holland america 54 day cruise

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 Cruise Reviews

1 - 10 of 8,644 Holland America Line Cruise Reviews

Sail Date: April 2024

Review for a Caribbean - Eastern Cruise on Eurodam

This was our first cruise so expectations were high. First and foremost all crew members were welcoming, kind, professional and very helpful. The stateroom had a veranda which was perfect, however, the bathroom shower curtain had some mold on it and should have been replaced. Housekeeping cleaned the room two times daily and did a good job. The Lido deck was crowded and often times it was a ... Read More

Review for a Pacific Coastal Cruise on Koningsdam

It was our 5th cruise on Holland. We had been sailing Royal since pandemic, but got a casino offer from Holland. We've always enjoyed Holland and this gave us a chance to get our foot in the door. We booked Club Orange and were not disappointed. Booked Have It All, probably not do in future, we get drinks in casino. We were worried after posts said drinks were only for 1 person, but they were ... Read More

Sail Date: March 2024

Review for a Asia Cruise on Westerdam

12 years ago we started our first cruise with this line (to Norway) and we loved it , after few cruises with other lines we decided to go back to Holland America , because of our first good experience with them. This time we were unpleasantly surprised that for 12 years the standards have dropped significantly , instead of improving. On the first minute of the cruise we were very disappointed to ... Read More

Review for a Mexican Riviera Cruise on Zaandam

The only thing that saved this cruise was the eclipse. This was my third cruise with HAL in three years 2 were on the Eurodam and then this one. I loved my other 2 cruises but this one really soured me on cruising. Confusing info: We received an email about boarding times which had people instructed to board at 3pm which was all aboard time. It was revised to 2:30. I’m sure this contributed to ... Read More

Review for a Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Holland America Rotterdam

We had a great time on our Nine night cruise On board Rotterdam Embarkation was smooth We got to Port Everglades at 12:20 And we did request wheelchair assistance prior to embarkation, which was very great and We went through the check in process and boarding. The ship was a breeze. The ports were amazing. We did have two days and we did see Aruba Bonnie grand Turk and half Moon cay But the food ... Read More

Ship is beautiful,the service was outstanding! The food was excellent in all areas of the ship!! Smoking in the casino was disgusting it reaked into the shops! Music was not appropriate for holland america crowd! Bb king and rolling stones lounge was so loud that it was impossible to have a conversation with anyone! When at sea there was terrible itinerary. Coloring for adults was the big deal ... Read More

Review for a Caribbean - Eastern Cruise on Nieuw Statendam

My background: 47, Family of 4, cruised on NCL, RCL, and MSC embarkation and disembarkation This was the smoothest part of the trip. Literally, it was the easiest I have ever seen on any cruise line. Everything is very orderly! service good, nothing to write home about, very typical except in the dinning room where none of the staff seemed to know where tables were located and ... Read More

Review for a Mexican Riviera Cruise on Koningsdam

Very nice ship, with lots of space per passenger, and quiet places to sit with views of the water. Very good service in cabin and restaurants. Disappointing entertainment; Lincoln Center no longer offered, and main stage entertainment was mediocre. Boarding process was uncomfortable, due to 2 ships at pier in San Diego, forcing us to wait 1.5-2.5 hours in the cold, rainy weather until we ... Read More

Another flawless dash down to Mexico and back home, and now some fresh feedback for the Bridge, as well as words for future guests. First, the staff of course. Predictably, guests are treated like gold; food is varied and superior to anything our party generally enjoys while home-bound; services from pingpong scholarship to spa, from massage to informing linedance tendencies... All of it, ... Read More

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Cruise Itinerary

Life onboard westerdam.

Feel at home with understated yet attentive service from the moment you board when you cruise on Westerdam. Read more

Whether you choose complimentary or specialty dining you are going to love the range of cuisine at every meal. Read more

Immerse more deeply in the destinations you visit with the program of activities offered by Explorations Central. Read more

Tap your toes and sing along to the greatest hits of your lifetime, played by a duet of pianos in Billboard on Board. Read more

From excursions for families, city tours or adventures for nature lovers, there is an excursion in each port for everyone. Read more

Take in the breathtaking views from your treatment room as you indulge in a relaxing treatment in the heavenly spa. Read more

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Holland America Introduces ‘Dutch Day’ Culinary Experiences on Every Cruise

• April 28, 2024

Holland America Line is introducing a new “Dutch Day” culinary experience celebrating the cruise line’s history on every sailing in Alaska, Europe, Asia or the Caribbean, according to a press release.

The focal point of Dutch Day will be a themed Dutch Dinner served once per cruise in the main Dining Room, with many dishes also available in the Lido Market. Additionally, Holland America Line’s Orange Party will be held on Dutch Day, and guests can enjoy fresh-made poffertjes in Crow’s Nest Café.

“Holland America Line remains deeply connected to our roots in the Netherlands, and Dutch Day is the perfect way to honor our history through experiences that celebrate the culinary culture of the country,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “Our guests appreciate special touches like Daelmans Stroopwafel for turn down or a dish in the dining room that is distinctly Dutch, and we’re excited to expand the cultural experience for an entire day to showcase more of our heritage.”

The special Dutch Dinner features both classic and contemporary Dutch delicacies. The selection of starters features a Bay Shrimp Cocktail with Dutch cocktail sauce, Erwten Soep (Dutch Pea Soup), and Mushroom Cream puff pastry with hollandaise sauce.

Dutch-inspired main course options include Bami Goreng, a stir-fried noodle dish with chicken sate and peanut sauce; Pan-Fried Dover Sole with lemon butter; and Hodge Podge Klapstuk with chateau potatoes. For dessert, options include a Bosche Bol, Tompouce or a slice of traditional Dutch Apple Pie.

In collaboration with Daelmans Stroopwafels, Dutch Day will also feature Stroopwafel Cheesecake for dessert on the dinner menu in the Dining Room and Lido Market and a Stroopwafel Napoleon at tea time. Additionally, instead of the traditional stateroom turn-down chocolate, guests will find a Daelmans Stroopwafel waiting for them on their pillow.

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Holland America Line

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Holland America has a long history of traditional cruising on spacious, elegant midsize ships.

Holland America Line is known for its gracious service and sophisticated dining, and its fleet sails to ports of call on all seven continents. Decor includes an abundance of fresh flowers, museum-quality art and attention to detail. Work out in the fitness center, take in a movie at the cinema, learn yoga, pamper yourself with a massage, take a class in the state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center demonstration kitchen or check your email in the Explorations Café. Whatever you choose, there's an onboard activity for everyone.

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Holland America Line’s first Signature-class cruise ship, Eurodam has delighted guests since her maiden voyage. In addition to amazing evening entertainment, an array of activities allows you to pursue new interests or relax and rejuvenate. Experience onboard cooking shows and hands-on workshops. On deck enjoy two outdoor pools, along with basketball and volleyball courts.

Launched in 2016, Koningsdam carries forward all of the tradition, nautical heritage, and signature service and style for which Holland America Line is known, while raising the bar for 21st-century elegance. Pinnacle means "high point" and the debut of Koningsdam is a high point in Holland America Line history.

Nieuw Amsterdam

The second Signature-class ship, Nieuw Amsterdam celebrates the glamour and history of New York City with its inspired interior design and art collection throughout the ship ranging from antiques by traditional Dutch masters to creations by renowned contemporary artists including Andy Warhol, Richard Estes and Roy Lichtenstein. Nieuw Amsterdam guests enjoy dazzling entertainment options from their very first night on board. While cruising, experience onboard cooking shows and hands-on workshops or head out on deck to enjoy the two outdoor pools, basketball or volleyball courts.

Nieuw Statendam

Honoring Holland America Line's past while keeping its eyes on the future, Nieuw Statendam is the sixth ship in Holland America Line’s history to bear the name Statendam and features several of the innovative venues that were introduced on her sister ship, the Koningsdam.

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam features museum-quality art such as an oil painting of the city of Utrecht painted in 1842, as well as contemporary art like the series of photographs of music greats Dizzy Gillespie and B.B. King. Noordam guests enjoy dazzling entertainment options from their very first night on board, including B.B. King’s Blues Club. Enjoy exciting activities like cooking shows and hands-on workshops that allow you to pursue new interests or simply relax and rejuvenate.

Holland America Line’s first Vista-class cruise ship, Oosterdam has delighted guests since her maiden voyage. Guests now have more world-class entertainment options than ever before. Live music has always been the heart and soul of evenings aboard Holland America Line, and now Oosterdam features the full Music Walk experience with three exciting venues. Lincoln Center Stage features world-class musicians performing chamber music. Billboard Onboard, rocks the house with 50 years of chart-topping hits. The already popular B.B. King’s Blues Club, brings the best of Memphis blues to sea. Feel free to enjoy exciting activities, pursue new interests or simply relax and rejuvenate.

