Why should we cruise with Holland America?
We asked Holland America why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
For 150 years, Holland America Line has been a recognized leader in cruising. If you are looking for some of the most spacious and comfortable ships at sea, award-winning service, exquisite dining, extensive activities and enrichment programs and compelling worldwide itineraries, you've come to the right place. Balance. Depth. Authenticity. These are the elements we bring to more than 500 itineraries, stopping in 100 countries, the world over.
What destinations are Holland America exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia & NZ Canada & New England Caribbean Europe & UK South Pacific Transatlantic More...Holland America snapshot
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The low down on Holland America from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Holland America Line is a premium cruise line known for classic, refined cruising with a strong focus on destination immersion, live music and quality dining. Its “Savour the Journey” positioning emphasises a slower, more meaningful travel style, appealing to couples and travellers who prefer relaxed sophistication over water-park-style thrills. Holland America is particularly compelling for Australia & New Zealand cruises and for bucket-list Alaska itineraries, with it's Glacier Bay permits. With value-focused options like their "Have It All" package and a strong food-and-seafood sustainability story, Holland America suits travellers wanting read more a premium experience that feels comfortable, culturally rich and unhurried.
Who cruises with Holland America?
Couples, solo travellers and families, with Holland America particularly appealing to adults who value destination-focused itineraries, traditional cruising, dining and enrichment.
What are Holland America known for?
Destination-focused cruising, longer itineraries, Alaska and worldwide voyages, live music, culinary experiences and a more traditional premium cruising style.
Are Holland America's fares all-inclusive?
No, standard fares include accommodation, main dining, entertainment and many onboard activities.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
On standard fares, expect to pay extra for gratuities, alcoholic and specialty drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, personal training and selected fitness classes and laundry. Have It All fares bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursion credit.
Are gratuities included?
No. Crew Appreciation is normally added to your onboard account. It is included when specifically offered with eligible Have It All Early Booking Bonus fares.
Are shore excursions included?
No. Shore excursions cost extra. Have It All fares provide shore excursion credit, with the amount determined by cruise length.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. Wi-Fi packages are available for purchase. Have It All includes Surf Wi-Fi, while eligible Early Booking Bonus fares may include Premium Wi-Fi.
Does Holland America have a loyalty program?
Yes. The Mariner Society has five membership levels, with benefits based on accumulated cruise-day credits and onboard spending.
Is Holland America a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. Holland America welcomes families and provides supervised youth activities, although its overall onboard style is generally more adult-focused than many large resort-style cruise lines.
Are any onboard activities included?
Complimentary activities include destination-focused Up Close presentations, live entertainment, trivia, game shows, arts and crafts, pickleball, pools and hot tubs, use of the fitness centre and selected wellness classes.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes. Holland America ships offer casinos with slot machines, table games and tournaments.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Yes. Additional charges apply for activities and services such as spa treatments, personal training and selected instructor-led fitness classes.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Holland America's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants include venues such as Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto and Tamarind, depending on the ship. Charges apply unless dining is included through an eligible package or fare.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
Yes. Have It All includes between one and three specialty dining nights depending on cruise length, with availability varying by ship.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Selected basic beverages are included with meals, but soft drinks and specialty coffees generally cost extra. Beverage packages and Have It All can include a wider range of non-alcoholic drinks.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No. Alcoholic drinks are not generally included with standard fares. Have It All includes the Signature Beverage Package, while eligible Early Booking Bonus fares may include the upgraded Elite Beverage Package.
Do Holland America sell any beverage packages?
Yes. Signature, Elite and non-alcoholic Quench beverage packages are available, while Have It All bundles the Signature Beverage Package with other cruise amenities.
Do Holland America offer room service?
Yes. In-room dining is available, with some menu items and beverages attracting additional charges.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Greenhouse Spa & Salon services include massages, facials, hair and nail treatments and, on selected ships, thermal facilities. Charges apply.
Are there gyms onboard Holland America's ships?
Yes. All Holland America ships have a fitness centre with cardio equipment, strength equipment and free weights.
Are fitness classes available onboard Holland America's ships?
Yes. Classes can include yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling, stretching, meditation and circuit training. Some wellness classes are complimentary while selected instructor-led classes cost extra.
Do Holland America offer personal training?
Yes. Personal training is available for an additional charge.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No. Holland America ships do not have self-service laundries.
Do Holland America offer a laundry service?
