Holland America

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

HAL's current President is Gustavo Antorcha (since July 2020) who was previously the COO of CCL-Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America Group's current President is Jan Swartz (since December 2020) who was previously the President of Princess Cruises. The Group combines and manages the subsidiaries Princess Cruises, HAL-Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Australia, HAP-Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, as well as all inter-group operations.

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 ~EUR 530 million.

(NEW) Since April 21, 2021, HAL offers the all-inclusive package (alcohol included) "Have It All". It includes beverages (also spirits/max 15 drinks per day, bar service included), specialty dining (1x dinner for all passengers in the stateroom), Wi-Fi package (1st and 2nd passengers in the stateroom), 1x shore excursion (max value $100). "Have It All" costs USD 99 per person per day and offers at least 50% savings (as included amenities) in comparison to purchasing them separately. On longer itineraries (10-20 days in length) the "Have It All" package additionally offers US$100 (tour credit) per passenger.

On April 18, 2020, HAL commemorated its 147th anniversary. Nowadays, the 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 call port 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 - the 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 CCL-Carnival, Cunard, Costa, Princess, P&O (UK and Australia), Seabourn.

One of the best cruise lines for adults, Holland America fills in the category of premium-deluxe and mainstream ship travel brands. HAL ships visit 300+ seaports in 100+ countries, with 500+ traditional and Transoceanic itineraries annually. Voyages' lengths range from 2-day to 110+ days (World Voyages), but the majority are 7-days, 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 the 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 cruising with land-based adventure tours to Denali and Yukon Canada.

Dutch Royal Family members serving as HAL ship godparents

On October 17, 2021, HAL officially announced the name of the new Rotterdam ship's godmother - HRH Princess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands (1943-born, from the house of Orange-Nassau/van Lippe-Biesterfeld). Princess Margriet is the 3rd daughter of Queen Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina (1909-2004) and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911-2004) and is an aunt of Holland's current monarch Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand (1967-born, King of the Netherlands since 2013).

HAL's connection to The House of Orange-Nassau (Huis van Oranje-Nassau/Dutch Royal Family) started in 1929 when Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1876-1934, Prince of the Netherlands/husband of Queen Wilhelmina between 1901-34) godfathered Statendam III (1927-built passenger liner). Next are listed the godmothers of HAL liners through the 20th-21st centuries.

Princess Margriet Francisca (1943-born) named 5x liners - Prinsendam I (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997), Oosterdam (2003), Rotterdam VII (2021).

Queen Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti (1971-born/spouse of King Willem-Alexander) named 2x liners - Nieuw Amsterdam (2010), Koningsdam (2016).

Princess Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (1938-born) named Statendam IV (1957) and/as Queen Beatrix (reign 1980-2013) named Eurodam (2008).

Queen Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina (1909-2004) named Rotterdam V (1958).

Queen Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria (1880-1962) named Nieuw Amsterdam II (1937).

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 GT tonnage 99500 tons and max passenger capacity 3194.

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

HAL ships names

In the 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 the 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 Vasco da Gama), Maasdam (now Aegean Myth), Ryndam (now Pacific Aria (now Aegean Goddess)) and Veendam (now Aegean Majesty). They were the 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 a USD 300 million fleetwide drydock refurbishment program. The fleet renovation project included Suite improvements (new decors, furnishings, amenities and services upgrades) for all staterooms on Vista-Signature-R-Class boats. The first scheduled for drydocks were Oosterdam and Eurodam, followed by Westerdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam,Zuiderdam,Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam.

All passenger Suites were upgraded with new sofas, chairs, headboards, carpets and wall coverings, privacy curtains, draperies, bed runners, bed skirts, quartz stone tops (on the vanity desks), vanity lighting, dressers, dressing tables, nightstands.

Other upgrades included a new USB outlet (on the headboard), bedside LED lights, upgraded electrical outlets, lighted closet rod, new interactive HDTV 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 ships to receive shoreside power supply (from the port city's grid) and turn off their diesel engines/generators, thus reducing to zero emissions and noise. ABB installed its shore-power equipment on 11x HAL liners. Switchover (ship-to-shore power) at seaports takes ~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 a 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

Prior to 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 the 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 cancelations, 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 cancelation 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 the 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).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Holland America Line suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all the 14 liners) canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 13, 2020, through June 30, 2021.

