holland america world cruise reviews

Holland America Line

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Cruising with Holland America

Holland America Line caters to affluent adults with midsize ships that carry between 1,432 and 2,668 guests. Each ship provides high-quality service with two or three crew members for every passenger. Holland America Line's ships travel to destinations around Australia , Mexico , the Caribbean , Canada , southeast Asia , Europe , South America, Antarctica and more. On Holland America cruises – which depart from U.S. cities like Boston , Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and San Diego and can last anywhere from one to 128 days – you can pass the time with enrichment programs like digital photography, cooking demonstrations and mixology workshops, or work up a sweat in spin or Pilates classes before unwinding at the spa.

Though they vary by itinerary, Holland America Line's shore excursions are primarily adult-oriented, with activities ranging from animal encounters to bike tours and even helmet diving. Meanwhile, Holland America Line's dining style allows flexibility when it comes to mealtimes. You can mingle with fellow passengers over a five-course dinner in the main Dining Room, sample fresh seafood in the Pinnacle Grill or take advantage of 24-hour room service.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Booking non-repeating, back-to-back Collectors' Voyages is a great way to see more than one area of a region and visit several countries on one cruise. – Jill Schildhouse, Contributor

Pros & Cons

Smaller guest capacities make ships feel spacious

Around-the-world voyages available

Cruisers praise friendly crew members

Typically more expensive than competitors like Princess and Royal Caribbean

Wi-Fi access costs extra

Limited onboard activities and dining venues than lines with bigger ships

Expert Rating » 4.0
Traveler Rating » 4.0
Health Rating » 4.6

Holland America Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

# 5 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money
# 5 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
# 10 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples

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Holland America Line Ships

Nieuw Statendam

Nieuw Amsterdam

Before You Book

You are required to make a deposit within five days of booking to claim your spot. The amount will be determined based on the total cost of your cruise. (Note: A second deposit is required for all Grand Voyages.) Full payment is due within 90 days of your cruise departure date, although exact payment deadlines may vary depending on the cruise.
Expect to pay an additional $16 to $17.50 per person, per day for gratuities.
Cancellation policies vary depending on the length of the cruise and the specific itinerary. See the Holland America website for details.
If you purchase a Cancellation Protection Plan , you will be guaranteed a refund of up to 80% or 90% of the eligible amount you've already paid should you need to cancel – as long as you cancel up to 24 hours before departure for the Standard plan or any time before departure for the Platinum plan. Certain plans may also include lost baggage and medical coverage.
To coordinate special needs requests , such as medical equipment rentals, call Holland America's Accessible Cruising department at 1-800-547-8493 or submit a Special Requirements Information form at least 45 days prior to departure. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, contact the Ship Services department at 1-800-541-1576 no fewer than three weeks before embarkation.

Before You Board

Holland America strongly encourages using the cruise line's Online Check-In tool to complete the immigration questionnaire and retrieve your boarding pass 72 hours prior to embarkation. Passengers can also check in at their ship's departure port; necessary guest information must be given to the cruise line at least 90 minutes before embarkation.
You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months after you return from your cruise. If you are a U.S. citizen on a closed-loop cruise (one that starts and ends in the United States), you will be allowed to board as long as you have a government ID, such as a driver's license or a resident card, along with proof of citizenship. Some itineraries also require visas and vaccinations. To learn more about vaccine requirements for various countries, visit the CDC website .
No luggage restrictions apply, but Holland America recommends passengers consult airline baggage policies and pack accordingly.
You may book shore excursions online through the My Account portal up to three days prior to your sail date or by calling the Shore Excursions department at 1-888-425-9376. You may also cancel your shore excursion without a penalty up to three days before you depart.
If you'd like to make reservations at your ship's specialty restaurants, sign into your online account or call the Ship Services department at 1-800-541-1576. Reservations are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so Holland America suggests travelers book dining reservations as soon as possible.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Holland America Line

2023 world cruise reviews

By Cruise NH , July 24, 2023 in Holland America Line

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There are several very detailed "live from" reports from the 2023 world cruise, talking about the positive and negative aspects. I would suggest taking a look at them.

29 minutes ago, DE Solo said: There are several very detailed "live from" reports from the 2023 world cruise, talking about the positive and negative aspects. I would suggest taking a look at them.

Hmmm how can I put this…I haven’t read the ‘live from’ ones, which can be difficult to get through, but I have read a few blogs from seasoned world cruisers, they tend to be huge fans of hal and maybe just maybe wearing their rose colored glasses at times.

I just want to know did they have good guest speakers, knowledgeable about the area being traveled through, did they have a variety of entertainment, things like that.

I wasn’t on this year’s world cruise but I have two friends who were. Neither of them were impressed. I was curious and tried to follow the blogs but get bogged down when I read the specifics of what they did with friends that day, pictures of their food, etc. I’m glad that people take the time to blog but they are not for me. We were debating taking a portion of the wc in 2024 but based on our friend’s reports we decided not to. We were spoiled on the 2020 Grand SA so our expectations are high. Hopefully it will get back to what it was but I’m not holding my breath.

DW and I were on the 2023 WC. We can only compare it to the 2019 WC, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We had originally booked the 2021 WC, which was delayed to 2022 and then delayed again to 2023. We would have enjoyed the original itinerary that was planned for 2021 and probably wouldn’t have picked the itinerary that was set for 2023. We still enjoyed the ports, but I doubt we’ll go back to Western Africa again.

When we started the cruise, we were seriously considering booking the 2024 WC because the itinerary is what was planned for 2021; however, we finished the cruise without booking any future cruise. Since returning home, we have booked two more cruises, but they are only 12 and 28 days. We will not book a long cruise until we see positive feedback from cruisers who are not known as cheerleaders.

As many reviewers have noted, the crew remains top notch. I have absolutely no complaints regarding the crew on the 2023 WC and actually felt sorry for some of them because a few passengers took their frustrations out on them. I would also like to point out that both Ian (cruise director) and Henk (hotel manager) were outstanding and did what they could to make the cruise special.

Near the end of the cruise, HAL’s president joined the cruise for a few days. He held a Q&A in a packed theater that lasted two and a half hours. Many, many complaints from seasoned cruisers and a few positive comments. Complaints ranged from the food (quality, variety, etc.) to all the little niceties seen on Grand Voyages in the past (number/quality of pillow gifts, decorations in MDR on theme nights, etc.). I will say Gus Antorcha did a great job in facing such hostile questions and I left the meeting encouraged things would improve. In one respect I felt sorry for HAL because approximately one third of the passengers were from the aborted 2020 WC and, with their future cruise credit and refund, they were almost sailing this cruise free. I would think HAL lost money on this cruise. DW and I, however, paid full fare expecting a “Grand Voyage “ similar to what we experienced in 2019. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting new ports, but the shipboard experience was not “ Grand”, other than our interaction with crew members. For example, for much of the cruise, the theater was dark one night of the week and was reserved a second night for a movie. Most of the entertainers were good, but there were a couple misses. The MDR menu was also limited in choices. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Jello as one of the dessert choices. After a few weeks, they moved that option to the every night options, where it belonged.

In talking with other passengers, it seemed that those who had never been on a WC generally were positive in their feelings. Those who had been on previous Grand Cruises not so much. I did talk to both new and seasoned passengers who had decided to cancel their 2024 WC based on their experience with the 2023 WC.

For the OP, I would hold off canceling a 2025 reservation. Hopefully, cruise lines will get past the worst of the impacts from the pandemic and get somewhat back to normal by 2025. I would, however, diligently read the reviews from those on the 2024 WC.

