In my 44 years with Holland America Line, I have been asked numerous times where is my favorite place to visit. Although there are a few, one at the top of the list is Greece. The whole experience — from the extraordinary culture and antiquities to the people, cuisine and remarkable architecture — is overwhelming. One of the magical Greek ...

No matter where you go on a cruise, food is an important part of the onboard experience, and it's also a gateway to the cultures we visit. Today, more people are traveling with dietary restrictions, and we don't want that to deter anyone from enjoying their vacation! Onboard all of our ships, we have plenty of options to make sure ...

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 ...

Leonard Wood was surprised and delighted with a special day aboard the Zaandam. Photo courtesy of the Port of Charlottetown. Cruise Ship Fan Receives Surprise After Admiring Vessels for More than 80 Years Since Leonard Wood was a little boy, he always admired cruise ships from afar. In fact, he has taken a picture in front ...

Whether you’re new to cruising or a seasoned pro, there are many reasons to seek support from a Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC) to help you plan a cruise vacation that’s as unique as you. As members of our team, Personal Cruise Consultants have expertise on the Holland America Line experience and knowledge about destinations around the world. They’re here ...

The Amalfi Coast is like a beautiful quilt patched together from the dreams of sailors. It has everything: enchanting villages filled with fascinating history and art; exquisite beaches that line the vivid-blue Tyrrhenian Sea; heavenly cuisine made fresh from local produce.   Why is the Amalfi Coast Famous?   The Amalfi Coast is a 34-mile (50-kilometer) stretch ...

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 ...

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 ...

Embark on an Incredible Pole-to-Pole Adventure with Holland America Line  Though any cruise with Holland America Line is a getaway from the everyday, there’s nothing quite like a Grand Voyage. Roundtrip from the United States, Grand Voyages take you to bucket-list destinations while introducing you to hidden gems around the world. And in 2025, Holland America Line will embark ...

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 ...

Kristen Bass, fleet training specialist, has a personal connection to Holland America Line that extends long before her first day with our cruise line 10 years ago. In fact, it goes back to a transatlantic journey in September of 1893.  Nearly 130 years ago, a young couple in their 30s was preparing for a ...

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 ...

Celebrations are underway for Holland America Line’s 150th Anniversary, and you still have time to join the fun. If you’re craving a getaway but not sure where to go or what to do, consider embarking on one of our Heritage Cruises. Focused on ports rich in our brand’s history, Heritage Cruises feature unique onboard and shoreside experiences, and there ...

Did you know March 24 is National Cocktail Day? What better day than today to share signature recipes created specifically for Holland America Line's 150th anniversary! Feeling thirsty? Gather some friends around the table and get ready to have some fun. These cocktails will quench your thirst and delight your senses. Dutch 150 ...

Along with glaciers and wildlife, the northern lights top the list of Alaska must-sees. It is possible to see the northern lights from Anchorage. The lights dance year-round but are only visible in inky-black skies. If you cruise Alaska during the peak of summer, the blaze of the midnight sun outshines the aurora. If you’re ...

We asked Samantha Brown, celebrated travel expert, what her tips would be for first-time cruisers to Alaska. Here’s what she had to say! Note: Holland America Line is a proud sponsor of “Places to Love.” Cruising the Inside Passage of Alaska was one of the most incredible bucket-list adventures my family and I have ...

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 ...

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 ...

From travel professionals and editors to the most discerning consumers and prestigious organizations, 2022 was a year of recognition for the Holland America Line team members who work hard to bring guests the best service at sea. Travel Weekly’s readers named Holland America Line the best world cruise itinerary, making it the 29th travel award received for the brand this ...

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 ...

G’Day, Australia! Holland America Line is back Down Under after more than two years away. Westerdam — the first ship back for the cruise line since the pandemic — arrived at Cairns today following a journey that began Oct. 2 from Seattle. The full 36-day Pacific Ocean cruise included calls in Hawaii and the South Pacific, and the ship will ...

Holland America Line’s favorite four-legged friend, Joska the service dog, reached a milestone achievement of 700 cruise days on Rotterdam’s current 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing, making her eligible to receive the Platinum Medallion, the highest past-guest award for cruising days. Joska, a 10-year-old black Labrador retriever, is the ultimate globetrotter and spends most of her days cruising on Holland America ...

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam arrived at New York City yesterday morning on its maiden call to the city following a transatlantic crossing that departed Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 15. The ship is nearing the end of a 15-day cruise that is recreating the maiden voyage of Holland America Line’s first ship — Rotterdam I — that departed Rotterdam 150 years ...

