looked like:

2. Promenade Decks

My second favorite thing to do on a cruise is to walk laps around the promenade deck while listening to an audio book and stalking wildlife ( Fun Fact : That song Every Breath You Take by The Police was actually about Prof. Cruise and a whale). It’s a good thing too, because my first favorite thing to do on a cruise is eat like I’m building up a reserve of fat for a protracted winter hibernation.

While at 3 laps per mile, it would take me approximately 75,000 laps to avoid cracking the scale upon my return home, “ouch!,” it would be even worse if I didn’t get out there 2-3 times per day, sometimes early or late to avoid crowds and sometimes at peak hours to walk with a buddy or wave at the other regulars as they pass by me at what seems a sprinter’s pace, clearly having trained for this at the mall.

I’ve been sorely disappointed recently on several non-HAL ships with no promenade deck that wraps all the way around the ship and is fully open to the public. I know what you Holland America loyalists are thinking: “serves her right!” And on this point, you are correct. Because if you love walking the promenade deck and understand that a small track on an open upper deck is NOT the same, Holland America is the line for you (although the promenade decks on the newer Pinnacle Class HAL ships aren’t as nice…what a shame).

3. Fresh Flowers

I’ll save you the trouble, they’re real! Still, you’ll find them too perfect and spectacular and will doubt my credibility and grope them anyway: “OMG, they are real!” Holland America is known for having gorgeous fresh flowers onboard. It’s one of those small touches that really adds a lot to the experience and makes HAL unique.

4. Buffet Desserts

While certain other lines, not naming names to protect the guilty (but it starts with a C and ends with an L and ranks as the number one cruise line for number of brawls and sunburned butt cheeks), display gorgeous looking cakes and pies that taunt your eyes but disappoint your buds, the small selection of pre-sliced and plated desserts available in the buffet on Holland America ships are just the opposite. While often not as impressive to look at, they will delight your tongue and may prompt you to recreate that famous scene from When Harry Met Sally : “I’ll have what she’s having!” And if that wasn’t enough, HAL buffets also offer a selection of hard ice cream, made-to-order crepes, warm bread pudding, and often a special dessert in the evening that would otherwise only be available in the dining room.

5. Live Music Venues

While I grieve for the intimate Lincoln Center Stage and for the B.B. King’s Blues Club (which still exists on some ships, but has been replaced with the, inferior in my opinion, Rolling Stone Rock Room on several others) and am on a one-woman crusade to bring them back, I still love the surviving music on HAL. Billboard Onboard and the 3rd Avenue West Band are among my favorites.

6. Mid-sized Ships

While I’ve never met a cruise ship I haven’t liked, for the same price, dates, itinerary, and departure port, I’d run faster than a well-caffeinated cheetah away from a mega ship and toward a small to medium-sized vessel, like those for which Holland America is known. HAL ships hold between (roughly) 1300-2700 passengers, which is the perfect range by my estimation.

Not so small that I’m identified as the ship eccentric before the anchor is even raised, “I hope I don’t get stuck at a table with her for dinner,” but not so large that it takes me 14 days of determined looking before I find the martini bar: “where can a gal find shaken vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and heavy cream around here?”

7. Unique Itineraries

While I’ll cruise anywhere at any time short of Iowa during a presidential campaign season (I know you can’t cruise to Iowa – I just wanted to vent that I find U.S. politics exhausting), I’m particularly fond of the itineraries available on Holland America. Three of my favorite cruises ever were a 14-night sailing to Alaska on HAL, visiting some very uncommon ports like Homer , Anchorage (proper), and Kodiak , a 10-night Sea of Cortez sailing on the Zuiderdam , again visiting some very uncommon ports, this time in Mexico: La Paz, Loreto, Guaymas, and Topolobampo, and a 16-night sailing around New Zealand on the Noordam.

