holland america cruises to europe

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Holland America Line Europe Cruises

Inspire yourself and those you care about—cruise to Europe with Holland America Line. Whether you decide on a cruise to the Mediterranean or a trip to the Baltics, each day will be filled with delightful experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Treat yourself to luxury in the French Riviera, where you can interact with the rich and famous and become a wine connoisseur. Discover a rich history of royalty in the castles and palaces of Northern Europe . You can’t go wrong on a Europe cruise with Holland America, so start planning on your favorite countries and make your dream vacation a reality.

Mediterranean

Northern Europe

Things to do on an europe cruise with holland america line.

From the countries that line the Mediterranean Sea to those that border the North and Baltic Seas in Northern Europe, you’ll find amazing experiences waiting for you in Europe on a Holland America cruise. On your cruise be sure to meet the people, eat the local food and admire the ancient treasures. Featured below are some of the best ways to spend your time cruising Europe with Holland America Line.

• Amsterdam Candlelight Cruise (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Spend a magical evening in Amsterdam cruising through the quaint canals and viewing the old buildings lit up for the night. As you go past the beautiful sights, you’ll snack on a cheese platter with bread, nuts and wine. The trip is narrated by a guide who will point out fascinating facts about the canals.  

• Fado, Folklore & Food (Lisbon, Portugal) Portugal is known for its musical genre called Fado. Fado started as the sad laments of sailors’ wives and then became more lighthearted in the 18th century. You’ll hear these songs while eating dinner in a restaurant resembling the taverns of the 15th to 18th centuries. You’ll also see local dancers perform to the music.  

• A Taste of Naples: Pizzas & Piazzas (Naples, Italy) Naples is the home of pizza, but this pizza can’t be compared to what you get delivered to you back at home. Here you’ll learn how to make real Neapolitan pizza. You’ll also enjoy a panoramic drive through the city with stops at Piazza Plebiscito where the Royal Palace and opera house line the open space.  

• Berlin, the Reichstag & Pergamon Museum (Berlin, Germany) On this tour you’ll first head to Museum Island which hosts a handful of museums, most famously the Pergamon Museum, which houses amazing artifacts from ancient Greek, Assyrian and Babylonian societies. After some time here you’ll get lunch at a local restaurant and then tour the city, stopping at the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and finally the Reichstag.  

• A Taste of Ireland: Whiskey in the Jar (Dublin, Ireland) Tour the Old Jameson Distillery, which dates back to the 1780s. Here you’ll learn how Irish whiskey is made and you’ll get to sample some of the product, learning how to properly taste this alcohol and compare it to Scotch and Bourbon.  

Top 10 Holland America Line Europe Cruises

• Oosterdam 11-day Mediterranean Odyssey Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Apr 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 14-day Canary Island Allure Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Apr 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 27-day Canary Island Allure & Jewels Of The Baltic Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Apr 2024)
• Rotterdam 14-day Taste Of Norway & Scotland Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Apr 2024)
• Rotterdam 7-day Taste Of Norway And Scotland Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Apr 2024)
• Rotterdam 21-day Norse Legends & Britain Scotland & Ireland Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (May 2024 - Jul 2024)
• Rotterdam 7-day Norse Legends Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (May 2024 - Sep 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 13-day Jewels Of The Baltic Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (May 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 27-day Jewels Of The Baltic North Cape & The Midnight Sun Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (May 2024)
• Rotterdam 14-day Britain Scotland & Ireland Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (May 2024 - Aug 2024)

Holland America Line Europe Departure Ports

Learn more about each of the possible departure ports for a Europe cruise with Holland America. Your Holland America Europe cruise could leave from any of the following cities:

Dover (London), England

Dover, with its striking white cliffs, is one of the most popular gateways to England. Take in the area’s natural beauty or head to nearby London to see more of England’s most popular attractions.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

With modern buildings and a bustling population, Rotterdam offers an interesting contrast to the more laid back feel of city’s like Amsterdam.

