Introduction
Holland America Line is a premium cruise line known for its classic style, refined service, and strong emphasis on destination-focused travel. Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Seattle, it is one of the oldest cruise brands in the world and a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. The line operates mid-sized ships that blend traditional elegance with modern amenities, offering itineraries to all seven continents, including Alaska, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. Holland America Line is particularly recognized for its immersive shore excursions, culinary excellence through its “Fresh Fish” and destination dining programs, and onboard enrichment such as live music, lectures, and cultural experiences tailored to curious, mature travellers.

The Fleet
Holland America Line’s fleet consists of 11 mid-sized cruise ships, each designed to balance classic elegance with modern amenities and a strong focus on destination immersion. These vessels range in capacity (based on double occupancy) from about 1,432 on the smaller Rotterdam-class ships like Volendam and Zaandam up to 2,650 on the larger Pinnacle-class ships such as Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam. The fleet includes ships across several classes (Rotterdam, Vista, Signature, and Pinnacle), serving global itineraries with capacities that collectively total roughly 22,000 guests at double occupancy across all ships.

Accommodation Choices
Aboard Holland America Line ships, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation choices to suit different travel styles and budgets, from comfortable standard staterooms to spacious luxury suites. At the entry level are Inside staterooms — cozy, well-appointed rooms without windows — and Ocean View staterooms that include a picture window or porthole for natural light and sea views. Moving up, Verandah staterooms offer floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a private balcony, making them a popular choice for many cruisers. For more space and added comfort, the line offers suites in several tiers — including Vista, Signature, Neptune, and Pinnacle suites — with features like larger living areas, private verandahs, premium bedding, and, in the highest categories, concierge service and exclusive lounge access. Some ships also include family staterooms that can accommodate more guests and solo traveller staterooms designed for one person. All accommodations across categories come with Holland America’s signature Mariner’s Dream™ beds and thoughtful amenities to enhance your stay at sea.

Worldwide Destinations
Holland America Line offers an exceptionally broad range of global destinations, with itineraries that visit hundreds of ports around the world and span all seven continents. The line’s cruises take guests to iconic regions such as Alaska’s dramatic glaciers and coastal wilderness, the tropical islands of the Caribbean and Central America, and scenic Pacific coastal itineraries along the U.S. and Canadian West Coast. In Europe, ships explore both the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, including historic cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites, with departures from multiple homeports. HAL also sails in Asia and the Far East, calling at over 50 ports across countries like Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand, and offers South Pacific and Australia/New Zealand voyages. For more adventurous travellers, Holland America Line features Grand World Voyages that circumnavigate the globe with stops on all seven continents—including Antarctica—and visits to dozens of countries. In addition, they operate Panama Canal transits and specialized thematic or extended destination-in-depth itineraries that highlight culture, cuisine, and natural wonders across diverse regions.

Holland America Line’s destination portfolio includes a signature private island stop in the Caribbean. The line’s most notable private beach destination is RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay™ — a pristine, award-winning private island in the Bahamas that Holland America (in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line) has featured as a hallmark of its Caribbean sailings since the late 1990s. Guests enjoy white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, seaside activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and horseback riding, plus opportunities for beach loungers, cabana rentals, and enhanced facilities such as a new beach club with priority access and upgraded food and beverage options.

It has the longest history of Alaska cruising of any major line, sailing there since 1947 with deep local expertise that shows in thoughtfully planned itineraries and excellent docking locations in many ports. HAL also offers more glacier experiences than most competitors, including frequent visits to Glacier Bay National Park and a branded “Glacier Day” with commentary, ranger talks, bow viewing, and themed food and drink moments — plus a Glacier Guarantee that ensures guests see glaciers or receive cruise credit. Wildlife viewing is a major emphasis, with onboard experts helping spot Alaska’s “Big Five,” and nearly 180 shore excursions focused on nature and wildlife. The onboard experience complements the destination with region-inspired programming like Alaska Up Close™ talks, locally sourced sustainable seafood and culinary events featuring Alaska’s fresh fish, attracting travellers who want a more immersive and culturally rich cruise rather than just a floating resort atmosphere. Finally, the line’s mid-sized ships strike a balance between comfortable amenities and an intimate feel that many guests appreciate on Alaska’s scenic waterways.

Dining
Holland America Line’s dining experience is one of the cruise line’s signature features, offering a diverse and globally inspired culinary journey that goes well beyond standard cruise fare. Central to onboard dining is The Dining Room, a refined, multicourse setting where breakfast, lunch, and especially dinner feature classic and regionally inspired dishes that change regularly throughout your cruise. HAL also highlights Destination Dining™, which uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to reflect the flavours of the regions you visit and its Global Fresh Fish Program, bringing sustainably sourced seafood from port to plate, often within 48 hours.