In honor of some of the most memorable ships in Holland America Line's history, their third Pinnacle-class ship (and new flagship) will be named Rotterdam. This new addition to the fleet will fill your journey with a rhythm all its own, putting music front and center, creating the soundtrack to the discoveries you make every day. At the heart of it all is Music Walk®: an exclusive collection of five venues featuring live music and electrifying performances from accomplished musicians, dancers and artists every night. Rotterdam hits all the right notes: exquisite dining experiences, enhanced staterooms and suites, the finest service at sea and craftsmanship that reflects nearly 150 years of seafaring expertise. The result is a ship that moves you — from the start of your first day to the end of each perfect night. Ship images are an artist rendering.

The beautiful garden theme of Volendam is reflected in an artful floral motif throughout the ship's spacious public rooms and elegant staterooms. Flowers are found in abundance in floral fabrics and tapestries, as well as huge vases of fresh floral arrangements. Guests aboard Volendam enjoy wide teak decks, elegant dining rooms and spacious staterooms — many with private verandahs.

The theme of Westerdam's art collection is Dutch heritage in the New World. Art ranges from paintings of historic Dutch ships, a huge Indian silver-overlaid wood palace doorway, a bone tobacco pipe, to a collection of 5,000-year-old pre-Columbian carved figures and Contemporary pieces include an original Andy Warhol portrait.

Designed to carry fewer guests while providing more space for maximum comfort, Zaandam is a prize in the mid-size ship category. On the musically themed Zaandam, you'll find musical instruments such as Bill Clinton's saxophone and signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones throughout the ship. In her soaring three-story atrium: a Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ, inspired by the traditional barrel organs still found on the streets of The Netherlands.

Guests aboard Zuiderdam, the first in the Vista-class series, enjoy a spectacular art and antique collection, wide teak decks, elegant dining rooms and spacious staterooms. At the heart of Zuiderdam, suspended in a three-story atrium, is a Waterford Crystal Seahorse. Other notable pieces include a painting of Queen Beatrix by pop culture artist and icon, Andy Warhol, medallions by Frank Lloyd Wright, and a massive floral painting by Charles Ben.

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An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

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75+ Ultimate First-Time Cruise Tips for Holland America (You Wish You Knew Sooner)

These are my 75+ ultimate first-time cruise tips for Holland America sailors. Each cruise line is uniquely different with its own special tips and tricks to help you navigate life at sea. If this will be your first time sailing with Holland America, these are my personal insider tips for making the most of your cruise adventures and avoiding rookie mistakes. Learn the ins and outs of booking, staterooms, dining, excursions, and daily life onboard the ship.

I love sailing with Holland America and I hope these tips help you plan a stress-free cruise and enjoy the wonderful adventures that await. These are tips I’ve learned during my many cruises with Holland America that I wish I had known sooner.

Booking Your Cruise

1. have it all package, 2. should you use a travel agent, 3. club orange, 4. best rooms, 5. neptune & pinnacle suites, finding cruise deals, 6. vacations to go, 7. new holland america standby program, 8. delta cruises, packing tips, 9. how to avoid seasickness, 10. pack medications, 11. packing tips for alaska, 12. packing tips for the caribbean, 13. dressy nights, 14. unique packing items for holland america cruises, 15. items not to pack, 16. items not allowed on cruise ships, 17. laundry & pressing services, drink packages, 18. coca-cola package, 19. quench package, 20. signature package, 21. elite package, 22. gratuity & service fees, 23. free drinks, 24. happy hours, 25. b.y.o.b, 26. wine package, 27. beverage package rules, first-time cruise tips for holland america embarkation & arrival, 28. embarkation time, 29. arrive a day early, 30. download the navigation app, 32. clearing the mini-bar, 33. extras to ask for, onboard dining on holland america, 34. anytime dining is easy, 35. mdr on dressy nights, 36. themed nights in the lido, 37. seafood boil at lido, 38. don’t miss the new 2024 “cake me away”, 39. know the hours, 40. themed brunch, 41. pop-up dining nights, 42. specialty dining restaurants, 43. additional free casual dining options, 44. the best breakfast, 45. chocolate night, 46. afternoon tea, holland america onboard activities, 48. orange party, 49. bar crawls, 50. wine tastings, 51. cruise meetups, 52. arts & crafts, 53. teen & children activities, 54. board games, 55. the library, 56. thermal suite, 57. unique lectures, 58. onboard experts, 59. sports & health, 60. casino & bingo games, onboard entertainment, 61. the music venues, 62. dueling piano’s, 63. evening shows, shore excursions, 65. price guarantee, 66. benefits of booking through holland america, 67. booking with viator, 68. the most popular excursions, disembarkation, 69. the last breakfast with drinks, 70. using luggage direct in fort lauderdale, 71. port valet free in seattle, 72. self-assisted disembarkation, 73. airport transportation by holland america, 74. departing flights, 75. after cruise excursions, other random holland america cruise tips, 76. how to hear announcements in your cabin, 77. ordering a double, discover more travel guides, about the author.

The Have It All Package on Holland America includes drinks up to $11 with 15 drinks each day, Wi-fi, one specialty dining credit, and $100 to use towards shore excursions. It is only $55 per day and one of the best values. Having just 5-6 drinks a day pays for the package itself and this includes not only alcohol but also specialty coffees, bottles of water, and soda.

A question often asked is if cruisers should book through a travel agent. The benefits are that you may receive additional perks and onboard credit. One thing to take note of is that once you book through a travel agent, any issue that arises MUST go through them. This could be great if they were a good travel agent, but frustrating if they are not. Make sure you book with a well-known agent that comes highly recommended if you decide to go this route.

Club Orange is a special upgrade that you need to request when making your booking. If you want to book Club Orange, you should call in to book your cruise. Club Orange is $25 per day, per person on cruises 13 days or less and $15 per person, per day for cruises over 13 days. If you want the luxury treatment without paying for the Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, this is a great option. Here are the biggest benefits of adding Club Orange to your booking.

• Priority Access with an expedited line for check-in, guest relations, dining, shore excursion desk, tenders, and disembarkation.
• Stateroom Upgrade: This means if you book the cheapest level veranda, for example, you will get upgraded to the more expensive option with a better location on the ship without paying extra. Often moving to better stateroom categories can cost a few hundred dollars extra, so by booking the lowest level stateroom (such as a room with an obstructed view) and adding Club Orange, it can end up paying for itself.

Example: An obstructed veranda on a recent 2024 7-day Alaska Cruise is $1,054 per person. The regular Veranda is $1,444 and that price jumps to $1,500 if you want to select your own location. Paying for Club Orange is $25 per day which is an additional $175. It is cheaper to book the obstructed veranda for $1,054, add $175 which totals $1,229, and then you will be upgraded to the regular veranda which would have cost you extra. You just saved $225 by paying for Club Orange which you can now spend on your Have it All package, plus you get all the extra perks!

• Extra Amenities: Club Orange guests receive a bottle of sparkling wine on embarkation, their own concierge, premium bathrobes, and a special Club Orange tote bag.
• Private Dining Venue on Pinnacle Class Ships

The best rooms on Holland America are really based on preference. I always prefer a Veranda balcony stateroom, but you can find amazing deals if you do not mind being in an inside cabin. The Vista Suites on Holland America are also wonderful and incredibly spacious. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a stateroom.

• If you are located under the Lido where the pool is located, you may hear noise early in the morning from the chairs being moved across the deck.
• Being located above the BB King and live music venues can cause noise from music in the evening. 
• If you are staying in a connected stateroom, be aware you may be more likely to hear your neighbors.
• Many love the AFT balconies for their amazing views, but be aware there is a strong vibration and upper levels have complained of soot on balconies. 
• The front of the ship has much more motion and balconies towards the very front are windier.
• Vista Suites are incredibly roomy and large with huge balconies on the Westerdam and Eurodam.
• SignatureSuites are similar to Vista Suites, but even larger and have king size beds as well as a pull-down bunk, a Murphy bed, or a sofa bed. These suites are ideal for families.
• Deck 4 on the Rotterdam ship has extended larger balconies.
• Cabin 4156 and the cabin adjoining it on the Nieuw Statendam and 4152/4154 on the Rotterdam are twice the size of a normal balcony at no extra cost.
• For Solo cruisers, the newest ships, The Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam have Solo Ocean View Cabins. These are great if you like to book far in advance, but if you don’t mind booking 90 days out, you can find cheaper deals, even for balconies by paying double.

Everyone who is able to book a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite raves about them. They are incredibly spacious with huge balconies and the Pinnacle suite even has a hot tub on the veranda. Many have been able to stay in these rooms by receiving offers to upgrade. Should you receive an upgrade offer, you should absolutely consider taking it! Here are my favorite perks of staying in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite.

• All the perks of Club Orange
• Use of Neptune Lounge which has snacks and refreshments throughout the day including a continental breakfast before 11 am with coffee or tea, and sandwiches, pastries and cookies after 11 am.
• Private Concierge to assist with any of your needs
• Not mentioned, but you can have Afternoon Tea (served at 3pm) and fresh canapes delivered to your room to eat on the patio upon request.
• Complimentary laundry services
• Cocktail party with the Neptune Lounge Concierge

We all want to find the best cruise deals available so here are my top recommendations for booking incredibly discounted cruises.

