Recognized as an international day of observance on June 25, Day of the Seafarer celebrates the contributions and dedication of professionals in the maritime industry. We're incredibly grateful to our crew members at Holland America Line – who come from 70 different countries around the world – for creating unforgettable moments for our guests, communities and each other.    We ...

Do you have a heart for history, the arts, architecture and more? Exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a great way to immerse yourself in the destinations you cruise to with Holland America Line. Here are just a few of the must-visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe: Thingvellir National Park (Iceland) This ...

Lights, camera, action! The high-seas penultimate episode of season 21 of Bravo’s Top Chef debuted last night on Wednesday, June 12, and we couldn’t be more excited about all the mouthwatering moments. For starters, our Fresh Fish Ambassador, Chef Morimoto, made a surprise visit to the final four cheftestants, showcasing our Global Fresh Fish Program. The winner of the ...

It’s International Tea Day, which is a tea-licious time to announce we’re elevating our afternoon tea experience. As part of our Dutch heritage and tradition for 150 years, we’re delighted for guests to indulge in Royal Dutch Tea on days at sea. The new Royal Dutch Tea, which is launching across our fleet over the coming weeks, will feature ...

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we caught up with one of our team educators who trains up to 1,000 students every year as they prepare to embark on career adventures with Holland America Line. Through a thoughtfully crafted curriculum, our development and training teams help bring the Holland America Line experience to life in the classroom. ...

What better time to announce the new ways we’re celebrating our Dutch heritage aboard our ships than on King’s Day on April 27, a cherished holiday tradition in The Netherlands honoring the birthday of the reigning Dutch monarch. From concerts to street parties, the people of the Netherlands host big, orange-accented celebrations in honor of the royal House of ...

You’ve spent weeks planning every detail of your Holland America Line cruise – from your itinerary to your wardrobe. Now it’s time to make sure your camera is ready for a picture-perfect vacation. Here are some tips to help you choose the best camera for your cruise. There’s No Shortage of Options When it ...

Embark on an unforgettable Mediterranean cruise with Holland America Line. This region, known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural history, is home to an array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each site tells a unique tale of human civilization, its triumphs, and its enduring spirit. We’re here to guide you through five of these extraordinary destinations, each with ...

Are you ready to say “aloha” to Hawaii or witness the marvels of the Panama Canal? With Holland America Line, you can see the world from your doorstep, soaking up sights of spectacular landscapes, wildlife and historical landmarks around the globe. Each destination has its own cultural traditions and spirit that make it unique, and you have the opportunity ...

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 ...

Love was in the air for Holland America Line crew members, Ammar and Faye, when they met aboard Koningsdam in 2023. Ammar had recently joined the team as the onboard crew doctor, and Faye was the hotel executive assistant. Intrigued by one another, they decided to go on a date – a date that was anything but ordinary. After ...

At Holland America Line, we love helping our guests see the world from their doorstep through amazing cruise experiences. We also love bringing the joy of cruising to guests at home through fresh recipes and vacation-inspired activities. In summary, we love...love. It's in that spirit we invite you to celebrate Valentine's Day – or HALentine's Day – using the ...

Calling all seafood lovers! Are you ready to delight your senses with mouthwatering flavors? We recently teamed up with Vital Choice®, a leader in premium wild-caught fish delivery, to help you enjoy vacation-inspired flavors at home. To support your culinary journey, Sinu Pillai, Holland America Line’s fleet executive chef, hosted a cooking demo featuring our Gold Gala Pan-Seared Sea ...

With so many things to do in Honolulu, you may wonder how to choose. If you’ve been dreaming of a Hawaii cruise with a stop in this famous port, you’ll want to plan ahead. Here are some of the best ways to spend a day in Honolulu: Explore the North Shore & Waikiki Beach ...

From wild orange wigs and giant hats to boas and bowties, there’s plenty of fun fashion on display at Holland America Line’s iconic Orange Party. Combine that with live entertainment, cocktails and dancing, and you have an incredibly festive event! If you’re new to cruising with Holland America Line, you won’t want to miss the orange bash cherished by ...

‘Tis the season for pumpkins, ghouls and witch’s brew. If you love baking, here’s a treat for you. Inspired by tea time with Holland America Line, we’re sharing the Halloween recipe for our yummy Witch’s Hat Cupcakes. Don’t love cooking but enjoy decorating treats? You’ll also find some fun shortcuts below to achieve a similar look to our tasty ...

Are you a sports enthusiast that enjoys a good game and friendly competition? Would you like to explore fun sports activities on a cruise ship, like pickleball, ping pong, shuffleboard and more? Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Holland America Line has plenty of onboard cruise activities to help you break a sweat and try something new, and ...

