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Holland America Line is a leader in the premium cruise market. The Seattle-based cruise line offers a wide selection of cruise destinations and itineraries to choose from as well as an onboard experience that has earned a consistently loyal following. The world's oldest ship line, Holland America has been a recognized leader in cruising for 140 years.
If you're looking for award-winning service, five-star dining, extensive activities and enrichment programs, this premium cruise line is a great fit. Holland America Line’s 11 mid-size ships (downsized from 17 ships before the pandemic) offer an elegant, low-key, traditional cruise experience and boast a nearly 2-to-1 passenger-to-crew ratio. Looking for giant waterslides and onboard surfing? Look elsewhere.
Depending on the sailing, you're likely to see a choice of enrichment programs (photography, cooking and mixology classes), specialty restaurants, both traditional assigned seating (with guests getting dressed up for dinner) and As You Wish dining, stage entertainment in the evenings and easy listening music in the lounges. Every Holland America ship features a "Dancing with the Stars at Sea" ballroom dancing program that lets you be a spectator or participant. And a winning partnership with Lincoln Center brings chamber music performances aboard Rotterdam, Eurodam, Oosterdam and Koningsdam.
Holland America is an American-owned cruise line, but its ship names derive from the line's historic lineage of ship names throughout the decades — for example, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam are named for the south, east, west and north points of the compass in Dutch appended with "dam."
A child needs to be at least 6 months old for most sailings and at least 12 months old for transocean sailings. There are no programs for kids under 3, though babysitting services are available. Programs cover age groups 3 to 7; 8 to 12 and 13 to 17. Children's facilities include teen lounges, game stations and computer stations.
Holland America has a wide-ranging appeal and offers activities for all ages. The cruise line has been traditionally known for an older clientele but is now appealing to younger cruisers and multigenerational family groups. Holland America appeals to guests looking for a classic, upscale, relaxing cruise experience with modern amenities and without the hubbub of the mega-ships — HAL ships range from 835 to 2,106 passengers in size.
Holland America offers nearly 500 cruises to more than 300 ports of call in 100-plus countries — and on all seven continents — though not all ports have reopened during the pandemic. Itineraries range to more 100 days in length and feature luxury cruises to the following destinations: Alaska, Asia & Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific Northwest & Coastal, Panama Canal and South America & Antarctica — and a number of grand voyages.
What kind of cruise do you want? Use Cruiseable's Bliss Filters — and fine-tune your results — to see upcoming Holland America Line cruises that are a perfect match for you!
“Ballroom dancing has always been a hallmark of Holland America Line activities, and Dancing with the Stars: At Sea rejuvenates the onboard pastime with a fresh set of modern programming. Every 2014 Holland America sailing features Dancing with the Stars-branded dance classes and competitions.”
“A rich maritime history dating back to 1873 and a strong Dutch influence — felt in everything from onboard art collections to modern, European décor — makes cruising with Holland America wholly enriching.”