The website vacationstogo.com has a special section called the 90-Day Ticker where you can find some seriously amazing deals. I have just in the past month found a balcony room on a Celebrity 12-day South American cruise around the cape for only $699pp and an 8-day Australian cruise on Princess for $599 pp.

Holland America has just introduced a new Standby Program that offers a standby rate of $49 per day, per person to be put on the waitlist for cruisers who are located near a cruise port. You will receive notice if you are on the waitlist about 7 days before the cruise and very late notice if you make it onto the cruise, sometimes even on disembarkation day.

What makes this deal so enticing is that solo cruisers are not charged double to be put on the waitlist. If you don’t mind an inside cabin, you could be put on the waitlist for your own cabin on a 14-day cruise for under $1,000.

Another site I think is worth booking through is Delta Cruises. This is because when you book through Delta cruises, they give you Delta rewards miles which is an added value in addition to the other typical perks.

I am prone to seasickness and even got sick on the first cruise I ever took. If you want to avoid seasickness my recommendation is to take non-drowsy Dramamine every morning like a vitamin. You may also want to book Mid-ship on a lower deck which will have less motion.

Every time I travel, especially on cruises, I bring an entire bag of every medication you can imagine and I’ve never regretted it. I recommend bringing Dayquil, a decongestant, allergy medication, Tums, Peptobismol, anxiety medication, Imodium, and even a mild laxative. My entire medicine cabinet travels with me.

In Alaska, the weather can vary wildly. It can be warm, rainy, and it’s chilly near the glaciers. Always dress in layers. Here is our complete Alaska Packing Guide .

Packing for the Caribbean is a little easier, but key things to bring are reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, swimsuits, and comfortable shoes.

Every 7-day cruise has 2 dressy nights. While cruisers don’t dress in full-length ball gowns, everyone does seem to get dressed up. I recommend wearing a nice dress. I also like to dress nice when I go to the main dining room and specialty restaurants so I will often bring clothing items like skirts, blouses, and a pair of nice slacks.

Here are some unique packing items that many seasoned cruises often bring with them.

• Luggage Tags for Cruises : When you check in for your cruise, you will be able to print luggage tags which are used by the cruise ships to get the luggage to your room. These luggage tags ensure your printable tags do not rip off or become damaged. They do not need to be put on your luggage until you are embarking.
• Lanyards : If you are worried about losing your cruise key cards (which I may have done once or twice), you can purchase lanyards to keep them secure around your neck. Your cruise card is used for getting into your room and for all your beverages. If you do happen to lose it, you can have a new one printed at guest services.
• An Outfit with Orange : Holland America has a special event where everyone wears orange. It could be a dress, pants, top, and even a tie with the color orange. More info on this is below.

You do not need to pack a hair dryer, body wash, shampoo, or conditioner unless you are picky. Holland America uses Elemis Spa products.

Some common items not allowed on Holland America cruise ships are clothes steamers, hard alcohol, beer, drones, large scissors, candles, heated electrical appliances such as heated blankets, hot plates, humidifiers, plastic water bottles, and soda.

There are no irons, steamers, or laundry facilities on the Holland America ships, but they do provide a laundry and pressing service. You can opt to get clothing just pressed, have individual items laundered, or pay a flat fee for an entire bag of laundry. if you are taking an extended cruise you can also pay for a laundry package so you do not have to worry about packing as much. Below is also the pricing information:

• $30 per bag
• $63 for a 7-day cruise
• $126 for a 14-day cruise
• Shirt or blouse: $3.50 to clean only, or $5.50 to clean and press
• Sweater: $3.50 to clean only, or $5.00 to clean and press
• Overcoat or long coat: $6.50 to clean only, or $10.50 to clean and press
• Walking shorts: $3.00 to clean only, or $4.50 to clean and press
• Pajamas: $3.50 to clean only, or $5.00 to clean and press
• Dress: $7.50 to wash or $6.00 to press
• Suit: $7.00 to press, or $5.00 to wash and press pants 

Here is useful information to know about the drink packages, various drink options, and ways you can save on beverages. The best option is to purchase the Have It All package that we mentioned above as it includes all beverages up to $11 for up to 15 beverages per day. If you were to purchase this individually it would be $54.95 per day, so unless you do not plan on consuming alcohol, the Have It All Package is a great value.

The Coca-Cola Package is an option on Pinnacle Class ships and includes unlimited fountain drinks and sodas.

Quench packages are best for those who do not drink alcoholic beverages but want to enjoy sodas, canned water, specialty coffee, mocktails, smoothies, juices, and energy drinks.

Price $17.95 Up to 15 drinks per day

The Signature package is the most popular and includes everything from the Quench Package plus alcoholic beverages up to $11. Most drinks on Holland America are $10-$11.50. This includes well-known liquor brands such as Jose Cuervo, Buffalo Trace, Jim Bean, Sky Vodka, Smirnoff, Bacardi, Captain Morgans, and Jameson, as well as numerous wines and prosecco.

Price $54.94 for up to 15 drinks per day

The Elite Package includes drinks up to $15. To be honest, when we tried this package, it was unnecessary. We used higher-end spirits in our drinks and the higher prices wines were not brands we typically enjoy or drink. I’ve included a photo of the higher-end liquors included in the Elite Package.

An 18% gratuity is automatically applied to all beverages purchased. This means when you see that tip line on your receipt, anything extra you leave is above the 18% they will already charge you on your beverage package. In other words, even though a tip line is there, that is to leave extra. Your tips on beverages are already included in your package.

Yes, there are free drinks available. You will see pitchers of lemonade and iced tea on the lido buffet and these are free. Juice at breakfast, milk, punch, and brewed coffee are also free. I also recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to fill up with water (for sanitary reasons just remember to fill a glass first, then pour it into your reusable water bottle).

Additionally, if you enjoy Champagne, you will find that all the art auctions offer guests free champagne. There is also various meet and greets on the first day of embarkation with complimentary champagne. On the second night of your cruise, be sure not to miss the Captain’s Toast at the World Stage for complimentary champagne and Kir Royales.

If you haven’t purchased the upgraded beverage package but still want to enjoy a few drinks, there is a special happy hour each day usually from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm and drinks are 50% off. If your ship has the Tamarind Bar, there is also a Martini Hour between 5 pm – 6 pm. Also, check your itinerary for special “Sail Away” drinks that are discounted.

Cruisers can bring quite a bit of wine and champagne with them when they cruise with Holland America. This is great if you are particular about the wine you drink as I am. While there is no specific limit to how many bottles you can bring, you will pay a $20 corkage for each bottle, but we find it is well worth it and a great alternative. A bottle of red wine can last 3-5 days, so on a 7-day cruise it might make more sense to just bring along a few of your own bottles.

For example, on the 7-day cruise I took with my in-laws, we brought a case of wine with us which was 7 bottles.

The wine packages are additional first-time cruise tips for Holland America most people do not know about. If you enjoy wine and champagne, instead of purchasing an alcoholic beverage package, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a Sommelier Suite wine package on Holland America cruise ships.

Wine packages are divided into 3- Cellar levels and each level has 4, 6, and 8 bottles packages. When you purchase one of the Sommelier Suite wine packages you’re wine will be available to enjoy during your meals in the MDR or delivered to your room, and any unopened bottles go home with you.

Below are the different pricing packages available. You’ll notice that purchasing any of the Cellar #1 packages is cheaper than the Have It All, Signature, and Elite packages. However, if you need wi-fi during your cruise, the Have it All package is still the better deal.

• Cellar #1: $119 for 4 Bottles, $169 for 6 Bottles, and $219 for 8 Bottles
• Cellar #2: $149 for 4 Bottles, $229 for 6 Bottles, and $289 for 8 Bottles
• Cellar #3: $189 for 4 Bottles, $269 for 6 Bottles, and $329 for 8 Bottles

An important rule to take note of for your beverage packages is that everyone in the same room must purchase the same package. The only exception is for guests in your room who are under 21. If you have a guest who suffers from alcoholism, I have read that there are sometimes exceptions if you can submit a doctor’s note.

Here are my tips for embarkation day that cover everything from boarding the ship to tips once you get into your room.

New for 2024* Just this past week I have read a few sailors who are no longer receiving a boarding time, but instead, their boarding time says anytime, 30 minutes prior to departure. Others will see a specific boarding time on their ticket.

My tip is that there is no need to rush and arrive earlier. In fact, if you do arrive early, you are risking that you may have to wait and deal with long lines. If you can get a late checkout, the best thing to do is just relax and arrive at your boarding time. Typically you will be on the ship in only 30 minutes. Holland America’s embarkation is very quick.

Always arrive a day early for your cruise. You should never risk missing your cruise and trust me, it has happened to many people. You can never know if there will be flight issues.

Prior to your cruise, be sure to download the Navigation App and familiarize yourself with it. You will use the Holland America Navigation app for everything from booking reservations, checking your itinerary, and pulling up your excursion tickets. The app will still work even if you do not have a wi-fi plan.

Connecting your wi-fi can be hectic on the first day of your cruise. If you are having issues connecting your wi-fi try switching browsers. If you still have problems, just go to guest services and they will get you all set up.

If you and your family all use Apple iPhones, texting between each other is free without wi-fi. Be sure to keep your phone in airplane mode for the entire trip so you do not accidentally get charged roaming fees.

