Holland America

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Holland America Line suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all the 14 liners) cancelling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 13, 2020, through April 30, 2021. Fleetwide operations are currently planned to resume on May 1, 2021.

Next are listed the HAL's first departures by ship (homeport/destination): Nieuw Statendam (May 2, Amsterdam/Baltic-Europe), Nieuw Rotterdam (Aug 1, Maiden Voyage, Trieste/Adriatic-Mediterranean-Baltic), Nieuw Amsterdam (June 13, Vancouver to Whittier/Alaska), Koningsdam (June 12, Vancouver to Alaska), Eurodam (June 12, Seattle to Alaska), Noordam (June 13, Vancouver to Whittier/Alaska), Westerdam (June 19, Athens/Mediterranean), Oosterdam (June 13, Seattle to Alaska), Zuiderdam (June 9, Vancouver to Alaska), Zaandam (Sept 4, Boston to Montreal/Canada and New England), Volendam (June 7, Venice/Mediterranean-Europe).

• All HAL Alaska cruises and Alaskan cruisetours (Land+Sea Journeys) in 2020 were cancelled, which affected 7 ships (Eurodam, Koningsdam, Maasdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam, Westerdam).
• European cruise cancellations affected 5 ships - Nieuw Amsterdam (Mediterranean), Nieuw Statendam (Norwegian Fjords-Baltic-Mediterranean), Rotterdam (Norwegian Fjords-Baltic), Veendam (UK-Norway Fjords-Baltic-Mediterranean), Zuiderdam (Iceland-UK-Baltic).
• New England-Canada cancellations affected the ship Zaandam (Boston-Montreal).
• Also cancelled was MS Amsterdam's 79-day World Cruise (Grand Africa Voyage 2020) from Boston to Fort Lauderdale (October 3 through December 21, 2020).
• In mid-November 2020 were cancelled all itineraries through March 31, 2021, as well as all 8-day and longer voyages and repositioning cruises (through November 1, 2021) that visit ports in the USA. Noordam ship's Asia 2021 program (departures from Hong Kong-Singapore-Yokohama), Oosterdam ship's Australia-New Zealand 2021 program (departures from Sydney and Auckland) and Zuiderdam ship's Caribbean and Mediterranean 2021 program (departures from Fort Lauderdale and Barcelona-Venice-Rome) were also cancelled.

To all affected bookings were offered 2 options. The first offer is rebooking with 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) plus USD 250 pp in OBC (onboard credit) on any itinerary through Dec. 31, 2022. The second offer is cancelling with a full (100% monetary) refund including on prepurchased through HAL packages and services.

• HAL's cruise cancellation policy was expanded to allow penalty-free cancellation of cruises departing through December 31, 2020. Fully refunded (100%) were all prepurchased through HAL packages and services. HAL also reimbursed cancellation fees for flights and other travel arrangements to and from the ports of the cancelled voyage.
• In July 2020, Carnival Corporation (via Holland America Line) sold 4 liners. MS Amsterdam and MS Rotterdam were sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, while MS Maasdam and MS Veendam were sold to Seajets Greece. All scheduled for the 4 ships cruises were cancelled or assumed by other HAL ships.
• In late-August, HAL extended its ever-biggest promo offer (“Save Now, Cruise Later - Have it All”) through September 30, 2020. All bookings received as bonuses / free drinks (Signature Beverage Package), onboard gratuities, Signature Dining Package (specialty dining at "Pinnacle Grill" and "Canaletto" restaurants), 50% reduced deposit, WiFi package (Suite bookings only). Travel agents received 2% bonus commission on all scheduled for 2021 HAL cruises in Europe, Canada-New England and Alaska (including "Alaska Land+Sea Journeys" packages) - which are also eligible for the “Save Now, Cruise Later - Have it All” promo.

HAL-Holland America Line (website) is a Seattle-based cruise shipping company owned by Carnival Corporation.

