Luxe Travel

Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s fleet of 10 premium, perfectly-sized ships annually offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports of call in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. From seven night cruises to once-in-a-lifetime Grand World Voyages of more than 100 days, the line visits all seven continents to call at a variety of exotic, tropical, historical, cultural and adventure-filled destinations. Brand new ship Koningsdam, first in a new Pinnacle-class, debuted in April 2016, and was joined by a sister ship Nieuw Statendam in December 2018.

Onboard a Holland America Line ship guests will find classic elegance with a modern twist, stylish lounges adorned with fine art and antiques alongside some surprising new innovations which will enhance the onboard and worldwide destination experience for discerning guests.

Online Destination Guides, in partnership with AFAR offer the most immersive knowledge of more than 400 destinations, with personalised recommendations for the most authentic attractions, restaurants and shopping experiences.

Through BBC Earth’s innovative programming, guests are taken nearer to the natural world through groundbreaking concerts, films and kids activities, as well as special themed cruises.

Entertainment ranges from high tech shows through to BB Kings All Star Blues band and the classical arrangements of the Lincoln Centre Stage; while new suite upgrades feature thoughtful touches like lighted wardrobe rails, USB ports on headboards and night lights in bathrooms.

A partnership with the Rijksmuseum features reproductions of some of the museum’s most famous art, plus cultural activities led by Rijksmuseum personnel.

Celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2013, Holland America Line has carried more than 11 million passengers from Europe to the New World and to holiday destinations across the globe since its founding. Today, it carries more than 800,000 cruise guests a year. The company started in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, a shipping and passenger line. It became known as Holland America Line because it was headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and provided service to the Americas. The company’s first ocean liner was Rotterdam, which sailed its maiden 15-day voyage from Rotterdam to New York City on Oct. 15, 1872.

In 1971, Holland America Line suspended its trans-Atlantic passenger trade and offered cruise holidays full time. From 1989, Holland America Line Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corp., the largest cruise company in the world.

We are proud to share some of the organizations and publications which have honored us with awards and accolades.

#1 Preferred Cruise Line
Portrait of Affluent Travelers™ survey: Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell

Consistently Among the Highest-rated Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards

Highest-rated Premium Cruise Line
Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards

International Five Star Diamond Award
The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences

High Deluxe Five-Star-Plus Rating
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society

Best Overall Cruise Value (21 consecutive years)
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, Ocean & Cruise News

Best Private Island — Half Moon Cay (13 years), Best Private Island Cabana — Half Moon Cay, Best Alaska Itineraries, Best Central America Itineraries, Best Canada/New England Itineraries, Best Shore Excursions, Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers
2013 Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards

Best Cruise Line Chef: Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, Best Onboard Art Collection
Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Award

Best Dining Experience, Master Chef’s Table
2014 Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Award

Best Shore Excursions, 2011
Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards (US)

Best Overall, Mid-Sized Ship for ms Noordam; #1 Best for Fitness, Mid-Sized Ship for ms Westerdam; #1 Best Shore Excursions, Mid-Sized Ship for ms Westerdam; #1 Best Cruise to Alaska for ms Volendam; #1 Best Cruise from the West Coast for ms Westerdam
2013 Cruise Critic Cruiser’s Choice Awards (US)

#1 Best Alaska Cruises, #1 Best Cruises from West Coast, #1 Best Cabins for ms Amsterdam; #1 Best Embarkation for ms Ryndam (mid-sized ships)
2012 Cruise CriticCruiser’s Choice Awards (US)

Best Cabins
Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards (UK)

#1 Fitness for Volendam; (mid-sized ships)
2012 Cruise Critic Cruiser’s Choice Awards (UK)

Among the Best Cruise Ship Spas
2013 SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards

Green Planet Award
Kuoni Switzerland for outstanding environmental standards

Gold Medal: Eco-Friendly “Green” Cruise Ship, Best Premium Ship: ms Eurodam
Silver Medal: Dancing with the Stars: At Sea for Entertainment, Taste of De Librije for Restaurant Design, Pinnacle Suite for Suite Design
Travel Weekly, Magellan Awards

Responsible Tourism Award, 2008
Virgin Holidays

Marine Environmental Business of the Year, 2010, 2014
Port of Seattle

Best Cruise Operator, International
Australian Federation of Travel Agents

Best Cruise Line
Zoover Holiday Reviews

Gold Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award, 2012, 2010
US Coast Guard

North Star Award for Excellence in Tourism
Governor of Alaska

Most Ethical Companies List 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

World’s Leading Green Cruise Line, 2010
World Travel Awards

Blue Circle Award, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
Port of Vancouver

Green Gateway Award — Silver Level, 2016
Green Gateway Award — Silver Level, 2015
Green Gateway Award — Platinum Level, 2014
Green Gateway Award — Platinum Level, 2012
Green Gateway Award — Silver Level, 2011
Port of Seattle

Sustainable Tourism Award, January 2013
Hsmai and National Geographic Traveler

Ocean Stewardship and Sustainability Award, 2013
Alaska SeaLife Center

Favourite Cruise Experience, 2013
National Tour Association

Wave Award for Best Shore Excursion (Ocean-going), 2013
Travel Age West

Best Food Cruise Lines, 2012/2013
Prow’s Edge

Best Cruise Lines for Single Cruisers, 2012/2013
Prow’s Edge