Can I change my itinerary once the cruise begins?
Answer: No, because U.S. law typically prevents starting a cruise in one U.S. port and ending in a different U.S. port, with only rare exceptions.
Because some rules are set well beyond our bridge, most voyages that begin and end in the same U.S. port cannot support alternate U.S. embarkation or disembarkation once your sailing is underway. In other words, if your itinerary is roundtrip from a U.S. homeport, you have to return to that same homeport to conclude the voyage, even if a different U.S. city looks tempting on the map. There are a few limited exceptions, such as certain Panama Canal cruises, but they are itinerary-specific, so it’s best to assume the original plan is the one you will need to follow.
If a guest does not adhere to the published itinerary and that results in a violation of the law, any fines assessed are the guest’s responsibility. Please note this is a U.S. government regulation over which Holland America Line has no control over.
If a fine is assessed specifically due to a flight delay and you were participating in the Flight Ease® program, Holland America Line will cover that fine.