8. Free Room Service

My two favorite f-words combined: free and food. I’d even go so far as to use that other f-word (beep) to crudely celebrate the free room service on Holland America: f**k yeah! While many other lines have started charging for most room service items, it remains complimentary on Holland America (with the exception of a few premium selections). There is a room service menu AND as long as the dining room is open, you can even order any item from the main dining room menu through room service at no extra charge.

I had to laugh on our New Zealand cruise one night when I walked in on my husband in our cabin looking guilty as he gorged himself on a giant steak, some french onion soup, and an ice cream sundae that he ordered through room service after we’d already eaten in the dining room and been for our traditional after dinner pass through the buffet. I was like, “no shame, sir!”

9. Minimal Kids

I mean, it’s bad enough that I have to cruise with the smell and scream of my own kid. But a bunch of other people’s kids? Don’t they have grandparents with doorsteps you can dump them off on as you skid out of the driveway yelling, “see you in a week, suckers!” Kidding, kidding (mostly). I generally love kids and deeply appreciate those who are kind and patient with my son when we travel. But I admit to enjoying the smaller number of kids on most Holland America sailings.

10. Full Service Buffet

While I actually toggle back and forth between loving and hating this, it’s something that, pre-Covid, was unique to Holland America (it’s like they saw Covid coming years ago and decided to be ready), so I decided to include it.

I’m something like a pig at a trough at a buffet. If I didn’t fear a lifetime ban, I’d stick my whole face in a vat of mac and cheese, coming up only for air and dessert. Maybe that’s what prompted Holland America to have staff serve most items at the buffet. And while I acknowledge the wisdom in trying to limit the spread of germs and cut down on food waste, sometimes this leads to longer waits and smaller portions than I’ve come to expect at a buffet: “another six scoops please, so I don’t have to wait in this line again for seconds and thirds and….”

On a wholly positive note, I love the drink service in the buffets on Holland. Instead of having to get your own drinks – leading to extra trips and an unintended Arnold Palmer when two guests wielding lemonade and iced tea collide – servers will come around to your table and offer you a variety of complimentary beverages (or bar service) and will refill your glass as necessary.

11. Explorations Central (EXC) and BBC Earth Experiences

One of my favorite activities on my latest HAL cruise was the EXC multi-media lectures given by our cruise director. They were highly engaging, well-written, fascinating, moving at times, and many of them were specific to our itinerary. I also enjoyed the other EXC programming, including cultural talks given by local experts brought onboard at port and nature experiences.

A partnership with BBC Earth provides Holland America cruisers with theater screenings of BBC Earth programming as well as magnificent concert events that combine live orchestra music with dramatic footage from BBC Earth. I especially enjoyed “Alaska in Concert,” featured on my Alaska cruise aboard the Zaandam and “Planet Earth II” onboard the Zuiderdam .

12. Delft China

I love the signature blue and white Delft china on Holland America almost as much as the food served on it. No I don’t. Still though, it’s beautiful. And if you’re bored waiting for your food to arrive, you can play a “Where’s Waldo” type game with the bread plates called, “Where’s the HAL Logo?” See if you can spot it on this one:

13. Memory Aids

The first rule of business? Know your customers. And it seems Holland America knows me particularly well. I almost never know what day it is, especially on vacation, and often find myself lost, wondering, “which direction am I walking?” And after a few drinks, sometimes I even forget which ship I’m on: “Well no wonder I can’t find O’Sheehans, I’m on the Eurodam !”

I love the “day of the week” rugs in the elevators (where do I get a set of these for my apartment?) and, while some lines have hallway carpet with fish swimming in the direction of the front of the ship, that’s far to subtle for me. I prefer “FORWARD” with a clear arrow.