Company history

Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch mail-, cargo- and passenger shipping company operating regularly scheduled Transatlantic crossings between Holland and North America (also between Europe and South America). HAL was founded in 1873 as "Dutch-American Steamship Company" headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands. On October 15, 1872, started the company's first cruise itinerary (15-day crossing from Rotterdam to NYC). In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for around EUR 530 million.

On April 18, 2020, HAL commemorated its 147th anniversary. Nowadays, the Holland America company's best assets include the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon region), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses and logistics) and the Caribbean private island Little San Salvador Island. Widely known as Half Moon Cay, it is at approx 160 km (100 mi) southeast of Nassau Bahamas and is an exclusive port of call for all Carnival Corporation ships. Westmark hotels allow Holland America to dominate completely the Alaskan cruise tours market, offering the most diverse and cheap land and sea Alaska travel packages.

One of the best cruise lines for couples, the best and cheapest for Alaska, Holland America is a featured brand of Carnival Corporation - world's largest passenger shipping company. One of the main operating companies in Carnival Group, HAL is also a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines Alliance (WLCLA) - together with the sister-brands Carnival, Cunard, Costa, Seabourn, Princess, Windstar.

One of the best cruise lines for adults, Holland America fills in the category of premium-deluxe and mainstream ship travel brands. HAL cruise ships visit over 300 seaports in more than 100 countries worldwide, with over 500 traditional and Transoceanic itineraries annually. Itineraries lengths range from 2-day to 110+ days World Voyages. The majority of itineraries are 7-day, and many range between 10-21 days.

The company has a large fleet of unique liners with home-like staterooms, first-class theater shows, professional health and beauty onboard services, University at Sea (shipboard enrichment program), Club HAL (complimentary kids programs).

In 2017, HAL celebrated company's 70 years of Alaskan cruise tour operations. HAL's Alaska passenger shipping service was started in 1947 with a spontaneous cruise tour in Fairbanks, to grow into the company's "Alaska Land+Sea Journeys" - itinerary program that combines a cruise and land-based adventure tours to Denali and Yukon Canada.

The following table shows statistical data about HAL's market share (as fleet and passenger capacity / ship-berth numbers) in comparison to other major cruise companies.

New ships

HAL's newest vessels are from the Pinnacle-class - named Koningsdam (2016) and Nieuw Statendam (2018). These are also the company's ever largest ships, with gross tonnage almost 100,000 (99500 tons) and max passenger capacity 3194.

In late-January 2017, the shipowner Carnival Corporation announced 2 more shipbuilding orders. The new liners were ordered for the brands Princess Cruises (Royal-class) and Holland America Line (Pinnacle-class). Carnival signed a MoA (memorandum of agreement) with the shipbuilder Fincantieri (Italy) to construct both vessels, with scheduled delivery in 2021 (Nieuw Ryndam-Rotterdam for HAL, at Marghera yard) and 2022 (TBN for Princess, at Monfalcone yard). By the time when both shipbuilding contracts were finalized (February 2017), Carnival Corporation had a total of 19 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2017 and 2022.

HAL ships names

In company's over 130 years of maritime history, there are some quite charmingly special traditions and truly unique practices. One of them is that all HAL ships go with the "dam" suffix. They usually bear names of famous Dutch landmarks, the 4 compass points, or some of the most prominent river dams or port cities in the Netherlands. And this special list of "Dutch landmarks" includes rivers, mountains, sea, city/town.

Some vessel names have been reused (some of them several times) with old ship's retirement. This practice of renewing ship names allows the company to emotionally connect its glorious past with its amazing business growth in our times.