Next are listed HAL's first departures by ship (homeport/destination) in 2021-2022: ROTTERDAM (October 20/Maiden Voyage/Transatlantic from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale), NIEUW AMSTERDAM (July 24/Alaska from Seattle), NIEUW STATENDAM (Nov 21/Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale), KONINGSDAM (Oct 10/Mexico from San Diego California), EURODAM (Aug 15/Mediterranean from Piraeus-Athens), NOORDAM (May 8, 2022/Alaska from Vancouver), OOSTERDAM (May 1, 2022/Mediterranean from Civitavecchia-Rome), ZUIDERDAM (Sept 18/Mexico from San Diego California), ZAANDAM (May 12, 2022/Fort Lauderdale to Montreal/Canada-New England), VOLENDAM (May 1, 2022/Baltic from Rotterdam), WESTERDAM (May 8, 2022/Alaska from Seattle).

• All HAL Alaska cruises and Alaskan cruisetours (Land+Sea Journeys) in 2020-2021 were initially canceled, but in 2021 NIEUW AMSTERDAM was rescheduled for Alaskan roundtrips from Seattle (July 24 thru Oct 2).
• Due to Canada's extended (through 2022) ban on cruise ships, HAL's Canada and New England cruises 2021 were all canceled.
• VOLENDAM's "World Cruise 2022" from Fort Lauderdale (74-day "Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage 2022") was canceled.
• ZAANDAM's "World Cruise 2022" (129-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale/Jan 3-May 12) was canceled.
• All ship relocation itineraries (through November 1, 2021) visiting ports in the USA-Canada were canceled.
• NOORDAM's Asia 2021-2022 program (from Hong Kong-Singapore-Yokohama), OOSTERDAM's Australia-New Zealand 2021-2022 program (from Sydney and Auckland), WESTERDAM's South America 2021-2022 program, and ZUIDERDAM's Caribbean-Mediterranean 2021 programs (from Fort Lauderdale and Barcelona-Venice-Rome) were also canceled.
• HAL's Europe 2021 schedule (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam, Rotterdam) was canceled.
• ROTTERDAM's Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from August 1 to Sept 26 and finally Nov 3, despite the on-schedule delivery from Fincantieri (July 30).

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 canceling with a full (100% monetary) refund including on prepurchased through HAL packages and services.

• HAL's cruise cancelation policy was expanded to allow penalty-free cancelation of cruises departing through December 31, 2020. Fully refunded (100%) were all prepurchased through HAL packages and services. HAL also reimbursed cancelation fees for flights and other travel arrangements to and from the ports of the canceled voyage.
• In July 2020, Carnival Corporation (via Holland America Line) sold 4 liners - MS Amsterdam and MS Rotterdam (to Fred Olsen) and MS Maasdam and MS Veendam (to Seajets Greece). All scheduled for the 4 ships cruises were canceled or assumed by other HAL ships.

In 2021, HAL's Alaskan program (cruises and "Alaska Land+Sea Journeys" packages) was canceled entirely but (unlike in 2020) the Carnival Corporation-owned Alaskan businesses Gray Line Alaska (Westours Motor Coaches LLC), Princess Alaska Lodges (Princess Cruises) and Westmark Hotels (Holland America Line) remained operational offering travelers lodging and escorted land tours (fishing, flightseeing, wildlife viewing, river rafting, etc).

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 2021-2022-2023 review

Five HAL-Holland America Line ships are scheduled to explore Europe in 2021, including Nieuw Rotterdam which is expected to debut at the height of the summer European season. Joining the new flagship of the fleet are Nieuw Statendam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam, putting a couple of Pinnacle Class vessels in the region.