14. Friendly, Kind Crew

The crews on Holland America ships are among the friendliest, most helpful, and professional of any line I’ve sailed. It’s always a pleasure to speak with them, learning more about their lives and home countries. And I truly appreciate how hard they work (usually to send money back home to support their families), going above and beyond to provide me with such a unique and wonderful experience. I always bring some extra $20 bills along to distribute on the last day to express my appreciation to my wait team, room steward, and the children’s programming staff (in addition to the automatic gratuity). I found these cute crew thank you cards on Amazon that I put the extra tip in along with a personal note of thanks:

15. Art And Artifacts

You’ll find millions of dollars worth of art and artifacts throughout your Holland America ship. For example, HAL’s newest ship, the Rotterdam features pieces (photography, painting, sculptures, mixed media, illustration, and prints) by artists from 37 different nationalities that focus on themes of music, dance, and movement. The 2,645 piece collection is valued at 4.1 million dollars.

16. Elemis Bath Products

I can’t in good conscience recommend Holland America to split ends because complimentary high-quality Elemis bath products are provided in every stateroom category, including separate conditioner.

17. The Step One Dance Company

The main theater onboard your Holland America cruise will feature several evening performances from the Step One Dance Company, six world-class dancers who will wow you with, at times pulsing and at other times moving, choreographic sequences coupled with dramatic projected video images. Their show entitled, “Humanity” remains one of my all-time favorite cruise ship production shows and I really enjoyed their newest show, “Move,” on my latest HAL cruise. Don’t miss them!

18. Extensive MDR Breakfast Menu

I love cruise breakfasts and particularly enjoy a more relaxed and less chaotic experience in the main dining room. However, I also like lots of choices, particularly on long sailings, and sometimes find cruise line breakfast menus pretty limited (especially as a vegetarian). But the breakfast menu on Holland America is extensive and offers dozens of choices to satisfy both the egg on my right shoulder and the doughnut on my left shoulder, shouting at my brain to, “order savory,” “no, order sweet,” “savory!,” “sweet!” “Calm down, you two! I’ll order both the eggs benedict AND the croissant and bread pudding.” Plus, there’s vegetarian sausage (Morningstar Farms Veglinks), coconut milk yogurt, and vegan eggs available which I’ve never seen on another line. You can find the 2023 breakfast menu HERE .

19. Dive In

In my estimation, Holland America’s casual burger and hot dog joint, Dive In, is the best at sea. It’s so good I’d battle weekday traffic and pay $35 (Seattle prices) for “The Freestyle” portabella mushroom burger and a side of fries in a suburban strip mall on land. And I’m currently printing flyers offering a reward to anyone who can reverse engineer the recipe for Dive In sauce.

We ordered every burger and dog on the 2023 menu on our last cruise onboard the Westerdam. You should do the same on your next HAL cruise (you can tell them Prof. Cruise made you do it, they’ll understand) and let me know in the comments which was your favorite. And did you know that you can now order Dive In via the Navigator App to avoid waiting in line?

20. Fruit Crisps in the Main Dining Room

You know HAL’s fruit crisps topped with vanilla ice cream must be exceptional because, despite being morally opposed to fruit in dessert, I order one every night! While the three photos above look almost identical, the fruit was different every night. Fruit crisps were another thing that went away for a time during Covid that I’m relieved are back.

21. Pickleball at Sea

I’m among the few who did not like the addition of pickleball courts to HAL ships in the beginning. Why? It wasn’t because I didn’t like the sport. In fact, it looked like loads of fun (I’m was just too busy eating 23 out of 24 hours each cruise day to find out). No, it was because I frequently cruise with my 10-year-old son who is a huge basketball fan and the conversion of onboard basketball courts to pickleball courts for a portion of each day means one less thing to keep him entertained and his fingers out of my food. But when my HAL bread pudding is on the line, I adapt! So what did I do? I taught my kid (and myself) how to play pickleball and now it’s an activity we can enjoy as a family on our Holland America cruises.

22. Bed chocolates

I love that Holland America still provides nightly bed chocolates. I always marveled at the willpower of the towel animals to not eat them until I noticed that they don’t have eyes.