We were on our one and only WC in 2019. (I know you asked for opinions from more recent WC’ers, but thought I would let you know of our experience.) We found the evening entertainment to be excellent. Even if it was something that we didn’t think we would be interested in, it would be presented in such a way that it was very entertaining. I can’t say the same for the onboard speakers. There was only one who was excellent. The rest were pitiful. They found a way to make interesting subjects mundane and very boring. It takes more than knowledge of your subject to make an interesting speaker. Unfortunately, most of these lecturers had no idea of how to present their subject to a roomful of cruise passengers. It was such a shame because there were some speaker subjects that should have been great. With all the consecutive sea days on our WC, after a while, we were finding ourselves to be quite bored. Of course, the port days were wonderful. I’m sad to hear that the VoV is not going well for you. We’ve done that itinerary 2x and both were beyond great in all aspects. But the last one was 8 years ago. A lot has changed since that time.

Hope you get some opinions regarding more recent WC’s!

Thanks for all your comments. For us, the lecturers and entertainers are important. We’re not into trivia or crafts, etc but of course everyone is different.

My comment about the vov was just about our disappointment in the two areas I mentioned above, I’m sure we’ll have a great time at the ports and we’re happy to be here. We’re just thinking about the same experience for 128 days.

RICHARD@SEA

I read the WC Blog of WCB om HAL each year. They are a couple from California that have many many many days on HAL & several WC's under their sea legs.

I was most interested this year because I am planning my first WC. For the most part WCB appear to bea glass is half full, fairly independent & social. They also report on facts as opposed to emotions / drama.

One point they put out was the use of the new ship this year as opposed to the AMSTERDAM which had done the WC for the last several years. The food & service were also of concern for them.

In reference to the presentation by the President of HAL - it appeared more as an ad campaign rather than a problem solving & results orientated.

As far as the poster stating that there were a lot of passengers that took the cruise almost for free (after combining a FCC & refund on cancelled WC covid cruise) - those passengers did pay for a cruis ethat was cancelled & from what has been reported many times HAL dropped the ball as far as taking care of passengers, crew & their luggage.

WCB usually does a post cruise review - they haven't posted it as of yet, but it should be interesting - they do have future cruises. booked but they said they are taking a wait & see attitude as far as future WC(they wrote letters to the President of HAL).

i decided NOT to book the WC w HAL after the loss of quality.

This was our fifth world cruise with HAL (actually 41/2 since we were on the aborted 2020). Would echo what the Mtn2sea poster said about the crew. They were fantastic. Unfortunately, this wasn't a Grand Cruise as they used to exist. Simply a long cruise.

Our food and dining experience both in the MDR and Pinnacle were acceptable. No big problems and lucky with a wonderful wait staff. Food was OK and they did have a number of supply issues during the cruise so you have to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to availability and selection.

Speakers were not as good or as informative as past World Cruises and the music selection was worse, in my opinion. Classical duo did more talking about themselves than playing. Jazz trio in Ocean Bar was good. Didn't really spend much time in the Rolling Stone venue but it seemed to be busy.

With the change in ships, the crows nest is no longer a comfortable space for a drink at night which results in the Ocean Bar becoming very crowded. Staff there was very attentive but it was annoying having to search for seats every night. They really ruined the crows nest on this class of ship by trying to make it all things for all people.

I am sure we were spoiled from our previous trips pre pandemic but we are pretty sure that we are done with world cruises with HAL. Just too many cases of remember how good it used to be. Friends of ours were aboard for their first world cruise and they seemed to enjoy it since they had nothing to measure it by.

Think we will still do longer voyages even with HAL. Just won't expect as much in the future.

We were on the 2019 and 2023 WC. The biggest difference was the lack of pillow gifts and the number of complaints by others. We don’t care about the gifts. We don’t need “stuff” to collect in our home. Some of the old-timers seem to complain if they change the butter dish in the MDR. Really some of the complaints were very petty. It got annoying after a while. Some people are just grumpy and look for things to dislike.

We liked the Zuiderdam compared to the Amsterdam. The music walk gave us more choices at night. Again, there were complaints about the different ship.

People also complained about ports in West Africa for a variety of reasons. What did they expect? We were visiting 3rd world countries with wide spread poverty. We didn’t expect Four Seasons luxury there. We had never been to Africa before and were happy to go there and experience local cultures and meet people from very different backgrounds. It was educational and eye opening. We booked independent tours in each African port and had a great time in most of the ports.

There were some food shortages which led to grumpy people. Considering it was the 1st WC since COVID, we thought they did a great job. Was it perfect, no. But considering the state the world was in (ie many countries opening up for tourism again), we expected some issues. They ran out of the pillow chocolates and based on the number of complaints, you would have the thought it was a critical issue. Honestly some people need to just loved to complain!

The staff was fantastic and we had great service in every venue. Our cabin stewards were the best we’ve had! Miss those guys!!

Overall we loved the cruise and signed up for the 2025 Pole To Pole.

Another common complaint was the lack of decorations in the MDR on theme and Gala nights. They sold the Amsterdam with all the decorations. The Zuiderdam doesn’t have as much storage as the Amsterdam did so they weren’t replaced. They also weren’t able to store our luggage and we had to rethink how we packed to ensure our luggage would fit under the bed.

How are other lines such as Princess doing with their WCs? Are they experiencing the same challenges and issues as HAL?

19 hours ago, PCruzer said: We were on our one and only WC in 2019. (I know you asked for opinions from more recent WC’ers, but thought I would let you know of our experience.) We found the evening entertainment to be excellent. Even if it was something that we didn’t think we would be interested in, it would be presented in such a way that it was very entertaining. I can’t say the same for the onboard speakers. There was only one who was excellent. The rest were pitiful. They found a way to make interesting subjects mundane and very boring. It takes more than knowledge of your subject to make an interesting speaker. Unfortunately, most of these lecturers had no idea of how to present their subject to a roomful of cruise passengers. It was such a shame because there were some speaker subjects that should have been great. With all the consecutive sea days on our WC, after a while, we were finding ourselves to be quite bored. Of course, the port days were wonderful. I’m sad to hear that the VoV is not going well for you. We’ve done that itinerary 2x and both were beyond great in all aspects. But the last one was 8 years ago. A lot has changed since that time. Hope you get some opinions regarding more recent WC’s!

I agree that "it takes more than knowledge of your subject to make an interesting speaker."

I have been on many many cruises on Holland and Princess and I really don't get it as to who if anyone vets a lot of the speakers....yes many of them are professors of major universities and I have no doubt they are experts full of knowledge on their subjects....but over and over I has sat through some of these presentations and frankly these professors are a boring as watching paint dry...they have close to zero skill at making their subject interesting/exciting...many of them basically read from a script...often their visuals shown on the screen are simply awful.

I assume they use some sort of service to provide these speakers. Over the years I have had several wonderful speakers who would pack the theatre with every lecture and often get standing ovations as they were not only knowledgeable but fantastic speakers that made their subject come alive.

It used to be that speakers were given a free cruise (and maybe some amount of $$?) but had to provide their own air to ship. I do not know if this has all changed but for whatever reason the quality of speakers presentation skills IMO has gone way down over the last decade. Sad as there are no doubt many many talented experts who would be available especially on closer to home cruises. I wish HAL would at least require a video of the expert doing a lecture and somebody would vet his presentation and personality skills.

Could these negative reviews translate into lower demand for the WC and perhaps prices that start to match regular cruise prices?

From what I have researched, the WC has a higher per day rate than other HAL longer cruises.

For those on princess Alaska cruises Libby is a regular speaker....if you get the chance to hear and see her presentation I recommend it....she could teach a few of the professors how to do an interesting speech.

https://alifeofdogs.com/libby-riddles-first-woman-to-win-the-iditarod/

WriterOnDeck

On 7/24/2023 at 12:48 PM, Cruise NH said: We’re currently on the Voyage of the Vikings cruise, which we thought would be much better but it’s not. So now we’re worried about the world cruise, 120+ days with no great entertainment or guest speakers, that would be tough.

Who are the speakers and/or what are the topics on the Voyage of the Vikings? And who is the MainStage entertainment?

