{"id":84056,"date":"2026-04-07T08:54:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/?p=84056"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:54:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:54:35","slug":"all-about-overnights-extended-stays-on-europe-cruises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/cruise-planning\/all-about-overnights-extended-stays-on-europe-cruises\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Overnights &#038; Extended Stays on Europe Cruises"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>Picture this: you\u2019re wandering around the world\u2019s most charming city, stepping in and out of small shops when you realize your port call time is just around the corner. You only wish you had a few more hours to meander the cobblestone streets before heading back to your stateroom. In fact, most travelers are looking for more than just a quick stop \u2014 they want longer stays and more hours to explore, discover, and savor every moment at port. Which is exactly why Holland America offers overnight stays in European cities with a wealth of landmarks and historical sites on select cruise itineraries. It\u2019s your chance to fully immerse yourself in a city&#8217;s culture.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Extended Stay Versus Overnight Stays<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p>Both types of stays are featured on European cruises with Holland America to give you extra time to explore. Know the difference as you begin exploring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/find-a-cruise?destinationIds%3A%E2%82%AC&amp;xid=EXTHBG202604071FWO20FPW9\">itineraries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Extended Stays:<\/strong> Enjoy a few extra hours than typical in port, with your ship typically departing between 10:00 pm \u2013 11:59 pm on the same day you arrive. On itinerary maps, extended stays are indicated with a crescent moon icon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overnight Stays:<\/strong> Your ship acts as your hotel! You will depart the next calendar day (or any time after midnight of the previous day). On itinerary maps, overnights are indicated with a sun and moon icon.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Exploring European Cities on an Overnight Stay<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p>Overnight stays allow you to move beyond just sightseeing. With longer sailings and more port stops, an overnight stay makes it easy to feel fully immersed in your travels. From dining with the locals in Rome to getting lost as you walk along the cobblestone streets of Copenhagen\u2019s Latin Quarter, you&#8217;ll discover completely unhurried port days.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">Here are tips for making the most of an overnight stay:<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><ul>\n<li>Use local public transport, rideshare services, etc. since most European cities have efficient ways of getting around that are safe and reliable<\/li>\n<li>Download transit apps ahead of time and plan your route to hit popular sights<\/li>\n<li>Research local dining spots before disembarking to maximize your time<\/li>\n<li>Leave time for exploring. Wandering the streets of European cities gives you the ultimate experience without rushing<\/li>\n<li>Buy tickets for museums, galleries, or evening events ahead of time so you don\u2019t have to wait in line, or make it easy and book one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/shore-excursions?xid=EXTHBG20260407OPF257S7XW\">shore excursions<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In destinations with so much to discover and explore, extra time helps you make the most of every port stop.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background internalBanner nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-background-color:#dce3eb;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-right:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:0px;--awb-margin-left:0px;\"><p><em>Ready to book your journey? Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/europe-cruises?xid=EXTHBG202604075X7MGSO4UJ\">European cruises<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\">5 European Ports with Overnights<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><p>With its twinkling lights, old-world charm, and late-night bars and bistros, there\u2019s plenty to soak up in Europe after dark. Check out things to do with your extra time.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><ol>\n<li><b>Reykjav\u00edk, Iceland:<\/b> Blending Nordic culture with natural beauty, this is the heart of Iceland\u2019s natural wonders and rich Viking heritage. Experience its renowned arts scene and explore the rugged beauty of the land with an overnight during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/find-a-cruise\/e7t35a\/v740?xid=EXTHBG20260407YDCAX66LSJ\">35-Day <em style=\"color: #20285b;\">Legendary Voyage of the Vikings<\/em><\/a>.