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 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 planned a 6-ship fleet to be deployed in Alaska (Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam). The Alaskan program was 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) ranged in length 9-18 days. HAL Alaska 2021 program was first entirely canceled (after Canada extended its cruise ship ban through 2022) but in May 2021 for Nieuw Amsterdam were scheduled roundtrips from Seattle (July 24 thru Oct 2).

(HAWAII & MEXICO) HAL-Holland America Line’s guests can explore Hawaii and Mexico on roundtrip sailings from San Diego CA aboard Pinnacle-class ms Koningsdam during the 2022-2023 cruise season. From October 2022 through March 2023, passengers can embark on “Circle Hawaii” or “Mexican Riviera” cruises ranging between 5 and 18 days. A pair of B2B (Back to Back) itineraries can be combined for a 24-/25-day “Circle Hawaii and Mexican Riviera Collectors’ Voyage”. 

Highlights of the 2022-2023 Mexico cruise season include:

All Mexico voyages are roundtrip from San Diego CA.

All 7-day “Mexican Riviera” voyages feature 3 Mexican ports of call: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan.

A special 5-day cruise departs on December 17 and calls at Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.

A 9-day New Year’s Holiday voyage departs on December 29 and explores the Sea of Cortez. Mexican ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Pichilingue (La Paz), Loreto.

Highlights of the 2022-2023 Hawaii cruise season include:

Hawaii voyages sail roundtrip from San Diego CA with the exception of a pair of departures that are roundtrip from Vancouver BC Canada.

“Circle Hawaii” voyages range from 16 to 18 days:

• 16- & 18-day roundtrip from Vancouver BC with calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight), Nawiliwili. 18-day also calls at Kona.
• 17-day calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kona, Hawaii, Ensenada.
• 18-day calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight), Nawiliwili, Kona, Ensenada.

Mexico and Hawaii itineraries are combined for the ultimate exploration of both regions. The 24-day “Circle Hawaii and Mexican Riviera Collectors’ Voyage” departs on January 7, 2023, sails roundtrip from San Diego CA, and calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kona, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, with an additional call at San Diego CA. The 25-day option departs on January 31, 2023, and adds an overnight at Honolulu.

HAL's Panama Canal transition cruises 2022-2023

HAL's Panama Canal 2022-2023 season features 4x ships and itineraries ranging from 14 to 23 days. The liners (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, Zuiderdam) depart from several ports, including Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale Florida USA, San Diego California USA, Seattle Washington USA, Vancouver BC Canada.

Many itineraries have 2 or 3 embarkation/debarkation options, allowing passengers an extended port stay and more home flight options.

In addition to Panama Canal, these itineraries also visit several ports in the Caribbean and Central America, offering a truly tropical vacation marked by golden beaches, lush flora, exotic fauna, unique quisine.

Partial Panama Canal (Caribbean voyages) on Eurodam and Volendam are offered as roundtrips from Florida (Fort Lauderdale) on 10- and 11-day itineraries. To the tropical ports is added the Gatun Lake's scenic cruising.

CARIBBEAN 2021-2022-2023 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 HAL Caribbean itineraries visit Half Moon Cay 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.

Seven HAL-Holland America Line ships explore the Caribbean during the 2022-2023 season, including the 2 newest Pinnacle Class liners, on itineraries sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale FL. Holland America's island-hopping adventures set sail between October 2022-April 2023 and feature 5- to 14-day itineraries to the eastern, western, and southern Caribbean, including sailings that spend a day in the Panama Canal. All Caribbean voyages include a call at Half Moon Cay, the line's award-winning private Bahamian island. The 2022-2023 season commemorates the 25th anniversary of HAL's acquisition of the tropical paradise.

Vacationers can book a Caribbean voyage aboard ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Nieuw Statendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Volendam, and ms Zuiderdam, and one holiday cruise aboard ms Zaandam. During the 2022-2023 season, Holland America's 2 newest ships explore the Caribbean islands, offering more guests the chance to experience the tropics from the privacy of their verandah stateroom. Single and family staterooms, unique to Pinnacle Class cruise ships, provide additional configurations in order to meet the needs of passengers. The two cruise ships also feature all Holland America Music Walk venues and specialty restaurants.