23. Port Specific Menu Items

While many cruise lines have trimmed and streamlined their menus to cut costs, Holland America still includes special “port to table” menu items specific to a particular itinerary. As an example, here are the special Alaska-themed menus we enjoyed on our recent HAL cruise:

Holland America ALASKA Menus

In addition, HAL ships also offer special items from the line’s home port (also MY home port): Seattle! The Beecher’s mac ‘n cheese is my favorite and even though Beecher’s flagship store in Pike Place Market is located a block from my apartment, I still order it every day on my HAL cruises! Also look for Ivars clam chowder, Rainier cherries, and craft beer from Pike Brewing.

24. Taco/Nacho Bar

I affectionately refer to this one as “Qdoba at sea.” I say “affectionately” because Qdoba is my favorite land-based fast food restaurant. This complimentary taco/nacho bar, with an extensive selection of premium toppings, is located near the main Lido pool and open for lunch on many HAL ships. Unlike Qdoba and almost any other food option on HAL, it’s self-serve, so you can construct your dream nacho tower and won’t have to keep asking for, “more cheese PLEASE!”

25. Sophisticated And Subdued

If you’re looking for a floating amusement park, you’ll never get back the time it took you to labor through the previous 24 points. Points you now realize are totally irrelevant because Holland America is clearly not the line for you. Sorry about that – I should have started with this one. But if you enjoy a certain level of sophistication or aspire to sophistication even though you laugh at the occasional fart joke and consider flip-flops appropriate formal wear (what, they’re comfy and easy to pack), you’ll love HAL. For her art, for her music, for her flowers, for her libraries, for her promenade decks, for her food, for her service, for her enrichment activities, and for the best dam ships at sea. And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Homework (10 points): What did I miss? Share your favorite features of Holland America to the comments.

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We love HAL, too, for all the points you mention! I would add the attention to cleanliness, awesome medical staff, visibility and access to officers, superb enrichment programs on their Grand Voyages, and so much more! I recently sailed on a luxury ship and the buffet didn’t hold a candle to the Lido on any HAL ship. I was disappointed. We like HAL itineraries so much we’re doing another Grand voyage this fall, this time to Africa. I will be walking that wonderful promenade deck every day!

Dive-In fries are the best In. The. World. (Even better than Five Guys!!!

Yes! I agree!

Thank you so much!! We have been on over 35 cruises and HAL (9 with HAL) is by far our favorite cruise line. We have 3 more booked for the coming season and are very much looking forward to each one.

Being of a certain age and a bit claustrophobic as well as a food lover, I agree with all these points. Smaller ships, great food options, etc. I don’t remember chocolates or “Qdoba at sea” on my cruise in September. I can’t believe I missed food opportunities!

Do you feel there is enough entertainment at night to not be bored? That and endless amounts of wheelchairs and scooters everywhere is what my wife has heard about HAL. I’m looking at the New Zealand cruise for Mar 2025 but my wife is afraid of HAL from what she’s heard from others. I loved your report of what you liked!

The crowd on HAL definitely trends older, but that doesn’t bother me and you’ll still see a wide range of ages (less when kids are in school, of course). In terms of nightlife, there are bars, music venues, the usual shows in the main theater, and the “orange party.” If you’re into dance clubs, lots of theme parties, gameshows, a dedicated comedy space (there are comedians that perform in the main theater on HAL, but not dedicated comedy clubs), you probably wouldn’t love HAL.

As it happens, I’m doing a New England/Canada cruise on HAL in August, so I’ll report back on that one!

We’re doing the ten and eleven day Canada/New England cruises in September. The seven-day Montreal-Boston/Boston-Montreal is our favourite because we don’t have to fly. (We’re an hour from Montreal.) We’ve done it ten times. Also, Ed’s Books in Sydney. Lobster ice cream in Bar Harbor.

I’ll definitely check out Ed’s Books in Sydney on my upcoming New England/Canada itinerary. And my mom will love the lobster ice cream in Bar Harbor (I’ll pass on that one…lol). Thanks for the awesome tips!