Photo Gallery for Holland America Line Europe Cruises

Flip through our photo gallery of Europe cruising photos from Holland America. Remember, this is only a taste of the experiences waiting for you on a Holland America Europe cruise vacation.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Lisbon, Portugal

Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Russia

Freshly made pizza napoli and capricciosa

Preview animals on the Ishtar Gate-Pergamon Museum

Ireland whiskey distillery with old copper kettle

Cruising through Northern Europe

Holland America ship cruises into Venice

Holland America ship cruises into Venice, Italy

Holland America ship approaches Venice, Italy

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Holland America Line’s 2025  European  season is open for booking, and travelers will be able to broaden their horizons like never before on the most diverse, destination-focused itineraries in the industry. With an increase in cruises over 10 days, more sailings to Iceland and a combined 62 overnight calls or late-night departures in leading European cities, Holland America Line is enticing travelers to become immersed in the culture, history and landscapes of the region.

Holland America Line’s 2025 Europe Season

New in 2025, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, returns as a homeport for Holland America Line, hosting Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam on roundtrip voyages to  Northern Europe  and the Baltic. The cruise line also features more itineraries to trending hot spots like the Holy Land region, Iberia and Iceland. A new 28-day “Arctic Circle Crossing” Legendary Voyage showcases the pristine backdrop of Greenland’s glaciers and wildlife with five calls in the country and visits to Iceland, North Cape and Scotland.

For Holland America Line, Europe 2025 is all about longer cruises, extended time in port and offering the most diverse range of itineraries from weeklong vacations to monthlong explorations,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. “We have 10 departure cities this season, and we are excited to be back homeporting in Rotterdam with two ships, deepening our connection to our founding city. Anyone looking to explore Europe in-depth will be able to find a Holland America Line cruise tailored to their interests, whether it’s beach, history, nature, architecture, fjords, castles or cuisine.”

From April to November, Oosterdam joins Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam for a full season in Europe, while Zuiderdam sails the popular 35-day “Voyage of the Vikings.”  The port-intensive itineraries range from seven to 42 days and are designed for destination immersion. Spanning the entire region, cruises visit the Baltic, British Isles, Canary Islands, French and Spanish rivieras, Israel,  Mediterranean  and Northern Europe, including Iceland, Greenland and Norway.

Highlights of Holland America Line’s 2025 Europe cruising season include:

10 Departure Cities, Including Rotterdam:  Rotterdam and Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Barcelona, Spain; Boston, Massachusetts; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Trieste (Venice), Italy; Dover (London), England; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

New in 2025, Holland America Line is adding 10 roundtrip Dover itineraries aboard Nieuw Statendam ranging from 14 to 28 days, offering a convenient embarkation homeport for British guests. 

11 Overnight Ports:  Alexandria, Egypt; Barcelona; Haifa (Tel Aviv), Israel; Istanbul, Turkey; Newhaven (Edinburgh), Scotland; Reykjavik; Piraeus (Athens) and Rhodes, Greece; Stockholm, Sweden; Trieste (Venice); and Valletta, Malta.

32 Late-Evening Departure Cities (between 10 p.m. and midnight ): Alesund, Norway; Ashdod (Jerusalem) and Haifa (Tel Aviv), Israel; Barcelona and Malaga, Spain; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Cannes, France; Civitavecchia (Rome), Portoferraio, Portofino and Trieste (Venice), Italy; Dubrovnik and Korcula, Croatia; Dún Laoghaire (Dublin), Ireland; Funchal, Madeira; Gibraltar, UK; Greenock (Glasgow) and South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland; Kotor, Montenegro; Kusadasi, Turkey; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Lisbon; Liverpool and Portland (Weymouth), England; Kerkira (Corfu) and Mykonos, Greece; Port Said (Cairo), Egypt; Reykjavik; St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta; and Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany.

Northern Europe:

• Seven-day Norway and Denmark; Norwegian Fjords
• Seven- or 14-day Norway and Scotland
• Seven-day between Rotterdam and Reykjavik to Norway and Iceland
• 14-day Norway, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia and Sweden
• 14-day Norway Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland and Sweden
• NEW  Legendary Voyage: A 28-day “ Arctic Circle Crossing ” departs June 29, roundtrip from Rotterdam. The cruise features 15 ports in Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Scotland and England; passage through the Arctic Circle to the North Cape; scenic cruising through Iceland’s fjords; and four maiden calls in Greenland: Ittoqqortoormiit, Sisimiut, Ilulissat and Nuuk.
• 14-Day “ Arctic Circle Crossing: Edinburgh Evening Stay ” is roundtrip from Rotterdam. Highlights of the cruise include spending Summer Solstice at the North Cape with 24 hours of sunlight, along with a total of five calls in Norway. The cruise also visits the Shetland Islands, England and Scotland, with a late-night departure from Edinburgh.

