Cruising is better with friends, and to encourage our past guests to share their love of Holland America Line we're introducing a new “Refer a Friend” program. Running indefinitely, Refer a Friend rewards members of our Mariner Society loyalty program for encouraging friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances to make a new booking. The referred guest, who must be new to ...

While sailing toward Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the evening of Nov. 9, Rotterdam spotted a refugee boat needing assistance. The ship maneuvered to the craft, and the U.S. Coast Guard was notified. Thirteen people were taken aboard Rotterdam for a wellness check by the ship's medical team, food, accommodations and support. Later in the evening they were transferred to a U.S. ...

Holland America Line’s Westerdam arrived at Sydney, Australia, today, Nov. 7, the first ship from the cruise line to visit the city since prior to the industry pause more than two years ago. Westerdam will begin a series of Australia and New Zealand cruises following a journey that began Oct. 2 from Seattle. The full 36-day Pacific Ocean cruise included ...

Tomorrow 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. We've featured some of the tours in a previous post, and now we're going deeper into the countries that produces some of the richest ...

Today is World Photo Day, and there's no better way to capture some stunning photos than traveling the world. Holland America Line ships explore all seven continents, from the icebergs of Antarctica to the glaciers of Alaska, from penguins to the Panama Canal. Alaska's Glacier Bay is the most shared photo we see on our social media channels, but there ...

Holland America Line has been showing travelers the beauty of Alaska for 75 years. As many of you know, I was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, when it was still a territory of the United States. We became the 49th state on Jan. 3, 1959. Although there was some tourism back in those days, it was minimal at best. ...

The Hawaiian Islands have long been America's tropical playground, a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Pacific that is the country's most surprising state. Before they became an American territory, before Captain Cook dubbed them the Sandwich Islands, the Hawaiian Islands were the home of a Polynesian culture whose roots still run deep. In Hawaii's floral-scented valleys and on ...

Did you tune in to Holland America Line Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne’s “Ramping Up to Rotterdam” update this week on our Facebook page? Once again he spoke with Stan Kuppens, new builds projects, hotel, who offered insight into where the ship is at in the building process. Things are slowing down a bit in Italy this month due to the ...

Dancing under the stars on our Lido Deck, watching fireworks light up the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, easing in the year on a Caribbean beach — there are plenty of experiences we’ll miss this New Year. But we’re optimistic that 2021 will bring smoother seas ahead. In the meantime, we’ve put together the perfect package of entertainment, drinks ...

This past week we took fans on a Virtual Journey to experience the land portion of a Holland America Line Alaska Land+Sea Journey. Thank you to all of our cruisers who joined us on social media. At the end of each cruise we like to give our guests a “voyage log” that shows how far we cruised, and we thought ...

To help spread holiday cheer, Holland America Line is offering a free second stateroom with cruise bookings – a huge cruise value and rarity in the industry, and a promotion that has never been offered by the premium cruise line. Cruisers can share the joy of traveling with a loved one with an unprecedented “Buy One, Gift One” promotion that ...

Following the success of our Virtual Voyages to Alaska and Norway, today we're kicking off a VIRTUAL Journey that covers the land portion of Holland America Line's award-winning Alaska Land+Sea Journeys. During the six-day event, we'll be following the overland path of a 13-Day Cruise-First, Triple Denali Land+Sea Journey. Along the way, we'll be visiting Whitehorse and Dawson in the ...

This Wave Season Holland America Line is inviting travelers to return to their happy place with the ultimate “View & Verandah” upgrade event that includes six bonus perks. Guests who book a 2021 or 2022 Holland America Line cruise from Dec. 10, 2020, through Feb. 28, 2021, will receive a “BIG” stateroom upgrade, Signature Beverage Package, free one-night specialty dining, ...

Maintaining its status as the number-one cruise line for explorations to The Last Frontier, Holland America Line was named the top pick for Alaska cruises in the 2020 AFAR Travelers’ Awards. This is the third time the cruise line has won the Alaska category in the award’s five-year existence. The 2020 AFAR Travelers’ Awards are voted on by AFAR readers ...

Did you tune in to Holland America Line Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne's "Ramping Up to Rotterdam" update this week on our Facebook page? Once again he spoke with Stan Kuppens, new builds projects, hotel, who offered insight into where the ship is at in the building process. It's been a busy month at the yard, preparing for the December holidays ...

Holland America Line will join the Black Friday frenzy this holiday season with a weeklong Black Friday Sale that offers a free Wi-Fi package for all new bookings and a special bonus gift card with all gift card purchases. Running from Nov. 25 through Dec. 1, 2020, the Black Friday Sale also features complimentary specialty dining, a beverage package, gratuities ...

Holland America Line took home four Porthole Cruise Magazine 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards in areas that covered everything from onboard dining to shoreside experiences. For the 20th year, readers of Porthole — one of the world’s leading consumer cruise travel publications — named Half Moon Cay as Best Private Island. Additional wins include Pinnacle Grill as Best Specialty Restaurant, Best ...

