The Panama Canal has been called one of humankind’s greatest engineering achievements, and for the 2022-23 cruise season four Holland America Line ships will feature itineraries that include a full transit between Atlantic and Pacific oceans. On board, guests get a front-row seat on the eight-hour daylight journey through the Panama Canal, often cited as a rite-of-passage experience by avid ...

Thanks to Erik Tomren, senior specialist of hotel & tour management at Holland America Line, who wrote this post in collaboration with Danielle Rosenow, manager of hotel & tour management, to inform readers about the transfer services for guests that are offered to/from the ship. ------ A Holland America Line cruise is an exciting adventure, and part of the appeal ...

The votes are in. Holland America Line receives several top honors from USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest.* We were nominated by a panel of experts and 10Best editors for dining, entertainment, ships, best cruise line for solo travelers and best ocean cruise line. Readers shared their love by casting their votes from Feb. 13 - March 13. Check ...

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 ...

Majestic, adorable and fierce, bears top the list of must-see animals on Alaska cruises. But sightings are never 100% guaranteed, even on guided wildlife safaris. And who wants to encounter a 900-pound brown bear by themselves? One way to safely cross bears off your bucket list is with an Alaska shore excursion to Fortress of the Bear in Sitka. ...

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 ...

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.  Though every day is a good day to celebrate the difference someone makes, we couldn’t help ...

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 isn’t just home to towering blue glaciers and dense green forests. You’ll find bears flocking to the water for their catch of the day, whales breaking through the sea’s surface to exhale, and bald eagles soaring across the sky. Looking for the best places for wildlife sightings? Here are some of the magical creatures that have made Alaska ...

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 both land and sea are calling your name, but you’re not sure where to travel, we’ve got you covered. From breathtaking views to wildlife experiences, an Alaska cruise and Yukon adventure should definitely be on your bucket list. Here are the top five reasons to visit Yukon Territory. Land & Sea Adventures Though ...

We’ve got spirit, yes, we do! Holland America Line has signed on as an official sponsor of the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers, sharing the spirit of cruising across college sporting events. Together we’ll celebrate our shared passion for community while engaging Ducks and Beavers fans with fun-filled experiences, including in-game activities and promotions. Both universities are within ...

From ship to ship and sea to sea, we’re celebrating our anniversary! In honor of 150 years of sailing, we invite you to join the fun. Celebrate with us through our 150th Anniversary Poster Contest! The Highlights Contest begins Feb. 15, 2023, and ends on March 15, 2023. Use your personal Facebook or Instagram ...

In May 2014, love was in the air for Annie and Pieter – they just didn’t know it yet. Both set sail with family and friends on an 11-day Holland America Line cruise from Barcelona to Rome. It was Pieter’s first cruise and Annie’s second. Though they exchanged smiles and glances when their paths crossed at the beginning of ...

Do you love sailing the seas with Holland America Line? Are you a fan of our dining and entertainment experiences? Do our ships make your heart leap for joy? Share your love by voting for Holland America Line in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest!* Our cruise line was nominated for the categories below by a panel of ...

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 ...

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 ...

Holland America is making exciting enhancements to its entertainment lineup across the fleet as the premium cruise line continues to build on its reputation for featuring the best live music at sea. “A decade ago we committed to offering the premier collection of live music venues at sea, and the changes we are making over the next several months are ...

At Holland America Line, we have a world-class team that’s passionate about bringing people together to make unforgettable memories. And we love partnering with others who feel the same way. That’s why we’re proud to announce our partnership with Australia’s flagship national field hockey teams. As a leading premium cruise line with a fleet of 11 ships that sail ...

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 ...

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’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, ...

Holland America Line is pleased with the recent announcement of the lifting of Canadian pandemic border restrictions. Under the new guidelines, Canadian border vaccination and testing requirements are no longer necessary, which is an important step for the cruise industry in simplifying the travel process for itineraries to Alaska and Canada. Under the new procedures, there is no longer a ...

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 ...

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 ...

Holland America Line is updating its “Travel Well” COVID-19 protocols and procedures, including requirements for vaccinations and pre-cruise testing that meet public health goals while recognizing the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. These changes will go into effect for cruises departing on or after Sept. 6, 2022. Under the simplified procedures, for most voyages up to 15 nights, vaccinated ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

After more than two years since the industrywide pause began due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holland America Line’s Noordam returned to service Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship embarked guests for a 21-day Panama Canal transit to Vancouver, Canada, that will position it in Alaska through September. To commemorate the occasion, Holland America ...

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 ...

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 ...

Publication of procedures for the safe resumption of cruises to Canadian ports allows Holland America Line to complete preparation for a full season of Alaska explorations and Canada/New England sailings. Holland America Line will sail itineraries as scheduled that include Canadian homeports and ports of call from late spring through fall. “The completion of this guidance by Transport Canada, Canada ...

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 ...

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 ...

Rotterdam is set to get the royal treatment at a naming ceremony in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, May 30, 2022. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will be the ship’s godmother, carrying on a Dutch royal tradition that began in the 1920s. Rotterdam’s special seven-day “Rotterdam Naming Celebration” cruise sails roundtrip from Amsterdam, Netherlands, departing May 29 and also ...

Old-world cultures, breathtaking scenery and landscapes steeped in history bring Holland America Line’s 2023 Europe season to life on cruises that were crafted to highlight the best of each region. From April through November, dozens of unique itineraries — ranging from seven to 35 days — will be offered aboard two of the line’s Pinnacle Class ship, Nieuw Statendam and ...

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 ...