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Cruise Deals, Packages, And Promotions

Sail away to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and more with Holland America Line cruise deals, offers, and promotions. Whether you’re planning ahead, or looking for last-minute cruise deals, we look forward to welcoming you on board one of our Holland America cruises.

Sail Into Savings: Up To 45% off Fares + More

Enjoy up to 45% off fares, up to $300 Onboard Credit and 50% Reduced Deposit!* Include free 3rd & 4th guests on select cruises and watch majesty unfold as you see more Alaska glaciers than with any other cruise line and linger longer in Europe’s iconic ports. Sale ends April 30.

Summer 2024 Escapes

Escape for the summer and receive up to 45% off fares, up to $300 Onboard Credit and 50% Reduced Deposit! See the incredible wildlife in Alaska, discover Europe's rich culture, and more. Book your voyage today!    

Celebrate 150+ Years, And Bring A 3rd and 4th Guest For Free

Celebrate and bring the family! 3rd and 4th guests can cruise for free. Plus get up to 45% off fares, 50% Reduced Deposit, and more!

Celebrate the Holidays

Plan your next holiday vacation and leave the prep and party planning to us as you enjoy world-class cuisine inspired by our culinary masters. Book your next voyage and get up to 45% off fares, up to $300 Onboard Credit and 50% Reduced Deposit!*

Top 10 Cruises

Reduced Deposit + Bonus Benefits on 2025 Grand Voyages

Kids Cruise Free On Select Cruises

For a limited time, bring the whole family to  Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean and beyond while guests 18 and under cruise for free on select cruises.

One Price, Four Extras, Big Savings

For one simple fare, you can save with Have It All, our premium cruise package that includes Shore Excursions, a Drink Package, Specialty Dining and Wi-Fi.

Last Minute Cruise Deals

Ready to go? Receive our most competitive fares on cruises sailing soon. Only available for a limited time.

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Give $50, Get $50

Mariner Society Loyalty Members: Refer your friends and earn a $50 Future Cruise Credit when they book their next cruise. Plus, your friend will earn a $50 Onboard Credit when booking with your referral.

Military, Healthcare, First Responder, Teacher and Educator Cruise Offer

Thank you for your dedication and service. Holland America Line offers military personnel (active, retired or veteran), healthcare workers, first responders, teachers and educators $100 onboard credit per stateroom.

US$400 Onboard Credit

Exclusive Mariner Society® Early Booking Bonus: Mariner Society® loyalty members can enjoy this new exclusive benefit of up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom, when select cruises open for sale.

Early Booking Bonus on Your Next Cruise

Earn a $200 credit toward your next cruise!

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Holland america cruise deals.

Holland America Line has been taking travelers to exciting destinations for more than 138 years. With a rich history of award-winning, luxurious cruising, Holland America is known for its spacious ships, 5-star dining, excellent on-board entertainment, enrichment offerings and thrilling global itineraries. Find a great Holland America cruise deal below.

Holland America is noted as having some of the best food of any cruise line. They utilize the knowledge and recipes of some of the world’s best chefs, like Jacques Torres, Elizabeth Falkner and Jonnie Boer, to develop menus and new culinary initiatives. Onboard you can pick up some of their skills at Holland America’s culinary arts classes where each sailing offers a variety of cooking classes and demonstrations. Ready to dig in? Check out our best Holland America specials, all featured below.

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

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Holland America: up to 45% OFF and up to $300 OBC*

Holland America: Included Drinks, Tours, Specia...

Holland America Alaska cruises from $454*

Holland America Mediterranean cruises from $1,199*

Holland America Caribbean cruises from $1,799*

Holland America Asia cruises from $1,059*

Holland America Australia & New Zealand cruises from $1,899*

Holland America Canada & New England cruises from $519*

Holland America Eastern Caribbean cruises from $289*

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Holland America Panama Canal cruises from $2,249*

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Holland America South Pacific/Tahiti cruises from $2,999*

Holland America Southern Caribbean cruises from $1,239*

Holland America Transatlantic cruises from $1,599*

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Holland America US Pacific Coast cruises from $79*

Holland America Western Caribbean cruises from $969*

Holland America World cruises from $4,249*

Holland America Alaska Cruisetours from $1,188*

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Holland America Europe cruises from $3,069*

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America ship

Of the seven big lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is the brand most known for far-flung, globe-circling itineraries.

You'll find Holland America ships in almost every corner of the world at some point during the year, operating itineraries that are unusual in their diversity of routes and specific port calls.

Still, the line's heaviest presence by far is in Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. In a typical summer, the line will deploy around half of its vessels to Europe while sending the other half to Alaska. The two regions are often the line's entire focus for summers.