Mediterranean:

• Oosterdam will sail the entire 2025 Europe season in the  Mediterranean  on cruises from four homeports: Piraeus (Athens), Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Trieste (Venice). The itineraries range from seven- to 14-days and cover the eastern and western Mediterranean, including Albania, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.
• Nieuw Statendam sails 14-day cruises between Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome) and Piraeus (Athens), and roundtrip from Piraeus. The itineraries head to the eastern Med, including Italy, Egypt, Turkey, Croatia, Malta, Montenegro and Greece.
• Nieuw Statendam explores the Holy Land in October on a 14-day cruise roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens) that visits Cyprus, Israel, Turkey and Greece, with overnights at Haifa and Rhodes.

Canary Islands:

• Nieuw Statendam visits the  Canary Islands  on a 14-day Canary Island Enchantment with Morocco & Portugal cruise departing April 20, 2025, roundtrip from Rotterdam, also including ports in Morocco, Madeira, Portugal and England.

Transatlantic :

• The popular “ Voyage of the Vikings ” returns in 2025 aboard Zuiderdam. Departing July 19, the 35-day adventure sails roundtrip from Boston and calls at ports in Maine, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Norway. The itinerary also is offered in 17- and 18-day segments from Boston to Rotterdam or from Rotterdam to Boston.
• In April, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam cross the Atlantic Ocean from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam; Oosterdam crosses from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona.
• In October and November Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Oosterdam sail to Fort Lauderdale via Civitavecchia, Rotterdam and Barcelona, respectively.

Collectors’ Voyages Combine Non-Repeating Itineraries

Many of the cruises can be extended into Collectors’ Voyages, which offer the ultimate European exploration. By combining two seven-day itineraries, a seven- and 14-day cruises or longer non-repeating voyages, these artfully crafted journeys up to 42 days combine back-to-back sailings, enabling guests to visit more ports and spend extra time discovering centuries of art, history and culture.

Have It All Early Booking Bonus

For a limited time, when guests book 2025 Europe cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid Crew Appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

Beginning Have It All fares for Europe 2025 sailings range from $1,449 to $8,749 per person, double occupancy, depending on length and destination. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.  

Guests also can take advantage of Holland America Line’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom when these cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by Nov. 15, 2023, to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.

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

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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.

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.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

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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• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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What’s Coming for Holland America Line’s 2025 Europe Season

Holland America Line is now open for booking for its 2025 European season. The upcoming voyage will offer a chance for guests to immerse themselves in a variety of diverse cultures, as Iceland and 62 major European cities are now featured.  

Returning guests will be familiar with Rotterdam, Netherlands, remaining as a homeport. Both Rotterdam and Nieu Statendam will be leaving from the port on roundtrip journeys to Northern Europe and the Baltic. The cruise line is also featuring itineraries in popular destinations like the Holy Land region, Iceland, and Iberia. For those looking for longer travels and breathtaking scenery, “Arctic Circle Crossing” Legendary Voyage will spotlight Greenland’s geographic features with a vast landscape of volcanoes and glaciers. The cruise line will make five calls in the country before visiting Iceland, North Cape, and Scotland.  

While Zuiderdam sails the popular 35-day “Voyage of the Vikings,  Oosterdam will join Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam for a full season in Europe, from April to November. With up to 42 days of travel, the destination-filled itineraries cover an expansive region of Europe, ranging as far north as Greenland and as far south as the British Isles and Canary Islands.  