HAL ship classes (ordered high to low)

• Pinnacle-class are Koningsdam (2016), Nieuw Statendam (2018) and Nieuw Rotterdam (2021) - fleet's newest and ever largest vessels.
• Signature-class (enhanced Vista-class design) are Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Compared to Vista-ships, they have 1 additional deck (between Lido and Observation) allowing more staterooms (mostly spa cabins) and public venues ("Tamarind", "Silk Den").
• Vista-class are Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam.
• Single-class is Prinsendam (sold in 2018).
• Rotterdam-class (R-class) are Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam and Amsterdam.
• Statendam-class (S-class) are Statendam (now CMV Vasco de Gama), Maasdam (now Aegean Myth), Ryndam (now Pacific Aria (now Aegean Goddess)) and Veendam (now Aegean Majesty). They were fleet's 1st to have Atrium, 2-deck dining room, show lounge, Lido pool (with retractable glass roof).

In July 2018, MS Prinsendam was sold to Phoenix Reisen, starting operations for the German company (as MS Amera) on July 1, 2019. Prinsendam's cruise schedule was assimilated by the fleetmates Rotterdam, Volendam and Veendam.

Holland America Line refurbishments

In 2003-2008, by the SOE (Signature of Excellence) program, HAL upgraded all older vessels, on which were also added new venues, stateroom categories, and amenities.

In November 2015, HAL announced company's USD 300 million fleetwide drydock refurbishment program. The fleet upgrade project included Suite improvements (new decors, furnishings, amenities and services upgrades for all suite stateroom categories on Vista-Class, Signature-Class, and R-Class vessels. The first scheduled for dry-docks ships were Oosterdam and Eurodam, followed by Westerdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam,Zuiderdam,Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam, and Zaandam. Eurodam was drydock refitted in December 2015 (Dec 7-20, in Freeport Bahamas). Oosterdam was drydock refitted in 2016 (April 3-18, in Fincantieri's Palermo Sicily yard).

Each cruise suite was upgraded with a new sofa, chairs, headboard, carpet and wall coverings, privacy curtain, drapery, bed runner, bed skirt, quartz stone top (on the vanity desk), vanity lighting, dresser, dressing table, nightstands.

Other upgrades included 1 new USB outlet (on bed's headboard), bedside LED lights, upgraded electrical outlets, lighted closet rod, new interactive TV system (allowing complimentary movies-on-demand, access to the ship's daily scheduled activities program, ship information - restaurants, bars, spa services, checking onboard accounts, Internet). Suite bathrooms received a wall of designer glass tiles (backdrop to the new dressing area with modern taps, under-mount sink), new mirrors (with integrated LED lighting), stylish floor tiles, nightlight.

Since 2016, all suites (fleetwide) received the following exclusive amenities - priority services (embarkation, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations), complimentary services (laundry, pressing, dry cleaning), exclusive access to Neptune Lounge, private breakfast service (at Pinnacle Grill). The list of new suite cabin amenities includes a premium duvet, luxury bathrobes, and slippers, luxury bath products (by Elemis). BOSE SoundDock (iPod docking station), umbrella, binoculars, complimentary mimosa cocktails (with in-cabin breakfast), Nespresso coffee machine.

In 2018, HAL contracted ABB Group (Swedish-Swiss corporation specializing in robotics, marine power, and propulsion equipment) for installing shore-power systems fleetwide. The technology allows docked in ports cruise ships to receive shoreside power supply (from the city's grid) and turn off their engines, thus reducing to zero emissions and noise. ABB installed its shore-power equipment on 11x HAL ships. Switchover (ship-to-shore power) at seaports takes around 20 min.

HAL's Club Orange

"Club Orange" program provides exclusive amenities to HAL's Suite passengers booked in cabin categories Neptune and Pinnacle. The bonus perks by this program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations, hotline)
• exclusive dining venue (serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes)
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon with eggs Benedict, steak and eggs), sparkling wine (welcome glass, at embarkation day)
• Club Orange tote bag (welcome gift)
• premium bathrobes (in-cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing)

Club Orange is also available for a limited number of non-suite staterooms per voyage. The program was launched in December 2018 (on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam) and available fleetwide since 2019. On other HAL ships, Club Orange Restaurant is designed as a dedicated section in MDRs (Main Dining Rooms) opened for breakfast and dinner. On Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, "Culinary Arts Center" was renamed "Club Orange Restaurant".