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

During the winter, the line will move at least half of these ships to the Caribbean, while also sending some on far-reaching voyages across the world to Asia, Australia and South America.

For the coming winter, seven of the line's 11 ships are scheduled to sail in the Caribbean, and there will be at least one ship each in Asia, Australia and South America. There also will be one ship operating an epic, around-the-world voyage — a long tradition at the line.

In all, Holland America ships sail to 98 countries, hitting all seven continents. They visit more than 470 different ports and cruise destinations. These are much larger numbers than found with such rival lines as Celebrity Cruises . The latter boasts voyages to around 300 ports in 79 countries .

Among Holland America's itineraries, you'll find everything from one-night sampler cruises between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., to 128-night around-the-world voyages that feature stops at dozens of countries. That's a much broader range than most other big lines, including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line .

Whether you're looking for a quick getaway or an epic voyage, you can't go wrong with these five top Holland America cruise destinations.

Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained

Some of Holland America's most popular itineraries are in Europe, where the line has traditionally been a significant player. In a typical year, Holland America will deploy around half of its vessels to the region from spring until fall, making Europe one of its biggest focuses for more than half the year.

The itineraries that Holland America offers in Europe are wide-ranging, with a diverse set of routings in both the Mediterranean as well as across Northern Europe.

In the Mediterranean, sailings include everything from seven- to 28-night voyages that offer the chance to see such iconic destinations as Barcelona, Spain, and Rome, Florence and Naples, Italy, on a single cruise.

Some Holland America cruises in the Mediterranean also include visits to Istanbul and Kusadasi in Turkey (the latter a gateway to the famed ruins of Ephesus), and Haifa and Ashdod in Israel (for visits to Jerusalem and other iconic destinations in the country).

In Northern Europe, Holland America will take you to such well-known Baltic cities as Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and St. Petersburg, Russia, in a single sailing (note that Holland America's calls in St. Petersburg are on hold for now due to the war in Ukraine). There also are itineraries that will bring you to Iceland, Greenland and the Norwegian fjords.

Related: The ultimate guide to Holland America cabins and suites

Among the longest sailings Holland America offers in Europe is a 35-night "British Isles, Spitsbergen & Iceland Fjords Explore" trip that brings a complete circumnavigation of England and Scotland, several stops along the coast of Norway, and calls in both Iceland and the Norwegian-controlled Arctic island of Spitsbergen.

In Northern Europe, Holland America ships mostly sail out of Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands (a nod to the company's Dutch heritage) and Copenhagen, Denmark.

In the Mediterranean, the line's hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice in Italy; and Piraeus (the port for Athens).

2. Caribbean and The Bahamas

You usually won't find a single Holland America ship in the Caribbean and the Bahamas over the summer, when the line turns its focus to sailings in Europe and Alaska. However, come winter, Holland America will reposition quite a few of its vessels to the Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.

For the coming winter, for instance, Holland America currently has seven of its 11 vessels scheduled to sail in the regions — including its two newest and biggest ships, the 2,660-passenger Rotterdam and the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam.

Holland America offers a broad range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from a single home port in the regions — Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades .

If you're looking for something short, the line has you covered in the form of quick, three-night cruises out of Port Everglades to its private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay. The line also offers four- and five-night voyages out of Port Everglades to the Bahamas and Key West, Florida. However, Holland America is best known for longer sailings in the Caribbean. These include lots of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean, but also a large number of even longer, 10- to 21-nights Caribbean voyages.

The latter trips offer the chance to see a broader mix of Caribbean islands than is typical on Caribbean sailings.

Related: The ultimate guide to Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program

Among the most elaborate of the itineraries that Holland America offers out of Port Everglades, for instance, is a 21-day "Southern Caribbean Wayfarer/Seafarer" voyage that brings calls at the islands of St. Martin (specifically, to the Dutch side of the island known as St. Maarten), St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Grand Turk, Hispaniola (for a visit to the Dominican Republic), Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

The voyage is actually a combination of two shorter, back-to-back sailings that are designed without repeating ports.

Holland America is particularly known for voyages to Alaska, where it dominates the market for cruises along with sister line Princess Cruises.

In recent years, Holland America has deployed as many as eight ships to Alaska in the summer — far more than most other lines. In the wake of a significant downsizing over the past two years , the line is cutting that number back a bit. However, it's still planning on deploying at least six vessels to Alaska in the coming summers — a huge number.

Holland America also operates its own wilderness lodges in Alaska, as well as tourist trains and buses. It uses the lodges, trains and buses to offer an extensive range of nine- to 14-night Alaska "cruisetours" that combine a cruise with land-based touring.