I'm curious what specifically you think the shortcomings are. I do know that many of the former entertainers (pre covid) are no longer touring on cruise ships.

47 minutes ago, WriterOnDeck said: Who are the speakers and/or what are the topics on the Voyage of the Vikings? And who is the MainStage entertainment? I'm curious what specifically you think the shortcomings are. I do know that many of the former entertainers (pre covid) are no longer touring on cruise ships.

this is the entertainment for the first couple of weeks.

exc talks are just the cruise director reading a script. The Step One Dance Company are repeats from voyages we took earlier this year.

One speaker we haven’t heard from yet so we have no opinion there. He’s scheduled to talk about ships and such. The only other speaker is a couple who are supposed to be talking about the ports in some way but from their first talk I don’t know what they are trying to accomplish. They are listed as former teachers who started cruising several years ago.

What I expected is subject matter experts on Viking history or Canadian history, etc. I also expected to get practical information about the ports we are going to.

We did the 2017 WC, so what I’m asking is, was the’23 WC more like what we have here on the VOV or more like the special voyage the ‘17 WC was.

On 7/25/2023 at 5:23 PM, FlaMariner said: Could these negative reviews translate into lower demand for the WC and perhaps prices that start to match regular cruise prices? From what I have researched, the WC has a higher per day rate than other HAL longer cruises.

That is because they are "special", or, at least, they used to be. I would hate to think that HAL is simply charging more for Grand Voyages, without an uptick in food, entertainment, ports, pillow gifts, etc., etc. That is why people are willing to pay extra. The '23 had "special" problems because of all it FCC's from aborted '20 WC. It was probably not a good year for a WC.

Nancy&Frank

On 7/24/2023 at 7:04 PM, Cruise NH said: Hmmm how can I put this…I haven’t read the ‘live from’ ones, which can be difficult to get through, but I have read a few blogs from seasoned world cruisers, they tend to be huge fans of hal and maybe just maybe wearing their rose colored glasses at times. I just want to know did they have good guest speakers, knowledgeable about the area being traveled through, did they have a variety of entertainment, things like that.

As a 2023 World Cruiser, the short answer is “No”. There was only one guest lecturer that was worth going to see. There were No guest speakers that spoke about areas that we were traveling through. The CD did a few narrations during a few of the scenic travel days. There were many B rate movies shown in place of entertainment at night. Very underwhelming on a whole. The craziest thing they had was a man demonstrating his yo-yo skills as the evenings entertainment 🤦‍♀️

cruisemom42

28 minutes ago, Nancy&Frank said: The craziest thing they had was a man demonstrating his yo-yo skills as the evenings entertainment 🤦‍♀️

Hopefully he's not billing himself as Yo-Yo Ma.

Aloha. I genuinely enjoy reading the world cruise posts and the blogs cited by several posters. Each has a different perspective and it is great to see the places we have been around the world bringing back wonderful memories. As some may know on these boards I love the food pictures. I find the posters to offer genuine criticism and praise and as my late father always said, you never stop learning. With the exception of one poster who kept touting their Presidents Club status to the point of over saturation, I felt as if I personally knew them and looked forward to reading their daily posts. While as stated we have been around the world on long cruises, I look forward to shortly be on a world cruise and meet some of the posters just not sure which line/ship yet but I thank those that take the time to provide us with such valuable information. All the best!

On 7/26/2023 at 6:13 PM, Cruise NH said: this is the entertainment for the first couple of weeks. exc talks are just the cruise director reading a script. The Step One Dance Company are repeats from voyages we took earlier this year. One speaker we haven’t heard from yet so we have no opinion there. He’s scheduled to talk about ships and such. The only other speaker is a couple who are supposed to be talking about the ports in some way but from their first talk I don’t know what they are trying to accomplish. They are listed as former teachers who started cruising several years ago. What I expected is subject matter experts on Viking history or Canadian history, etc. I also expected to get practical information about the ports we are going to.

On the pre-VoV Zuiderdam cruise, following pretty much the same path from Rotterdam to Boston, we had 2 good speakers who talked about Viking history, geology of the area esp Iceland, etc. The problem with port-heavy itineraries such as the VoV is that the lectures are only on sea days, of which there may not be many.

The Cruise Director (you know they hire actors for the job now, frequently from musical theater, so they can do the scripted talks well?) was pretty good for what they are now. But they are advertised also as port directors and many times haven't been to the ports if you aren't doing the same ones over and over. Ian Page on the world cruise at least has been almost everywhere and shares great info. But one of my big criticisms is HAL's lack of any info about the ports. I spend a lot of time researching on my own to fill in the huge blanks.

Please when the cruise is over comment about these lacks on the survey. Of course, comment while you're on it, too, but I think for general program issues the survey gets more attention, as the people on the ship don't really control speakers and entertainment.

2 hours ago, WriterOnDeck said: . But one of my big criticisms is HAL's lack of any info about the ports. I spend a lot of time researching on my own to fill in the huge blanks.

Agreed. I really miss the port info sheets that HAL used to circulate for each port. Given the fact that the info sheet just hit the highlights of the port, it nonetheless gave very useful info, including but not limited to: Currency, shopping, eateries, temperature, all aboard time, etc. The info, being basically a brief outline of useful info, would not seem to create a significant burden to annually update the information. Further, I think these port sheets had been stopped prior to the pandemic. Miss them.

HAL cut a lot of positions (or combined them) pre Covid. Bruce used to put together some great shows and entertainment. Barbara (RIP) had been to every port (flags included) and was a wealth of information on every port. HAL did away with those positions.

Last year's VoV was basically 2 17 day voyagers with entertainment repeats. The ports were excellent (if you were able to get off and not quarantined) and they had a good lecturer who got on in Canada and off in Iceland. Other than that repeated Step One, Cantare, BBC movies, etc like other cruises. I'd hope things changed this year for you. Maybe next year things will improve after revamping their "Legendary Voyages" program but that means they have to include this one as Legendary as well.

Only sense I got from listening to Antorcha on this year's world cruise was that the difference between Legendary and Grand was the number of days on the itinerary. I'm sure I may have missed something and others can correct me but I have no recollection of him going into a long explanation of the various amenities that would be involved in either category.

Think he was honest enough to admit that they have been hammered by the debt they had to take on and that job one for him was keeping the company afloat. That doesn't seem to translate into a return to multiple nights in port or evenings in Ephesus. Unfortunately, unless they decide that the market would bear significant price increases , those days are over.

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Holland America Review

Thursday, April 11th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

Holland America
Best for older guests (50+)
11 ships in the fleet
Mid-size ships (1,400-2,600 passengers, depending on the ship)
Over 500 itineraries with stops in 100+ countries

Holland America Line offers a wide range of itineraries to various destinations worldwide. The company has been in operation since 1873, making it one of the oldest cruise lines in the world. With a reputation for offering exceptional service, exquisite cuisine, and a sophisticated onboard experience, Holland America Line is a popular choice for older travelers looking for a luxurious and elegant vacation. The Holland America fleet is made up of mid-sized ships, which allows for a more intimate and personalized experience than many of the larger cruise ships on the market.

No shortage of spring break cruises in the Caribbean

It was no problem finding options for our comparison cruise: a Caribbean sailing in March, booked a little under a year in advance. There were 23 cruises to choose from, all departing from Ft. Lauderdale ( hooray for no international flights required for US travelers ). Three of those sailings were priced at $799 per person for a seven-day sailing, with itineraries for Eastern, Western, and "Tropical" Caribbean. Even the 21-day Caribbean itineraries were reasonably priced at $2,359 or less per person.

