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 ...

On two recent cruises, both Zuiderdam and Zaandam were called upon to assist vessels in need of assistance. At 2:10 a.m. Jan. 3, 2015, while en route to Oranjestad, Aruba, Zuiderdam answered a distress call from the Bahamian inter-island vessel Excalibur that was sinking with eight crewmembers onboard. Zuiderdam was approximately 15 miles away and the closest ship in the ...

Though Blanche Bennett, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and Prince Edward Island resident, hadn’t been on a ship in 65 years, she continued to admire them from afar – especially cruise ships. Soaking up the sights of the ships as they docked at Chartlottetown, she often wondered what they looked like from the inside and how different they ...

Make the unforgettable experience of a total solar eclipse more memorable on a wraparound deck of a perfectly-sized ship at sea. Join us for this rare cosmic phenomenon aboard Koningsdam and Zaandam, where guests will have exclusive access to lectures, demonstrations and firsthand tips from astronomy experts on how to make the most of a spectacular view. ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

This week we welcomed the first day of summer! As schools let out for break and travelers seek new adventures, Holland America Line offers several exciting locales to embark on a memorable vacation. Do you want to explore the gorgeous glaciers of Alaska? How about the incredible lush greenery and charming seaside towns of Canada and New England? Golden beaches ...

Our fleet is complete! Westerdam returned to service Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Port of Seattle in Washington, marking the last ship in the fleet to resume operations. To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a ceremony in the terminal attended by the ship’s captain and senior officers, with flag-waving fanfare from team members lined up to greet guests ...

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 been more than two years since cruise ship visited Canada, and on Saturday, April 9, that all changed. Koningsdam called at the port of Victoria, marking a return to Canadian cruising! On Sunday, the ship ended it's seven-day cruise at Vancouver, and the celebrations continued as it became the first ship back in Vancouver in more than 800 days. ...

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 ...

Today is Alaska Day, and it's a day when we celebrate our deep love for the Last Frontier! Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska longer than any other major cruise line ... even longer than it's been a state. In fact, we're still the only way to see both Denali and the Yukon, combined with a cruise! Our Alaska ...

By late spring 2022, Holland America Line will have a complete fleet back to cruising with the restart of operations for Noordam, Oosterdam and Westerdam. Noordam will restart with a March 14, 2022, cruise in Japan; Oosterdam will begin cruising May 1 in the Mediterranean, and Westerdam will return to service May 8 in Alaska. The ships will join Eurodam, ...

Holland America Line is gearing up to restart cruising out of Port of San Diego in California beginning with a season of cruises to Mexico, Hawaii and along the California coast aboard Koningsdam and Zuiderdam. The cruise line has expanded the season with the addition of six new cruise departures for Zuiderdam and two new cruises on Koningsdam, offering a ...

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms and like-a-moms out there celebrating tomorrow. To honor the special moms in our lives, we asked our Facebook fans to post their favorite photos and memories of cruising with their mom, kids or a mother figure. We received some amazing photos and wonderful stories, and we're sharing a selection. Thank you for ...

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 ...

In a recent article in World of Cruising, Captain Timmers — the first master of our new Rotterdam — shared how different Holland America Line ships have sentimental value for very different reasons. Much like our guests who often cruise on a particular ships, Captain Timmers has his favorites in our fleet. Read on to see which ships are special ...

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 ...

Africa is a continent of riches, from the rolling grasslands of the savanna to the pristine beaches of the Seychelles. Travelers on the 2022 Grand Africa Voyage aboard Zaandam are in for an experience unlike any other, and with Holland America Line at the helm it will be a memorable journey. Overnight calls in port allow for extra time to ...

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 ...

Today is National Plan for Vacation Day, and if you're dreaming of getting back to travel, we have you covered. Holland America Line has opened bookings for a wide selection of cruises in 2022 and even 2023, so you can stop dreaming and start planning your next cruise vacation. But where to go? If you're still undecided, here are some ...

Holland America Line’s Grand Voyages are made for dreamers, adventurers and explorers seeking to discover new cultures and illuminating experiences. The quest for destination immersion continues with Holland America Line’s 2023 Grand World Voyage - now open for booking. There’s no better way to see the world than on a Holland America Line Grand World Voyage, recognized as the 2020 ...

Beyond the balmy breezes and crystalline waters of the Caribbean, the vibrant cultures of the islands await to be discovered on a Holland America Line cruise during the 2021-2022 season. Ranging from seven to 21 days, guests will have their pick of six of the line’s premium, mid-sized ships — including Rotterdam in its debut season in the Caribbean — ...

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 ...

Holland America Line is opening bookings for two of its most epic explorations: the 2022 Grand World Voyage and the 2021 Grand Africa Voyage. Guests who want to circle the globe on the 128-day odyssey can make their world cruise reservations beginning Aug. 10, while the Africa circumnavigation opened Aug. 3. Both itineraries are conveniently roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ...

Holland America Line announced that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam and Veendam will be leaving the fleet and transferring to undisclosed buyers. The ships have been sold in pairs, with the S-Class Maasdam and Veendam transferring to one company in August 2020, while the R-Class Amsterdam and Rotterdam will move to another company in fall 2020. Holland America Line will cancel cruises ...

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 ...

During a Holland America Line cruise to Alaska, the sights and sounds of the Last Frontier are front and center during the seven-day voyage. From interesting ports like Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan to the spectacular scenery of Glacier Bay, the Inside Passage and Tracy Arm Fjord, guests marvels at the beauty of the region. In 2016, Nieuw Amsterdam makes its ...

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. …

Whether you’re opting for a romantic cruise in the Caribbean, a long-awaited Grand Voyage or a multigenerational family reunion, suite accommodations offer the highest level of comfort and relaxation. …

Thanks to guest Kathy Rankin for sharing some of her memories from her cruise. Below are some of my 2010 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise photos from my Mexico trip. Most of the pictures were taken during several excursions in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, along with the Virgin Party aboard Zaandam. This was my first trip with Holland America Line. ...

Here are some scenes from Thanksgiving Day celebrations throughout the HAL fleet. Enjoy! Amsterdam’s Culinary Operations Manager Bart Groeneveld submitted these photos from the ship’s on board festivities: …

Zaandam called at Sitka, Alaska yesterday. This year is an anomaly economically and weather-wise. It is July in Alaska and the weather we had in May was both brighter and warmer. I am guessing mid to high 50’s today with gray skies and drizzle. The touring goes on regardless of weather and we are in the Tongass National Rainforest, the ...