RELATED: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SHARES ARCTIC CIRCLE VOYAGES FOR 2025

Describing the new itineraries, Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer said “For Holland America Line, Europe 2025 is all about longer cruises, extended time in port and offering the most diverse range of itineraries from weeklong vacations to month-long explorations,” We have 10 departure cities this season, and we are excited to be back homeporting in Rotterdam with two ships, deepening our connection to our founding city. Anyone looking to explore Europe in-depth will be able to find a Holland America Line cruise tailored to their interests, whether it’s beach, history, nature, architecture, fjords, castles or cuisine.” 

Destination Overview

10 Departure Cities:  Rotterdam and Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Barcelona, Spain; Boston, Massachusetts; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Trieste (Venice), Italy; Dover (London), England; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

For its 2025 season, Holland America Line is also adding 10 roundtrip Dover itineraries aboard Nieuw Statendam ranging from 14 to 28 days (about 4 weeks).  

11 Overnight Ports: Alexandria, Egypt; Barcelona; Haifa (Tel Aviv), Israel; Istanbul, Turkey; Newhaven (Edinburgh), Scotland; Reykjavik; Piraeus (Athens) and Rhodes, Greece; Stockholm, Sweden; Trieste (Venice); and Valletta, Malta. 

Northern Europe: New features in Northern Europe include a 28 day “Arctic Circle Crossing” departing from Rotterdam.   

Mediterranean: Piraeus (Athens), Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Trieste (Venice) will serve as home ports for Oosterdam sailing the Mediterranean. The journey will include up to fourteen days from the eastern and western Mediterranean, including Albania, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. 

Canary Islands: Departing April 20, 2025, Nieuw Statendam will embark on a 14-day Canary Island Enchantment with Morocco & Portugal cruise, roundtrip from Rotterdam. This will include ports in Morocco, Madeira, Portugal and England. 

Transatlantic:  Nieuw Stantendam and Rotterdam will sail to Fort Lauderdale via Civitavecchia, Rotterdam and Barcelona through October and November. 

Get An Early Booking Bonus!  

Mariner Society loyalty member guests are eligible to receive up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom if they book dates by November 15, 2023.

Will you be voyaging with Holland America Line to Europe in 2025? Let us know in the comments!

By Adalyn Dugas

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Northern Europe

The Northern Europe cruise region stretches from the British Isles through Scandinavia. Northern Europe cruises are also referred to as Baltic cruises and Scandinavia cruises. Amazing historical and cultural sites await passengers, and shore excursions typically visit museums, palaces, castles and cathedrals.

The Northern Europe cruise season is very short due to the cooler climate, with fewer ships sailing here. The regular per-diem rate is high compared to most other regions of the world, though we are frequently able to obtain excellent discounts for our customers on Northern Europe cruises.

• The Northern Europe cruise season lasts from May through August.  
• Northern Europe cruises, also known as Baltic cruises and Scandinavia cruises, are typically 7 to 14 nights.  
• A few ships sail itineraries that concentrate entirely on the British Isles or the Norwegian Fjords.  
• In contrast to the Caribbean and Mexico, shoppers on Northern Europe cruises will find that items in stores can be pricey. Hand-knit sweaters, fine crystal, antiques, silver and porcelain are among items that passengers seek in these ports.  
• On Northern Europe cruises, you'll experience long hours of daylight.  
• If you need to fly a very long distance to reach your port of departure, we suggest that you arrive at the port city at least one or two days in advance of your Northern Europe cruise. This will give you time to rest and get oriented before boarding the ship. Most cruise lines offer pre-cruise hotel packages.

Should Travelers Take a Cruise to See the 2026 Solar Eclipse?

T he 2026 solar eclipse is set to occur on August 12th, 2026. As Europe’s first total solar eclipse in 27 years, there is a healthy amount of interest in the breathtaking (and fleeting) eclipse. But solar eclipses cannot be seen from anywhere which means that some people are located in less than ideal locations. This unfortunate complication has led to a spike in what some call Astro-tourism , traveling for the best views to stargaze. Some travelers have taken to the idea of getting on a cruise to get the best unobstructed views of the 2026 eclipse. 