Look for promos that give you more included in your fare

And, at the time of this evaluation, Holland America was offering the "Have It All" promotion on some sailings, a premium package that included four "high-value amenities" for the first and second guest on each booking:

Shore Excursions: $100 credit on sailings of 6-9 days, $200 on sailings of 10-20 days, and $300 on sailings of 21+ days
Premium Beverage Package: Wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, sodas, specialty coffees, and more
Specialty dining at Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind

No assigned dining locations or times

In terms of dining, Holland America is known for offering exceptional cuisine. The company has partnered with renowned chefs, such as Jacques Pepin and Rudi Sodamin, to create menus that are both sophisticated and delicious. Passengers can choose from a variety of dining options, including formal dining rooms, specialty restaurants, and casual eateries. Holland America also offers a unique dining experience called "As You Wish" dining, which allows passengers to choose when and where they want to dine each night.

Children welcome, but most guests are 55+

Children are welcome to sail on Holland America cruises. However, Holland America is primarily known as a cruise line that caters to adults, especially those over 50 years old ( in fact, 75% of their passengers are age 55+ ). As a result, Holland America does not have as many activities and facilities designed for children compared to other family-oriented cruise lines. They're trying, though: they have Club HAL, which is their youth program that offers age-appropriate activities and entertainment for kids and teens from 3-17 years old, but those are only available during specific hours. They also have family-oriented shore excursions and some onboard activities like swimming pools, movies, and game rooms. Additionally, Holland America's dining options cater to children with kid-friendly menus and options.

Most onboard entertainment is for the older set

Entertainment on Holland America sailings definitely trends "mature" , with live music, theater productions, and enrichment programs such as cooking classes and wine tastings. The line also has partnerships with institutions such as BBC Earth and the Lincoln Center Stage, which provide unique and educational experiences for passengers.

Gratuities are extra but can be modified

Holland America will charge gratuities to your onboard account: $16 per guest per day for non-suite staterooms and $17.50 per guest per day for suites. They call this "Crew Appreciation" and emphasize that it's an important part of their team's compensation - but, unlike some cruise lines, you're allowed to modify the amount if you wish (for poor service).

Solid choice for cruising - especially for older guests

Holland America Line is a premium cruise line that offers a luxurious and sophisticated onboard experience. With a focus on personalized service, exceptional cuisine, and immersive entertainment and enrichment programs, Holland America is a popular choice for older travelers looking for a relaxed yet classy vacation to the world's most sought-after ports of call.

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Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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This 132-day World Cruise Will Circle the Planet in 2026 — and Visit All 7 Continents

The itinerary is Holland America's most ambitious to date.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

For those looking to visit all seven of the world's continents, you'll soon be able to check off all those boxes with a single trip. Holland America just announced a 2026 Grand World Voyage that visits each one over 132 days in a true circumnavigation of the planet.

Sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 1,432-passenger Volendam, the voyage will depart on Jan. 4, 2026, sailing south along the east coast of South America, all the way to Antarctica. (It's important to note that the Antarctica portion of the trip will be scenic cruising only — you won't be able to get off the ship and set foot on land.)

From Antarctica, the Volendam will cross the South Pacific (and stop at Easter Island!), visit Australia, and continue to Southeast Asia.

Next up is a journey across the Indian Ocean with visits to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, followed by a transit of the Suez Canal. After a few stops in the Mediterranean, the ship will make for Northern Europe, then finish with a transatlantic crossing to take guests back to Fort Lauderdale.

Stanislav/Adobe Stock/Courtesy of Holland America Line

All in, the Grand World Voyage will visit 47 ports in 39 countries, and there will be nine overnight calls in destinations like Rio de Janeiro and Bali.

"We asked thousands of past guests and travel advisors for their opinions about the perfect Grand World Voyage, so this may be one of our most thoroughly researched routes ever for a world cruise," Gus Antorcha, Holland America's president, said during the announcement, which took place aboard the Zuiderdam, which is currently sailing the 2024 Grand World Voyage. "This itinerary includes destinations we know guests love, packed with memorable moments and overnight stays. We are purposefully visiting fewer ports to allow more time to explore the destinations we visit and to create a voyage that does not feel rushed."

Though the voyage isn't yet open for bookings, you can register your interest through your travel advisor or by calling Holland America World Cruise Reservations at 1-800-522-3399. For context, the 124-day Grand World Voyage in 2025 starts at $24,999 per cabin based on double occupancy.

Everything you need to know about Holland America cruise cabins and suites

Editor's Note

Choosing a cabin on a Holland America cruise is never easy because the line excels at making all categories enticing.

Across its fleet, the line's accommodations are comfortable, with a neutral decor that ensures they weather the test of time. That aesthetic is in keeping with Holland America's desire to design ships that balance innovation with classic, elegant style and to blend a pride in the line's long heritage with the needs of a modern traveler.

From basic digs to swanky suites, we'll cover the different types of Holland America cabins and help you figure out which one might be right for you on your next voyage.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter .

Holland America cabin primer

Holland America cabins fall into four main categories: insides (no window or balcony), outsides (with windows that don't open), balconies (with walk-out porch areas) and suites (high-end accommodations, generally with more space and better amenities).

If you're looking for a specialty cabin, those are available, too. Holland America offers a selection of accessible rooms on every one of its ships. They span all cabin categories, including suites, and they're provided in several types: fully accessible, fully accessible single-side approach (with both left- and right-side approaches as options) and ambulatory accessible. Available types vary by ship.

Spa cabins come in inside, outside, balcony and Neptune Suite varieties. They offer the same square footage as standard cabins in each of those categories and share the same layout. What sets them apart is that they provide spa-themed amenities, such as cut fruit and flavored water, a spa concierge to help with booking treatments at the Greenhouse Spa and in-room fitness equipment, such as yoga mats and exercise DVDs.

Select Holland America vessels also offer solo accommodations designed for one person. They feature full-size beds instead of queens, and they come only in the outside category, ranging from 127-172 square feet.

The line's only rooms designed specifically with families in mind are outside family cabins, which range from 222-231 square feet and sleep up to five people with a queen bed, a two-person sofa bed and a single bunk that pulls down from the ceiling. These cabins are also outfitted with a split bathroom setup — one room with a bathtub/shower, sink and toilet and another with a shower and sink.

Several inclusions come standard in cabins on all Holland America ships. Even the most basic accommodations feature a queen bed that can split into two twins, a couple of nightstands, a vanity/desk area with a chair or stool and a phone, a closet with shelves and room for hanging clothes, a safe, a minifridge, a variety of outlets and USB ports, a private bathroom and daily housekeeping services. You'll also find a TV with a handful of channels, ship-sponsored content and free movies.

Some cabins also include sofas, some of which have pull-out beds. Other cabins designed to sleep more than two cruisers may also have bunks that pull down from the ceiling.

Unlike most other lines, Holland America provides some standard amenities that other lines only offer to passengers booked in higher-tiered cabins. They include Elemis toiletries, bathrobes, shoeshine service, fresh fruit, signature pillow-top mattresses and complimentary 24/7 room service.

Inside cabins on Holland America ships

Inside or interior cabins on Holland America's vessels range in size from 143-225 square feet and come with the standard amenities previously mentioned.

Inside rooms don't have a view, but that means they offer near-total darkness each night, making for great sleep. They're also generally the least expensive accommodations, so they can be a terrific value if all you're planning to do in your cabin is sleep and shower.

Outside cabins on Holland America ships

Holland America's outside or ocean view cabins are slightly larger than inside cabins, providing 175-282 square feet of space plus a window through which you'll have access to natural light.

Travelers booked in ocean view rooms have access to the basic amenities above.

Balcony cabins on Holland America ships

With 228-405 square feet of space (including the private veranda), balcony cabins are the largest non-suite cabins and come with basic amenities. They offer not only natural light but also fresh air via a sliding-glass door that grants access to a small private balcony area with chairs and a table.

Several varieties exist, including standard balcony accommodations, obstructed view (which means you might have a life boat partially blocking your ocean vista) and aft-facing (which gives you a view off the back of the ship, rather than the side).

Suites on Holland America ships

All suite passengers have access to additional amenities, including fresh flowers, a pillow menu, a stocked minibar and binoculars for use during each sailing.