If you do not plan on using the mini bar, as soon as you get to your room and meet your stewards, ask them to clear out the minibar. This way you can use the room in the fridge to store extra water, soda, and snacks.

On the first day, if you need things like extra pillows or hangers, you should ask your steward immediately. Do not wait or they may have none available.

On Holland America, everyone usually receives a special tile a day or two before they disembark. Sometimes people do not receive them or they run out. For this reason, I always let my room steward know on the first day that I really, really want my tiles. This way if they are running low, the steward can grab them and save them for me. I’m collecting these to make a tiled table and absolutely love that Holland provides these for their cruisers.

My favorite part of sailing with Holland America is all of their exceptional cuisine. What sets Holland America apart from many other cruise lines is the quality of its cuisine. Even if you did not eat at any specialty restaurants, you would still not feel like you’re missing out by dining in the Main Dining Room . The food is always exceptional!

Unlike other cruise lines, you do NOT need a reservation to dine unless you want to make one. If you dine between 5 pm-6 pm you can walk into the MDR and grab a table easily. If you dine during busier hours, you should make a reservation to avoid waiting.

I personally like to eat early and then go see the 7:30 pm shows.

The number one question I hear asked in the Holland America Facebook groups is “How dressy are the dressy nights on Holland America”. You do not need to wear a ball gown, but I find everyone likes to get dressed up. Usually a nice dress for women and slacks with a collared shirt for men. There are men and women however who do wear tuxedos and gowns.

I absolutely love dressing up and really appreciate those cruisers who do. They all make the dressy evenings in the MDR feel more special. I never miss the dressy nights and always plan any specialty restaurants on non-dressy nights. The food in the main dining room is always extra special on dressy nights.

At least once during every cruise, the Lido Buffet has a special themed night that coincides with the destination. These are always very elaborate and beautifully done. For example, on Caribbean and Hawaii sailings you’ll see a whole roasted pig with the head on!

If you love seafood, look at for the Seafood Boil signs. This is a special offering in a section of the Lido and is an additional $35. Your Seafood Boil will have crab legs, fresh fish, mussels, and more. Everyone always enjoys this night.

New in 2024 is the amazing “Cake Me Away” which you’ll find on your itinerary typically on a sea day during lunch. On my last cruise, this took place on the last sea day at 11:45 am. Cake Away features a section in the Lido Buffet with a huge variety of beautiful whole gourmet cakes to try.

I tried the Mocha Almond Rocha cake on my last cruise and it was absolutely fabulous. These are gorgeous and delicious, freshly baked cakes. For all my dessert lovers, this is a can’t miss!

For some reason on every cruise, I just assume the Lido Buffet is always available for me whenever I want a snack. Sadly this is not the case so it’s important to know the hours, especially if you’re a late-night snacker. I try to get an ice cream cone every evening before bed and it makes me so sad when I don’t get there in time.

The Lido Buffet does a wonderful job of always having some areas open when other areas are closed. For example, if you plan on having dinner at the Lido Buffet or a late-night snack it’s important to know that the Lido Buffet is open from 5 pm – 8:30 pm, then it closes down and re-opens again from 10:30 pm – 11:30 pm. I personally wish the buffet would at least stay open until 9 pm so I could grab a snack before heading to my room after the 7:30 pm shows.

When you are on your Navigation App, always check the hours for the MDR as well. These hours change based on whether it’s a sea day or a port day.

On the last sea day, check your itinerary and the MDR hours as there is usually a themed brunch instead of the typical breakfast and lunch. The themed brunch often includes dishes that draw inspiration from your destination. On the Alaska Cruise they have reindeer sausage!

Pop-Up Dining Nights are when specialty restaurants not available on your ship, host a one-night dinner in the Pinnacle restaurant. You will need to check for this in your itinerary and ask about it when you board the ship.

Currently, all ships except the Nieuw Amsterdam will have a Morimoto by Sea Pop-Up Dinner available which is $55 per person. The Nieuw Amsterdam has its own Morimoto by Sea restaurant aboard the ship.

Holland America Line has several specialty restaurants, but they are not available on all ships so if you enjoy visiting the various specialty restaurants, be sure to check out which ship you’re booking. Here are a few tips when it comes to specialty dining.

• All ships have the Pinnacle Grill (Holland America’s Steakhouse) and Canaletto (Holland America’s Italian Restaurant). The Pinnacle Grill is also popular for lunch and is an additional $19 for lunch and $46 for dinner. Canaletto is $35.
• Tamarind is $35 per person and is a very popular Asian-fusion restaurant that also serves sushi a la carte. It is a favorite among Holland America Line cruisers. You’ll find this restaurant on all ships except the Westerdam, Zuiderdam, Noordam, and Oosterdam.
• Rudi’s Sel de Mer features exceptional French cuisine and seafood and has a stand-alone restaurant on the larger Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. At the stand-alone restaurant, the menu is a la carte. However, on other ships, there is a Rudi’s Sel de Mer pop-up dinner which takes place in the Pinnacle Grill and is available for $55 per person.
• Morimoto by Sea is brand new in 2024 and has a stand-alone restaurant on the Nieuw Amsterdam. This restaurant is $55 per person and serves Asian-fusion cuisine such as Angry Lobster Pad Thai and seasonal Whole Crispy Fish. They will also have a pop-up restaurant on all other ships.

All specialty restaurants are the cost plus an additional 18% gratuity. To book a pop-up restaurant, be sure to ask guest services when you get on the ship to see if it is available and make a reservation.

Holland America also has several casual dining options that are completely free and they are fantastic!

• All ships have the Drive-In which serves fries, a variety of burgers, and hot dogs.
• NY Pizza Cafe is my favorite and serves freshly baked full-size pizzas with any toppings you’d like as well as a variety of salads. This is available on the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam,
• Larger ships (Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam) have NY Pizza & Deli which also offers fresh deli sandwiches.
• Grand Dutch Cafe is a favorite of all cruisers and serves classic Netherland dishes like their famous split pea soup with pumpernickel bread and shaved ham. They also have gourmet lattes, pastries, and beer. The Grand Dutch Cafe is featured on Holland America’s Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam ships

In many of my Holland America groups, I always hear from new cruisers who only eat or grab breakfast in their room or at the Lido Buffet. I want to let you know in advance NOT to miss the breakfast in the main dining room. It is phenomenal with so many choices. If we are getting off the ship early, we even wake up extra early so we don’t miss dining in the MDR, it’s that good!

If you crave late-night sweets, check your itinerary for “Chocolate Surprise” in the Lido Buffet which typically takes place late at night around 9 pm – 10 pm.

I absolutely love enjoying the Afternoon Tea at least once on every cruise. They are always on sea days at 3 pm. You’ll enjoy a selection of various tea sandwiches, scones, pastries, desserts, and teas.

Holland America has plenty of daily activities to keep you busy throughout the day. Here is what you can expect and activities you absolutely do NOT want to miss.

The most notable activity on all Holland America cruises is their Orange Party which is so fun! This is a party thrown on each cruise where everyone throws on their favorite Orange outfit and dances the night away. There are also themed orange drinks and bites to enjoy. It is a very fun and festive event which you will find on your itinerary around 9:45 pm. The top of your itinerary will usually say the day is Casual or Dressy with Orange.

Orange is the official color of Holland America Line and a nod to their Dutch roots.

There are several mixology and cocktail activities available on the ship which are usually an additional $25 to sign up for, but the one you do not want to miss is the Bar Crawl that takes place before the Orange Party. It is amazing and the bartenders do some really showstopping tricks.

Throughout the cruise, there are also typically several wine tastings which range in price. This is also a great way to expose yourself to the wines available on the ship.

Each cruise has Solo & Singles Meetups, Military & Active Duty Meetups, Pride Meetups for LGBTQ & Friends, and Young Adult Meetups for ages 18-30. These are a great way to meet fellow cruisers and make new friends. You’ll find these in your daily itineraries.

There is a wide variety of free and paid arts and crafts types of activities available on Holland America. A few examples of free activities include origami, the art of flower arranging, and watercolors. There is also always a $25 painting on canvas class.

While Holland America does not have all the bells and whistles of other ships as far as entertaining children with go-carts and water slides, they do have a Kids Club. Kids Club , offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They’ll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games, and themed parties.

One of my favorite activities is playing board games at the Crows Nest. You’ll find a variety of games like Sorry & Scrabble.

A favorite feature of Holland America is its Library where you can borrow any books you’d like. This is on an honor system that you’ll return them by the end of the cruise.

Many cruisers love enjoying the Thermal Suite on Holland America which is located in their spa. Purchasing a Thermal Suite pass gives you access to their giant mineral water hot tub with jets, massage showers, cool monsoon shower with multidirectional jets, a sauna and steam room, and several heated lounge chairs with a huge window to the outside. 

Buying a Thermal Suite Pass is often cheaper if you purchase in advance at around $299 for a 7-day cruise or $49 for a day pass.

Holland America is known for its cultural lectures that are incredibly well-curated and feature stories unique to each cruise destination. On Alaska cruises, for example, you can learn about the Iditarod races.