In October 2019, HAL implemented fleetwide new Club Orange amenities, including cabin upgrades (within the booked category) and the "Captain's Choice" event.

• HAL customers purchasing the "Club Orange" package receive a cabin upgrade to the best available (within the booked category) stateroom (based on availability at the time of the package purchase).
• The "Captain's Choice" is during the voyage and offered as an exclusive event for Club Orange passengers only. It could be one of several pre-scheduled experiences - like exclusive pre-opening shopping access, behind the scenes hotel department tour, private coffee chat with Music Walk musicians, etc.

The Club Orange package costs USD 35 per person per day (on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam) and USD 25 pp per day on all other HAL cruise liners. Stateroom's first and second passengers are both required to buy the package. Stateroom's 3rd and 4th passengers are not charged. Club Orange must be purchased prior departure (not available for onboard purchasing).

(NEW 2019) Holland America Line's coffee brand "Rotterdam 1873"

Since February 2019, passengers on all HAL ships (fleetwide) can enjoy the new specialty coffee "Rotterdam 1873". The new brand was created exclusively for Holland America Line via partnership with Beukenhorst Coffee USA Inc (Dutch coffee house in West Palm Beach, Florida).

"Rotterdam 1873" is a small-batch roasted coffee blend named after the port city Rotterdam and the year in which Holland America Line was established. The new coffee blend consists of the best Indonesian and Central-South American Arabica coffee beans. It is available for purchasing (by the cup) in all shipboard beverage venues. As souvenir (at ship's Grand Dutch Cafe, and Explorations Cafe) is available for purchasing regular and decaffeinated 12-oz bag (Rotterdam 1873 beans).

The new coffee blend is roasted fresh in batches (by Beukenhorst Coffee USA) then supplied to the liners. Since 1989, HAL offered as an alternative (at extra cost) the Netherlands-imported "Beukenhorst Koffie" in Main Dining Rooms, Lido Market (buffet restaurants) and other onboard venues serving complimentary coffee.

(NEW) HAL cruise gratuities 2019

Prior December 2018, HAL's daily gratuities per person (pp) were USD 13,50 (interior-oceanview-balcony staterooms, applied to both adults and kids) and USD 15 (suites).

On HAL cruises after December 1 (2018), daily gratuities are increased to USD 14,50 pp per day (non-suite passengers) and USD 16 pp per day (for suite passengers).

Daily gratuity is an automatic service charge (applied to both adults and kids) that is added to passenger's onboard account each day. Passengers can prepay cruise gratuities. The amount of gratuities is split between the ship's staff (dining, housekeeping, cabin stewards).

Note: On May 1, 2017, Holland America Line raised daily gratuities from USD 12,50 to 13,50 pp (non-suite pax).

Holland America fly-cruise deals

In August 2015, Holland America added enhanced features to its flight booking program "Flight Ease". HAL's website allows travelers to choose flights (departure and return) separately, also to compare real-time airfares, plus detailed schedules. HAL also allows adding of stopover flight segments.

Flight Ease's improved functionality includes:

• calendar for flight cruise planning based on the cruise itinerary's departure and arrival dates
• independent selection of departing/return flights
• improved website navigation - you can move across fly bookings, including search, select, summary, pay
• improved search box filters to select best flights as preferred airlines, number of stops, ticket price, departure time, flight duration
• easy airfare comparison for the same flight
• flight schedules with detailed info on aircraft types, flight connections, layover times.