The Alaska cruise season is a short one, lasting roughly from May to September. For 2022, Holland America plans to deploy six ships to the Alaska market:

• Eurodam : The 2,104-passenger vessel will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Seattle. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan; Icy Strait Point, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia. It'll also visit Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing.
• Koningsdam : The 2,650-passenger ship will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Vancouver, B.C. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Tracy Arm and Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing.
• Oosterdam. Like Eurodam, the 2,388-passenger ship will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Seattle. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan; and Victoria, British Columbia. It'll also visit Alaska's Hubbard Glacier for glacier viewing.
• Zuiderdam . Like Koningsdam, the 1,916-passenger ship will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Vancouver, B.C. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing.
• Nieuw Amsterdam: The 2,106-passenger ship will primarily operate one-way voyages to Alaska between Vancouver, B.C., and Whittier, Alaska. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing, as well as either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.
• Noordam : Like Nieuw Amsterdam, the 1,924-passenger vessel will primarily operate one-way voyages to Alaska between Vancouver, B.C., and Whittier, Alaska. It'll call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It'll also visit Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing as well as either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.

The appeal of the one-way sailings on Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam is that they can be combined with stays at the Holland America lodges mentioned above to create the longer "cruisetours" of Alaska that combine a one-way cruise with a land tour.

The land tour portion of such trips brings visits to such well-known interior Alaska locations as Denali National Park and the town of Fairbanks. Holland America is also unique among cruise lines in offering cruisetours that include a land tour into the Yukon Territory of Canada.

4. Panama Canal

Have you always wanted to experience a transit through the Panama Canal? Among major cruise lines, Holland America has one of the biggest array of sailings through the waterway.

In a typical year, the line will operate more than two dozen voyages to the canal, some of which are round-trip sailings from Florida's Port Everglades while others are one-way trips between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego, California.

In the case of the former sailings, Holland America ships only transit part-way through the canal after entering it through the Gatun Locks on its Caribbean side. Such trips typically include a transit into the canal through the locks, cruising in the canal to Gatun Lake and a transit out of the canal through the locks before a stop at nearby Colon, Panama.

Among the shore excursions available from the port of Colon is a bus tour to see the locks in action from observation areas on land.

Other port calls during such Panama Canal cruises typically include the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao; Cartagena, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

In the case of the one-way voyages between Florida and California, Holland America's ships will make the full journey through the canal's three sets of locks from the Caribbean to the Pacific or vice versa.

Other port calls during such cruises typically include Puerto Vallarta and Hautulco, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Corinto, Nicaragua; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Colombia.

5. The World

In addition to focused voyages in a wide range of cruise destinations from Europe to Alaska, Holland America has long been known for epic around-the-world voyages that include stops at dozens of destinations in four, five or even six continents.

These trips typically take place on the line's smaller vessels and can last four months or longer, allowing Americans to travel across the globe without ever getting on an airplane.

Normally, Holland America's around-the-world voyages begin and end at Florida's Port Everglades.

The line plans one such trip for 2023 — a 128-day voyage from Port Everglades starting on Jan. 3, 2023, that includes stops in North America, Australia, Africa and Europe.

Taking place on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam, the trip includes a transit of the Panama Canal, multiple stops in French Polynesia including Bora Bora and Moorea; visits to multiple destinations in New Zealand; and calls at Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Gambia and Senegal.

In addition to its around-the-world cruises, Holland America is also known for full circumnavigations of South America that begin and end in Port Everglades.

For 2023, the line plans one such journey — a 74-day cruise on the 1,432-passenger Volendam that starts on Jan. 3, 2023.

Bottom line

Holland America offers an incredibly wide range of itineraries in cruise destinations around the world, from South America to Asia. However, you'll find the most choices among Holland America itineraries in Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. The line is also well-known for voyages through the Panama Canal and for its epic around-the-world cruises. Its annual around-the-world sailings, in particular, are something that sets it apart from other big lines.

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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.

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But this time, we had the freedom to enjoy ourselves. The "Have It All" package we booked came with 15 drinks a day under $11. If you want a drink over $11, you only pay the difference.

The beverage package also covers non-alcoholic drinks. It was perfect for when we wanted espresso drinks for cold Alaska days or a bottle of water for a shore excursion.

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.

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Holland America Line

Holland america line – premium cruise line.

 About Holland America Line:

If you are looking for spacious and comfortable ships at sea, award-winning service, five star dining, extensive activities and enrichment programs and compelling worldwide itineraries this is a perfect cruise line for you.

Innovative programs and superior amenities have consistently placed Holland America Line among the highest-rated premium cruise lines and have earned Holland America Line the prestigious Five Star diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and one of the highest rate of repeat guests in the industry.