Following a Panama Canal transit, Nieuw Amsterdam arrived today at Half Moon Cay, the first ship to visit on the 25th anniversary season of Holland America Line’s private island. The ship’s team marked the opening of the season with a special beachside display. In this season that also marks our 150th anniversary as a line, seven Holland America Line ships ...

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam VII departed the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, today on its historic 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing. The 15-day journey recreates Holland America Line’s maiden voyage of Rotterdam I that departed the city 150 years ago today. The crossing follows the path of that first sailing to New York, with calls at Le Havre, France, and Plymouth, ...

On a cruise over the holidays, reconnect with loved ones and rejuvenate yourself. Spend time lazing by the pool while we prepare a holiday feast. Explore sun-drenched ports while we make the ship clean and tidy for the celebrations. Admire the gingerbread villages, mistletoe and ornament-adorned trees around the ship, all while enjoying daytime enrichment and nightly entertainment. Worried your ...

A middle school project to deliver books to a library halfway around the world is almost complete, thanks to some good timing and an alert travel advisor. Students from Odyssey Middle School in Bainbridge, Washington, brought over 400 books to Holland America Line’s ship Westerdam on Sunday for delivery to a new literacy library in Papua New Guinea. Students at ...

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 ...

In a multi-year sponsorship agreement that coincides with the 2022-2023 football season, Holland America Line will serve as the "Official Cruise Line of Husky Athletics" for University of Washington Athletics. This marks Holland America Line's first foray into college sports and establishes an ideal relationship for two of Seattle's iconic brands. As Seattle's Hometown Cruise Line, the new relationship pairs ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

Don’t let summer slip away! With our new "Save on Sunshine" promotion, you can save up to 40% off select 2022 cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and beyond! Are you ready to zipline in the Sierra Madre mountains or glimpse sea life through a glass-bottom boat in the Bahamas? It's not too late to go dogsledding on a glacier this ...

Holland America Line took home three USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards: winner in the categories of Best Ship for Dining and Best Mid-Sized Cruise Ship, and second for Best Ocean Cruise Line. USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards highlight the best of the best in contests covering categories such as destinations, food and drink, hotels and things to do. ...

Holland America Line’s guests and team members celebrated an important milestone this weekend, marking one full year of a return to sailing after the cruise industry pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nieuw Amsterdam was the line’s first ship back, resuming cruising July 24, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. The ship reached the one-year mark while in port in Whitter, Alaska. ...

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 ...

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 ...

As our 150th anniversary approaches April 18, 2023, Holland America Line is adding a second commemorative transatlantic crossing aboard Rotterdam to the schedule of celebratory events. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 4, 2023, the 16-night itinerary sails to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, retracing in reverse the company’s first voyage. From Fort Lauderdale, the ship heads to New York City ...

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 Nature Photography Day, and the world is filled with an abundance of natural beauty. From the glaciers of Alaska to the blooms in the South Pacific to New England's rivers and waterfalls, the ports we visit offer some amazing sights and scenes. If you're looking to capture the beauty of the locales through the eyes of a camera ...

In celebration of 75 years exploring Alaska, Holland America Line is partnering with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to highlight the line’s leadership and commitment to sustainably sourced local seafood. The first formal partnership of its kind between ASMI, a partnership between the state of Alaska and Alaska’s fishing industry, and a major cruise line will highlight Holland America Line’s ...

Holland America Line is celebrating having a full fleet back in service as of June 12 with a “Celebration Sale” offering cruise fare discounts, onboard spending credit and reduced deposits on most 2022 and 2023 departures. Bookings must be made by June 30, 2022, to take advantage of the promotion. Summer 2022 through available 2023 sailings receive up to 50% ...

On a Holland America Line excursion in Alaska, guests will have the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and serenity of Alaska’s wilderness. From pristine glaciers and awe-inspiring scenery to rich forests with abundant wildlife, you will be amazed by the wonders of Alaska. Read on to discover tours in each port and get ready to embark on an expedition ...

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 ...

This season in Alaska, Holland America Line is celebrating 75 years of exploring the Great Land. That is longer than it's been a state! We have an exciting season packed with special events, amazing programming and a strong focus on immersing our guests in Alaska culture, lifestyle and cuisine through authentic experiences on board and ashore. Guests won’t just cruise ...

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 ...

TODAY celebrated deserving mothers this Friday, May 6 ahead of Mother’s Day, with an extra special surprise from Holland America Line. During the 8 a.m. hour, one of America’s favorite morning shows invited 20 amazing women to its iconic plaza at 30 Rockefeller to highlight and reward their many accomplishments. We’re surprising all the moms on our Plaza with a ...