HAL's "Flight Ease" air booking program offers up-to-the-minute flight schedules and selection of 2 competitive pricing on flights with arrival/departure dates same as the booked cruise itinerary. All flight cruise deals booked through HAL's Flight Ease program feature 24-hour assistance and "Next Port Protection". The latter guarantees that in case of flight delays or cancellations, Holland America Line takes care of the flight changes in order to join the cruise ship at the next port of call along the booked itinerary.

Airfare payments are due with HAL cruise's final payment. Restricted Fares include cancellation fees and require full payment for the flight reservation at booking time.

(NEW) HAL cruise shore excursions "Best Price Guarantee"

Since November 2017, HAL offers a "best price guarantee" for customers with pre-booked shore excursions (land tours). The new program is available fleetwide and on all cruise itineraries, excluding only voyages in Asia. By the program, any booked passenger who finds a comparable excursion/tour deal (offering same amenities, including date, duration, transfers, transportation, meals) elsewhere at a lower price will receive an OBC ("onboard credit") of 110% of the price difference.

The request must be submitted online up to 7 days prior cruise ship departure. Booked passengers are notified within 2 days of submission if the tour/excursion meets the "Best Price Guarantee" requirements. If eligible, booked passengers receive a non-refundable OBC to be used during the voyage.

Best Price Guarantee applies only to publicly available and advertised with pricing tour deals. Passengers canceling their HAL tour on the ship are not eligible for "Best Price Guarantee" OBC. The new program further guarantees HAL tour deals' exceptional value, competitive pricing, and best quality. As of 2018, through HAL can be purchased over 4100 tours/excursions in around 550 cruise ports.

Holland America smoking policy

Implemented in January 2017, Holland America Line has a new cruise ship smoking policy banning smoking on all cabin balconies. As previously, in-cabin smoking is also not allowed. Smoking E-cigarettes and vaping devices is permitted in designated areas, as well as inside passenger staterooms (but not on cabin balconies).

Passengers who violate the company's ship' smoking policy will be fined a cleaning fee USD 250 per day.

There are smoking-allowed areas for active slot machine players located in all HAL cruise ship casinos - excepting on MS Oosterdam and MS Eurodam, which casinos are entirely smoke-free. Follows the list of Holland America ships' designated smoking-allowed areas:

• MS Maasdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Veendam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Volendam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Zaandam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Rotterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Amsterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Noordam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side and the Oak Room
• MS Oosterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Eurodam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Zuiderdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Prinsendam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the port side
• MS Nieuw Amsterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Westerdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Koningsdam and MS Nieuw Statendam - Seaview Bar/ Pool (aft portside on deck 9) and Sun Bar (aft starboard on deck 11).

For comparison, NCL Norwegian banned smoking in November 2014, Royal Caribbean - in 2011, Carnival Cruise Line - in July 2014.

Holland America Alaska cruisetours (land-and-sea packages)

The 7-day "Alaskan Explorer" (roundtrip from Seattle WA) is company's signature cruise tour itinerary for this unique destination.

The other itinerary (7-day "Inside Passage") is roundtrip from Vancouver Canada.

HAL liners in Alaska offer cruisetours with lengths 10-13-14-15 days. They are inclusive of 3-day cruising (between Vancouver-Juneau) plus scenic train travel (Juneau-Anchorage) on the White Pass-Yukon Route Railway.

• (Y5C) 10-Day Yukon+double Denali (Vancouver to Anchorage)
• (Y3C) 13-Day Yukon+triple Denali (Vancouver to Anchorage)
• (Y3L) 14-Day Yukon+triple Denali (Anchorage to Vancouver)
• (Y2l) 15-Day Yukon+triple Denali (Anchorage to Vancouver).

The list of HAL-Holland America cruise destinations includes Alaska, Caribbean (also Panama Canal), Hawaii, Europe (Mediterranean), Australia, Asia, Canada and New England USA, Transatlantic (repositioning), South America, Around The World voyages.

At CruiseMapper you can easily compare all HAL cruise itinerary changes per liner (now and in the coming two years) on a single page. The comparison of all HAL destinations by boat will give you all homeport and itinerary changes in the company's current program.