We just got off the Nieuw Amsterdam after an Alaska cruise tour- had an amazing time. Loved the naturalist talks! FYI- I asked about the Dive In sauce, it’s ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, though I don’t know the proportions

Ooooooh! Good to know! I’ll have to experiment and see if I can recreate it. Thanks! So glad you had a fabulous cruise tour! HAL does Alaska so well.

Recent cruise on Nieuw Statendam: no library, bed chocolates once in 16 days, pickleball hats to play because set up was on sports court with little kids around us. No partitions so quite windy. And then with the demise of Lincoln Center Stage, the reason HA was our first choice, we are probably going to change cruise lines.

I’m very sorry to hear that – sounds like a pretty disappointing experience. I know a lot of people are upset about Lincoln Center Stage (including me). Hopefully if enough of us speak up about it, they’ll consider bringing it back.

One thing not mentioned was there are religious services on holland american cruises weekly. I find this important and have cruised on 21 cruises consisting of 5 cruise lines and never had them offered on any other cruise lines.

Only cruise line that offers catholic masses

We absolutely agree with you! I’d also add that the overall ship layout is wonderful (you can walk straight through the entire ship on one level (unlike N@$@n where you have to take detours and elevators to get from Stem to stern. Also the wide spacious walkway area between the Lido food stations and the short wall separation of the dining tables in the Lido are well-planned. As you mentioned, the wait staff helps with drinks which is a truly practical and enjoyable feature. The entire crew is focused on polite customer service. #weloveHAL

Yes! I love all those features too!

I love all of these and more. On my next cruise on the Nieuw Statendam, I’ll be able to cruise in the ocean view solo cabin which i am super excited about! I traveled on another line but their solo cabins were all inside. I look forward to my next tile as I am a 3 Star mariner and hope to get to 4 star very soon. I truly enjoy sailing with HAL!

I will be taking my 5th HAL cruise in December 2023. Will be sailing roundtrip Sydney to New Zealand this time. Really enjoyed the size of HAL cruise ships. Been on the larger cruise ship and find it so crowded and chaotic. Looking forward to earning my 3rd star Mariner!

I would like to hear how you liked that NZ cruise with HAL as looking at that one also…

We were on 2 B2B cruises on HAL in May . The Zuiderdam on a Transatlantic and then the Nieuw Statendam for Norway. While the Z is an older ship, she had an extensive library. On board the NS, I went looking for the library and found NONE! Much to my surprise. What a disappointment. One of the newest ships in HAL’s fleet with NO library! I understand they will be installing a library at the next refit, and getting rid of some business spaces. Thanks, HAL.

I also liked the pizza. I hated the reminders of what say it was because it make me feel that the cruise was ending too fast.

So I’m looking at 2 options for Aust/NZ for Feb 2025: HAL-Westerdam or Crown Princess My biggest concern is limited entertainment on HAL but feel their enrichment sessions might be good. I’m guessing that food is comparable? Any recommendations?

[…] of the recycle bin and join up! And I’m going to add this new onboard credit benefit to my List of Things I Love About Holland America! And with […]

[…] out of the recycle bin and join up! And I’m going to add this new onboard credit benefit to my List of Things I Love About Holland America! And with […]

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Cruise bookings are predicted to reach record levels this year, and travelers are especially interested in luxurious sailings.

But as many of us know, luxury doesn't always equate to value, even when it comes to upgrades and special packages.

So, on our recent cruise to Alaska, my husband and I put one of many cruise packages to the test: Holland America Line's "Have It All" package, which costs $55 per person per day.

It includes perks like a beverage package, ship credit for shore excursions, onboard WiFi, and dinner at specialty restaurants.

Here's why we found it to be such a great value we're going to add it to future cruises.

The beverage package was great, and it included special drinks without alcohol

The biggest perk of the "Have It All" package was the ability to order drinks without worrying about the bill at the end of the cruise.

Our previous cruises had us drinking only tap water, drip coffee, tea, and an occasional glass of wine with dinner to avoid any sticker shock at the end of the trip. We felt restricted in enjoying our vacation.

