Photo above shows the beauty of the northern lights as seen from Northern Europe. Every year, adventurers from all over the world flock to Iceland to see the northern lights. According to this Forbes article, the northern lights are the top sought-after bucket list experience, surpassing the Great Barrier Reef and cruising Norway’s fjords.   Even though 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 ...

Holland America Line kicked off its 2023 Alaska cruise season on April 29 with the arrival of Eurodam at Port of Seattle. Known as “Seattle’s Hometown Cruise Line,” Holland America Line marked the day with a celebration at Pier 91. Festivities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Miss Washington Regan Gallo and Miss Alaska Jessica Reisinger, and lively music with ...

Above: Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands (right); Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha (left); and Roel Dusseldorp, General Manager of Hotel New York, pour champagne over the commemorative 150th anniversary bell.  On April 18, Holland America Line’s flagship Rotterdam arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, following a 150th Anniversary crossing that departed ...

The 150th anniversary festivities for Holland America Line are in full swing, and we couldn’t be more excited! As we prepare for a transatlantic voyage from New York City to Rotterdam, the Netherlands – retracing (in reverse) the company’s original voyage – we knew it was the perfect time to announce the winner of our 150th Anniversary Poster Contest ...

As Holland America Line celebrates its 150th anniversary, people from all over the world can now get a personal look at its role in immigration stories for thousands of families. Back in 2018, CBG | Center for Family History teamed up with Rotterdam City Archives to start digitizing Holland America Line’s passenger lists. These lists are now available on ...

25-to 59-day extended itineraries combine the splendor of Grand Voyages with a journey that enriches the destination Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Holland America Line’s new cruise category, Legendary Voyages, is out to prove the destinations matter, too. Holland America Line is globally renowned for its expertise in longer voyages. Now, ...

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 ...

If going on a cruise is something you’ve wanted to do for weeks, months, or even years, but you don’t know where to start, don’t sweat it. We’ve got you covered! Here are quick tips to help you navigate your first cruise adventure. 1. Find a cruise that excites you. Whether it’s Alaska, Europe, the ...

A fundraising effort by cruise line passengers, which took place on the high seas around six different continents, has resulted in a $450,000 donation for Ukraine relief. Funds were raised through Holland America Line's On Deck for a Cause campaign, and the check was presented on Jan. 31, 2023, to the global humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief. For 10 ...

Two-and-a-half years after the cruise industry pause, Holland America Line’s Volendam returned to cruising today at Trieste (Venice), Italy. The ship embarked guests for a 14-day Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms Explorer itinerary. To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the terminal to open embarkation, attended by the ship’s captain and senior officers, with flag-waving ...

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 ...

Holland America Line has been awarded Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification—making it the first cruise line to achieve this distinguished credential by serving only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood. RFM certified all six of the cruise line’s ships that sail to Alaska following an independent audit. “Holland America Line has shared Alaska adventures with our guests ...

Alaska’s pristine waters teem with tasty fish. Whether you want to reel in a king salmon or try your hand at crab fishing, the Last Frontier is the place. Alaska fishing trips make it easy by providing the gear, some sage advice, and the ability to buy a fishing license. On select adventures, you can have your catch prepared and ...

Holland America Line is debuting three new dishes from Culinary Council Member Chef Ethan Stowell that were developed in alliance with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). The partnership between the two organizations is a shared commitment to serving sustainably sourced Alaska seafood on all six of our ships that sail to the Great Land. This is the first formal ...

It's been a busy and exciting week for Holland America Line. Two more ships are back in service, with Oosterdam restarting in Trieste (Venice), Italy, and Zaandam setting sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To commemorate both occasions, Holland America Line held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the terminal to open embarkation, attended by the ship’s captain and senior ...

It's hard to believe that your cruise is here! Today is departure day, and for the next seven, 10, 12, or maybe even 128 days, you're going to be cruising with us to new and wondrous places. For some of our guests, the ship is the destination and the ports we visit are an added bonus. Regardless, we're thrilled to ...