Holland America Line also continues to set new standards for environmental leadership.  Through hard work and dedication, Holland America Line earned its ISO 14001 certification in June 2006.  As the internationally recognized standard for environmental management, ISO 14001 encompasses virtually every aspect of their ships’ operations.  Signature of Excellence is a promise from every Holland America Line employee to every guest- a commitment to provide a truly extraordinary experience and tremendous value.

Adults and families taking a multigenerational vacation.  Holland America Line has a broad appeal and offers programs and activities for a wide range of ages such as senior looking for new friends, solo travelers and 40 and 50 somethings looking for a couple’s vacation.  Those looking for a premium vacation experience without glitz.

Those seeking a private island experience:

Holland America’s Half Moon Cay has been ranked “Best Private Island” by Porthole Cruise Magazine for 14 years running and is located on Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas.  (The island must remain 98% undeveloped as an international bird sanctuary.)  The Cay’s 700-acre lagoon allows guests to feed stingrays and enjoy various water sports, a children’s aqua park and a buoyed personal watercraft course.  Other features include private beach side cabanas with private butler service, showers and misters and eco-tours by glass-bottom boat.

• Eurodam (2,104 passengers)
• Koningsdam (2,650 passengers)
• Nieuw Amsterdam (2,106 passengers)
• Nieuw Statendam (2,666 passengers)
• Noordam (1,972 passengers)
• Oosterdam (1,964 passengers)
• Rotterdam (2,668 passengers)
• Volendam (1,432 passengers)
• Westerdam (1,964 passengers)
• Zaandam (1,432 passengers)
• Zuiderdam (1,964 passengers)

Atmosphere and experience onboard:

Spacious and comfortable ships, high-quality service and five star dining options, with abundant activities and enrichment programs for many interests.

Destinations served:

• Australia & New Zealand
• Canada & New England
• Grand Voyages
• Hawaii & Tahiti
• Mediterranean
• Northern Europe
• Pacific Coast
• Panama Canal
• Private Island – Half Moon Cay
• South America & Antarctica
• Transatlantic
• United States & Canada

This premium line has traditionally been known for having an older clientele but has made a shift in recent ears to encompass a more diverse group.  Holland America Line is known for mulitgenerational travel with a variety of activities and programs for all ages.

Policies regarding children onboard:

Reservations will not be accepted for infants 6 months or younger for non-trans-ocean sailings or 12 months or younger from trans-ocean sailings at the time of cruise.  There are no programs for children under 3.  There are children’s programs and babysitting services available on board. For more information:

https://allthingscruise.com/cruise-planning/cruise-lines-childrens-programs/holland-america-line-childrens-programs/

Consumer reviews: https://allthingscruise.com/cruise-reviews/reviews/Cruise-Ships/Holland-America/index.htm

eBrochures: http://brochurerack.book-my-offer.com/AgentBrochureRack.aspx?arid=67bcbb0420ab351c5576515b4c6067c2

Shore excursions: http://www.cruisecompete.com/shore_excursions/

Dining options: https://allthingscruise.com/specialty-restaurants-alphabetically-by-cruise-line/

Voyages offered: http://www.cruisecompete.com/lines/holland_america_cruises.html

Read a cruise travel diary: https://allthingscruise.com/travel-diaries/  

Newest ships: https://allthingscruise.com/newest-ships/

Amenities offered (some cruise lines are all-inclusive): https://allthingscruise.com/all-inclusive/

Alcohol beverage policies: https://allthingscruise.com/onboard-the-ship/alcohol-policy-by-cruise-line/

About Weddings at Sea or Vow Renewals at Sea: https://allthingscruise.com/cruise-research/niche-cruises/weddings-at-sea/

Cancellation policies: https://allthingscruise.com/cruise-planning/cancellation-policy-by-cruise-line/

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2 Holland America Cruise Ships Will Witness a Total Solar Eclipse Best Viewed from the Sea

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If you’ve been wondering when and how you can see the Total Solar Eclipse, I have some exciting news! Holland America will live stream the solar eclipse from the sea – and you can join in and watch.

Two Holland America Ships Will Witness the Total Solar Eclipse

Holland America Line will have two ships, Koningsdam and Zaandam, positioned off the coast of Mexico for an ideal viewing of the total eclipse. Thanks to this positioning, guests will be some of the first to see totality, weather permitting.

Those sailing onboard other Holland America Line Ships will have the Solar Eclipse Livestream available.

