Experiences

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 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, ...

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 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 ...

Two-and-a-half years after the cruise industry pause, Holland America Line’s Volendam returned to cruising today at Trieste (Venice), Italy. The ship embarked guests for a 14-day Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms Explorer itinerary. To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the terminal to open embarkation, attended by the ship’s captain and senior officers, with flag-waving ...

Holland America Line recently relaxed our health requirements on most voyages, which opened cruising to a wider range of guests. Now we’re making it easy to find out what protocols are required for your cruise. With a new Health Protocols Tool on Holland America Line’s website, booked guests can simply enter their booking number and the exact vaccination and testing ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

One of the most popular dishes in Pinnacle Grill is the Lobster Mac & Cheese featuring Beecher's Cheese, one of our Seattle-based culinary partners. This perfect pairing melds the creamy goodness of mac & cheese with a bonus of delicious lobster, and now you can bring our kitchen home to yours with the recipe. Whether you prepare it for your ...

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’s commitment to environmental protection is part of a broader sustainability initiative by our parent company, Carnival Corporation, which today released its 12th annual sustainability report. The report details key initiatives and progress made in 2021 toward 2030 sustainability goals and 2050 aspirations in six core areas of focus: climate action, circular economy, sustainable tourism, good health and ...

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 ...

With pent up demand and the U.S. Independence Day travel rush approaching, premium cruise line Holland America Line is reporting a surge in cruise interest for Alaska, experiencing the highest booking levels for Alaska cruises during the month of June since before the COVID-19 pandemic. “People are excited to travel again while reconnecting with family and friends in a meaningful ...

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 ...

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 ...

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% ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

In anticipation of the ports in Australia and New Zealand fully welcoming cruise ships back to their shores, Holland America Line opened bookings for a season of new itineraries aboard Westerdam starting in fall 2022. The new voyages, offered from Sept. 25, 2022, through March 13, 2023, explore Australia’s rich culture, the lush landscapes of New Zealand and the enchanting ...

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 ...

Our "Love Letters to Alaska" contest had an incredible response, with more than 40,000 entries received from people hoping to win a cruise to Alaska. Deborah Thelwell was named the grand prize winner of a seven-day Holland America Line Alaska cruise for two in a Neptune Suite. But we also have nine runners-up who will each receive a seven-day Alaska ...

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. ...

On Valentine's Day, Holland America Line launched a contest asking fans to pen love letters to Alaska. This year we celebrate 75 years of Alaska exploration, and the Love Letters contest is a tribute to the beloved cruising region. Thousands of people entered their thoughts on why they love Alaska or why they would like to visit Alaska. Holland America ...

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 ...

Holland America Line is enhancing the preboarding guest experience and making embarkation easier by adding the use of mBark facial recognition and the VeriFLY vaccine verification program in all U.S., Canadian and European homeports. mBark is a mobile system that enables guests to check in for their cruise in less than 10 seconds, while the VeriFLY digital wallet for COVID-19 ...

This International Women's Day, we invite you to meet some of the talented women who currently are on board our ships — touching all departments and leadership roles. Join us in celebrating the achievements of women around the world and help #breakthebias.

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

It's National Shortbread Cookie Day, and there's nothing sweeter than this buttery goodness. We asked our Master Chef Rudi Sodamin for his favorite recipe, and he's sharing it with you so you can make it in your own kitchens. YIELD: Approximately 60 INGREDIENTS:
 9 oz butter
 4.5 oz sugar
 16 oz flour
 8 oz cornstarch 1 piece of orange zest ...

It's National Trivia Day, and Holland America Line is a brand full of fun and interesting facts with a history of nearly 150 years. How well do you know our cruise line? Test your knowledge and see how you do! Question 1: How many years has Holland America Line been exploring Alaska? Answer: It will be 75 years in 2022! ...