On Valentine’s Day we launched a “Love Letters to Alaska” contest in celebration of our upcoming 75th anniversary season in the Great Land. More than 40,000 hopefuls submitted a personal letter professing their love for Alaska or why they would like to visit. After narrowing down the entries to the top 10, Deborah Thelwell from Phoenix, Arizona, was named the ...

Holland America Line's Volendam will be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees as part of an agreement announced by Netherlands and City of Rotterdam government officials. The ship will dock in Rotterdam for three months to provide a temporary home for approximately 1,500 Ukrainians, part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 people who fled the war in ...

Arriving at Istanbul, Turkey, on board a ship is an unforgettable experience. The Bosphorus, dividing Europe and Asia, welcomes passengers and on deck are where the views of Istanbul’s best attractions await. The shores of Asia to the east, the first Bosphorus Bridge to the north and the “old Istanbul” peninsula in the south — home to Topkapi Palace and ...

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 ...

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 ...

Cup of Joe, coffee or java, not matter what you call it there are some amazing brews produced all over the world. Today is International Coffee Day, and for all of you coffee connoisseurs Holland America Line offers some amazing tours that delve deep into the world of coffee making in ports known for producing some incredible beans. If you're ...

Today is #NationalBeachDay, a holiday that honors all of the beautiful beaches around the world. While Holland America Line certainly visits some of the most stunning beaches on the planet, when it comes to quantity of perfect powder, Brazil is at the top. Guests can visit these postcard-worthy beaches on a Holland America Line cruise to South America or on ...

It’s International Museum Day, and the world’s most fascinating museums can be discovered on a Holland America Line cruise. Of course, there are the well-known museums like the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia; the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain; and the Louvre in Paris, France, but what about the off-the-beaten path museums? The destinations we visit are filled with incredible history ...

You’ve been counting down the days until your Holland America Line cruise and the day has finally arrived! Filled with overwhelming excitement and anticipation, you may be wondering ... “What should I do first?” The first day of your cruise is one of the most important, as it sets the tone for the rest of your vacation. We’ve compiled a ...

As we prepare to say farewell to Maasdam, we asked fans on our Facebook page to share photos and memories of the ship that has been part of the Holland America Line fleet since 1993. Many of you replied, sharing your stories and photos with us. Enjoy a selection that truly shows how beloved Maasdam is to so many guests ...

A Humanitarian Crisis Response to Cruise Ships Stranded at Sea Tests Our Deepest Human Values By Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line The coronavirus (COVID-19) has run rampant through neighborhoods, businesses and nations, catching all us off guard. Stoked by fear of contagion, millions of people around the world are sheltering in place waiting out the storm. During a time ...

Update: 3/4/2020 4 pm Pacific Time Holland America Line has consistently stated there was no evidence or indication of any cases or suspected cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on Westerdam. All guests and crew have been reported clear of COVID-19. We believe the one “positive” result was a false-positive, as repeated testing of the guest have been negative and not a ...

As experienced cruisers with hundreds of days on water, we often encounter want-to-be cruisers who ask where they should go. Alaska is our go-to answer. Though we’ve explored Alaska several times, every visit reveals something new. Before our voyage last year on the Westerdam, friends and colleagues offered some well-heeled advice: take a flight and go dog sledding. We were ...

Guests can now make bookings for the highly anticipated Premiere Voyage and Premiere Sailings of Holland America’s Line’s ms Koningsdam, due for delivery in February 2016. Open for reservations today, Dec. 1, the first sailings of the line’s new flagship will be one seven-day cruise followed by a series of six 12-day itineraries throughout the Mediterranean.   “Since Holland America ...

For those not familiar with a “repositioning cruise,” it’s moving a ship from one sailing region to another, like moving from a season in Alaska to a season in Australia. The cruise that takes the ship from Alaska to Australia is a repositioning. …

Alaska is scenic, full of history, offers plenty of nature adventures and once-in-a-lifetime experiences … making it the perfect cruise destination for a family vacation. …

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. …

I know this island well, one might say ‘intimately’, for not only did I call here on the ‘Mail’ run, but I also spent over a week here, after abandoning my ship, along with 83 others, we were brought back here by the tanker which sighted our lifeboats and rescued us. Having nothing but a rather dirty-white uniform to my ...