For more casual or flexible meals, the Lido Market offers international buffet style options around the clock, Dive In serves poolside burgers and hot dogs, and the New York Pizza & Deli spot delivers freshly made pizzas and sandwiches. Light bites and treats can be found at places like the Grand Dutch Café, Gelato Bar, and specialty cafés across the ship.

If you want to elevate your dining, Holland America has several specialty restaurants (typically for an extra fee) that deliver rich, focused experiences: Pinnacle Grill for steakhouse style surf & turf, Tamarind for Pan Asian cuisine, Canaletto for Italian comfort fare, Rudi’s Sel de Mer for French seafood, and Morimoto by Sea featuring Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s inventive dishes.
Beyond meals, HAL enriches the culinary experience with cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, mixology classes, and themed dining events, allowing guests to deepen their food knowledge and enjoy interactive food and beverage programming throughout the voyage.

Relaxation and Wellness
Holland America Line places a strong emphasis on wellness and relaxation as part of the overall cruise experience, giving guests multiple ways to unwind, refresh, and nurture both body and mind while at sea. A centerpiece of onboard relaxation is the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®, a full service spa offering a wide range of massage therapies, facials, body treatments, and beauty services like manicures, pedicures, and hair styling. Many treatments are inspired by global traditions and feature premium products in peaceful spaces with ocean views. The spa also includes amenities such as thermal suites, hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and heated ceramic loungers, where guests can simply relax between treatments or on their own (access usually requires a spa or thermal suite pass).

For fitness and active wellness, Holland America ships have fully equipped fitness centers with cardio and strength equipment plus group and specialty classes like yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling, and other guided sessions. Personal trainers and wellness instructors are available to help you make the most of your workouts and stretch routines.

Beyond structured spa and fitness offerings, the cruise line’s ongoing Explore Wellbeing program encourages daily healthful activities - from morning Tai Chi, Pilates, and step classes to mindfulness and low impact games - blending physical, mental, and social wellbeing during your voyage.
Together, these options make Holland America’s wellness experience appealing whether you’re seeking deep relaxation, active lifestyle support, or gentle renewal while enjoying your journey at sea.

Inclusions
Here’s what is typically included in a standard Holland America Line cruise fare — meaning what you get with the base ticket without adding the optional “Have It All” premium package:
•    Stateroom accommodation and ocean transportation for the length of the cruise.
•    Most onboard meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner in the main dining room, and many casual venues like buffets and deli/pizza spots.
•    Entertainment and activities, such as shows, live music, enrichment talks, deck events, and scheduled daily programs.
•    Use of many public areas and facilities, like pools, lounges, fitness centre, and scheduled classes or games.
•    Port charges and most government taxes are included in the advertised fare price.

Entertainment and Programming
Holland America Line offers a rich and varied onboard entertainment and programming experience that blends live performances, cultural enrichment, interactive activities, and destination focused learning - giving guests many ways to enjoy their days and evenings at sea. Each day’s schedule is filled with options ranging from lectures about upcoming ports, Explorations Central™ talks, and destination insights to cooking demonstrations, game shows, trivia, arts and crafts sessions, fitness classes, and themed parties led by an expanded entertainment and activities team that includes the Cruise Director and specialist hosts.

In the evenings, the emphasis is on live music and theatrical performances. Holland America has been expanding its entertainment lineup with World Stage production shows - featuring musical and dance performances — plus a revitalized roster of live music across multiple venues. These include the Music Walk collection (with spaces like B.B. King’s Blues Club for blues and jazz, Billboard Onboard for dueling piano fun, the Rolling Stone Lounge for rock oriented acts, and more intimate venues like classical ensembles) that bring diverse genres to life nightly.

Guests can also enjoy surprise cabaret acts, soloist performances tied to the ship’s itinerary (such as folk or regional music), and high energy kickoff shows like “Welcome Aboard” early in the cruise. Beyond staged entertainment, there are social activities like poolside games, dance lessons, wine tastings, and interactive enrichment that create a lively atmosphere throughout the voyage.

Overall, Holland America’s programming appeals to travellers who enjoy a mix of cultural enrichment, music, social engagement, and relaxing activities - with plenty to do during sea days and plenty of live entertainment options each evening.

To learn more about Holland America Line or to book your next cruise adventure, contact your cruise travel professional today.