Solar Eclipse Live Stream

A livestream of the event aboard Koningsdam will begin at approximately 10:20 a.m. PST (1:20 EST) at the following link:  Holland America’s Solar Eclipse Live Stream (on Facebook)

Here are some details shared by Holland America in a media advisory:

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, beginning over the Pacific Ocean and heading northeast from Mexico, across a wide swath of the United States and into Canada. The first location that will experience totality is off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, around 11 a.m. PST.

Koningsdam Eclipse Cruise

WHO: Zaandam Captain Ane Smit and  Dr. Adam Burgasser , a professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, observational astrophysicist, and science lecturer will be aboard Koningsdam’s eclipse cruise and available for comment to discuss what makes this eclipse so special, and why viewing the eclipse aboard a cruise ship is a truly unique experience.

Guests on Zaandam Will be Some of the First to See the Eclipse in Totality

Captain Ane Smit shares, “Our guests will be some of the first to see the eclipse in totality and everyone aboard Zaandam will be working to make that experience extremely special for them—including everyone on the bridge. Our plan is to put ourselves in the path of the eclipse before it starts and be right on the center path when it’s at full totality. We’ll most likely be maintaining a low speed, keeping the sun straight ahead or astern to ensure the best view.”

There’s No Better Place to See the Eclipse than at Sea

“This first total solar eclipse in North America in seven years is something people around the world — including astronomers — are excited to observe, and there’s no better place to see the eclipse than at sea” explains Dr. Adam Burgasser.

“Not only will the Sun be blocked for over 4 minutes, turning day into night, the entire environment will change — the air will cool, plants and animals will react, and the world around us will take on a cosmic stillness. Moreover, at sea we’ll be able to view the eclipse from horizon to horizon, discerning the edge of the Sun’s shadow that will appear as a 360-degree twilight.”

Future Eclipse Sailings

These 2 Holland America sailings have been very popular! At a recent press event, we learned that Holland America will have 3 sailings available to book for the next eclipse in 2026.

Be sure to keep an eye out for those sailings if you’re interested in witnessing a solar eclipse at sea!

Happy Cruising!

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Better to book directly or with travel agent?

By torybruno , November 27, 2023 in Holland America Line

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I’ve always heard of people getting price drops, just wondering which way is better to book that we may score a price drop?    

Any certain cabin type to book for this as well?

thanks in advance!

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When it comes to price drops, it is incumbent on the cruiser to constantly monitor pricing (on HAL's web site or a cruise agency web site) and promotions.  If you see a significant drop (or positive change in amenities) contact your PCC, cruise agent, etc. and ask about getting your reservation "rerpriced."

While some agents will give their clients a "heads up" regarding changes, most will simply depend on the customer (that would be you) to inform them of changes.  I should add that since DW and I usually have 5 or 6 cruise bookings (often with 5 or 6 different cruise lines) I spend about a half hour, twice a week, checking on the various bookings for price/amenity changes.  It is not only a "labor of love" but will often save us thousands of dollars every year.

1 hour ago, Hlitner said: When it comes to price drops, it is incumbent on the cruiser to constantly monitor pricing (on HAL's web site or a cruise agency web site) and promotions.  If you see a significant drop (or positive change in amenities) contact your PCC, cruise agent, etc. and ask about getting your reservation "rerpriced."   While some agents will give their clients a "heads up" regarding changes, most will simply depend on the customer (that would be you) to inform them of changes.  I should add that since DW and I usually have 5 or 6 cruise bookings (often with 5 or 6 different cruise lines) I spend about a half hour, twice a week, checking on the various bookings for price/amenity changes.  It is not only a "labor of love" but will often save us thousands of dollars every year.   Hank

Just a caveat about finding lower prices---be sure to know what may disappear. If the lower price is not part of the same booking deal, things may disappear that were on the original booking. For instance, if the original had OBC and the new lower price does not provide the same OBC, it might not really be lower. Or another example is the new booking may require a higher deposit. If you do not pay the extra for the deposit, you can lose the booking. We had one of those once when a lower price was found, and then paid the extra deposit after being warned by our TA. It was worth it, but not if we had not known and increased our deposit when we opted for the lower price.

8 minutes ago, ontheweb said: Just a caveat about finding lower prices---be sure to know what may disappear. If the lower price is not part of the same booking deal, things may disappear that were on the original booking. For instance, if the original had OBC and the new lower price does not provide the same OBC, it might not really be lower. Or another example is the new booking may require a higher deposit. If you do not pay the extra for the deposit, you can lose the booking. We had one of those once when a lower price was found, and then paid the extra deposit after being warned by our TA. It was worth it, but not if we had not known and increased our deposit when we opted for the lower price.