Neptune and Pinnacle Suites come with additional perks, such as higher-end toiletries, an in-cabin coffee and espresso machine, a Bose Bluetooth audio system, a special in-cabin daily breakfast with mimosas, complimentary laundry and dry-cleaning services, a tote bag and a welcome glass of sparkling wine at dinner on embarkation day.

Additionally, all passengers booked in suites automatically receive access to Club Orange, a program that allows cruisers to eat in a private dining room and skip the line at the shore excursions and guest services desks, as well as during tendering. Exclusive onboard events — such as behind-the-scenes tours, private spa consultations and Q&A sessions — are also offered for Club Orange members. Passengers not booked in suites have the option to purchase Club Orange perks.

Learn more about each suite type below.

Vista Suites

Vista Suites are essentially mini-suites — balcony cabins with a bit more space (260-356 square feet). Like balcony rooms, they come with standard amenities and a walk-out veranda with a table and chairs.

This category also includes accommodations with aft-facing balcony views.

Signature Suites

These suites, with even more space (393-400 square feet), are similar to balcony cabins and Vista Suites in terms of amenities and inclusions.

However, they include king-size beds instead of queens, as well as a pull-down bunk, a Murphy bed or a sofa bed, depending on the configuration. This makes them a great higher-end option for families.

Neptune Suites

Neptune Suites span 465-502 square feet. In addition to more space and king-size beds, they include bathrooms with dual sinks and vanities, as well as whirlpool bathtubs in some configurations.

Passengers booked in Neptune Suites have a private concierge and access to the exclusive Neptune Lounge, which offers daily continental breakfast, tea, light snacks and a place to watch TV or relax with a book.

Pinnacle Suites

Pinnacle Suites, found on Holland America's newer Pinnacle-class ships, are the largest and most upscale rooms in the fleet. They run about 1,290 square feet, including the balcony, and they're divided into separate rooms — a living room, dining room (complete with microwave and pantry) and bedroom with a king-size bed.

A separate dressing room provides space for your clothes, and the bathroom and balcony each have their own whirlpools. A sofa bed sleeps two additional passengers, and the suite also includes a guest toilet.

Cruisers booked in these accommodations have access to a variety of complimentary services, including those of a private concierge. Other amenities include an in-cabin stereo system and entry to the Neptune Lounge.

Bottom line

Holland America offers a variety of classy, timeless cabins to suit the needs of cruise travelers, from inside cabins that are great for sleeping to lavish suites that entitle you to a plethora of exclusive amenities.

The line also caters to passengers with specific needs, including families, solo vacationers and travelers with limited mobility. No matter what you prioritize in a cruise room, Holland America will have plenty of choices for you.

For more information, visit Holland America's cabins page .

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Holland America Zuiderdam Deck Plans & Reviews

Holland America Zuiderdam

Activities & entertainment

Afternoon Tea
America's Test Kitchen Cooking Classes
Art and Craft Classes *
Art Gallery *
Basketball Court
Beer Tasting *
Cigars Under the Stars *
Digital Workshop Computer Classes
Explorations Central Port Lectures
Fitness Center
Fitness Classes *
Happy Hour Drink Special *
Hot Tubs (5)
Hydrotherapy Pool *
Martini Tasting *
Onboard Lectures
Solo Traveler Get-Togethers
Team Trivia
The Greenhouse Spa & Salon *
Volleyball Court
Wine Tasting *
Afternoon Musical Concerts
BBC Earth Onboard Features
Billboard Onboard
Feature Movie Matinees
Lincoln Center Stage
Live Nightly Music
Queen's Lounge & Culinary Arts Center
Screening Room
The Mainstage
Explorer's Bar *
Dining Room - American
Gallery Bar - Art Bar *
Ocean Bar - Atrium Bar *
Lido Market - Casual
Explorations Café - Coffee Bar *
Dive-In - Fast Food
Crow's Nest - Forward Bar *
Canaletto Restaurant - italian *
Lido Bar - Pool Bar *
Sea View Bar - Pool Bar *
Pinnacle Grill - Steakhouse *
Pinnacle Bar - Steakhouse Bar *
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I tried Holland America's 'Have It All' package. For just $55 a day, my cruise felt way more luxurious.

I tried Holland America Line 's Have It All package on a recent cruise to Alaska.
For $55 per person per day, we got complimentary drinks, special meals, and other perks.
The price was so worth it we already booked this package for future cruises.

Cruise bookings are predicted to reach record levels this year, and travelers are especially interested in luxurious sailings.

But as many of us know, luxury doesn't always equate to value, even when it comes to upgrades and special packages.

So, on our recent cruise to Alaska, my husband and I put one of many cruise packages to the test: Holland America Line's "Have It All" package, which costs $55 per person per day.

It includes perks like a beverage package, ship credit for shore excursions, onboard WiFi, and dinner at specialty restaurants.

Here's why we found it to be such a great value we're going to add it to future cruises.

The beverage package was great, and it included special drinks without alcohol

The biggest perk of the "Have It All" package was the ability to order drinks without worrying about the bill at the end of the cruise.

Our previous cruises had us drinking only tap water, drip coffee, tea, and an occasional glass of wine with dinner to avoid any sticker shock at the end of the trip. We felt restricted in enjoying our vacation.

The shore-excursion credit helped push us to have more fun

We knew we had to do a whale-watching excursion in Alaska, but didn't consider booking other excursions due to price. Many of the ones we were interested in cost over $100 per person.

But with the package, we each got credits to use toward shore excursions during our cruise. The value of the credit varies depending on the duration of your cruise — ours was less than 10 days, so we each got a $100 credit.

The $200 worth of credits made us feel more comfortable booking an incredible excursion to kayak the wild waters of Sitka.

We probably would've hesitated to book an excursion and missed an incredible experience if we hadn't felt compelled to use the credits in the package.

Specialty dining helped us celebrate our anniversary

Our "Have it All" packages each included at least one dinner at one of the ship's specialty restaurants. If you're on a longer cruise, this package would get you access to more dinners.

We used our credits to eat at the Pinnacle Grill, known for its premium steaks and intimate dining experience. Our anniversary dinner was extra special because of the access to premium dishes unavailable in the main dining room, five-star service, and a luxurious setting.

WiFi kept us connected

The package included WiFi, which really came in handy as we shared photos with friends and family throughout our trip.

We were able to use the internet to search for whatever we needed and research the highlights to visit at the next port of call.

We've already booked the package for future cruises

For less than what a few drinks cost per day, the package helped us relax, have fun, and enjoy each port of call with a shore excursion. Plus, we got to indulge in the ship's specialty restaurants.

We loved it so much we've already purchased this same package for three future cruises.

Watch: While Delta's business is 'extremely robust,' the airline's marketing chief stays focused on the data

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Is a Holland America Alaska Cruise Worth It? An Honest Review

07/28/2023 by Kristin Addis 4 Comments

Imagine you’re sitting on a balcony, sipping on a freshly made latte while sailing past an electric blue glacier. Suddenly, you spot an eagle resting on a piece of floating ice. Later that day, you see dolphins, whales, and sea otters jumping through the waves as the mist breaks to reveal snowy mountains and tree-coated islets. There doesn’t appear to be anything around for miles, and it feels like it’s all unfolding in perfect harmony. That all happened within one day on my weeklong Alaska cruise while my son napped on the other side of the door, and I will never forget those magical moments.

Now I never thought of myself as a cruise person. Would a big ship really be my ideal way to travel?

When Holland America invited me, my mom and I weren’t sure it was for us. Would it be cheesy, crowded, and lame? We decided if we were to take a cruise, Alaska with its wild beauty would be the ideal place, so we went for it.

I had only been on a couple of cruises prior to this, wich were rather short and felt like a mixture between McDonald’s and a frat party, to be honest. The experience on the Koningsdam sailing the Inside Passage to Alaska via Vancouver was delightfully different. It was mostly families, retirees, and some multigenerational groups like ours.