HAL itineraries 2021-2022 review

Five HAL-Holland America Line ships are scheduled to explore Europe in 2021, including ms Nieuw Rotterdam which is expected to debut at the height of the summer European season. Joining the new flagship of the fleet are ms Nieuw Statendam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam, putting a couple of Pinnacle Class vessels in the region. MS Zaandam heads to Europe on the "Voyage of the Vikings" itinerary in July next year.

From April through November 2021, the 5 ships offer itineraries ranging between 7 and 35 days, as well as longer Collectors' Voyages of up to 29 days. In addition to transatlantic crossings between Fort Lauderdale FL and Europe, the liners visit the Baltic, British Isles, Spanish and French rivieras, Mediterranean, Iberian Peninsula, and Northern Europe including Norway, Greenland, Iceland, and the North Cape.

HAL's departure options include Amsterdam, Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona, Venice, and Civitavecchia (Rome). The "Voyage of the Vikings" sails roundtrip from Boston MA with a segment departure from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Select cruises feature overnights at Istanbul, Reykjavik, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Rotterdam, Saint Petersburg, Venice, Valletta.

Many of the trips can be extended into Collectors' Voyages ranging between 14-29 days and featuring longer B2Bs (back-to-back itineraries).

MS Rotterdam sails a 7-day "Premiere Voyage" out of Venice to Rome on August 1, 2021, and then relocates to Northern Europe for roundtrips from Amsterdam. Through October 2021, the liner offers three 7-day itineraries to Norway, a 14-day Baltic, and a 14-day Norway-Iceland-British Isles voyage. A Transatlantic crossing completes the inaugural Europe season (14-day from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale Florida).

In addition to ms Rotterdam, ms Nieuw Statendam offers 7-day itineraries roundtrip from Amsterdam (through August) plus a 14-day "Voyage of the Midnight Sun". In addition to Norway, ms Nieuw Statendam sails to the Northern Isles and Baltic, including Ireland, Iceland and the UK on 14-day itineraries. Then Nieuw Statendam repositions to the Western Mediterranean for roundtrips from Civitavecchia-Rome (10-days). The liner also offers singular 7-9--12-day Mediterranean itineraries.

(TRANSATLANTIC) The 35-day "Voyage of the Vikings" cruise 2021 departs on July 17 roundtrip from Boston (MS Zaandam) and visits ports in the USA, Canada, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Holland. Two shorter itinerary segments are offered - 16-day Boston to Rotterdam and 19-day Rotterdam to Boston.

(MEDITERRANEAN) HAL deployes two ships in the Med in 2021 (Zuiderdam and Westerdam) with 11-12-day itineraries leaving from 4 homeports (Athens, Rome, Venice, Barcelona) and visiting Istanbul, Mykonos, Monaco, Koper, Limassol, Rijeka. Many are with an overnight in Piraeus-Athens or Venice / at the beginning or end of the voyage.

From April through October 2021, MS Westerdam is scheduled for 12-day Mediterranean roundtrips from Venice or between Venice and Athens/Barcelona. Two 7-day itineraries (Saturday departures) in July visit Greece and Turkey. A 12-day "Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms" roundtrip from Venice (May 2021) visits in Israel Haifa and Ashdod.

MS Zuiderdam's Mediterranean season also offer 12-day roundtrips from Venice (or between Venice and Athens/Barcelona to ports in the Adriatic, Eastern-Western Mediterranean, Greek Isles.

(ALASKA) For summer 2021, HAL has a 6-ship fleet deployed in Alaska (Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam). The Alaskan program is based on 7-day itineraries leaving roundtrip from Seattle (themed "Alaskan Explorer") and Vancouver BC (themed "Alaska Inside Passage"), or one-way (themed "Glacier Discovery Northbound", "Glacier Discovery Southbound") between Vancouver and Whitter/Anchorage. HAL's Alaskan packages (Land+Sea Journeys) range in length 9-18 days.

