Holland America Line

Holland America Line: cruises to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean

Holland America Line is a cruise line that offers voyages to destinations in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. The company presents itself as a line with 153 years of history and describes its current offering around a fleet of six ships, with a renovation program called Holland America Evolution that has already reached the Oosterdam and Zuiderdam.

Destinations and types of voyage

The line's catalog organizes its trips by region and duration. Destinations include Alaska & Yukon, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, the California & Pacific Coast, the Panama Canal, South America & Antarctica, the Bahamas, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Norway, Iceland, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, the Atlantic, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, the South Pacific and Tahiti.

Voyages are classified by duration: short cruises of 1 to 5 days, 6 to 8 days, 9 or more days and 17 or more days. The company also distinguishes specific categories such as Legendary Voyages (25 to 59 days), Grand Voyages and World Cruises (60 days or more), transatlantic cruises, holiday cruises and solar eclipse charters.

Alaska cruise program

Alaska is one of the cornerstones of the offering. The line offers cruises of 6 to 8 days, 9 to 16 days and 17 or more days, along with cruisetours — combinations of cruise and land tour — in Alaska & Yukon in the same duration ranges. The program includes glacier viewing, an interactive glacier map, guides to glacier tours and visits to Glacier Bay National Park, with a glacier guarantee. It also mentions wildlife viewing, Denali National Park, other national parks and the White Pass Scenic Railway. The company operates its own accommodations in Alaska, such as Holland America Denali Lodge.

Onboard experience

The onboard offering covers suites and staterooms, deck plans, day and night activities, spa & salon, pools & hot tubs, casino, shopping, kids & teens programs and behind the scenes tours. In dining, the line highlights its Destination Dining™ concept, a commitment to fresh product and culinary ambassadors, as well as restaurants, bars & lounges. Entertainment includes production shows, live music & nightlife, with its own music clubs. There is also 24-hour room service, destination experts and a fitness center with sports courts and pools.

Shore excursions, packages and pre-cruise services

The company offers shore excursions, overland tours, city stays and land packages, flights and transfers, and hotel packages. It has a flight booking program under the Flight Ease® brand and cancellation protection. Commercial packages include Club Orange, Have It All and Have It All Premium, with early booking bonuses, as well as Wi-Fi & internet packages and beverage packages. The line applies a best price guarantee on shore excursions.

Customer programs and promotions

Holland America Line has the Mariner Society loyalty program, which includes an early booking bonus for its members. It also offers a referral program with $50 onboard credit for the guest and $50 Future Cruise Credit for the referrer for each valid referral, AARP member offers, community appreciation offers and a Standby program. The company sells gift cards and the option to send a gift to a guest, as well as stateroom décor packages.

At the time of the analysis, the site showed promotions such as up to 50% off cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and other destinations with up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom, and up to 60% off cruise packages with early booking for Alaska and Europe 2027, with upgrades to Elite Beverage Package and premium Wi-Fi. The catalog also announced Europe sailings for 2027-2028 year-round.

Trip management and customer service

The website allows you to search and book cruises, manage your booking, check in, make payments, book flights, transfers and hotels, customize your cruise with shore excursions, spa, beverage packages, Wi-Fi and dining reservations, and download a mobile app to plan activities and onboard purchases. The company publishes cruise brochures, information on required travel documents, frequently asked questions, accessibility, family travel and fraud protection. It serves customers through personal cruise consultants and a chat service, and has a program for affiliated travel agencies.

Owned destinations and facilities

The line owns Half Moon Cay and Holland America Denali Lodge, two facilities that it integrates into its Caribbean and Alaska itineraries respectively. It also maintains a sustainability policy that includes sustainable seafood sourcing.