All About Overnights & Extended Stays on Europe Cruises

Picture this: you’re wandering around the world’s most charming city, stepping in and out of small shops when you realize your port call time is just around the corner. You only wish you had a few more hours to meander the cobblestone streets before heading back to your stateroom. In fact, most travelers are looking for more than just a quick stop — they want longer stays and more hours to explore, discover, and savor every moment at port. Which is exactly why Holland America offers overnight stays in European cities with a wealth of landmarks and historical sites on select cruise itineraries. It’s your chance to fully immerse yourself in a city’s culture.

Both types of stays are featured on European cruises with Holland America to give you extra time to explore. Know the difference as you begin exploring itineraries.

Extended Stays: Enjoy a few extra hours than typical in port, with your ship typically departing between 10:00 pm – 11:59 pm on the same day you arrive. On itinerary maps, extended stays are indicated with a crescent moon icon.

Overnight Stays: Your ship acts as your hotel! You will depart the next calendar day (or any time after midnight of the previous day). On itinerary maps, overnights are indicated with a sun and moon icon.

Overnight stays allow you to move beyond just sightseeing. With longer sailings and more port stops, an overnight stay makes it easy to feel fully immersed in your travels. From dining with the locals in Rome to getting lost as you walk along the cobblestone streets of Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter, you’ll discover completely unhurried port days.

• Use local public transport, rideshare services, etc. since most European cities have efficient ways of getting around that are safe and reliable
• Download transit apps ahead of time and plan your route to hit popular sights
• Research local dining spots before disembarking to maximize your time
• Leave time for exploring. Wandering the streets of European cities gives you the ultimate experience without rushing
• Buy tickets for museums, galleries, or evening events ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in line, or make it easy and book one of our shore excursions.

In destinations with so much to discover and explore, extra time helps you make the most of every port stop.

With its twinkling lights, old-world charm, and late-night bars and bistros, there’s plenty to soak up in Europe after dark. Check out things to do with your extra time.

1. Reykjavík, Iceland: Blending Nordic culture with natural beauty, this is the heart of Iceland’s natural wonders and rich Viking heritage. Experience its renowned arts scene and explore the rugged beauty of the land with an overnight during the 35-Day Legendary Voyage of the Vikings.
   • Can’t miss shore excursion: Bathing in the Blue Lagoon where you’ll spend two hours relaxing in vivid blue, geothermally heated water as you gaze at the surrounding mountain landscape.
2. Valleta, Malta: Available as an overnight on the 14-Day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discover itinerary, explore Europe’s southernmost capital easily by car or foot. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, Valleta is teeming with historic monuments, churches, and gardens.
   • Can’t miss shore excursion: The Malta Experience and Panorama sets out on a scenic drive to see the island and visit three cities inhabited by the Knights of St. John in the 1500s, then the tour pauses so you can relax and taste local refreshments, including galletti and gbejniet (local cheese and crackers).
3. Greenock, (Glasgow) Scotland, United Kingdom: During the 14-Day Wild British Isles: Glasglow Overnight itinerary, you arrive in the deepwater port for Scotland’s largest city. Glasgow is a vibrant city known for its art and music venues.
   • Can’t miss shore excursion: City of Glasgow & Kelvingrove Gallery gives you a complete view of the city then take a guided tour through contemporary art and other local exhibits at Kelvingrove Gallery.
4. Alta, Norway: Cross the Arctic Circle and spend overnights in both Alta and Tromsø on the 14-Day Arctic Circle & Northern Lights itinerary. Known as the “City of Northern Lights,” many flock to Alta during fall and winter with hopes of seeing the aurora borealis.
   • Can’t miss shore excursion: Panoramic Alta & The Northern Lights Cathedral lets you conveniently explore Alta via bus, covering the city center all the way to the outskirts. Then step inside the cathedral that symbolizes the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights.
5. Copenhagen, Denmark: During the 21-Day Scandinavian Fjords & Capitals itinerary, you’ll fall in love with this walkable and bike-friendly city and its canals. Delight in unexpected contrasts of new and old, such as the charming Rosenborg Castle and the ultra-modern Louisiana Museum of Art.
   • Can’t miss shore excursion: The Evening Canal Cruise is only available on overnight itineraries and gives you an incredible look at Copenhagen’s 850-year history. Board a canal boat and travel through the harbor and sail along canals of old Christianshavn.

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