A cruise journey to view the eclipse may be the solution to high travel costs in Europe or for travelers not interested in staying abroad. The convenience of cruises may be ideal for a vacation planned around an astronomical event. Cruises allow travelers to sit back and relax while their transportation is taken care of. Travelers can even purchase rooms with patio views where they can lounge out and relax with their eclipse glasses. Many cruise lines are adding or marketing their current cruises to be eclipse-viewing cruises. There have been eclipse cruises in the past, so travelers will have everything they need to enjoy the alignment. 

Cruise Options for the 2026 Eclipse 

These European cruises are the best journeys for travelers to see the eclipse of 2026. There are shorter-term sailing cruises and long-term cruises, so travelers have good options. Travelers can even choose from a warm eclipse-viewing vacation or a chilly getaway. 

Princess Cruises 

Princess Cruises has already claimed that they will have a cruise that will sail through Spain during the time of the eclipse. The cruise is set to be on their Sky Princess ship, which is contemporarily designed and has next-level touchless technology. Travelers interested in Princess Cruises should check their website on May 23rd, 2024. This is when they will announce more information on their cruises that have viewing opportunities. 

Cunard Line 

Three of Cunard’s ships will be in alignment with the eclipse. Travelers who want peak views of the event can choose from different travel destinations. The Queen Anne ship embarks on a seven-night cruise through Spanish and French ports. Travelers who prefer warmer temperatures are bound to enjoy this journey on the cruise line’s newest ship. The cruise departs from Southampton, England and goes on to explore the four different destinations. On the day of the eclipse, the ship will dock at La Coruña, which is on the northwest coast of Spain. 

Cunard also offers a week-long western Mediterranean cruise on the Queen Victoria ship. The ship will depart from Civitavecchia, Rome on August 10th, 2026. By the day of the eclipse, August 12th, travelers will be exploring Tarragona, Spain. Travelers can witness the eclipse while exploring the port or view it while relaxing onboard. 

If travelers appreciate chillier weather, there’s a 14-night voyage that begins in Southampton, England and ends in New York. This journey will begin on August 4th and end on August 18th of 2026. Travelers will be able to explore Iceland and Norway on the Cunard cruise. On the day of the eclipse, travelers will be in Reykjavik, Iceland , a fishing village with stunning landscapes. 

Holland America 

The Holland America cruise line is also planning to have multiple sailings around the eclipse. These cruises will follow the popular 2024 eclipse cruises. Travelers can expect to hear more details about the three European sailings at a later date. 

Albatross Expeditions 

This cruise line is a polar cruise operator, which often has sailings around Antarctica. Albatros will have an Arctic cruise during the eclipse. This 13-day journey will explore West Greenland, which is a great viewing destination. The cruise departs on August 10th from Reykjavik, Iceland and returns in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. 

'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Cheers broke out on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship when the total solar eclipse began on Monday.

Off the coast of Mazatlan, Mexico, passengers were perched on loungers, reclining on beach towels and lining the railings of Deck 14 with cameras on tripods at the ready. When the sliver of fiery orange that remained of the sun disappeared, a black circle ringed by white light took its place. Passengers applauded the moment they'd been awaiting since the ship departed from San Diego on Friday.

The sunny, 72-degree weather – quintessential cruise weather – gave way to chilly wind and late morning’s best impression of sunset. The horizon line glowed orange in the dusky sky.

Cruise ships can help take guests to the path of totality for eclipses, allowing passengers to get a prime viewing spot and make a vacation of it.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun as it moves between the sun and Earth.

While the sun is about 400 times bigger than the moon, the moon is roughly 400 times closer to Earth. “In the past, the moon was much closer, and in the future, the moon will be much further away,” said Adam Burgasser, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, San Diego, and director of the Cool Star Lab, who served as an onboard expert during the cruise. “And so we're in a special time, which, of course, lasts for billions of years, where it's set up just right to block out the sun.”

Total solar eclipses take place about every 18 months on average, but the last one visible from the U.S. was in 2017 .

The phenomenon creates a multi-sensory experience, with a cold front moving in ahead of the eclipse. “You block the sun, and it gets cold,” said Burgasser. “It’s actually just that simple. And it's slow enough that the atmosphere can react.”