CARIBBEAN 2021-2022 itinerary program

HAL's 2021-2022 Caribbean program is based on ex-Florida roundtrip itineraries (7- to 21 days) and 6 cruise ships - all leaving from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Florida.

The program runs between October 2021 and April 2022 and features itineraries that offer a day cruising in the Panama Canal's Gatun Lake. The 6 Holland America Caribbean ships in 2021-2022 include Nieuw Rotterdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Zaandam. All itineraries visit Half Moon Cay - the company's private island in the Bahamas.

HAL's newest ship (Rotterdam) starts the Caribbean season with 3- and 4-day samplers. The 4-day sampler (November 3) visits Half Moon Cay and Key West FL, the 3-day sampler (November 7) visits only Half Moon Cay. Follow voyages ranging from 6- to 11 days.

HAL's Caribbean itinerary program in 2021-2022 (all roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale) includes:

• 3-4-5-day "Bahamas Sampler" itinerary to Half Moon Cay and Nassau (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" itinerary to Grand Turk, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI and Half Moon Cay (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 7-8-day "Western Caribbean" itinerary to Belize City, Falmouth Jamaica, Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, Cozumel Mexico, Half Moon Cay and Nassau (ships Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 7-9-10-11-14-day "Southern Caribbean" itinerary to Amber Cove Dominican Rep, Bridgetown Barbados, Oranjestad Aruba, Kralendijk Bonaire, Willemstad Curacao, Philipsburg St Maarten, Fort-de-France Martinique, Castries St Lucia, Basseterre St Kitts, Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe, St Georges Grenada, Port-of-Spain Trinidad, Half Moon Cay, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam)
• 6-7-day "Tropical Caribbean" itinerary to Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 10-11-day "Partial Panama Canal" itinerary to Cartagena Colombia, Colon Panama, Puerto Limon Costa Rica, Oranjestad Aruba, Half Moon Cay, Panama Canal partial transit (ship Eurodam)

Many of the HAL's Caribbean itineraries can be extended/combined into B2Bs (Collectors Voyages) and booked as discount priced back-to-backs ranging between 13-21 days.

Holland America cruise itinerary changes

Holland America itineraries themed "Signature Experiences"

HAL new culturally themed "Signature Experiences" are available on select cruise itineraries departing out of Montreal (Quebec Canada) and in Europe - from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Civitavecchia-Rome and Venice.

• These are pre-cruise packages created exclusively for HAL with included evening event (themed on culture or culinary), 2-night luxury hotel stay and bus transfers to the cruise ship. Guests booking a suite cabin on these eligible cruises receive the package complimentarily, but as space is limited reservations are required.
• The pre-cruise "Signature Experiences" tour packages for non-suite passengers as prices range between USD 700-1000 per person (double occupancy). Taxes and port fees are additional.
• "Taste of Montreal" pre-cruise tour package is on select Canada New England cruises from Montreal. The tour visits the city's most popular sights. The package also includes a 2-night hotel stay and complimentary ship transfers. HAL passengers visit Place Ville Marie and its observation deck (Au Sommet Place Ville Marie) for fabulous city views. The tour culminates with the Pointe-a-Calliere museum where a private party with appetizers and an open bar is held.
• Port of Amsterdam Holland - the pre-cruise tour package includes an evening at Rijksmuseum - after-hours private tour, cocktail reception with hors-d'oeuvres in the museum's foyer, Rijksmuseum Honor Gallery tour, followed by a 3-course dinner in its cafe.
• Port Barcelona Spain - the pre-cruise tour package includes an evening at Casa Batllo - private tour, followed by informal dinner with tapas and drinks while enjoying flamenco music by Son de Cajon.
• Port Copenhagen Denmark - the pre-cruise tour package includes a night at Kronborg Castle (UNESCO Heritage Site) where guests are entertained by local actors providing a history of Shakespeare's Hamlet, then follow appetizers and beverages.
• Port Civitavecchia (Rome Italy) - the pre-cruise tour package "A Night Out in Ancient Rome" includes an evening at Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi. The formal dinner is on a terrace overlooking the Roman Forum. After in appetizers and prosecco, guests enjoy a private tour of the Colosseum lead by an expert guide.
• Port Venice Italy - the pre-cruise tour package "An Evening on the Grand Canal" includes an evening canal cruise to the entrance of a privately owned palace overlooking the Grand Canal. The guests enjoy a formal dinner with appetizers, drinks, and live music, all in the company of the countess or member of her noble family.
• Signature Experiences" pre-cruise tour packages for departure ports in Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Asia will be added soon.