When you embark on a cruise adventure, you may be excited about the sights you’ll see, the shore excursions you’ll experience and the endless cruise activities you'll enjoy, from live music to pickleball. What you may not expect is Justin, one of our art and craft instructors. He’s an artist by trade and a comedian at heart, and he ...

Do you have a heart for history, the arts, architecture and more? Looking for things to experience while you’re in port during longer stays or overnights? Exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a great way to immerse yourself in the destinations you cruise to with Holland America Line. Here are just a few of the must-see UNESCO World Heritage ...

With 227 breathtaking islands, Greece is incredible. Our Greek Isle cruises whisk you to small villages and iconic cities. Stand in the same place as the world’s greatest philosophers and poets, share mezes with friendly locals, or watch the sun sink into the jewel-blue Aegean Sea.   Athens, the Gateway to Greek Isles  Athens is the ...

On April 22, 2022, Stephanie DerGarabedian was starting her day with her favorite morning personalities on The Today Show. As she sipped her morning brew and began plugging away at work, something caught her attention. The Today Show was hosting a Mother’s Day contest where viewers could nominate their moms to join them on The Plaza for brunch. Stephanie ...

When Holland America Line guests embark on a Grand World Voyage, they’re likely looking forward to one bucket-list adventure after the next. What they may not expect is a group of volunteers knitting and crocheting blankets on the world cruise for Project Linus in support of children in need. For Gail and Marty Gottlieb, hosting fellow “blanketeers” isn’t just ...

We’re not the only ones celebrating King’s Day on April 27. Holland America Line is proud to introduce its loyal furry friend and mascot, Lewie! Donning his best orange tie and majestic mane, Lewie descends from a long line of Dutch lions living in Rotterdam, and he loves traveling by sea. In fact, he got a behind-the-scenes sneak peek ...

It’s not very often a company celebrates its 150th anniversary, and just as rare is the opportunity to work for one. As the new blog manager for Holland America Line, I recently had the opportunity to board the newest ship in its fleet before its transatlantic voyage to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, retracing (in reverse) its original journey 150 years ...

Photo Above: Members of the Travel Advisor Book Club, created by Michelle Sutter, vice president of North America sales & chief of staff, gather aboard the Koningsdam for the first M.S. Masterminds Summit at Sea in summer 2022.  In honor of International Women’s Day, we want to spotlight some of the Holland America Line ...

Celebrated travel expert Samantha Brown doesn’t just know where to travel, she knows how to get there. Holland America Line is partnering with Samantha to show off the splendors of Alaska on her hit PBS show “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love,” and next summer she’s hosting a cruise to Norway aboard our newest ship, Rotterdam. Holland ...

Holland America Line’s Volendam departed Rotterdam today, completing a charter with the city and the government of the Netherlands that began in April. For the past six months, the ship has been home to families from Ukraine who fled the war there. Over the past several weeks, the families have been resettling with relatives or moving to more permanent accommodations ...

Foodies and culinary novices alike, who are ready for a gastronomic adventure can set sail on a Holland America Line “Culinary Cruise” in 2022 with a member from the line’s Culinary Council. The celebrity chefs will share their expertise and secrets on everything from the correct way to make a sushi roll and how to perfectly temper chocolate to preparing ...

Today is International Beer Day, and Holland America Line has expertly crafted shore excursions around the world that show off the best brews — from Japan to Australia, Belgium to Oregon. The names you know like Guinness take center stage, but those who love the beverage will take delight in learning about the lesser known craft beers and local breweries ...

One of the reasons we travel the world is to show our guests indigenous cultures that continue to live on despite the advancing years. Time stands still in some of the destinations, while in others, ancient traditions have been passed down for generations. These Holland America Line shore excursions will help you connect deeply to the people and places you ...

On April 18, 2023, Holland America Line is celebrating its 150th Anniversary — making it one of the longest-operating travel companies in the world. To commemorate the milestone, the cruise line is planning special events and activities, including two commemorative transatlantic crossings. Today, the April 3, 2023, crossing opens for booking, while the Oct. 15, 2022, departure has limited space ...

It's official! While Rotterdam has been cruising since the fall, today in the city of Rotterdam we formally welcomed her as the flagship of our fleet in an affair fit for a royal! Following a tradition that started in the 1920s, Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands christened the ship in a ceremony attended by local dignitaries and ...

Alaska's "First City" of Ketchikan is so named because it’s the first major landfall for most cruisers as they enter the picturesque fjords of the Inside Passage, where the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain. A highlight of every Alaska cruise, Ketchikan gives the perfect glimpse into the cultures ...

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 ...

On Valentine's Day, Holland America Line launched a contest asking fans to pen love letters to Alaska. This year we celebrate 75 years of Alaska exploration, and the Love Letters contest is a tribute to the beloved cruising region. Thousands of people entered their thoughts on why they love Alaska or why they would like to visit Alaska. Holland America ...

Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska since 1947, and the premium cruise line is putting 75 years of expertise into new “Alaska Up Close” programming — a 360° experience that immerses guests in The Great Land in a way that only Holland America Line can deliver. Through authentic experiences on board and ashore that focus on culture, cuisine and ...

Dear Alaska, you amaze me … Fans who declare their love for Alaska in a letter or poem can enter to win one of 10 suites, including a grand prize Neptune Suite, on a 2022 cruise to the Great Land in Holland America Line’s “Love Letters to Alaska” contest. This year, we're celebrating 75 years of Alaska exploration, and the ...

Since the inception of Holland America Line's Mariner Society loyalty program, it has evolved from a recognition cocktail party to a comprehensive program with Star levels featuring some wonderful benefits. All Mariners (past guests of Holland America Line) are enrolled automatically and will receive benefits starting with their second cruise! Holland America Line recently launched a NEW Mariner Early Booking ...

Imagine a perfect tropical island. Does it include lush volcanic peaks rising dramatically above the sea? Or maybe a palm-fringed beach with crystal-clear water? Whatever your ideal island escape looks like, you are likely to find it in the Caribbean. The warm waters are host to some 7,000 different islands belonging to 28 nations. It is a varied lot in ...

Holland America Line ships have long been regarded as floating art galleries for their extensive collections of museum-quality pieces. Rotterdam is no exception, and guests are in for a visually rewarding journey with some of the most thought-provoking, striking and bold pieces in the fleet — including historical works and memorabilia from beloved previous sister ships. Rotterdam’s art collection is ...

Today is National Chocolate Day, and there's no better way to honor the holiday than to celebrate all-things chocolate! Countries around the world pride themselves on their chocolate, from Belgium to Mexico. For all of you chocolate lovers out there, these shore excursions will immerse you deep in the decadent world of chocolate and leave you with a deeper understanding ...

Today is International Artists Day, and Holland America Line takes great pride in the art collections we have on board our ships. The museum-quality pieces are admired for their unique mediums and stunning depictions of everything from nature to music. If you want to channel your own inner artists, we also feature shore excursions in ports around the world that ...

When Eurodam sets sail in the Mediterranean this summer, the ship will visit an impressive collection of ports throughout the region. From weeklong explorations to more in-depth 12-day voyages, the ship will explore several countries and the ports that showcase the culture and customs of each locale. While guests are eager to visit well-known destinations like Athens, Venice, Mykonos and ...

This summer, Eurodam will offer three incredible Greece itineraries beginning in August. In addition to "Idyllic Greek Isles", the ship will cruise on an “Ancient Wonders” itinerary departing Aug. 22. Not only will Eurodam visit Náfplion, Mykonos and Rhodes in Greece, but it also will explore Haifa, Israel. Read on to see what makes these gorgeous ports some of the ...

As Holland America Line moves closer to the 150th Anniversary of our founding in 2023, this past year has taught us the importance of celebrating the smallest of milestones. So, we’re proudly commemorating our 148th Anniversary Sunday, April 18, 2021. As one of the longest-serving and most experienced cruise lines in the world, Holland America Line has grown into an ...

Paul Thornton, author of “The Joy of Cruising”, has a new book out called “Cruising Interrupted”, and in it he features Holland America Line guest Kandes Bregman. Paul and Kandes have granted us permission to share an excerpt of Kandes' chapter to give a glimpse into her passion for cruising and Holland America Line. Enjoy the segment, and then be ...

Spring has sprung, and in many parts of the world flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and temperatures are rising. We know this isn't the case for everyone! There's still snow on the ground in some locales, and others are seeing summer weather. But tomorrow is officially the first day of spring, and we're celebrating the start of a new ...

For those ready to travel again, there’s no better place to start than Alaska, offering opportunities for travelers to see glaciers up close, spot bucket-list wildlife, explore national parks and see Denali – North America’s tallest mountain. This summer, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises offer many ways for travelers to experience Alaska through Gray Line Alaska, Princess Alaska Lodges ...

Valentine's Day is the holiday for romance, and it goes hand-in-hand with the romance of cruising. To celebrate, we asked our Facebook fans to share some of their most romantic moments on a Holland America Line cruise, and we received some beautiful stories. From milestone celebrations to weddings to meeting the love of your life, all things are possible on ...

In 2022 Holland America Line is celebrating 75 years of Alaska exploration — longer than any other cruise line — and bookings are now open for its award-winning cruises and Land+Sea Journeys. Throughout the decades, the premium brand has cultivated its knowledge to create perfectly crafted Alaska adventures that offer travelers preferred access, exclusive overland transportation and immersive onboard experiences ...