Many cruises, especially Alaskan cruises, bring experts on board the ship to share their knowledge. On our Alaskan cruise, they even brought on board a rescued falcon and wildlife experts.

Those wishing to stay healthy while on their cruise can enjoy a beautiful deluxe gym with large windows looking out onto the open seas. There are also numerous pickleball games, tournaments, and lessons. For an extra fee cruisers can take pilates, spin classes, and yoga. There are also free exercise classes like abs, Tai Chi, and even dance classes.

Almost all cruisers are known for their Casinos and Holland America is no different. They have everything from slot machines to blackjack. While on board you’ll find numerous Texas Holdem tournaments in your itinerary.

Additionally, there are plenty of Bingo games where you could win hundreds of dollars and even a free cruise!

When it comes to entertainment, Holland America has plenty to choose from and always has a show every evening at 7:30 pm and 9 pm plus plenty of live music throughout the day and evenings.

Holland America has several musical venues depending on what ship you’re on, but each ship offers a venue with live music and dancing. The two most prominent featuring live music are the Rolling Stones Lounge with bands playing everything from classic rock to pop and the BB King Blues Club which features an 8-piece band.

Each ship also has The Billboard which features live piano singers and dueling piano performances. There are also interactive songs where those sitting in the lounge all sing together and finish the lyrics.

Each evening features two shows at 7:30 pm and 9 pm and every day has a different type of show. Some evenings have a dance performance, unique musical performances, and a comedian.

Throughout the cruise, you’ll also be able to watch a variety of movies on the World Stage. If you’re cruising during Football season, they also make sure to play the playoff games and of course the Super Bowl!

Many cruisers do not realize that Holland America has a 110% Price Guarantee for their excursions. If a passenger books an EXC Tour and then finds an equivalent tour that offers the same amenities and experiences, including date, time, duration, transportation, and meals, a request can be submitted through an online form up to seven days before cruise departure.

The passenger will be notified within two days of submission if the tour meets the requirements for the Best Price Guarantee. If it does, a non-refundable on-board credit will be issued to use during the cruise. The Best Price Guarantee applies only to shore excursions that are advertised with pricing and publicly available.

The Best Price Guarantee submission form can be accessed at  hollandamerica.com  by all booked passengers once they have checked in online.

The major benefits of booking a cruise through Holland America are that you can be sure the excursion is safe, they are easier to access, and you are guaranteed to get back to the cruise ship in time. If your excursion is late, the cruise will not leave without you.

Pro-tip: Excursions sell out so quickly. You can book your excursions about 6 months before your cruise departs. Do NOT wait. Book your excursions immediately. Especially on popular cruises like Alaska.

Viator is a well-known website for booking excursions all across the world. You can see reviews from other cruisers and often find unique experiences not available anywhere else. Pricing is often cheaper than you’ll find through cruises and more private. Using Viator we booked a private boat in Sitka, Alaska to take us all around for only $200 per person. I was able to spend as much time as I needed to get amazing shots of sea otters and whales.

Here are some of the most popular excursions on Holland America cruises.

• Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska. See more of the top 10 excursions in Juneau .
• Horseback Riding in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. Discover 35 Insider Secrets to visiting Half Moon Cay , Holland America’s Private island.
• Monkeyland in Amber Cove in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
• See the Penguins on a private tour (only 4 people) at the Falkland Islands on the South America Cruise.
• Sloth Sanctuary in Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica on the Panama Canal Cruise

Breakfast in the MDR is served until 9 am on Disembarkation day. We never miss the last breakfast on Holland America, even if that means getting up early. Additionally, any drinks from your drink package that weren’t used the day before will roll over so you can enjoy a few mimosas before your flight.

If you are taking your own luggage off the ship you can keep it in your room until you are ready to depart.

Luggage Direct is an amazing program available to cruisers disembarking in Fort Lauderdale. This program costs $25 per person and it will check you in for your flight and check in your luggage for you, the evening before you disembark from the ship. You will receive your boarding passes in your stateroom for your flight and your luggage will be waiting for you when you arrive at your home airports baggage claim.

You can sign up for Luggage Direct a few days before your disembarkation. You will receive a letter in your stateroom with disembarkation instructions and an option to sign up for the program. This program is available if your departure time is between 11:30 pm – 11:59 pm and you are flying with Southwest, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Airlines, United Airlines, Jetblue, and Delta.

You can also use your onboard credit to pay for this service.

In Seattle they have a program similar to Luggage Direct called Port Valet and the best part is it’s completely free! You can even sign up to use Port Valet in advance or in your stateroom. This service is available to cruisers taking a flight from Alaska, American, Delta, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest, or United Airlines and cruising with Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean.

Both Luggage Direct and Port Valet are great services if you have a late flight and want to be able to explore the city before your flight without having to worry about your checked luggage.

Those who want to disembark the ship with their luggage by themselves can do so early between 7:30 am and 8 am. Many do this to avoid standing in line at customs or if they are taking an early flight. However, we like to relax the morning of disembarkation and enjoy one last nice breakfast which is served until 9 am. We typically leave the ship between 8:30 am and 9 am and the process is quick and easy.

If your airport is not close to the cruise terminal, there will likely be an excursion listed for disembarkation day that offers airport transportation. This can often be cheaper and easier than taking an Uber or taxi to the airport and you can use on onboard credit.

Almost all cruise ships begin disembarkation from 7 am – 9 pm. I would not book any returning flight before 11:30 pm. It’s also important to know that airlines typically will not let you check your bags prior to 3 hours before your flight departure time.

If you will be staying an extra night and flying out the following day after your cruise departure, you’ll find a variety of different excursions to explore the city on the last day. For this reason, many people choose to stay an extra day, especially if you’ll be arriving in a new city.

When you cruise, there will be daily announcements at 8 am and throughout the day. Often you’ll see everyone open their stateroom doors and stand in the hallways to try and hear the announcements. You can actually turn on your TV and put it to the Ships Bow station and then you will be able to hear the announcements in your room.

When you are at the bar, you can order a double and be charged for 2 drinks at a time. This is especially useful if you are a wine drinker and would prefer a full pour instead of having to take another trip up to the bar.

35 Insider Tips for Visiting Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

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Sondra Barker is an established travel writer, photographer, and culinary enthusiast. She resides in Newport Beach, California one of the most beautiful beach towns in the country. Her favorite destinations include visiting various wine countries, cruises around the world, and fun theme parks like Disneyland.

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This 42-day Cruise Will Sail From Florida to Europe to the Middle East Next Year

Holland America's “42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” will make 16 stops including Greece, Tel Aviv, Morocco, and more.

Tim Rue/Getty Images

Holland America Line will launch a 42-day cruise across the Atlantic Ocean and around Europe and the Middle East from Florida next year, inspired by a journey the cruise line took nearly 100 years ago.

The “42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” cruise will sail from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 9, 2024, and visit 16 different ports before heading back to Florida, according to the cruise company . The sailing is part of the company’s Legendary Voyages, which are longer cruises ranging from 25 to 59 days.

Travelers who board the company’s Volendam ship will first sail to the Azores before heading over to Tangier, Morocco, and on to Italy and Greece where they will have the opportunity to visit popular cities like Florence, Rome, and Athens. The cruise will then head down to Israel where guests can explore Tel Aviv and Jerusalem before making its way to Egypt and Tunisia. 

On its way back to Florida, passengers will stop in Gibraltar, Spain, and Casablanca.

“Holland America Line was one of the first companies to feature cruise vacations that went beyond a transatlantic crossing, and today we’re continuing to innovate our itineraries by offering memorable voyages like this ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic passage sailing,” Beth Bodensteiner, the chief commercial officer for Holland America Line, said in a statement. “Since introducing this new Legendary category of cruises that offer an in-depth focus on one region, they’ve been very popular. We’re excited to add a longer voyage that makes it easy to explore the Med in depth without a long-haul flight.”

Holland America said the cruise is inspired by a trip the company took in 1925, which departed from New York City on the Rotterdam IV and sailed to several of the same ports next year’s cruise will visit.

Last year, Holland America celebrated its 150th anniversary with a series of heritage cruises , including a special transatlantic cruise that recreated the company’s first sailing by crossing the Atlantic Ocean before the company was even incorporated.

The company is also planning an epic 133-day pole-to-pole Grand Voyage in 2025, which will sail as far south as Antarctica and as far north as the Arctic Circle off the coast of Norway.

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Spend 45 days cruising from New York to the Mediterranean and back for under $5,800

If you’re planning a trip to the Mediterranean, consider taking the scenic route.

Holland America Line will take guests from New York to Italy, Spain, Malta and more over 45 days on a new Legendary Voyage, the 2025 Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage itinerary. The round-trip cruise will also bring them back stateside, eliminating the need for long-haul flights.

Paul Grigsby, the cruise line's Vice President of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, said the itinerary “is essentially a survey of the Mediterranean Basin” with both the popular and less visited ports of call – a combination that resonates with guests.

“They want a good sample of ports that are marquee ports that everyone knows but also places that we go that you wouldn't always see on an itinerary that may be a little shorter,” he said.

When is the Ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic Passage cruise?