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But this time, we had the freedom to enjoy ourselves. The "Have It All" package we booked came with 15 drinks a day under $11. If you want a drink over $11, you only pay the difference.

The beverage package also covers non-alcoholic drinks. It was perfect for when we wanted espresso drinks for cold Alaska days or a bottle of water for a shore excursion.

The shore-excursion credit helped push us to have more fun

We knew we had to do a whale-watching excursion in Alaska, but didn't consider booking other excursions due to price. Many of the ones we were interested in cost over $100 per person.

But with the package, we each got credits to use toward shore excursions during our cruise. The value of the credit varies depending on the duration of your cruise — ours was less than 10 days, so we each got a $100 credit.

The $200 worth of credits made us feel more comfortable booking an incredible excursion to kayak the wild waters of Sitka.

We probably would've hesitated to book an excursion and missed an incredible experience if we hadn't felt compelled to use the credits in the package.

Specialty dining helped us celebrate our anniversary

Our "Have it All" packages each included at least one dinner at one of the ship's specialty restaurants. If you're on a longer cruise, this package would get you access to more dinners.

We used our credits to eat at the Pinnacle Grill, known for its premium steaks and intimate dining experience. Our anniversary dinner was extra special because of the access to premium dishes unavailable in the main dining room, five-star service, and a luxurious setting.

WiFi kept us connected

The package included WiFi, which really came in handy as we shared photos with friends and family throughout our trip.

We were able to use the internet to search for whatever we needed and research the highlights to visit at the next port of call.

We've already booked the package for future cruises

For less than what a few drinks cost per day, the package helped us relax, have fun, and enjoy each port of call with a shore excursion. Plus, we got to indulge in the ship's specialty restaurants.

We loved it so much we've already purchased this same package for three future cruises.

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Here's how you can sail on dozens of Vancouver cruises for $49 a day

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Travellers looking for a cheap Alaskan cruise from Vancouver have a new option for under $50 a day before taxes. 

Holland America Line (HAL) has launched a program that allows flexible travellers to sign up for its standby program enabling them to sail on most routes for a fraction of the regular price. 

HAL Spokesperson Adrienne Carter said the program is ideal for people who live in Vancouver and can take a last-minute cruise from the Canada Place terminal. 

Hundreds of cruises visit the downtown terminal annually, offering dozens of opportunities for possible standby options through HAL's program. While most of these options visit Alaska, a few others journey down the Pacific Coast to California. 

The cruise line has a list of cruises that are eligible for the  Standby List Program .

How much does the standby program cost?

HAL's standby program costs US$49 per person per day or US$98 per stateroom per day before port taxes and fees, regardless of the itinerary. This means you can experience any applicable sailing at a low-cost price. 

Standby guests cannot select a cabin and may be assigned any stateroom category up to a veranda stateroom, based on availability.

Solo travellers won't be charged a double-capacity premium, meaning they only need to pay the $49 fee. If they travel with third or fourth guests, they'll stay free (but they must pay taxes and port expenses). 

For example, a seven-night Alaskan cruise that departs from Vancouver on June 1 and sails through the Inside Passage making stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan before returning home regularly costs $855 for the seven-night sailing before taxes and port fees. However, it is on sale, so travellers can find prices as low as $722. The taxes, fees, and port expenses are an additional $356.73 for this cruise, so the final price works out to $1,078.73 with the sale.

Standby guests can sail for $49 a day for seven days or $343, so the final price is $699.73 with taxes and port expenses. This is an overall savings of $379.

All guests who sail with HAL must pay an additional $17 per diem for "crew appreciation" (gratuities). 

When will I be notified if space becomes available on a sailing?

Prospective passengers will be notified a week to two days before embarkation if they have been accepted for the cruise. 

HAL will notify people who have added their name to the program no less than two days before departure. 

Guests are charged when they sign up for the Standby List. If they are not selected, HAL will process a refund within four to six weeks. However, people who chose not to sail but signed up for the program will be refunded.

