Today is National Happy Hour Day, and there's no better way to kick off the celebration than with a cocktail from our new Half Moon Bar, exclusively aboard Rotterdam. Our newest outlet is an immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail. Each cocktail comes with a fascinating tale of ...

Whether it’s $100, $200, $300 or more, Onboard Credit can make a sweet vacation even sweeter. While some credits are designated for certain activities (e.g., shore excursions), others give you the opportunity to spend it in multiple ways. From rejuvenating at the spa while enjoying ocean views to making magical memories during once-in-a-lifetime excursions, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how ...

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 is upping our game thanks to an exciting new partnership with the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Imagine a pickleball court where the vast ocean or an Alaskan glacier is the backdrop for your match. As the exclusive Official Cruise Line of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), that’s what you can find on Holland America ...

On Oct. 26, Rotterdam sailed into New York City near the end of its 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The voyage was the start of Holland America Line’s yearlong celebration of its founding 150 years ago on April 18, 1873. The crossing, which departed Oct. 15, left exactly 150 years to the day that the cruise line’s ...

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 ...

Mexico is a colorful culture, known for its deep history, rich customs and vibrant flavors. Holland America Line's Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez cruises are designed to showcase the different facets of each port, so whether you want to learn more about the region, take an adventurous tour or get to know the culture, there's something that will meet ...

Today is International Book Lovers day, and while a cruise is the perfect vacation to catch up on a good book lounging on deck overlooking the sea, it's also the ideal way to explore the homes, birthplaces and locales of your favorite author or book. From Prince Edward Island and the home of Anne of Green Gables to Isla Robinson ...

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 ...

Every night on a Holland America Line cruise is filled with the best entertainment and live music at sea. From the incredible Memphis Blues of B.B. King's All Star Band to our talented troupe of Step One performers, evenings are filled with a rich selection of options to suit every taste. Culture, comedy, upbeat tunes, dancing and immersive performances all ...

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 ...

Holland America Line's Cruisetours combine an Alaska cruise with an overland to Denali National Park. Our extended Cruisetours also include a visit to the Yukon where guests can visit Whitehorse, northern Canada's largest city, and Dawson City where the frontier spirit is strong. In the Yukon, the region's Gold Rush history shines as bright as the treasure the Stampeders came ...

On Holland America Line cruises to Alaska, guests have an extended evening stay in Juneau to enjoy some of the adventures that are best experienced later in the day. The ships arrive at 1 p.m. and stay until 10 p.m. With the sun setting well into the evening, you can certainly pack your day full of amazing explorations that allow ...

Holland America Line is giving consumers the confidence to make travel plans through the summer with the extension of its Flexible Cancellation Plan to Sept. 30, 2022. As part of its “Worry-Free Promise,” Holland America Line also will continue to implement best practices for COVID-19 health safety including operating vaccinated cruises and requiring a medically-supervised negative COVID-19 test prior to ...

Mediterranean food is world-renowned for its health benefits. As food fads come and go, this culinary and cultural phenomenon has stood the test of time. In fact, its value to world culture is such that UNESCO named Mediterranean food to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. What is Mediterranean Food? The sea from which it gets ...

Travel exposes us to new cultures, experiences and traditions around the world. Whether it's stepping back in time walking along the cobbled medieval streets of Tallinn or exploring the ruins of Tulum in Mexico, one of the best ways to remember your cruise and the places you visited is to bring home a souvenir that is unique to the region. ...

Today is National Take a Hike Day, and to celebrate we're showcasing five of our favorite hiking tours that you can experience on a Holland America Line cruise. On our shore excursions, immerse yourself in the great outdoors and be rewarded with spectacular views and unforgettable memories. Like the saying goes, "It's not only about the destination, but the journey, ...

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 ...

Are you looking to chart a course to Alaska in 2022? With our Alaska Exploration Sale there's no better time to Have It All! We're back with a full Alaska season and Cruisetours to Denali and the Yukon in 2022, and with this event you can splurge on the shore excursion of your dreams. Book a 2022 Alaska cruise or ...

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 ...

It's Canada Day, and to celebrate our friends to the north we're highlighting these incredible sites that guests can witness on a Holland America Line cruise to Canada & New England. Here's wishing all of our fans, colleagues and friends a wonderful Canada Day! QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC UNESCO Heritage Sites Discover the European charm and character of the first French ...

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 ...