The cruise will depart on Oct. 7, 2025, on the line’s 1,432-guest Volendam ship.

Where will the cruise sail?

Like the line’s 42-day Mediterranean cruise from Fort Lauderdale departing in November, the sailing was based on a voyage from 100 years earlier on Rotterdam IV. The 2025 cruise, however, even more closely mirrors that 1925 itinerary, in part by sailing from New York, which Grigsby noted is “not one of our typical turn ports.”

Volendam will visit 20 ports, first making its way from the Big Apple to Ponta Delgada in Portugal’s Azores archipelago. Other stops include Lisbon; Cartagena and Barcelona, Spain; Naples in Italy; Piraeus, Greece; and La Goulette in Tunisia.

The itinerary also gives guests extra time in several destinations, with overnight stays in Civitavecchia, Italy, Istanbul, Turkey and Alexandria, Egypt and late departures from Istanbul, Alexandria, Barcelona and Gibraltar.

How long can you be on a cruise? Why some passengers opt to sail for 6 months or longer

How much does the cruise cost?

Available staterooms start at $5,749 per person based on double occupancy. The cost of the fare includes most food on board, drinks such as regular coffee and tea and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Would you roll the dice on a $49-a-day holland america standby cruise.

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Holland America passengers from Eurodam horseback riding at Half Moon Cay.

After almost sinking during COVID, the cruise industry is getting hot again. New ships, from the “city at sea” 7,600 passenger Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) to smaller, all-luxury ships like the 920-passenger EXPLORA I are driving new interest—and new cruisers—to the industry.

Innovative new marketing programs are also boosting cruising. Holland America is expanding its Standby List Program , where passengers can potentially get booked on a cruise for as low as $49 a day.

Once you’ve picked a destination and a sailing day, you can get on the standby list. (This means paying for the discounted cruise you’ve selected immediately.) If your lucky number comes up, Holland America will let you know if you’ll be sailing between two and seven days before the ship leaves port. If no vacancies materialize, the money will be returned to your credit card.

You will have to be able to live with uncertainty as to what kind of stateroom you’re getting.

“Guests for this program do not choose their stateroom category, so they could end up staying in a variety of different cabin types including Inside, Oceanview, or Verandah,” said a Holland America spokesperson. Where you end up “depends, in part, on where the last-minute cancellations happen. Guests will be confirmed in the order they joined the list within the week of sailing. It could be seven days or as close as 48 hours to departure. So it really is tailored for guests who live close to the port.”

But of course, as the spokesperson put, “Guests will still have access to everything onboard that full-fare paying guests do, such as world-class dining, exciting entertainment, and most importantly—access to desired destinations.”

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The Hydro Pool on board the Holland America Oosterdam.

The Holland America Standby Program launched in August of 2023 with cruises from Seattle. In October and November, the company expanded the program to include voyages from homeports in Fort Lauderdale and San Diego. Now, as the line launches its 2024 Alaska and Canada/New England sailings, guests will see standby offers sailing from ports including Boston, Vancouver as well as Seattle.

The standby concept has always been popular, typically with people who have more time than money. Travelers have tried to go standby (going to the airport without a ticket and getting on the standby list) on airlines for years. Last-minute hotel rooms are also commonly available through various vendors.

With flights, hotel rooms and cruises, the lure of waiting until the last minute is the same: a discounted deal. Once that flight leaves, the hotel calendar clicks to the next day or the ship sails, that seat, suite or stateroom is gone, empty and unsold.

With the Holland America standby program, the rates of $49 are per person per day (for either a solo cruiser or a cabin at double occupancy), but third and fourth guests sail free. The program is for guests 21 and over, so you can take your pals but not your kids.

Of course, there are additional charges. The $49 per day fare amount excludes taxes, fees and port expenses. And as with most ‘a la carte’ cruises, gratuities, liquor, Wi-Fi and other amenities are additional.

The standby program is for all vacancies on a particular cruise, although it’s certainly a win for Holland America if it can resell a cancelled trip for additional income.

NY Deli & Pizza - Central Park Pizza on Holland America cruise ships.

You’ll be charged for each date you sign up for, immediately upon signing up, so you may want to try going standby on one cruise at a time. Once you’ve paid and are on the standby list, you can’t leave it. If offered a cruise between 7 and 2 days prior to sailing, guests will be charged the full fare whether they decide to go or not. If you’re looking for more flexibility, a spokesperson said potential passengers can also purchase a cancelation plan.

Conde Nast Traveler calls the standby program a cruise “industry first.” But author Jessica Puckett cautions that the inability to pick your room might land you in a 143 square foot interior room, rather than that 405 square foot veranda stateroom you’re dreaming of. If you “win” the small interior room, it might start feeling cell-like, especially on, say, a 42-day Mediterranean cruise from Ft. Lauderdale in November. However, that would still be a good deal financially, as instead of $5,479 plus fees for an inside room, you’d pay $2,058 plus fees.

Another potential issue might be getting on certain excursions from the ship. Some might be sold out by the time your standby booking is confirmed.

If you’re getting interested in cruising, it’s worth researching the industry. There are many lines, ships, destinations, and a seemingly endless list of options. Some deals might make more sense than going standby.

Still, the spokesperson told us that they had talked to several guests who have used the standby program multiple times successfully this season in Florida.

Passengers playing pickleball on Holland America Koningsdam.

"We see Holland America Line’s Standby Program as a win-win for guests and our business,” said Dan Rough, vice president of revenue management at Holland America. “Circumstances may arise for booked guests where they must cancel a cruise the week before sailing. The Standby Program allows us to fill those cabins with people who have already committed to going and who presumably live close enough to the port that they can make last-minute travel arrangements.”

Rough added, “For those guests with flexibility to travel, it means access to an unforgettable cruise vacation at $49 per day—an exceptional value.”

You can see a list of available Holland America sailings here , or call 877-724-5425 to get on the standby list. The page also includes some frequently asked questions.

If you live near one of the ports, is it worth taking a shot at getting a great deal on a standby cruise?

Several years ago, as a registered Rolling Stones fan, I was contacted by email one day about a “Lucky Dip” for tickets at an upcoming show at T-Mobile in Las Vegas. Like the Holland American standby offer, the deal was $50 a ticket, ‘we pick the seats for you.’ We booked a room at the now-departed Tropicana and held our breath for a few weeks, expecting nosebleed seats. Instead, we sat 20 rows up with a perfect view of the stage, especially for Keith Richards emotional solo set.

Will your roll of the “tumbling dice” bring you similar luck on a Holland America cruise? As Mark Twain put it in HUCKLEBERRY FINN, “You pays your money and you takes your chances.”

Tamarind - Mongolian Beef Lamb Chop on Holland America.

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Holland America Cruise “Day At Sea” Itinerary

How i fit a week's vacation into one day.

It’s my very first vacation by ship, and the schedule from Holland America Cruise includes a “Day At Sea”. I wasn’t sure what this meant on the cruise itinerary. What do I do now? I never wanted to cruise because the idea of being stuck in a cabin while we floated around in the ocean did not seem appealing. Sure, I was excited about getting to see Alaska and all of the excursions in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, but day 2 was a full day of…what?

What “A Day At Sea” Means

Here is the cruise itinerary for the Holland America Eurodam to Alaska: By The Day: 1: Bon Voyage leaving Seattle 2: Day At Sea 3: Juneau, Alaska Port, Excursion Booked 4: Cruise Through Glacier Bay National Park (morning) Icy Straits Port, Excursion Booked (afternoon/evening) 5: Sitka, Alaska Port, explored on my own 6: Ketchikan, Alaska Port, I toured the Misty Fjords by private boat 7: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, explored on my own

A day at sea basically means there are no stops in ports, you are cruising on the ship the entire day. There are no places to visit or excursions, this day is left up to you.

And here is my cruise itinerary for our Holland America Cruise “Day at Sea”.

Starting My “Day At Sea” Cruise Itinerary

7:00 AM: We woke up to room service delivering the breakfast we ordered the night before. We sat out on the verandah sipping hot coffee, watching the fog roll across the mountains.

8:00 AM: Massage at the Greenhouse Spa. The floor to ceilings windows are everywhere on the ship, including our massage suite. The massage was wooonnnddeerrfuuull. (Additional cost)

9:00 AM: Enjoyed the thermal spa suite, including a cold plunge mineral water bubbling spa, a steam sauna and heated lounge chairs with a view of the ocean. (You can add on this amenity if you are having a spa service or purchase a week long package of unlimited use).

10:00 AM: We rented a cabana next to the Lido pool. We pulled the curtain closed for privacy and snuggled up on the chaise, looking for whales (we spotted two orcas). We also opened the drapes to enjoy the energy of the pool area and people watch. I bounced from pool to hot tub to another pool to back to the thermal spa all day.

11:00 AM: The staff brought us lunch and drinks. We were given cozy robes and slippers to relax in our own little retreat. Eric, our waiter and keeper of cabana paradise, continued to check in on us all day, bringing us drinks and snacks.