For us, it does get a bit complicated since we usually have multiple bookings with different cruise lines.  In our case, we have a couple of excellent cruise agents (that handle all cruise lines) so its just a matter of sending a quick/short e-mail to our agent asking her to look into the options,  We usually will hear back within a few hours and either of our favored agents will lay out all the options along with her suggestion.  Since we generally take longer cruises they also can involve the option of whether to book under a single booking number (i.e. one long voyage) or multiple booking numbers (back to back to back, etc).  Our agents also look at those options since it can make a big difference on longer voyages.

We believe in corporate welfare. Once we make our booking after checking out various  options upfront, we are done with spending any more time on it. Part of our own "vacation planning".

The only later reconsiderations are up-sell offers that may come in closer to departure time. But we already have a set per diem value up front, so we can easily accept or reject any latter in-house upsell offers. 

Since we are among the much-maligned HAL cheerleaders, we always leave our cruises feeling over all we got more than our monies worth no matter what our final costs. 

Ken the cruiser

Just a curious question if I might in an attempt to understand the "Club Orange" option better. If you initially book one of the cheapest veranda cabin categories, say VF, then purchase Club Orange and are able to get a free upgrade to one of the most expense Veranda categories, say VB, is it even possible to refare the booking after that? 

crystalspin

6 hours ago, torybruno said: I’ve always heard of people getting price drops, just wondering which way is better to book that we may score a price drop?   Any certain cabin type to book for this as well?

Cheerleader here. I use a Personal Cruise Consultant (HAL employee assigned to me). I have to watch the promos and run dummy bookings every so often as Hank described above, though, then give her a call or email to set up a call.

Aspects I haven't seen mentioned here. (1) You MUST have a refundable deposit to refare. There are two fares with refundable deposits: Advantage Fare, which you must call and ask about. I guess that would be true every time you want to check for drops. This is a bare-bones fare with a refundable deposit. The other is the "Best Value" Have-It-All fare you can see on the website. (2) There must be available cabins in your category (and I believe sub-category) to refare your own cabin. This is because refaring is actually cancellation/rebooking without putting your cabin in danger of loss.

So about your second question, if you book the top category suite, it is more likely that it will sell out! There are more standard verandahs, oceanviews, and insides obviously, with Vista Suites in the middle. But I have seen Vista Suites sell out! (sub-category Aft Vista Suites always sell out)

To contact your PCC (or get one) call 1-800-355-3017 and stay on until it gives you the opportunity to talk to a person (have your mariner number handy). Or enter their extension if you can find it on most emails! 

I have no experience with Guarantees or Club Orange and re-fares.

Yes you can refare with Club Orange.  It is just very complicated.  The category that you pay for is the controlling price.  So if you pay for a VF and get upgraded to a VB, the refare is based on VF.  However, you have to get an agent who understands this. Most of them insist that the VB is controlling and you have to get transferred to a resolution specialist to make it work. 

6 hours ago, KAKcruiser said: Yes you can refare with Club Orange.  It is just very complicated.  The category that you pay for is the controlling price.  So if you pay for a VF and get upgraded to a VB, the refare is based on VF.  However, you have to get an agent who understands this. Most of them insist that the VB is controlling and you have to get transferred to a resolution specialist to make it work. 

Wouldn't it be easier to do this with a travel agent who has contacts with the cruise line? Wouldn't that be better than being told you cannot and then hoping they will actually transfer you to to a resolutions specialist?

53 minutes ago, ontheweb said: Wouldn't it be easier to do this with a travel agent who has contacts with the cruise line? Wouldn't that be better than being told you cannot and then hoping they will actually transfer you to to a resolutions specialist?

This is the kind of issue that is easily handled by a decent (emphasis on "decent") cruise agent.  I know, for example, that one of our two favored cruise agents, routinely handles lots of HAL bookings (including when we have booked HAL).  When she calls HAL, it will usually be to discuss multiple bookings (from various clients) and she speaks to different HAL staff then PCCs and the reservations clerks who handle individuals who call the toll free number.  

For those not familiar with working with good cruise agents here is how this would work.  If I spotted a significant price drop (I do not bother with small drops) I simply send an e-mail to my cruise agent, mention the booking #, that a saw a price drop, and would she please check it out.  If I have special amenities or Club Orange with the current booking, I will mention to the agent that I want to maintain those amenities (which includes CO).  She will usually get back to me within a few hours and explain whether she did reprice and if there were any issues.  All very simple (for me) and it takes less than 1 minute to send that e-mail.  While I am pretty good with dealing with cruise issues, my agents are true professionals (with various industry designations like MCC, CT, etc).  There are times when using a professional does result in benefits.