What other kinds of destinations can I visit on the standby program?

Aside from round-trip Vancouver Alaskan sailings, and ones that go from Whittier, Alaska to Vancouver, travellers can also find numerous options across North America. 

Three sailings from San Diego to Vancouver feature five-, six-, and seven-day itineraries and make stops in places like Catalina Island and San Francisco. There is even a 20-day option that departs from Fort Lauderdale and sails through the Panama Canal en route to Vancouver. 

There are also options from other ports across the continent but locals would have to include flights to and from these destinations to take advantage of the standby option.

Cruise options will be added to the Standby List weekly .

To join the standby list for your preferred cruise, contact a travel agent or call 877-724-5425.

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Share this article, stay updated, new shows take center stage to enhance cruise experience.

Cue the drumroll. We’re pleased to share that our award-winning entertainment lineup is expanding across our fleet in 2024, delighting guests through new productions, music and destination-specific performances. Here’s a sneak peek of the experiences that will have you grooving throughout your Holland America Line cruise vacation.

Embark on a Musical Journey

We’re putting a fresh spin on classic cruise productions by combining singing and dancing into a new mainstage experience through four new shows. Multitalented headliners and an ensemble of singers and dancers will have you swaying in your seat as you savor the moments of these concert-style productions:

Song & Dance

Lights, camera, action! Set on a studio backlot, two leading men showcase a concert of musical numbers from Broadway, Hollywood and more.

Las Vegas goes to sea in this elaborate production, celebrating iconic female performers of the concert and nightclub stage.

Be a part of our studio audience as we present our take on the classic TV variety shows of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Headliners share the spotlight through a combination of singing, dancing and a little bit of comedy.

Hey, Mr. DJ

Iconic radio DJs introduce songs from the ’60s through today in this concert of pop hits.

Having already debuted on Eurodam and Nieuw Statendam, these spectacular shows will also appear on Rotterdam and Zuiderdam by the end of June. We will continue to introduce them across our ships in the months ahead.

Delight in Destination-Focused Entertainment

Complementing these new shows on the World Stage are unique productions specific to the regions we sail to around the world. That means you’ll experience a different entertainment lineup when you cruise Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, South America and other destinations from sea to sea. Examples include:

Island Magic

Caribbean cruises on Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam will feature unique orchestral steel drum concerts, playing a versatile repertoire ranging from traditional island sounds to unique versions of classical and pop songs.

Breton Thunder

Cruises to Canada and New England on Volendam and Zuiderdam will introduce an authentic Nova Scotia music experience highlighting the area’s European roots.

Chordial Chamber Trio and Pantheon

Select sailings on Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam in Europe will feature a classical string ensemble or the dynamic vocals of three European tenors.

Step One Dance Company & Major Fourth

Our Alaska cruises will continue to feature the elite members of the Step One Dance Company, who blend innovative choreography with artistic video projection to create immersive experiences. Major Fourth also takes the stage with four singers delivering impactful harmonies that cover all genres and decades.

In addition to the lineup above, we will continue to feature music clubs varying by ship, from the Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard to the B.B. King’s Blues Club .

Are you ready to embark on a musical journey during your Holland America Line cruise vacation? Which shows excite you the most? Share in the comments below.

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Holland America: First Cruise Line to Receive International Seafood Certifications

• April 8, 2024

Holland America Line is becoming the first global cruise line to receive both Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifications.

According to the company, the two organizations serve as the most credible standards worldwide for certified seafood.

The certifications take Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Program to the next level, the cruise line added in a press release, underscoring its commitment to serving guests the highest quality seafood that is sourced sustainably when wild-caught and raised responsibly when farmed according to the strictest global standards.

“Our guests care about the quality and sustainability of the fresh fish we serve, and so do we,” said Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line.

“These certifications build on our commitment of bringing regionally inspired fresh seafood dishes from port to plate in 48 hours. We’re proud to partner with two organizations that share our dedication to protecting the vitality of the oceans we sail.”