The food was great, the service was excellent, but best of all, the experience of sailing along the coast of Alaska was breathtaking. Here’s everything to know before you book that cruise :

Table of Contents

Itinerary – 7 Day Alaskan Inside Passage

There are many Alaska itineraries to choose from, and they all offer scenic cruising with some variation in the stops they make.

What looked best to me was the departure in and out of Vancouver, which included the Inside Passage as well as Glacier Bay. It ended up being a great decision.

The first evening after departing Vancouver was already beautiful, passing by the islands outside of the city and all along the coast of British Columbia. It was just a taste of the beauty that was to come.

The next day was mostly about getting up to Juneau and was spent at sea. Of all the days on board, this was the least scenic, but I still saw whales from my veranda!

As would be a trend with the towns we visited in Alaska, Juneau had a charm to it, with historic, Wild West–style buildings and gorgeous surroundings. The downtown is mainly bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops, but there’s quite a bit to do in the area. I opted for the helicopter trek of the Mendenhall Glacier, which was a fantastic decision (more on that later).

The next morning, we arrived in Skagway, another small, charming coastal town, and took the scenic railway as our excursion. Felix squealed with delight at the helicopters taking off right outside of our room on the ship afterwards.

That evening, leaving Skagway was particularly beautiful, as we watched the sunset over the dramatic mountains with waterfalls cascading down. Since we had a baby sleeping inside, most of our evenings were spent on the veranda, which could not have been a better spot from which to experience the beauty of Alaska all throughout the cruise.

Glacier Bay National Park

This was a highlight for us, as we spent the day cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. Though I’ve had the pleasure of hiking across part of a glacier in Wrangell St. Elias in Alaska and trekking on a few in Patagonia , this was still more glaciers than I had ever seen in a day.

As we made our way through, the weather kept changing, creating different lighting along the glaciers and providing incredible wildlife-spotting opportunities. I saw dolphins, whales, otters, and an eagle perched on an iceberg, all from our veranda.

Absolutely book an Alaska cruise that includes Glacier Bay!

As we made our way back south, we stopped in Ketchikan, which was a nice contrast to the glacial landscape that we had been seeing. This is a great opportunity to explore the fjords, which we did by seaplane as our excursion.

Our Room on the Koningsdam

One of my concerns was feeling cramped in a tiny room with our stuff everywhere and all of the free space taken up by our travel crib .

The verandah room was spacious enough, though, with plenty of storage in the closets and drawers, as well as a space under the bed for suitcases . As long as we were good about putting things back in their place, the room was totally fine for the three of us.

It also had a pull-out couch to sleep families, though I would imagine that squeezing four into one room would feel tight.

The balcony was also great and a frequent hangout spot of ours. It was safe for my baby to crawl around and enjoy, and my favorite place from which to spot wildlife. I preferred it to all of the common spaces on the ship since it was so peaceful and felt like my own little retreat.

The room was also serviced twice per day by two incredibly attentive staff members who always left towel animals for Felix.

Service

Speaking of the staff, they were amazing. Those in the dining room made a particularly great impression, remembering my son and always saying hi to him and bringing his fruit right away. Considering how many people they were seeing on a daily basis, I was impressed.

I also found each person we interacted with to be accommodating and patient, even when guests weren’t particularly warm with them. I know from working in hospitality in the past that it’s not an easy job, and they all did it especially well.

I was worried the food might not be great or healthy onboard. I’d encountered a lot of chicken nuggets and subpar burgers in the past on my brief cruise experiences. However, there was plenty of variety, and I was able to eat healthy and find plenty of options for my one-year-old as well (veggies, grilled meats, and fruit were always abundant).

Although they had a kids’ menu, my son tends to just eat the healthier food that we eat, and we could get other food for him in the restaurant and Lido Market, and share what we ordered in the specialty restaurants.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer

This is the highest-end restaurant onboard, with the smallest capacity — and also, of course, my favorite.

It’s a tranquil seafood restaurant, and the halibut and steak special were both excellent. They also had lobster, crab, and other seafood delicacies available. I loved the apple crumble as well!

Tamarind

This Asian-flavors-inspired restaurant was my second favorite, with satay, curries, a nice tom kha gai , and orange duck. They were also very understanding and accommodating of our nut and soy allergies. Definitely get the yuzu cheesecake for dessert!

The Italian restaurant with seating near the windows offers sharing-style Italian dishes. It’s a must-do if you’re looking for higher-end pasta, meatballs, seafood dishes, and desserts.

Pinnacle Grill

This appeared to be the most popular restaurant. It offered surf and turf. If they have the lemongrass soup appetizer when you sail, definitely get it!

It is also open for lunch, unlike the other paid restaurant upgrades. I thought this was a steal, considering we got a nice steak and appetizers and dessert for only $15 each!

Lido Market

In market hall fashion, this was the place to go for variety, and it became our daily lunch stop. It had everything from a salad bar and roasted meats to sandwiches, sweets, and noodles. It could get a bit busy and overwhelming at times to be honest, probably because it had so much variety in one spot.

There were other options in the vicinity, including burgers and pizza near the indoor pool, but we didn’t end up having those during our cruise.

Main Dining

Even if you don’t upgrade to any of the paid dining options, the main dining room is honestly awesome. It had a different menu each day with plenty to choose from, like roasted chicken, New York steak, a vegan chickpea patty (which was my favorite thing), and plenty of roasted veggies, grilled fish, and chopped fruit for my son. (It also had a kid’s menu with the typical options).

The staff were so great with my little guy, I was always happy to eat there, which we did for most breakfasts and dinners.

In-room dining

There’s always room service too! I thought we would take more advantage than we did, but we loved the dining room so much, we went there more often.

This is the part I was most looking forward to, and my excursions didn’t disappoint.

Juneau Helicopter and Glacier Trekking

Do yourself a favor and book at least one scenic flight during your cruise, whether it’s in Juneau or elsewhere.

The flight was beautiful, and the ice was wonderful to trek as well. I’ve been fortunate to trek on five glaciers now and take several scenic flights all around the world, but I had never combined the two. It was truly an adventure, which included scenes all around Juneau, crampons, and hiking on the ice for a few glorious hours. The guides were also happy to take pictures, which was helpful, since I did this excursion solo.

Skagway White Pass Railway

There are several options for the historic train, since it’s the most popular thing to do in town. I found it a bit confusing and only ended up booking the excursion that just barely crossed the border into British Columbia before turning around, rather than going all the way into the Yukon Territory. Although my intention had been to go all the way, the trip was still beautiful, and probably long enough, considering we had my one-year-old in tow.

Many of the other excursions will take you all the way one way on the train and then use a coach for the way back. If you do this, be sure to ride on the left side of the train on your way up as it is the most scenic. We ended up being among the last to board the train, which I worried would mean we’d miss out on good seating, but we actually got to be in the front, and it wasn’t too crowded up there!

The trip is narrated the whole way, and there are also platforms in the front and back of each car that passengers can stand on. I logged most of the trip out there.

Ketchikan Historic Wilderness Sea Plane

This is another splurge but so worth it! In contrast to the glacier flights, Ketchikan is more about the misty fjords and potential to see wildlife. We got lucky with a clear day and a nice, long flight with views of hidden mountain lakes, snowy peaks, and a bear and whale sighting that I wasn’t quick enough to catch on the camera but loved seeing nonetheless.

Koningsdam : Ship & Amenities

I have to be honest that the size of the ship (2,500 capacity, one of Holland America’s largest) made me hesitate. I know for sure I’m not the kind of person who would enjoy the huge ships that have 5,000+ passengers, those big slides, and bellyflop competitions. But the Koningsdam was classy, with some shared areas we loved, particularly the Crow’s Nest on the 12th floor, with a fantastic view all around the front of the ship, coffee, and couches for Felix to crawl on.