HAL cruises to Cuba

HAL Holland America Line scheduled cruises to Cuba roundtrip from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale Florida) on MS Veendam. HAL's 7-, 11-and 12-days long Cuban cruise itineraries also visit other Caribbean ports of call. HAL's prices started at USD 900 per person (double occupancy inside cabin rates).

The current list of passenger shipping lines offering cruises to Cuba includes:

• Carnival Paradise leaving from Tampa Florida - prices started from USD 480 pp
• Royal Caribbean (ship Empress of the Seas) from Miami and Tampa since April 2017
• MSC Cruises (ship MSC Opera, leaving from Havana)
• Oceania Cruises (ships Marina and Regatta) starting in 2017, Cuba circumnavigation, stops in Cienfuegos and Havana, also part of some Panama Canal transition itineraries.
• NCL (ship Norwegian Sky) 4-day itineraries with Havana overnights - starting May 2017
• Azamara Cruises (ship on Azamara Quest from Miami)
• Ponant Cruises (superyacht Le Ponant, leaving from Miami Florida)
• Pearl Seas Cruises (ship Pearl Mist, leaving from Fort Lauderdale Florida) since January 2017
• Thomson UK / Marella Cruises (ship Marella Dream) 7-day, leaving roundtrip from Jamaica (Montego Bay) to Havana
• Lindblad Expeditions (chartered sailing ship MS Panorama II, leaving from Havana)
• Celestyal Cruises (ship Celestyal Crystal, leaving from Havana and Montego Bay Jamaica)
• Grand Circle Cruise Line (ship MV Clio / ex Tere Moana) one-way from Miami to Havana, or the reverse from Havana to Miami (embarkation/disembarkation in port Cienfuegos).
• International Expeditions (leaving from Havana, charter flights out of Miami)
• Victory Cruise Lines - MS Victory I (former MS Saint Laurent) - fly-cruises from Miami to Havana (home-port Cienfuegos /departures)

Note: According to the current Cuban law, US citizens of Cuban origin (born in Cuba) are not allowed to visit the island country (including on cruise ships). Regardless of their US citizenship status, Cuban-born Americans were denied booking on cruise itineraries visiting ports in Cuba. However, the situation changed in April 2016, after Carnival Corporation negotiated with the Cuban government for allowing ships with Cuban-born passengers, as such US citizens are allowed to visit the country on USA-Cuba charter flights. The Carnival-fathom line started Miami to Cuba cruises in May 2016.

Alaska Airlines offers regular nonstop flights to Havana from Los Angeles (California USA). An 80-min ling JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Havana costs less than USD 100. Previously, air travel from the USA to Cuba was thought charter flights only.

IMPORTANT: On June 4, 2019, the US Government announced new regulations (economic sanctions) that ended group travel to Cuba, including via US-homeported cruise liners, effective immediately. The ban relates to "private and corporate aircraft, cruise ships, sailboats, fishing boats, and other similar aircraft and vessels". The US travel restrictions impacted hundreds of pre-scheduled cruise itineraries, which were adjusted to no longer stop in Cuban seaports.