The Marine Stewardship Council’s focus is on sustainable wild-caught seafood, while Aquaculture Stewardship Council works with responsibly farmed seafood, with both organizations seeking to minimize environmental impacts.

“As the first global cruise line to successfully complete the Marine Stewardship Council’s rigorous Chain of Custody audit, Holland America Line is extending our important work around sustainable, ocean-friendly fishing to a new category,” said Erika Feller, Americas Director, Marine Stewardship Council.

“Consumer interest in sustainable fish options is growing and, by achieving this commitment, Holland America Line is helping to support our goal of ensuring responsibly farmed seafood supplies for future generations,” said Chris Ninnes, CEO, Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

All 11 ships in the fleet are Chain of Custody certified to serve Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified and labeled seafood, with the full rollout starting across five Holland America Line ships in May 2024 at the beginning of Europe and Canada/New England season.

They include the Volendam in the Canada/New England region, and the Rotterdam, the Nieuw Statendam, the Zuiderdam and the Oosterdam in Europe.

Holland America Line’s six ships in Alaska serve 100 percent sustainable seafood under its Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification.

Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified seafood dishes in Holland America Line’s Main Dining Room, as well as in Lido Market and in specialty restaurants.

Certified seafood from nine regions worldwide will be incorporated into the company’s seafood  offerings: Asia, Australia, Canada/New England, Mexico, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.

The initiative is aligned with Holland America Line’s strategy for its onboard product, which includes focusing on three elements: fresh, regional and local .

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This Cruise Company Just Became the First Line to Receive International Seafood Certifications

Sustainable and delicious dinners? Yes please.

Holland America Line

Cruising isn’t exactly known for its sustainability, but Holland America Line is hoping to change one small part of it for the better.

On Monday, Holland America Line announced it’s “elevating its award-winning dining experience” not by introducing new dishes, but by becoming the first global cruise line to receive both Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifications. 

The new MSC label means the fish used onboard the ships is “from a fishery that has been independently assessed on its impacts to wild fish populations and the ecosystems they're part of,” the organization’s website explains . To gain the certification, a fishery must comply with the organization’s three principles: “only fishing healthy stocks, being well-managed so stocks can be fished for the long-term, and minimizing their impact on other species and the wider ecosystem.”

As for the ASC certification, that means that the fish comes from a farm that is “independently assessed against every requirement in their species-specific ASC standard,” the ASC website explains . ASC-certified farms must meet strict environmental regulations, ensuring the seafood is good for you and the planet. 

The program, the cruise line shared, is yet another extension of its promise to bring guests the freshest seafood possible. In 2023, it announced its Global Fresh Fish Program in partnership with celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto, which promised to bring fresh fish to every diner’s plate from the closest docks in less than 48 hours. As Food & Wine previously explained, that means if you're sailing through the Caribbean, you'll get to taste local yellowtail snapper, while in Alaska, you can enjoy sockeye salmon, and in Greece, you can expect lavraki to be on the menu.

“Our guests care about the quality and sustainability of the fresh fish we serve, and so do we,” Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, shared in a statement provided to Food & Wine. “These certifications build on our commitment of bringing regionally inspired fresh seafood dishes from port to plate in 48 hours. We’re proud to partner with two organizations that share our dedication to protecting the vitality of the oceans we sail.” 

As of right now, all 11 ships in the company’s fleet are Chain of Custody certified to serve MSC and ASC-certified and labeled seafood. The full rollout will start across five Holland America Line ships in May 2024, beginning with cruises in Europe and the Canada/New England region. Holland America Line’s six ships in Alaska already serve 100% sustainable seafood under its Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification.

Guests will know exactly what they are dining on thanks to new onboard menus indicating the type of certification with a symbol marked next to the dish using the MSC blue fish, the ASC’s sea green, and RFM’s logo. And though the company shares that not all seafood species aboard Holland America Line are currently certified, they are “working toward 100% accreditation of species that are eligible to meet the organizations’ standards.”