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 March 31, 2021. The line also will cancel select longer voyages, and cruises of eight days or ...

It's National Take a Hike Day, and our global cruises mean guests can get some exercise and fresh air in some of the most beautiful locales around the world. From the glaciers and waterfalls to fjords and forests, these tours set the scene for breathtaking views and memorable moments. GEIRANGER, NORWAY Hiking at Westeras This scenic hike begins at the ...

Holland America Line's bread pudding is a guest favorite on board, and there's no better way to celebrate National Bread Pudding Day than by sharing our recipe! This makes a perfect dish any time of year, but if you live in a chillier part of the world right now, just imagine cozying up under a blanket by the fire enjoying ...

It's National #GoToAnArtMuseumDay, and on Holland America Line's global cruises guests can visit some of the top art museums around the world. Europe, in particular, is a hub for the finest artists and art museums. Imagine spending a private evening at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg or witnessing the works of Van Gogh, Michaelangelo or Monet. For the art lover, ...

It's #NationalNachosDay, and leave it to Culinary Council Member Ethan Stowell to delivery a recipe that adds a unique and sophisticated touch to standard nachos. This delicious dish includes mouthwatering crab and packs a punch with jalapeños. Game day will never be the same. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS: 3/4 LB of crab 2 bags of tortilla chips 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños 2 ...

Holland America Line Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne launched a new HAL Aboard series on Holland America Line's Facebook page called "Ramping Up To Rotterdam" in anticipation of our newbuild, which is due for delivery in July 2021. Each month, Seth will chat with members of Rotterdam's newbuild team to gain insight into what happened over the past month and what's ...

Today is National Chocolate Day, and we're sharing a fan favorite recipe from Culinary Council Member and renowned chocolatier Jacques Torres. This incredible chocolate soufflé is served on board, and now you can make it at home. Prepared with an incredible vanilla cream sauce, it's sure to impress your friends and family whenever you make it! Serves: 5 INGREDIENTS: Soufflé ...

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Holland America Line’s Culinary Council, we’re sharing recipes from these celebrated chefs. Now you can create their dishes at home! Ethan Stowell's incredible "The King" Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, Tomato and Margoram recipe is the perfect way to celebrate #NationalPastaDay. Bon appetit! YIELD: 1 Bowl INGREDIENTS: 6 oz Rigatoni 3 oz Spicy Sausage ...

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Holland America Line’s Culinary Council, we’re sharing recipes from these celebrated chefs. Now you can create their dishes at home! Dutch-born Jonnie Boer is the driving force behind De Librije, which has earned a three-star Michelin rating every year since 2004. Enjoy this exotic recipe for deer stew that is beloved in the ...

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Holland America Line’s Culinary Council, we’re sharing recipes from these celebrated chefs. Now you can create their dishes at home! No one knows chocolate like Mr. Chocolate, himself ... Jacques Torres! Jacque's OMG Chocolate Cookies are so decadent and chocolatey that they have a brownie-like consistency. No fat added, gluten-free ... just pure ...

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Holland America Line's Culinary Council, we're sharing recipes from these celebrated chefs. Now you can create their dishes at home! Enjoy this "Amazing Crab Cake" recipe from Master Chef and Culinary Council Chairman Rudi Sodamin. I can do it you can do it! Crab cakes are always a guest favorite onboard our ships, ...

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the launch of Holland America Line's Culinary Council. Over the past 10 years, the Culinary Council has deeply influenced the menus on board, each member overseeing an area that highlights their specialty. Sodamin oversees all aspects of onboard dining, in addition to Rudi’s Sel de Mer; Boer brings the flavors of his internationally acclaimed ...

Today was another milestone day for Rotterdam! The ship was officially floated out and moved to its outfitting pier with the help of three tugs where the work will continue before its July 2021 delivery. Last week Rotterdam celebrated its Coin Ceremony at the Marghera shipyard, and water was let into the dock for the first time. Today, the ship ...

Since 2005, the first Monday of every October has marked World Architecture Day – a day that honors the ingenuity and beauty of the world’s most impressive architectural marvels. Offering global itineraries, Holland America Line gives travelers the opportunity to visit the world’s most illustrious sites, and in this post we’re sharing our top five must-sees when it comes to ...

In anticipation of Rotterdam’s float-out next week, Holland America Line celebrated the ship’s coin ceremony today, Thursday, Oct. 1, at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. Following Italian shipbuilding tradition, Mai Elmar, executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam in the Netherlands, served as the ship’s madrina and participated in the festivities. During the socially responsible ceremony, Dutch coins minted in 1872 ...

World Tourism Day is commemorated each year on September 27 to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. This World Tourism Day, we celebrate the power of travel, its ability to connect us, to allow us to learn about different cultures and different ways of life. Through travel, ...

Saturday, Sept. 19 is National Dance Day, and we're celebrating by showcasing the top shore excursions around the world that feature song and dance that are synonymous with the country. BARCELONA, SPAIN "Flamenco with Dinner" Flamenco is commonly associated with the Andalusian Roma (gypsies) of southern Spain. In Barcelona, guests can take part in the "Flamenco with Dinner" shore excursion ...