The one word that describes Alaska to me is “home.” I was born and raised in Ketchikan. In the early days of cruise ship visits, one of the pioneering lines was Alaska Cruise Lines, later to become Westours, Inc., which years later merged with Holland America Line. But that is another story. And all this is to say that Holland ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

March 3 is designated World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. On any Holland America Line cruise, shore excursions showcase regional wildlife and flora in a variety of ways. From a natural encounter in the wild to visiting a sanctuary for rescued animals, guests seeking interactions can cuddle koala or hike thorough ...

As Holland America Line continues to review and assess its plans around the Canadian Transport Ministry’s Interim Order that closed Canadian ports and waters to passenger vessels, the company is extending its pause of cruise operations to now include all sailings that depart from or conclude in a Canadian port in 2021. This will include several Alaska, three Canada/New England ...

Holland America Line has named Werner Timmers, a captain with nearly 40 years sailing for the cruise line, to take the helm of Rotterdam when the ship enters service in July 2021. Captain Timmers joined Holland America Line in 1984 and has worked on all classes of ship within the brand, most recently as master of Koningsdam. Captain Timmers will ...

As Holland America Line continues to prepare and develop its plans to meet the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the company is extending its pause of cruise operations for all departures through April 30, 2021. This includes Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Canada/New England departures. The ...

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 ...

April 27 is King’s Day in the Netherlands, a traditional holiday held each year to honor the birthday of the reigning Dutch monarch. At Holland America Line, we take great joy in celebrating King’s Day each year given our roots in the Netherlands and ties to its royal family. In fact, members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 ...

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 ...

Due to the continued port closures and travel restrictions surrounding COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution, Holland America Line has made the decision to voluntarily pause global cruise operations of its 14 ships for 30 days, impacting sailings scheduled to depart through April 14, 2020. “These are unprecedented times, and while no guests or crew have tested positive for ...

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 ...

What do I need to pack for my Alaska cruise? Do I need visas for my trip? Can I bring my own wine on board? These are questions you might have before embarking on your Holland America Line cruise. Did you know that on HollandAmerica.com there is a "Frequently Asked Questions" page that has the answers to our most commonly ...

Half Moon Cay is Holland America Line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas. Know for its pristine beaches, abundance of family-friendly activities, private villas and cabanas, and unparalleled beauty, there’s a reason why it’s our most popular port in the Caribbean. This series of “Fact & Lore” blog posts about Half Moon Cay takes you deeper into the island’s history, ...

Whether you're having a holiday party or not, it's always fun to have some specialty cocktails on-hand to serve to friends, family or yourself this time of year! We enlisted our Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff to show us how to make some of his signature must-have holiday drinks, and these certainly won't disappoint! Enjoy these recipes. We're making sure you ...

Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford has spent his working life leading human resources teams for various companies, so it’s not surprising to hear him say, “People are our most important asset.” How Ashford intends to leverage employees’ strengths to propel Holland America Line into the future is the topic of an interview he conducted recently with Seatrade Cruise News. ...

You've booked a Holland America Line cruise to the South Pacific ... or you're thinking about it. You've read the itineraries pronouncing the tropical island names as you imagine yourself sunbathing in a tiki hut over sparkling waters and drinking from a coconut. With more than 20,000 islands, 35 million inhabitants and 28 official languages, each of Oceania's islands is ...

When it comes to ancient ruins, there's more to explore than just Europe and South America. Mexico boasts some of the most incredible and significant ruins in the world. The Mayan civilization spanned more than 2500 years, and hundreds of ruins in Mexico have been documented. In fact, there are so many sites that it's believed that more than 4,000 ...

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. …

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 ...

With so much to see and do, a trip to Australia and New Zealand is made all the more exciting by taking part in one — or several — of our exciting shore excursions. Each tour is carefully crafted to offer the most fulfilling experience possible, and our reputable tour operators ensure that our guests are well taken care of ...

The Westerdam crossed the equator at 10:08 a.m. (one hour past GMT) and commemorated the special event with a “Crossing the Line” ceremony. To a completely packed Lido aft deck, the Westerdam ‘troop’ translated the event in German for our guests and made this a very festive and playful occasion for all! It was a hit! ‘Pirates’ and ‘doctors’ all ...

Ketchikan provided an opportunity to take the afternoon excursion on the Aleutian Ballad from the Bering Sea. We had a gorgeous day today, really a gorgeous week in Alaska, and off we sailed from our dock. The boat is owned by Dave with Steve and Kiwi giving him a hand in the workings of the tour. The boat was originally ...