Plants and animals respond, too: Birds often begin to chirp, plants may close up, and nocturnal will come out. “It’s kind of an all-around-you experience where it's not just the fact that the sun has been blocked that’s so fascinating, but just the effect it has on the entire environment.” Those effects weren’t easily discernible on Koningsdam, though, which was about 150 miles from shore.

Nicole Chaput, a 57-year-old passenger from Calgary in Canada, said partial and total eclipses are “totally different.”

“I heard someone describe it as being partly pregnant,” she said. “You can’t do it. There’s no comparison.”

What makes a cruise a good place to see an eclipse?

Bad weather can wreck even the best-laid viewing plans. If a city in the path of totality has overcast skies, it can be tough to quickly move to an alternate site.

“If you're on a cruise ship and a little bit farther to the east or a little bit farther to the west along the path, there's clear sky, the ship can move,” said Dan Jarrell, who was on the cruise with his wife, Kay, and friends. The Washington, D.C.-area resident has seen solar eclipses with friends during two other sailings, including on Holland America’s Veendam in 1998.

“If you're on land and there's not a road there, you’d better have a tank,” Jarrell said.

That’s where a cruise ship comes in handy. “Having the ability to map out based on what the current weather is where you can catch the eclipse, and having a range over the course of the ocean where you could chase that a little bit is certainly helpful,” Burgasser added.

Capt. Ane Smit, Master aboard Holland America’s Zaandam for the viewing, said the ship can move at a maximum of 20 knots, so the crew needs to scout out the conditions with enough time to move as needed.

“If it's not good enough, we really need to start finding another spot because we are not the quickest vehicle, of course, to be driving around, but we have the luxury of being able to go in any direction without any restriction,” he said. “It’s a pretty wide highway that we have.”

The view of the horizon also allows passengers to “see that shadow coming in and leaving more so than you can in a topographical area,” said Burgasser. Being in the ocean away from city lights is also helpful for seeing stars and other parts of the sky usually only visible at night.

The cruise line also made the practicalities of watching an eclipse easier: eclipse glasses were distributed to guests’ staterooms and Burgasser guided guests through the event via the ship’s speaker system, before and after totality.

More eclipse cruises on the horizon

If you missed your chance to see it this time or want another go, Holland America has more eclipse-viewing opportunities on the books.

“Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's Vice President of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, said in an email. Details have not yet been released.

Other cruise lines offer similar opportunities as well. Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess was near Koningsdam on Monday.

Chaput, the Canadian passenger, said she’s been “chasing” total solar eclipses since seeing her first one in 1991. Monday’s eclipse marked her seventh viewing and second on a cruise ship.

“I think it’s just such an amazing natural phenomenon,” she said. “It’s seeing science in action.”

Contributing: Josh Rivera, USA TODAY

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Holland America Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

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

I tried Holland America's 'Have It All' package. For just $55 a day, my cruise felt way more luxurious.

• I tried Holland America Line 's Have It All package on a recent cruise to Alaska.
• For $55 per person per day, we got complimentary drinks, special meals, and other perks.
• The price was so worth it we already booked this package for future cruises. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Specialty dining helped us celebrate our anniversary

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

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

WiFi kept us connected

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

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

We've already booked the package for future cruises

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

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

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Holland America Line Set to Debut New ‘Glacier Day’ and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska Cruise in 2024

Culinary highlights include Alaska dishes by Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto and new Alaska-themed cocktails by acclaimed bartender Sam Ross

Seattle, Wash., April, 17, 2024 — Holland America Line is debuting “Glacier Day” on its Alaska cruises as it rolls out new programming within its "We Love Alaska” on board experience. The new offerings include Alaska Up Close presentations as well as culinary and beverage experiences to help foster a deeper connection to the people, history and culture of the state. The 2024 season kicks off April 27 from Vancouver and May 4 from Seattle. 

“Holland America Line continues to focus on bringing regional and local experiences on board every cruise, with our Alaska sailings leading the way in authentic programming, localized cuisine, and now special events like ‘Glacier Day’,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. “We continue to cultivate like-minded partnerships and fine-tune everything from cocktails to wildlife maps to ensure our guests are completely immersed in all facets of Alaska.”