When it comes to doing the club orange upgrade I have found it's easier to use a PCC with HAL since they understand the system better than most TA's do.  I always ask first if CO is available on the particular cruise (because they do limit the capacity) and if so then book the lowest category (usually a guarantee) in a class then tell the PCC which cabin I want and they handle it all.  For example, on a recent booking on Nieuw Statendam I booked a guarantee OV and bought CO and then upgraded to a forward facing Spa OV on deck 10. CO costs less than the published fare difference so we got CO and the highest grade cabin for less than the cost of booking the Spa OV alone. 

CO is really only worth booking on the Pinnacle class ships, IMHO, because they have separate CO dining rooms.  Buying CO on the other ships does get you the "cut the line" at the dining room and the CO entree' but not much more. 

Having said that, if we're doing a booking that doesn't involve a CO upgrade I usually use a TA because you always get more perks that way (OBC, cash back, etc).  But remember to always ask your HAL PCC what group rates are available (those are generally the rates shown by the TA's online) and you can get them through HAL too if you ask.  But also be aware that while they can save you money they are often nonrefundable fares.  Nothing is for nothing with HAL so you do give up some flexibility when you book the less costly fare. 

3 hours ago, Hlitner said: This is the kind of issue that is easily handled by a decent (emphasis on "decent") cruise agent.  I know, for example, that one of our two favored cruise agents, routinely handles lots of HAL bookings (including when we have booked HAL).  When she calls HAL, it will usually be to discuss multiple bookings (from various clients) and she speaks to different HAL staff then PCCs and the reservations clerks who handle individuals who call the toll free number.     For those not familiar with working with good cruise agents here is how this would work.  If I spotted a significant price drop (I do not bother with small drops) I simply send an e-mail to my cruise agent, mention the booking #, that a saw a price drop, and would she please check it out.  If I have special amenities or Club Orange with the current booking, I will mention to the agent that I want to maintain those amenities (which includes CO).  She will usually get back to me within a few hours and explain whether she did reprice and if there were any issues.  All very simple (for me) and it takes less than 1 minute to send that e-mail.  While I am pretty good with dealing with cruise issues, my agents are true professionals (with various industry designations like MCC, CT, etc).  There are times when using a professional does result in benefits.   Hank

Yes, as others have said a truly excellent TA is worth more than just whatever discount or OBC that can be provided. I once had absolutely contradictory information from a cruise line (Princess) over whether they did or did not have a transfer from London to Dover. I called our TA. He then called the representative he worked with at the cruise line and put us on a 3 way call. After ascertaining the correct information, he said to his representative would he stay on the line and answer any questions I had about the cruise. And then the 2 of us had a pleasant conversation wiht him answering any questions I had.

Toofarfromthesea

7 hours ago, ontheweb said: Wouldn't it be easier to do this with a travel agent who has contacts with the cruise line? Wouldn't that be better than being told you cannot and then hoping they will actually transfer you to to a resolutions specialist?

What???  And not be in control of your booking?

2 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:   What???  And not be in control of your booking?

Yes, still waiting for someone to explain why having to call the cruise company as opposed to a TA gives one "total control".

6 hours ago, Real NHDOC said: CO is really only worth booking on the Pinnacle class ships, IMHO, because they have separate CO dining rooms.  Buying CO on the other ships does get you the "cut the line" at the dining room and the CO entree' but not much more. 

I disagree with this. The ability to upgrade your cabin is really the big draw for us with CO. Yes, the separate dinning room was nice but not the most important  feature of CO. The expand room service menu and tender priority also are a plus.

I've used our TA for booking the 3 cruises where I booked CO. I just send her an email with a screen shot of what I want to book and which cabin I want to upgrade to (along with a second choice) and she handles it.

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Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam to Return to Dover

• April 8, 2024

The Port of Dover announced that Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will return to Dover again this year, according to a press release.

Both ships will call in Dover on April 20 and 26 respectively, following the Rotterdam’s commemorative 150 th anniversary voyage on April 17, 2023, and the Nieuw Statendam’s inaugural call on September 8, 2023. The Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam will both visit Dover as part of transatlantic voyages.

This follows Holland America’s announcement to add Dover as the UK homeport for the Nieuw Statendam in 2025, with 10 sailings in summer 2025, its largest set of UK calls in ten years. The ship will explore destinations including the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Iberia and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover said: “It’s always a joy to welcome Holland America Line and their guests back to Dover. The upcoming return of Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will give us another fantastic opportunity to celebrate our unique history together, whilst adding another chapter to the story.

“We are excited for the future and look forward to presenting the very best of Kent alongside Dover’s much-loved scenery and heritage when Nieuw Statendam sails in for many more port-of-call visits.”

