If you are setting sail on a Pacific Coast cruise and have a craving for Mediterranean-like vibes, look no further than Catalina Island in California. Located 24 miles southwest of Los Angeles, you’ll discover a gorgeous landscape of beaches, mountains, coves and canyons. Here is a guide to help you make the most of a day on Catalina Island ...

Are you on a mission to watch whales in the wild? Dreaming of icy-blue glaciers and mouthwatering fresh-fish flavors? With Holland America Line you can see more Alaska glaciers and have more access to Alaska wildlife than with any other cruise line. You can also indulge in our Global Fresh Fish and Savor My Catch programs, where you’ll relish the tastes of Alaska from port to ...

Are shimmering turquoise waters and white sandy beaches calling your name? When you embark on a Holland America Line cruise to the Eastern, Southern, or Western Caribbean, you’re sure to discover the enchanting beauty of the islands. From historical sites to family-friendly activities, here’s a preview of some of the things you could do as you island hop on ...

St. Patrick's Day honors the patron saint of Ireland, and it's a time when people gather around the globe to celebrate Irish heritage. Parades, hues of emerald green and parties at local pubs are common sights. On Holland America Line cruises, guests delight in sweet and savory dishes. Whether you're celebrating Irish heritage on March 17 or other times ...

A cruise to Asia offers a vast array of histories, landscapes and cultural traditions, including ancient temples, classical gardens and real-life dragons. With many UNESCO World Heritage Sites available to add to your vacation experience, your Holland America Line cruise is sure to be an extraordinary one. Here are just some of the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites that ...

Majestic, adorable and fierce, it's no surprise bears top the list of must-see animals on Alaska cruises. Though sightings are never 100% guaranteed, it's an amazing experience when they come into view – preferably not when you're alone. After all, who wants to encounter a 900-pound brown bear by themselves? One way to safely cross bears off your vacation bucket ...

Looking for cocktails to try this holiday season? Delight friends at your next jolly gathering using these holiday cocktail recipes: De Lijn Ginger Mojito Ingredients: 2 oz De Lijn Gin 2 oz Ginger Beer 0.5 oz Simple Syrup 3 Lime Wedges 8 Mint Leaves Garnish: Candied Ginger and Mint Sprig Instructions: Muddle ...

Holland America Line recently introduced four new cocktails to delight the senses on our Alaska cruises. Inspired by the beauty of Alaska, they feature something you don’t find every day in a glass near you: authentic Alaska glacier ice. Harvested by state permit among floating glacier bergs in Prince William Sound and prepared to the highest standard under Alaskan ...

Alaska is a prime destination for wildlife viewing. But if you don’t have suitable binoculars, that Alaska brown bear and her cubs might look like … a few blurred dots. That mountain goat? Nothing but a spec. That humpback whale? A floating log. Find the best binoculars for wildlife viewing so you don’t miss a single magical moment. Everyone ...

Voting is underway for the USA TODAY 2022 10Best Readers' Choice awards, and Holland America Line is excited to be nominated for five awards in three categories! Not only were we selected by an esteemed panel of experts for the "Best Ocean Cruise Line" category, but Koningsdam is nominated for "Best Ship for Dining" and all three of our Pinnacle ...

Today is World Oceans Day, and as a cruise line that explores the world by traveling the sea, we take pride in offering our guests the most incredible tours that allow them to become fully immersed in the vast underwater ecosystem. From swimming with sea turtles and scuba diving among the coral reefs to learning more about humpback whales, we ...

Europe takes fashion seriously, but that doesn’t mean you have to lug five suitcases across the ocean or teeter around on cobblestones in the world’s most uncomfortable shoes. Our packing list for Europe helps you pack smart, so you’ll be comfortable and stylish on cruise excursions. As our Europe cruises are a week or longer, start with a large suitcase ...

Sunday is Mother's Day in many places around the world. To celebrate, we asked our Facebook fans to share a favorite memory of cruising with mom, a mother figure or their kids — and the response was overwhelming! We had so many of you share your favorite photos, thoughts and experiences. It's very clear from the comments that family cruising ...

Our "Love Letters to Alaska" contest had an incredible response, with more than 40,000 entries received from people hoping to win a cruise to Alaska. Deborah Thelwell was named the grand prize winner of a seven-day Holland America Line Alaska cruise for two in a Neptune Suite. But we also have nine runners-up who will each receive a seven-day Alaska ...

Any Barcelona cruise guest will soon become familiar with two titans in the world of Spanish creative expression: Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaudí. Their works are well represented in this artistic hub, as both artists once called the city home. Things to Do in Barcelona for Art Lovers Pablo Picasso An icon of the modern art movement, Pablo Picasso helped ...

On Sunday, Oct. 10, waving flags, cheering team members and a “Welcome Home” sign greeted guests as they joined Koningsdam at the Port of San Diego for our first West Coast departure since the start of the industry-wide pause. Koningsdam is the largest Holland America Line ship to be sailing from the West Coast, and she will spend the season ...

Holland America Line offers the best live music at sea with Music Walk featuring B.B. King's Blues Club, Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room. But music can extend beyond the shipboard part of your cruise. Experiencing music and its origins, showcased in some of the world’s most remote and diverse destinations, is a calming, engaging, uplifting ...

We invite you on a whirlwind tour of the sundrenched ABC Islands. Part of the Leeward Antilles in the southern Caribbean, islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao feature diverse natural habitats that call for adventure. The stories below show the importance of these special surroundings to the people who live there and offer a glimpse of how you can experience ...

Looking to make Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or graduation extra special? With the new Holland America Line Gift Cards, it’s now easy and convenient to give the gift of a cruise and other memorable experiences on board. In addition to new cruise bookings, gift cards can also be applied to an existing cruise booking. Holland America Line Gift Cards offer ...

Holland America Line dominated Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards with eight honors. Readers from Porthole, one of the world’s leading consumer cruise travel publications, recognized Holland America Line in areas that covered everything from destinations to onboard and shoreside experiences. The awards include Best Canada/New England and Northern Europe Itineraries; Best Shore Excursions; Best Spa Facilities; Most Eco-Friendly ...

Travelers new to cruising might not know that the Caribbean presents itself in very different ways. There are several common options -- from the ease of the eastern Caribbean to the adventure of the western and exotic charm of the southern Caribbean, each itinerary has its own characteristics. Comparing and contrasting these destinations can give you an idea of what ...

Alaska is a land of possibilities when it comes to sightseeing. There’s something for history buffs, nature lovers, photo enthusiaists, thrill-seekers and those who simply want to have a look around town. …

Grand Turk is a beautiful island that is relatively new to cruise ships. The port facility was completed in 2006 and it is one of the newest and most impressive anywhere in the Caribbean. A small island in the British West Indies, it is a part of the commonwealth that is known as the Turks and Caicos. Only 7 by ...

As highlighted in the above video, Holland America Line’s seven-day eastern Caribbean cruises feature the gorgeous port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in addition to Grand Turk, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay. Puerto Rico is the largest island that the ships visit on this exciting itinerary. Rich in history and culture, it is always a guest favorite. Dating back ...

We left off the last post when it was decided that Panama would serve as the location of the canal. Frenchman Bunau-Varilla then went to Washington, D.C. He got there before the official delegates of the new Republic of Panama arrived and negotiated a treaty between the U.S. and Panama allowing the U.S. to build a canal. The treaty provided ...

We received this plaintive cry for help and just couldn't resist the opportunity to share a Rudi Sodamin recipe with you: We have sailed on the Westerdam before and loved the trip and the bread pudding. I know I found the recipe on line before but can't find it now. Could you tell me how to find it or e-mail ...