Afternoon at Sea

12:00 Noon-2:00 PM: The fog had burned off, and it was a brilliant blue day full of sky and ocean. The pool roof opened, letting in sun and the smell of salty air. Perfect for a little nap right there on the chaise. The Eurodam has its own library, and I found many of the latest bestsellers on the shelves, begging for a read. I absolutely love to read, but can’t read on road trips. I can’t read in cars, I get motion sickness. So when I found a book I have been wanting to read, and spent an hour cozied up reading in the sunshine.

Side Note: Luckily, I never once had any type of motion sickness or seasickness. And instead, I found the subtle motion of the ship similar to the motion of riding in the backseat as a child, on a long road trip. I slept incredibly well during the entire cruise. 3:00 PM: I explored the ship, checked out the shops. Then I found the casino, the main world stage where the shows are held.

Into The Evening

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Went back to our cabin, showered and got ready for dinner at the award winning steakhouse Pinnacle Grill.

8:00 PM: Had a drink at BB King’s on board the Holland America and listened to live music. Also, good to know: Each Holland America cruise also hosts an “ Orange Party “. These pics were taken on a different night, post-excursion but I just want to show off that my husband and I “understood the assignment.”

9:00 PM: Watched the show “Move” live on the world stage in the main theatre.

A Perfect Day Of Busy Nothing

I always wish for a day to just relax when I travel. One day to do whatever I want, but that doesn’t mean being stuck in a room, staring out of the window. Or maybe it does, at least for a little while. To recap, just in these twenty-four hours alone, I am going to a spa and getting a massage; eating breakfast; and renting a private cabana with butler service. By now, it’s only 10:00 AM. The rest of the late morning and early afternoon is a day of leisure. It’s a day at sea of napping, swimming, hot tubs, eating, drinking, reading and repeat.

Then it turns into an evening of glamour because it’s dressy night. These used to be called forms nights, but tuxedos and fancy dresses are not required. A jacket and slacks for men, and slacks and a blouse or sweater for women can work too. I work from home, so I was excited at the chance to dress up. Off to fine dining, live music and theater. The one day itself is usually what I do in an entire week of vacation!

Final Thoughts On My Cruise Itinerary

The unwritten “perks” of cruising include having a pod of dolphins swim along the ship as we were eating breakfast. Watching an incredible sunset like this:

And falling asleep to a moon like this. A week long vacation in a day? I’ll take a day at sea anytime.

Pin & Share! All images and content are owned and copywriter by WhereGalsWander and can only be shared in its entirety, including the original link, and crediting WhereGalsWander. bit.ly/dayatsea

Disclosure: Holland America invited me to be a guest on this cruise.

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Everything You Need to Know About the New $49 per day 'Standby' Cruise Fare

Holland America Line is revolutionizing how cruise lovers sail the seas with a new Standby List Program costing travelers a mere $49 per day.

Faith Katunga • May 2, 2024

Holland America Line is revolutionizing how cruise lovers sail the seas with a new Standby List Program. The US-owned cruise line is offering travelers the chance to cruise for a mere $49 per day. This industry-first initiative presents an incredible opportunity for spontaneous adventurers and budget-conscious explorers alike. Here’s the lowdown on how the program works and what you must consider before jumping on board.

The Standby Program Explained

At just $49 per day, excluding taxes, fees, and port expenses, Holland America’s concept is simple. With this offer, cruisers can place their names on a standby list for specific itineraries. If unsold rooms are available, those on the waitlist may be confirmed for a voyage. This program is ideal for those who can pack their bags and set off at a moment’s notice, as confirmation can come as little as two days before departure.

The logic behind these low rates is straightforward. Cruise lines like Holland America prefer to sail with every cabin filled to maximize revenue and efficiency. Since most of a ship’s expenses are fixed, the additional revenue from passengers who spend on board makes filling empty rooms at reduced rates a financially sound strategy.

What’s the Catch?

While this offer sounds like a dream, there are a few caveats to consider. First, you can’t use the standby fares if you’re under 21; that includes families with young children. Second, passengers are not guaranteed a particular room type or location. Plus, they may be assigned to any available stateroom category. Lastly, given the last-minute nature of standby confirmation, it’s recommended for those residing close to departure ports to avoid costly last-minute airfare.

Additionally, the third and fourth guests in a stateroom can travel nearly free, only paying taxes and fees. However, these fares are only available for some cruises. They also tend to be limited to specific ports and times of the year. To participate, you must pay the reduced fare upfront when adding yourself to the standby list.

How to Get on the Standby List

To join the elusive Standby List, you can select an eligible itinerary from Holland America’s list and call 877-724-5425 to sign up. You will receive a full refund if you are not chosen for the cruise. If you are one of the fortunate few, you should expect to hear about your status seven or two days before the cruise leaves.

It’s worth noting that standby fares may not always be the best deal out there. Savvy travelers, or those with the help of travel advisors, may find similar or even lower prices without the restrictions of standby booking. Other cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, offer last-minute deals without adopting a standby program.

Still, Holland America’s $49 per day standby fare can suit the most flexible travelers. However, before you decide to join the Standby List, consider your proximity to departure ports, the unpredictability of cabin assignments, and whether the thrill of spontaneity is worth the gamble.

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$49-a-day standby cruise offer that includes Whittier sailings could be a dream, or a nightmare

A cruise ship in port at Whittier in 2023. (Anne Raup / ADN)

For last-minute adventure seekers or those who love a good deal, Holland America Line has introduced a unique Standby List Program , offering travelers the chance to cruise for as little as $49 a day.

The concept is simple: Travelers add their names to a standby list for a specific itinerary, and if unsold rooms become available, they’ll be notified two to seven days before departure.

Cruise ships participating in the program depart from Whittier, Alaska; Seattle; San Diego; Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Montreal; Quebec City; and Vancouver, B.C.

Although the program offers huge savings, it has a few catches. Standby passengers do not have control over their stateroom category, must be ready to embark on short notice and must be prepared for the possibility of not being selected (in which case they’ll receive a full refund). Young families are also excluded, because the fares are available only to those 21 and older.

“Travelers who want to benefit from a standby fare should keep in mind that once confirmed, Holland America Line assigns their room,” Rob Clabbers, founder and president of the agency Q Cruise + Travel, told Condé Nast Traveler . “While that might result in savings, it means travelers may end up in the last remaining and likely less preferred location — above a theater or night club (or) all the way forward or aft. While this may work for some, it is definitely not recommended for those who fear seasickness, have mobility issues, would like to be close to travel companions, (or) want to be near or away from elevators,” he said.

However, the payoff could be significant for those willing to roll the dice, especially for group travelers. The third and fourth guests in a stateroom can sail almost for free, paying only taxes and fees.

Despite the uncertainties, the allure of deeply discounted fares and the excitement of a last-minute adventure may be enough to entice daring travelers. As one Reddit user put it, “I feel like (a) 7-day notice for going to Hawaii is the kind of anxiety I need in my life.”

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• Daily housekeeping
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Elemis Aromapure soap, lotion, shampoo
• Luxurious bathrobes
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Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms.

These expansive staterooms include include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads, a host of amenities and an ocean view.

Sliding glass doors (mirrored for privacy) open onto our Promenade deck from this comfortable stateroom, which includes two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and other amenities.

Vista Suite

• Whirlpool bath

With a verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable sitting area, these comfortable suites are filled with light. They include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, plus a whirlpool bath and shower, mini-bar and refrigerator.

Neptune Suite

• Premium bathrobes, slippers
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• In-suite coffee, espresso
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• Welcome glass of sparkling wine
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With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

Your Ship: Volendam

Elegant and spacious, Volendam takes her décor cues from the garden. Her grand public spaces are graced with floral fabrics and tapestries, as well as huge vases of fresh floral arrangements. Enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with Port to Table programming. Relax with a spa treatment at the Greenhouse Salon & Spa. Or dine in one of our selection of fine restaurants.

• 1432 Guests
• 781 ft. Length
• 105.8 ft. Width

Dining & Onboard Activities

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment and enriching activities.

Pinnacle Grill

The ultimate steakhouse at sea, with an exceptional menu of Prime steaks, seafood and wine.

Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks — meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality — as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

*Meals at Pinnacle Grill are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Canaletto is a relaxed setting with authentic Italian cuisine that is best enjoyed when shared.

In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

Meals at Canaletto are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Lido Market

A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack.

Explore a world of intriguing culinary possibilities in the Lido Market. Steps from the Lido pool, this modern marketplace includes a curated selection of delicious options that you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard, with freshly baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering a bountiful selection of hearty salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring global cuisine; Sweet Spot, for ice cream creations and desserts; Roasting Pan, hand-carved meats, fish and other hearty entrees; Perk, freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices; Quench, premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda available for purchase; Rise, savory quiches, croissants and sandwiches, and more.

This casual poolside grill serves up the best burgers at sea, Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dogs, golden French fries and more.

Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea.

24-Hour Room Service

Enjoy breakfast in bed or an early dinner on your verandah — entrées and more are available whenever you wish.

Sleep in and have breakfast delivered. Enjoy an early dinner on your verandah before an evening excursion. Order a salad, sandwich or entrée any time. Room Service is only a phone call away. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu.