Karen Farndell, Holland America Line director of sales and marketing, said: “We can’t wait to return to Dover and are eagerly awaiting giving our guests the opportunity to explore the local area. We always receive a warm welcome and the sight of the iconic white cliffs is the perfect landmark for our visit.

“Nieuw Statendam will be a regular fixture next year, as she will spend a full season sailing out of Dover, providing our guests with an even greater choice of destinations and the option to sail with us without the need to fly. So the visit gives us the ideal opportunity to prepare for 2025 and all the benefits and opportunities it will bring.”

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'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Cheers broke out on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship when the total solar eclipse began on Monday.

Off the coast of Mazatlan, Mexico, passengers were perched on loungers, reclining on beach towels and lining the railings of Deck 14 with cameras on tripods at the ready. When the sliver of fiery orange that remained of the sun disappeared, a black circle ringed by white light took its place. Passengers applauded the moment they'd been awaiting since the ship departed from San Diego on Friday.

The sunny, 72-degree weather – quintessential cruise weather – gave way to chilly wind and late morning’s best impression of sunset. The horizon line glowed orange in the dusky sky.

Cruise ships can help take guests to the path of totality for eclipses, allowing passengers to get a prime viewing spot and make a vacation of it.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun as it moves between the sun and Earth.

While the sun is about 400 times bigger than the moon, the moon is roughly 400 times closer to Earth. “In the past, the moon was much closer, and in the future, the moon will be much further away,” said Adam Burgasser, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, San Diego, and director of the Cool Star Lab, who served as an onboard expert during the cruise. “And so we're in a special time, which, of course, lasts for billions of years, where it's set up just right to block out the sun.”

Total solar eclipses take place about every 18 months on average, but the last one visible from the U.S. was in 2017 .

The phenomenon creates a multi-sensory experience, with a cold front moving in ahead of the eclipse. “You block the sun, and it gets cold,” said Burgasser. “It’s actually just that simple. And it's slow enough that the atmosphere can react.”

Plants and animals respond, too: Birds often begin to chirp, plants may close up, and nocturnal will come out. “It’s kind of an all-around-you experience where it's not just the fact that the sun has been blocked that’s so fascinating, but just the effect it has on the entire environment.” Those effects weren’t easily discernible on Koningsdam, though, which was about 150 miles from shore.

Nicole Chaput, a 57-year-old passenger from Calgary in Canada, said partial and total eclipses are “totally different.”

“I heard someone describe it as being partly pregnant,” she said. “You can’t do it. There’s no comparison.”

What makes a cruise a good place to see an eclipse?

Bad weather can wreck even the best-laid viewing plans. If a city in the path of totality has overcast skies, it can be tough to quickly move to an alternate site.

“If you're on a cruise ship and a little bit farther to the east or a little bit farther to the west along the path, there's clear sky, the ship can move,” said Dan Jarrell, who was on the cruise with his wife, Kay, and friends. The Washington, D.C.-area resident has seen solar eclipses with friends during two other sailings, including on Holland America’s Veendam in 1998.

“If you're on land and there's not a road there, you’d better have a tank,” Jarrell said.

That’s where a cruise ship comes in handy. “Having the ability to map out based on what the current weather is where you can catch the eclipse, and having a range over the course of the ocean where you could chase that a little bit is certainly helpful,” Burgasser added.

Capt. Ane Smit, Master aboard Holland America’s Zaandam for the viewing, said the ship can move at a maximum of 20 knots, so the crew needs to scout out the conditions with enough time to move as needed.

“If it's not good enough, we really need to start finding another spot because we are not the quickest vehicle, of course, to be driving around, but we have the luxury of being able to go in any direction without any restriction,” he said. “It’s a pretty wide highway that we have.”

The view of the horizon also allows passengers to “see that shadow coming in and leaving more so than you can in a topographical area,” said Burgasser. Being in the ocean away from city lights is also helpful for seeing stars and other parts of the sky usually only visible at night.

The cruise line also made the practicalities of watching an eclipse easier: eclipse glasses were distributed to guests’ staterooms and Burgasser guided guests through the event via the ship’s speaker system, before and after totality.

More eclipse cruises on the horizon

If you missed your chance to see it this time or want another go, Holland America has more eclipse-viewing opportunities on the books.

“Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's Vice President of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, said in an email. Details have not yet been released.

Other cruise lines offer similar opportunities as well. Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess was near Koningsdam on Monday.

Chaput, the Canadian passenger, said she’s been “chasing” total solar eclipses since seeing her first one in 1991. Monday’s eclipse marked her seventh viewing and second on a cruise ship.

“I think it’s just such an amazing natural phenomenon,” she said. “It’s seeing science in action.”

Contributing: Josh Rivera, USA TODAY

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Holland America Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected]

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.”