Alaska Season Itineraries and Cruisetours

Through September 2024, guests can embark on Holland America Line’s Alaska cruises and Cruisetours from Vancouver and Seattle aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day cruises and a new 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice Legendary Voyage that includes 12 Alaska ports.

Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-, two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruisetours also include a journey into the wilds of Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line remains the only cruise line that offers overland tours to the Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience.

‘Glacier Day’ Puts a Spotlight on Alaska’s Majestic Glaciers

As a leader in Alaska cruising, Holland America Line offers more glacier experiences than any other cruise line. The new Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacier Ice cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, an open bow for viewing, and more.

Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations: Glacier Bay National Park , Hubbard Glacier , Dawes Glacier , and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm . Shore excursions also offer the opportunity to visit additional glaciers, including Mendenhall and Portage glaciers.

Serving Fresh Fish in Alaska

Holland America continues to build on its groundbreaking Global Fresh Fish program, which includes being the only cruise line with Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) and bringing locally sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. In addition to the seafood and other local delicacies served on the menus, ships in Alaska will serve three exclusive dishes created by the brand’s Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto: Fresh Black Cod Yuzu, Morimoto Epice Lobster and Fresh Halibut XO.

A new Alaska Seafood Boil will be offered once per cruise in Lido Market for a surcharge. The foodie feast will serve Ivar’s Northwest-Style Clam Chowder, Dungeness Cruise Clusters, Alaska Salmon, Penn Cove Clams, Penn Cove Mussels and a Shrimp Bucket, with Triple Berry Crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Offered once per cruise, all dishes on the Alaska Brunch menu in the Dining Room were created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. The selections range from sweet to savory and include Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon & Potato Chowder, Wild Forest Mushroom and Tarragon Crepes, Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet, Crab and Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes, Biscuits with Gravy and Alaskan Reindeer Sausage, and Home Smoked Gulf of Alaska Cod Benny.

Bartender Sam Ross Creates Alaska Cocktails

Acclaimed bartender Sam Ross created a menu of exclusive cocktails that will be featured in the bars on all Alaska ships: Juneau AK, Klondiker, PNW Penicillin, Mosquito, Midnight Sun and Frontier Champagne Flip. Ross was the 2011 “U.S. Bartender of the Year” and his flagship bar, Attaboy, won the 2022 award for “Best Bar in the U.S.” by The World’s 50 Best Bars. Ross is credited with creating two of the most famous modern classic cocktails: Penicillin and Paper Plane.

New Exclusive ‘Killer Whale Pale Ale’ Available On Board

Holland America Line is debuting a new “Killer Whale Pale Ale” on all Alaska cruises. The beer was produced in collaboration with Pike Brewing – Seattle’s oldest craft brewery – and features notes of honey, citrus and tropical fruits. The label artwork was created in collaboration with Native Artist Rico Worl , a member of the Tlingit and Athabascan community, who also designed the Native artwork featured on the Alaska menus. The Killer Whale Pale Ale label represents the food chain in the Pacific Northwest, with a seal deftly maneuvering out of the grasp of a killer whale.

More Wildlife Viewing than Any Other Cruise Line

Alaska is synonymous with stunning wilderness, and Holland America Line offers more ways to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Alaska ships carry an expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals found in the region, and 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. Ashore, Holland America Line offers nearly 180 shore excursions to see species of all kinds.

On Deck for a Cause Continues to Support Alaska’s Parks

Holland America Line will continue to donate proceeds from its “On Deck for a Cause” charitable event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic , the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” guests on all Alaska cruises will be invited to donate $25 to participate in a noncompetitive 5K fundraising walk aboard every sailing. Funds raised through “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks” will go to support education, science and research in Alaska’s parks. The 2023 Alaska season raised more than $100,000 for Alaska Geographic.

Standby Program Offers Reduced Rates for Seattle and Vancouver Cruises

Guests with easy access to Seattle or Vancouver have an opportunity to cruise to Alaska at a reduced rate of $49 per person, per day with Holland America Line’s Standby program. Travelers who sign up for a cruise are alerted between seven and two days before departure if they will be sailing. Solo cruisers also only pay $49 per day and do not incur a single supplement for a double stateroom.