Eastern Caribbean

• 7-day cruises aboard ms Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam, Zuiderdam, and Rotterdam, with ports of call including Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay
• 5-day cruise aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam (December 18, 2022) with ports of call including Amber Cove, and Half Moon Cay

Western Caribbean

• 7-day cruises aboard ms Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Zuiderdam, and Rotterdam, with ports of call including a combination of Cozumel, Falmouth or Ocho Rios, George Town, Key West, Half Moon Cay

Southern Caribbean

• 7-day aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Zuiderdam, with ports of call including Oranjestad, Willemstad, Half Moon Cay
• 9-10-11-14-day aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam, Zaandam, Rotterdam, with call ports including a combination of Basseterre, Bridgetown, Castries, Fort-de-France, Kralendijk, Philipsburg, St Georges, Amber Cove, Oranjestad, Willemstad, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, San Juan, Saint Thomas

Tropical Caribbean

• 7-day aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam and Nieuw Statendam, with ports of call including Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Key West

Partial Sunfarer Panama Canal

• 10-11-day aboard ms Eurodam and Volendam, with ports of call Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon, Oranjestad, Willemstad, Half Moon Cay, Panama Canal partial transit

Holiday Voyages

• Eastern Caribbean: ms Rotterdam (December 21), ms Nieuw Amsterdam (December 23), ms Volendam (December 27), ms Eurodam (December 28)
• Western Caribbean: Eurodam (Dec. 21), Zuiderdam (Dec. 22), Rotterdam (Dec. 28)|
• Southern Caribbean: Nieuw Statendam (Dec. 17, 27), Zaandam (Dec. 20), Zuiderdam (Dec. 29), Nieuw Amsterdam (Dec. 30),
• Partial Panama Canal: ms Volendam (December 17).

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-Holland America Line’s 2022 Grand Africa Voyage, 2023 Grand World Voyage, 2023 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage

HAL-Holland America Line's 2022 Grand Africa Voyage, 2023 Grand World Voyage, and 2023 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, are ranging from 71 to 127 days and take travellers to the far corners of the world across 6 continents, all roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) without the need for international air travel. 

Highlights of the 2022 Grand Africa Voyage include:

• 71 days departing October 10, 2022, and sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale FL aboard ms Zaandam on clockwise navigation around the continent.
• 4 overnights: Aqaba (Petra), Cape Town (two nights), Zanzibar, and Victoria (Mahe Island)
• 25 ports in 21 different countries and territories
• daylight Suez Canal transit en route to Aqaba, Jordan
• safari and wildlife opportunities
• 2 days at Cape Town to explore Table Mountain, Kulala Desert Lodge, Chapman's Peak Drive, Nelson Mandela's prison cell.

Highlights of the 2023 Grand World Voyage include:

• 127 days departing January 3, 2023, aboard ms Zaandam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale FL on an itinerary that circles the globe on a westwardly route.
• ms Zaandam crosses the South Pacific to Australia and New Zealand before sailing up Africa's west coast and heading to Northern Europe.
• 61 ports in 30 different countries and island nations
• 8 overnights: Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Papeete, Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Fremantle (Perth), Cape Town, and Amsterdam
• 20 calls around Africa with opportunities for safari experiences.

Highlights of the 2023 Grand South America & Antarctica include:

• 74 days departing January 3, 2023, aboard ms Volendam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale FL on an itinerary circling the continent on a counterclockwise route.
• 34 ports in 16 different countries and island nations across 2 continents
• 5 overnights: Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Manaus and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Buenos Aires (2 nights); Callao (Lima, 2 nights).
• Daylight Panama Canal transit and opportunities to visit the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Iguazu Falls.
• 4 days of scenic cruising in Antarctica
• scenic cruising including the Chilean Fjords, Cape Horn, Amalia or Brujo Glacier, Strait of Magellan, Cockburn and Beagle channels.
• 12 calls in Brazil and a trip along the Amazon to Manaus.

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.

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.