Explorations Cafe

Our relaxing café with panoramic views is your home for handcrafted espresso drinks during the day and refreshing cocktails in the evening.

At Explorations Café, sink into plush chairs and sofas in a comfortable environment. Sip elegantly prepared espresso drinks and nosh on fresh pastries from the coffee bar. You can also take in fantastic views, catch up on your favorite book or browse the web. 

The Dining Room

Our flagship dining experience is a welcoming and sophisticated setting for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or superb multicourse dinner.

For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. 

Crow's Nest

BARS AND LOUNGES

Enjoy cocktails and sunsets in this lounge, featuring panoramic views.

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges onboard. The panoramic view takes center stage in The Crow's Nest at the top of the ship, where you can relax just about any time of day and enjoy your favorite drink.

Explorer's Lounge

Elegant and refined, stop by for a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail.

The Explorer’s Lounge is an elegant and refined space to enjoy a glass of wine, a cocktail, or your favorite liqueur.

Enjoy a mix of three specialty bars: Champagne, Martinis, Spirits and Ales.

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges and gathering places onboard. Explore Mix for Champagne, Martinis, and Spirits and Ales.

Enjoy cocktails and ocean views while listening to live music.

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges. This popular bar is at the top of the atrium and is the perfect locale for cocktails and dancing.

World Stage

ENTERTAINMENT

World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display.

World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation Cantaré, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage.  Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam  and  Rotterdam  bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen.

Onboard Shopping

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping onboard.

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy.

Fitness Center

Take a class in our professionally staffed Fitness Center.

Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Center equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilates and more or work out at your own pace. You can also head out for fresh air and exercise on deck, where you'll find basketball and volleyball courts, and two refreshing pools (available on select ships). Some classes may have a nominal fee.

Holland America Line Navigator

Personalize your cruise experience with our free mobile-friendly tool.

Personalize your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with our free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more. 

Casino Action

The Casino offers games for all levels.

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Pickleball at Sea

Enjoy complimentary lessons, tournaments, and courts with amazing top-deck views.

Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Frequent pickler? Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Hesitant amateur? Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in our retail shops — purchase as gifts for avid players or as souvenirs, so that you can always look back on your pickleball cruise memories.

Kids ages 3 to 17 can enjoy an array of activities. Registration required for children under 13.

Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties. Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.

42-DAY ULTIMATE MEDITERRANEAN & ATLANTIC PASSAGE

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$49 standby cruise could be a dream, could be a nightmare

For last-minute adventure seekers or those who love a good deal, Holland America Line has introduced a unique Standby List Program , offering travelers the chance to cruise for as little as $49 a day. The concept is simple: Travelers add their names to a standby list for a specific itinerary, and if unsold rooms become available, they’ll be notified two to seven days before departure.

Although the program offers huge savings, it also has a few catches. Standby passengers do not have control over their stateroom category, must be ready to embark on short notice and must be prepared for the possibility of not being selected (in which case they’ll receive a full refund). Young families are also excluded, because the fares are available only to those 21 and older.

“Travelers who want to benefit from a standby fare should keep in mind that once confirmed, Holland America Line assigns their room,” Rob Clabbers, founder and president of the agency Q Cruise + Travel, told Condé Nast Traveler . “While that might result in savings, it means travelers may end up in the last remaining and likely less preferred location — above a theater or night club (or) all the way forward or aft. While this may work for some, it is definitely not recommended for those who fear seasickness, have mobility issues, would like to be close to travel companions, (or) want to be near or away from elevators,” he said.

However, the payoff could be significant for those willing to roll the dice, especially for group travelers. The third and fourth guests in a stateroom can sail almost for free, paying only taxes and fees.

Despite the uncertainties, the allure of deeply discounted fares and the excitement of a last-minute adventure may be enough to entice daring travelers. As one Reddit user put it, “I feel like (a) 7-day notice for going to Hawaii is the kind of anxiety I need in my life.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Scott Eddy (@mrscotteddy)

Cruise ships participating in the Standby List Program depart from Seattle; Whittier, Alaska; San Diego; Boston; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Montreal; Quebec; and Vancouver, Canada.

For those willing to embrace the unpredictability and short notice, Holland America’s program offers a unique opportunity to experience the joys of cruising at a fraction of the usual cost. It’s a gamble, but for the right traveler, it just might pay off.

About the Author

Avery Newmark covers travel, health, events and trending news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With a dual background in film production and journalism, Avery came to the AJC after working as a video editor. She enjoys film photography and live music in her free time. Reach her at [email protected].

Credit: Elijah Nouvelage

Credit: [email protected]

Credit: Ben Gray

Credit: Jason Getz / [email protected]

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A farmhouse could be your dream home if you’re in search of bucolic bliss

Holland America Line Strengthens Love for Alaska with Guarantee of Glacier Viewings on Every Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour

New Glacier Guarantee™ allows guests to sail with confidence, knowing they're guaranteed to see Alaska glaciers

SEATTLE , May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line loves Alaska . Since 1947, the cruise line has led the way in showcasing the majesty of the state — including its magnificent glaciers. In fact, Holland America Line's passion for Alaska's glaciers runs so deep that the cruise line now guarantees guests will see one or more glaciers on their cruise in the region.

With guests citing seeing glaciers as one of the top reasons for choosing an Alaska cruise , the Glacier Guarantee ™ assures travelers they won't return home disappointed. The Glacier Guarantee™ is offered on Alaska departures from now through September 2025 . Under the guarantee, if Holland America Line does not visit an Alaska glacier, guests are eligible to receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare.

"Our guests, and especially first-time guests, are understandably as obsessed with Alaska's glaciers as we are, and our new Glacier Guarantee™ underlines our confidence in providing unforgettable glacier sightings on our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours," said Kacy Cole , chief marketing officer, Holland America Line. "We know our guests are going to return home from their cruise with special memories of these icy wonders. In fact, we guarantee it."

Every Alaska cruise includes a scenic visit to Alaska's iconic glaciers during which the ship sails up to the face of the ice formations and then rotates for a 360-degree view. Holland America Line has more permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve than any other cruise line, and other glacier visits including College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier and the Tracy Arm Fjord's Twin Sawyer Glaciers.

During Glacier Bay scenic cruising, Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers visit Holland America Line ships for the day to engage with guests and talk about Alaska's most famous national park.

'Glacier Day' Puts a Spotlight on Alaska's Majestic Glaciers New for the 2024 season, Holland America Line also debuted "Glacier Day" on its Alaska cruises as part of its "We Love Alaska" onboard experience. Leaning into the cruise line's enthusiasm for glaciers, Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacial Ice cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers, and an open bow for viewing.

More Opportunities to See Alaska Wildlife Than Any Other Cruise Line In addition to glaciers, Holland America Line offers more ways to see the wildlife of Alaska . Holland America Line carries a wildlife  expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals found in Alaska , including whales, eagles, bears, moose, otters, seals, sea lions and more. A Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. , wildlife sightings are announced for guest viewing.

The wildlife experience continues ashore. With nearly180 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing opportunities, Holland America Line is #1 in Alaska wildlife and wilderness tours.

Alaska Features Six Ships Exploring The Great Land In 2024 and 2025, guests can embark on Holland America Line's Alaska cruises and cruisetours aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day voyages and a 28-Day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise. Holland America Line is the only cruise line that ventures up into the wilds of the Yukon on a cruisetour that combines a cruise and visit to Denali National Park & Preserve.

Holland America Line : The Leader in Alaska Cruising The new Glacier Guarantee™ program is part of Holland America Line's initiative to offer the most extensive Alaska experience in the industry. Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line — weaving their expertise into every nuance of the journey. "We Love Alaska" is made up of authentic experiences that focus on culture, cuisine and adventures ashore as well as Holland America Line's enrichment and entertainment programming  'Alaska Up Close' .

Voted Number-One Cruise Line in Alaska Throughout the years, Holland America Line has collected awards and accolades from the world's most discerning travelers and cruise experts for Alaska cruising. Holland America Line was named the top pick for Alaska in the Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Awards, AFAR Travelers' Choice Awards, USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, Forbes, Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards and TravelAge West Wave Awards Editor's Pick.

Under the Glacier Guarantee™, Holland America Line ensures that guests will see at least one glacier or will receive a future cruise credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare. The Glacier Guarantee™ is valid on all Alaska cruises and cruisetours except select Yukon cruisetours that feature a three-day cruise experience. For full Glacier Guarantee™ terms and conditions, visit HollandAmerica.com.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com .

Find Holland America Line on X (formerly Twitter ) , Facebook , Instagram  and the Holland America Blog . You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com .

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line has been exploring the world for 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering an ideal perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Holland America Line's 11 vessels feature a diverse range of enriching activities and amenities focused on destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests enjoy the best entertainment at sea, and dining venues featuring exclusive dishes by world-famous chefs. A new global fresh fish program brings more than 80 types of fresh fish on board, sourced and served locally in regions around the world.

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holland-america-line-strengthens-love-for-alaska-with-guarantee-of-glacier-viewings-on-every-alaska-cruise-and-cruisetour-302132813.html

SOURCE Holland America Line

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