There were also two pools to choose from, including an indoor pool that showed movies on the giant screen in the evenings, and the outdoor pool at the back of the ship that was nicely heated and had two hot tubs as well. It wasn’t very crowded, which made it perfect for us!

There was also a gym that had regular classes and plenty of machines to choose from. It was never too crowded, even though the ship was fully booked. There’s also a spa, shopping, casino, a few live music venues, and a large theater.

We also enjoyed the jogging track on the 11th floor for panoramic views. It was a great spot to get some exercise and take Felix for his beloved stroller walks with the ever-changing scenery.

As I understand is common on cruise ships, there are some extras, like internet and drinks, that you can opt to pay for as a package. The Quench package included espresso drinks, smoothies, and water cans. Tea, tap water, and regular coffee are free.

To upgrade to the package that includes alcohol runs $55/day, or $60 for top shelf. I don’t drink, so that didn’t tempt me, though it could be a meaningful expense to add onto the trip, as is Wi-Fi, which was $229 for four devices and high speed for the week.

One could just use one’s cell signal in port and disconnect elsewhere, and it’s possible to get an eSIM especially for cruises!

Cleanliness

With so many people on board, this was another factor that I was a little worried about. Would it really be super clean? However, the guest-to-staff ratio seems to be about 2:1, which is pretty incredible. Everything always looked pretty well taken care of, and things were obviously being cleaned constantly. I regularly saw people servicing the bathrooms, our room got cleaned twice a day, and the pool was regularly serviced. It seemed like there was quite a lot of effort being put into everything feeling spotless.

Final Thoughts: Is it Worth It?

There was definitely a time in my life when I was all about taking small ships , cargo ferries, and local buses, and avoiding experiences like cruises. However, now with a young child, it ended up being such an easy, beautiful way to take a vacation. We didn’t have to worry about logistics, food, cleaning up after meals (which can be messy with a one-year-old), or having things to do while he napped. Each time my son went down for his nap, sneaking out to the veranda with the baby monitor ended up being so lovely, with plenty of wildlife and scenery to take in.

The care that the staff put into making sure our boy was well looked after at our meals was above and beyond. People were always trying to make him smile, and the guests were nice to be around, as well. It wasn’t a party atmosphere (although there may have been some of that in the evenings, which I missed since that was bedtime for my son), but rather a mix of people who were there to enjoy the scenery of Alaska.

The only times things felt a bit busy to me were at the Lido Market at lunchtime and in the Crow’s Nest when we were cruising Glacier Bay. I ended up really feeling that our veranda was the best place to view it all from, and I can’t imagine taking a scenic cruise without one.

Maximizing your time by booking excursions in the ports is also important. That does make things cost a bit more, but it really does make this a bucket-list trip. I think with a veranda, excursions, and some of the higher-end dining, as well as making use of the ship amenities that appeal most to you, will make for a wonderful experience. Although I might never be the type to cruise-hop in the Caribbean, I have a feeling this won’t be my last scenic cruise in some of the more mountainous, glacier-topped destinations.

You can book your experience with Holland America here!

*Thanks to Holland America for inviting me to experience this cruise. All thoughts on the amazing staff, beautiful Alaska, and delicious food are my own. Some links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. We only recommend products we love and use ourselves. Your trust always comes first!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

This Cruise Company Just Became the First Line to Receive International Seafood Certifications

Sustainable and delicious dinners? Yes please.

Holland America Line

Cruising isn’t exactly known for its sustainability, but Holland America Line is hoping to change one small part of it for the better.

On Monday, Holland America Line announced it’s “elevating its award-winning dining experience” not by introducing new dishes, but by becoming the first global cruise line to receive both Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifications.

The new MSC label means the fish used onboard the ships is “from a fishery that has been independently assessed on its impacts to wild fish populations and the ecosystems they're part of,” the organization’s website explains . To gain the certification, a fishery must comply with the organization’s three principles: “only fishing healthy stocks, being well-managed so stocks can be fished for the long-term, and minimizing their impact on other species and the wider ecosystem.”

As for the ASC certification, that means that the fish comes from a farm that is “independently assessed against every requirement in their species-specific ASC standard,” the ASC website explains . ASC-certified farms must meet strict environmental regulations, ensuring the seafood is good for you and the planet.

The program, the cruise line shared, is yet another extension of its promise to bring guests the freshest seafood possible. In 2023, it announced its Global Fresh Fish Program in partnership with celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto, which promised to bring fresh fish to every diner’s plate from the closest docks in less than 48 hours. As Food & Wine previously explained, that means if you're sailing through the Caribbean, you'll get to taste local yellowtail snapper, while in Alaska, you can enjoy sockeye salmon, and in Greece, you can expect lavraki to be on the menu.

“Our guests care about the quality and sustainability of the fresh fish we serve, and so do we,” Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, shared in a statement provided to Food & Wine. “These certifications build on our commitment of bringing regionally inspired fresh seafood dishes from port to plate in 48 hours. We’re proud to partner with two organizations that share our dedication to protecting the vitality of the oceans we sail.”

As of right now, all 11 ships in the company’s fleet are Chain of Custody certified to serve MSC and ASC-certified and labeled seafood. The full rollout will start across five Holland America Line ships in May 2024, beginning with cruises in Europe and the Canada/New England region. Holland America Line’s six ships in Alaska already serve 100% sustainable seafood under its Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification.

Guests will know exactly what they are dining on thanks to new onboard menus indicating the type of certification with a symbol marked next to the dish using the MSC blue fish, the ASC’s sea green, and RFM’s logo. And though the company shares that not all seafood species aboard Holland America Line are currently certified, they are “working toward 100% accreditation of species that are eligible to meet the organizations’ standards.”

Holland America Line Reroutes 2025 World Cruise Amid Red Sea Attacks

Amid ongoing missile strikes in the Red Sea, Holland America Line is changing the itinerary for its 2025 world cruise .

The 124-day Grand World Voyage, offered aboard the ship Zuiderdam, was supposed to sail through the Red Sea next year. But as Houthi rebels continue to attack vessels in the region, the cruise line decided it was best to re-route the ship.

“The safety of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance, and we have made the decision to avoid the Red Sea after close consultation with global security experts and government authorities,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line.

Instead, the cruise line has added new ports in Africa, Europe and Costa Rica, but the changes only affect the final 43 days of the sailing. The voyage begins January 4 and ends May 9; it’s a roundtrip sailing from Fort Lauderdale.

The new itinerary has the ship visiting 49 ports in 34 countries and territories on six continents—one more port than originally planned.

“Making this change now allows us to provide certainty for our guests in preparing for this 124-day trip around the world,” said Bodensteiner. “The new itinerary was built with guest experience top of mind and maintains exciting European and African destinations with even more ports to explore in the Mediterranean.”

New port calls in Africa include Walvis Bay, Namibia. and Praia, Cape Verde. In the Mediterranean, new additions include Valletta, Malta; Tangier, Morocco; Arrecife, Alicante, Cartagena and Tenerife, Spain; Olbia and Sardinia, Italy; and Kusadasi, Turkey.

“Not only will added calls to destinations like Kusadasi grant access to the wonders of Ephesus, but originally scheduled destinations such as Alexandria will allow guests to take in the sights of both the Pyramids of Giza and Sakkara, as well as give them a chance to answer the riddle of the Sphinx,” Bodensteiner added.

The world cruise still has spots available, with fares starting at $24,999 per person based on double occupancy. Guests who book by June 3 can get extra perks worth up to $8,500 per person, including free Wi-Fi, a $500 air credit, airport transfers, luggage delivery services and laundry.

Holland America Line is the latest cruise company to adjust itineraries because of the ongoing Houthi rebel strikes. Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises , Carnival Corporation , Crystal Cruises and others have also canceled or rerouted some ships.

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HAL-Holland America changes World Cruise 2025 itinerary (ship...