\n<ul>\n<li><b>Can\u2019t miss shore excursion:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/northern-europe-cruises\/europe-northern-ports\/rek\/51805?xid=EXTHBG20260407WCP8HCBHE7\">Bathing in the Blue Lagoon<\/a> where you\u2019ll spend two hours relaxing in vivid blue, geothermally heated water as you gaze at the surrounding mountain landscape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Valleta, Malta:<\/b> Available as an overnight on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/find-a-cruise\/e7m14b\/o746?xid=EXTHBG2026040769QU8LGJRM\">14-Day <em style=\"color: #20285b;\">Solar Eclipse &amp; Astronomical Discover <\/em>itinerary<\/a>, explore Europe\u2019s southernmost capital easily by car or foot. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, Valleta is teeming with historic monuments, churches, and gardens.\n<ul>\n<li><b>Can\u2019t miss shore excursion:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/mediterranean-europe-cruises\/europe-mediterranean-ports\/mla\/27403?xid=EXTHBG202604077LGB8ORA1D\">The Malta Experience and Panorama<\/a> sets out on a scenic drive to see the island and visit three cities inhabited by the Knights of St. John in the 1500s, then the tour pauses so you can relax and taste local refreshments, including galletti and gbejniet (local cheese and crackers).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Greenock, (Glasgow) Scotland, United Kingdom:<\/b> During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/find-a-cruise\/e6nc14\/j642b?xid=EXTHBG20260407XSJ21N0I7X\">14-Day <em style=\"color: #20285b;\">Wild British Isles: Glasglow Overnight<\/em> itinerary<\/a>, you arrive in the deepwater port for Scotland\u2019s largest city. Glasgow is a vibrant city known for its art and music venues.\n<ul>\n<li><b>Can\u2019t miss shore excursion:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/northern-europe-cruises\/europe-northern-ports\/gr3\/87107?xid=EXTHBG20260407HOWGN072YU\">City of Glasgow &amp; Kelvingrove Gallery<\/a> gives you a complete view of the city then take a guided tour through contemporary art and other local exhibits at Kelvingrove Gallery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Alta, Norway:<\/b> Cross the Arctic Circle and spend overnights in both Alta and Troms\u00f8 on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/find-a-cruise\/e7n14g\/y771?xid=EXTHBG20260407ZQP1WFE8FF\">14-Day <em style=\"color: #20285b;\">Arctic Circle &amp; Northern Lights<\/em> itinerary<\/a>. Known as the \u201cCity of Northern Lights,\u201d many flock to Alta during fall and winter with hopes of seeing the aurora borealis.\n<ul>\n<li><b>Can\u2019t miss shore excursion:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/northern-europe-cruises\/europe-northern-ports\/alt\/15003?xid=EXTHBG20260407Q7P172JZOA\">Panoramic Alta &amp; The Northern Lights Cathedral<\/a> lets you conveniently explore Alta via bus, covering the city center all the way to the outskirts. Then step inside the cathedral that symbolizes the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Copenhagen, Denmark:<\/b> During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/find-a-cruise\/e7n21n\/y734a?xid=EXTHBG20260407JT8BGS0Y4W\">21-Day <em style=\"color: #20285b;\">Scandinavian Fjords &amp; Capitals<\/em> itinerary<\/a>, you\u2019ll fall in love with this walkable and bike-friendly city and its canals. Delight in unexpected contrasts of new and old, such as the charming Rosenborg Castle and the ultra-modern Louisiana Museum of Art.\n<ul>\n<li><b>Can\u2019t miss shore excursion:<\/b> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/cruise-destinations\/northern-europe-cruises\/europe-northern-ports\/cph\/15823?xid=EXTHBG20260407K1SO93Z0GD\">Evening Canal Cruise<\/a> is only available on overnight itineraries and gives you an incredible look at Copenhagen\u2019s 850-year history. Board a canal boat and travel through the harbor and sail along canals of old Christianshavn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;\"><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Access Exclusive Deals &amp; More<\/h3>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/en\/us\/sign-up?xid=EXTHBG20260407884DD93REG\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">Sign Up for Special Offers<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1992,"featured_media":84059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33,53,4197,4534],"tags":[4328,4280,4633,4631,4632],"class_list":["post-84056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cruise-planning","category-featured-cruise-planning","category-preparations","category-toc","tag-cruise-planning","tag-cruise-tips","tag-europe-travel","tag-european-cruises","tag-overnight-stays"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1992"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84056"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84062,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84056\/revisions\/84062"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}