Sunday, Sept. 13, was #GrandparentsDay, and Holland America Line is all about multigenerational cruising. We asked our Facebook fans to share photos of cruising with their grandparents, or grandparents cruising with their grandchildren. The response was a beautiful collection of family memories and photos that we're honored to share. Caption for the hero photo: "My dad Lou enjoying Half Moon ...

From Greenland to Greece and Iceland to Israel, five Holland America Line ships are set to explore the cultural kaleidoscope of Europe in 2021. The brand’s collection of vessels crossing the pond includes Rotterdam, which is slated to debut at the height of the summer Europe season. Joining the fleet’s new flagship will be Nieuw Statendam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam, putting ...

It's National Wiener Schnitzel Day, and to celebrate we're sharing a recipe from our own Master Chef and Culinary Council Chairman Rudi Sodamin! Chef Rudi is from Austria where Wiener Schnitzel is a staple in any home. From his kitchen to yours, enjoy! INGREDIENTS 4-5-ounces veal (or chicken or pork) cutlets, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 ...

It’s easy to put off organizing your vacation pictures, leaving you with the digital equivalent of undeveloped film and dusty photo bins. But with travel slowed and more time at home, now’s the perfect time to sort through your selfies and hard-fought family photos. To help make your images stand out like a pro, we reached out to our friends ...

A cruise to Northern Europe beckoned, and we answered the call with a Virtual Voyage to Norway the week of Aug. 16! Thank you to all of our cruisers and Mariners who joined us on social media! The seven-day “Norse Legends” cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam was a blast, and we hope everyone had a great time. At the end of ...

There’s nothing quite like authentic Mexican carnitas, slow-cooked for hours to yield succulent, fork-tender pork and enlivened with a spoonful of fiery salsa. But to hold you over until your next cruise to Cabo (or trip to your favorite taco spot), we’re passing along this unique caramelized pork taco recipe from our Port to Table culinary programming. INGREDIENTS Pork Tacos: ...

During our Virtual Voyage to Noway, we're exploring the cultural traditions of the country. Aquavit is the national spirit of Norway, and it's made from potatoes or grains that’s flavored with caraway and other aromatics like citrus peel and whole spices. Aquavit has made its way to the U.S. and now you can enjoy these Aquavit cocktails at home! Skål! ...

Holland America Line recently announced that Veendam would be leaving the fleet. The final S-Class ship, she was delivered in 1996 and has explored the world gracefully for more than 20 years. We asked our Facebook fans to share their favorite memories and photos from Veendam, and here is a selection of the posts from both guests and crew. Caption ...

With the continuation of travel and port restrictions due to global health concerns, Holland America Line is extending its pause of cruise operations and cancelling departures on all ships through Dec. 15, 2020. The pause extension affects Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Pacific Coastal, South America, Antarctica, Hawaii, South Pacific, Australia and Asia itineraries. Guests Automatically Receive Bonus Future Cruise Credit ...

In honor of some of the most memorable ships in Holland America Line’s nearly 150-year history, the premium cruise line is changing the name of its newbuild from Ryndam to Rotterdam and designating it the new flagship of the fleet. The seventh ship to bear this historic name, Rotterdam will be delivered one year to the date on July 30, ...

World Travel & Tourism Council and Carnival Corporation invite you to join us as we convene the world’s leading scientists and medical experts for an in-depth summit on critical topics and key learnings relevant to COVID-19. Registration opened today at 8 a.m. ET for those who wish to participate in the summit that will take place July 28 from 10 ...

With our Port to Table program, each voyage brings the culinary traditions of the destination to life on board. Try local flavors at a food and wine tasting, add a new recipe to your repertoire at a live cooking demonstration by a guest chef or indulge your senses at a fine dining event. For those looking to continue their epicurean ...

Thank you to all of our cruisers and Mariners who joined us for our Virtual Voyage to Alaska from June 22 - 28 on social media! The seven-day "Inside Passage" cruise aboard Koningsdam was a blast, and we hope everyone had a great time. At the end of each cruise on board, we like to give our guests a Voyage ...

Every evening when guests retire to their staterooms, they find a fun creature waiting for them. Our popular towel animals are expertly made by our room stewards, and if you're missing your towel animal now you can make a seal at home. Let us know how it goes in the comments! SUPPLIES: Two large towels White and black paper for ...

I have been hesitant to join in with the many executives who have issued communiques, knowing that any words are far too inadequate in the face of the events that have occurred in the U.S. over the past several days. We have painfully witnessed the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and others, followed by frustrated, passionate ...

(UPDATED June 3 with current ship locations and repatriation figures.) With the continued pause in travel, Holland America Line remains focused on safely returning crew members to their home countries. We have been diligently working to repatriate our crew to their families and loved ones, but given country closures, port closure and travel restrictions this process has evolved into a ...