HAL-Holland America changes World Cruise 2025 itinerary (ship Zuiderdam)

HAL-Holland America Line has announced a revised itinerary for its 2025 Grand World Voyage aboard ms Zuiderdam , aiming to enhance safety and provide travelers with ample planning time. The updated route will substitute the previous itinerary through the Red Sea, introducing new ports in Africa and Europe along with a stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico .

The alterations will impact the final 43 days of the 124-day journey. With the adjustments, the voyage will encompass 49 distinct ports across 34 countries and territories, spanning 6 continents, and will conclude on May 9, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida .

After the initial stop in Cape Town, South Africa , the revised itinerary now includes a visit to Walvis Bay, Namibia , before proceeding north to Praia, Ilha de Santiago, Cape Verde - marking HAL's first call in 3+ years. The ship will then navigate the Mediterranean, stopping at initially planned ports in Gibraltar ; Alexandria, Egypt ; Athens (Piraeus), Greece ; Rome and Naples, Italy ; Lisbon, Portugal ; and Barcelona, Spain .

Additionally, newly added ports comprise Valletta, Malta ; Tangier, Morocco ; Arrecife , Alicante , Cartagena , and Tenerife, Spain ; Olbia, Sardinia, Italy ; and Kusadasi, Turkey , pending final confirmation from relevant authorities.

During an overnight visit to Barcelona on April 24, 2025, the Zuiderdam will rendezvous with ms Volendam , which is sailing the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole, for a special "Grand Meetup," where guests and crew from both ships will partake in a unique celebration.

For travelers interested in booking the 2025 Grand World Voyage, starting cruise-only fares begin at US$24,999 per person, based on double occupancy. Additional expenses such as taxes, fees, and port charges apply.

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Holland America Line to Deploy All Three Pinnacle-Class Ships and Feature Longer Cruises in Robust Caribbean 2025-2026 Season

Nearly 30 different itineraries range up to 14 days and span the Caribbean region

Seattle, Washington, April 2, 2024 — Travelers looking to explore the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean will have nearly 30 different Holland America Line itineraries to choose from between October 2025 and April 2026. New to the season is the addition of Miami, Florida, as a homeport, as well as the return of Koningsdam, putting all three Pinnacle-Class ships in the Caribbean.

Through the expansive variety of itineraries, cruisers can explore the eastern , western and southern regions of the Caribbean, as well as a partial Panama Canal transit. In addition to weeklong getaways, Holland America Line offers longer Caribbean cruises from nine to 14 days, featuring more islands on one itinerary. Select November sailings and special December cruises make it fun and easy to celebrate Thanksgiving and the winter holidays in the tropics.

“ This will be the first time all three of our Pinnacle-Class ships are in the Caribbean together, allowing for even more opportunities for guests to experience all we have to offer,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. “With demand for Caribbean cruises remaining strong, we’ve planned a robust season allowing guests to choose the islands they want to visit and the ideal length for their vacation.”

Caribbean 2025-2026 Highlights:

· All itineraries include Half Moon Cay , Holland America Line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas boasting the finest beaches in the Caribbean, crystalline waters, an abundance of watersports, private cabanas and memorable shore excursions.

· On select itineraries, late-evening departures from Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire mean more time in port and the chance to experience the vibrant Caribbean nightlife.

· Cuisine on board highlights fresh, local flavors with regional favorites including yellowtail snapper, plantains, and other regional specialties sourced directly from port to plate.

· For travelers who like to get away for the winter holidays, 10 sailings in December will sail the waters of the Caribbean on cruises from seven to 14 days.

Eastern Caribbean :

· Roundtrip from both Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Miami.

· Ships: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Zuiderdam.

· Seven-day cruises are a combination of ports: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Key West, Florida; and Nassau, Bimini and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.

· An eight-day cruise on Koningsdam departs and calls at Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay.

· Longer 11-day eastern Caribbean itineraries call at St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay, plus Martinique or Dominica.

· A 14-day holiday cruise on Volendam departs Dec. 21, 2025, and includes visits to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, St. John, Dominica, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad.

Western Caribbean:

· Roundtrip from both Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

· Ships: Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam.

· All western Caribbean cruises are seven days and call at Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman and Half Moon Cay.

Southern Caribbean:

·Roundtrip from both Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

·Ships: Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam.

·The nine-day cruise makes its way to the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao before visiting Half Moon Cay.

·The 10-day itinerary also includes Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and Half Moon Cay, and adds Grand Turk and Amber Cove.

· All Curaçao visits have a late-evening departure, and select cruises also have a late-evening departure from Bonaire or Aruba.

Partial Panama Canal:

· Roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

·Ships: Rotterdam and Zuiderdam.

·The 12-day “Panama Canal Discovery” itinerary makes it possible to visit the Panama Canal without a coast-to-coast transit.

·Explores the Panama Canal’s Gatun Lake and sails a partial transit of the Canal.

· Ports include Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Grand Cayman, Curaçao and Half Moon Cay.

Combine Back-to-Back Cruises for Longer Collectors’ Voyages Many of the cruises can be extended into Collectors’ Voyages to create the ultimate Caribbean exploration with more economical fares than booking the cruises individually. Ranging from 14 to 21 days, these longer journeys combine nonrepeating, back-to-back itineraries, allowing guests to span more than one Caribbean region and enjoy the ultimate island-hopping journey.

Early Booking Bonus Offers For a limited time, when guests book newly opening 2025-2026 Caribbean cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid Crew Appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

Beginning cruise-only fares for 2025-2026 Caribbean cruises start from $579 per person, double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional. Visit hollandamerica.com for full details.

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When we started the cruise, we were seriously considering booking the 2024 WC because the itinerary is what was planned for 2021; however, we finished the cruise without booking any future cruise. Since returning home, we have booked two more cruises, but they are only 12 and 28 days.
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I have taken four world cruises (all booked through Cruise Specialists, the World Cruise experts) and am preparing to leave for a fifth, the 2019 Grand World Voyage of Holland America's Amsterdam. I also booked a sixth cruise, the 2020 Holland America Grand World Voyage on the Amsterdam. These voyages are much like potato chips, you can't ...
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Holland America is going big with its latest around-the-world cruise. The Seattle-based line on Monday revealed plans for a globe-circling voyage in 2026 lasting 132 days — as many as 19 days longer than other around-the-world sailings it's offered in recent years. Kicking off in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 4, 2026, the Grand World Voyage, as the ...
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And, at the time of this evaluation, Holland America was offering the "Have It All" promotion on some sailings, a premium package that included four "high-value amenities" for the first and second guest on each booking: Shore Excursions: $100 credit on sailings of 6-9 days, $200 on sailings of 10-20 days, and $300 on sailings of 21+ days.
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This is the highest-end restaurant onboard, with the smallest capacity — and also, of course, my favorite. It's a tranquil seafood restaurant, and the halibut and steak special were both excellent. They also had lobster, crab, and other seafood delicacies available. I loved the apple crumble as well!
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HAL-Holland America Line has announced a revised itinerary for its 2025 Grand World Voyage aboard ms Zuiderdam, aiming to enhance safety and provide travelers with ample planning time. The updated route will substitute the previous itinerary through the Red Sea, introducing new ports in Africa and Europe along with a stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico.. The alterations will impact the final 43 days ...
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I tried Holland America's 'Have It All' package. For just $55 a day, my cruise felt way more luxurious.

The beverage package was great, and it included special drinks without alcohol

The shore-excursion credit helped push us to have more fun

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WiFi kept us connected

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Itinerary – 7 Day Alaskan Inside Passage

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This Cruise Company Just Became the First Line to Receive International Seafood Certifications

Holland America Line Reroutes 2025 World Cruise Amid Red Sea Attacks

HAL-Holland America changes World Cruise 2025 itinerary (ship Zuiderdam)

Holland America Line to Deploy All Three Pinnacle-Class Ships and Feature Longer Cruises in Robust Caribbean 2025-2026 Season

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