Yes. Laundry, pressing and dry-cleaning services are available for a fee, with laundry packages also available. Neptune and Pinnacle Suite guests receive complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning.
Recent Holland America reviews
Holland America's most popular trips this month...
Why should we cruise with NCL?
We asked NCL why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
No schedules. No stipulations. Just award-winning entertainment and diverse dining options from the only cruise line built for versatile vacationing. NCL's award-winning ships are designed for you to enjoy as you choose while cruising to beautiful destinations around the world. Add a wide range of superb dining options and spectacular entertainment and you'll experience your best holiday ever.
What destinations are NCL exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia & New Zealand Canada & New England Caribbean Central America & Panama Europe & Med Greek Islands More...NCL snapshot
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The low down on NCL from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) stands out for its relaxed “Freestyle Cruising” style - more flexibility, fewer formalities, and a resort-like onboard vibe. NCL’s Free at Sea inclusions can add strong value for travelers who want drinks, some specialty dining, Wi-Fi and shore credits bundled into their booking, helping to make their total trip costs easier to predict. If you want a cruise that feels casual, choice-rich and good-value, Norwegian is often an excellent option; if you want the most family attractions, a more traditional cruise atmosphere, or a more premium “quiet luxury” feel, competitors like Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America read more or Celebrity may be a better match.
Who cruises with NCL?
Couples, solo travellers and families; freestyle cruisers who like to holiday on their own schedule.
What are NCL known for?
Freestyle Cruising with no fixed dining times, award-winning entertainment and top-deck innovation including racetracks at sea.
Are NCL's fares all-inclusive?
No.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Guests need to pay for shore excursions, WiFi, specialty dining, spa and salon services, selected onboard activities, some entertainment and certain beverages and services.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are included for Australian and New Zealand passengers. They are not included for North American passengers.
Are shore excursions included?
No.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes, charges apply or is included in NCL’s Free At Sea™ package.
Does NCL have a loyalty program?
No. Latitudes Rewards only.
Is NCL a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. NCL are a popular family option with family-friendly accommodation, comprehensive youth programs and family-friendly amenities.
Are any onboard activities included?
Sports court games, outdoor pools and hot tubs, select onboard presentations, the ropes course and ziplining.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes, except on Pride of America.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Specialty onboard seminars, go-kart sessions, laser tag, video arcade games and bowling incur additional charges.
Are there specialty restaurants on board NCL's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available and charges apply. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursion credit and Wi-Fi.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
Yes. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add specialty dining.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
No.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No.
Do NCL sell any beverage packages?
Yes. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursion credit and Wi-Fi.
Do NCL offer room service?
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service is available; charges apply for alcohol orders.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon services are available for an additional charge.
Are there gyms onboard NCL's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard NCL's ships?
Yes. Charges apply.
Do NCL offer personal training?
Yes. Charges apply.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No.
Do NCL offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent NCL reviews
I liked the variety of food at the buffet and at Indulge. Dined at Hudson twice, it was very nice, beautifully decorated, gracious service - no one ever made me feel uncomfortable as someone dining solo.
Shore Excursions - Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway (I was on a waitlist - which never “officially” cleared, but there were some available seats at the last minute so I got on. I’d recommend booking those excursions ASAP) Cork — ship had to skip that port of call b/c stormy weather. Halifax - I went on excursion to Peggy’s Cove - cute, very New England, enjoyed a delish lobster roll.
Service - Cabin steward was efficient, friendly, helpful. Staff at dining establishments also very nice. Buffet got crowded but seating could always be found in the Palomar. Some of the staff for booking excursions or dealing with wi-fi were somewhat disorganized so definitely follow-up on questions or issues.
Downside: Ehe upselling! Starting from when I booked, all through the cruise. e.g. I missed getting daily itineraries and notices on paper delivered to my cabin - encouraged to always check on-line, but that wasn’t always up to date. Yes, it saves paper, but somehow the promos for pricey spa services and “art” auctions etc *were* delivered on paper to the cabin. I could barely hear announcements from the Captain but the announcements from the cruise director about opportunities to buy buy buy were always loud and clear. A friend had sent me a gift for the cruise — a 12-pack of bottled (actually canned) water, which I never received. And then it took weeks to get a refund (alto NCL reps kept calling back — to try and sell her a cruise). The nickel-and-dime-ing is annoying, but it’s probably the same on many other cruise lines.
Overall, I’ve learned to ignore the upselling, and enjoyed the cruise. I’d do it again (if the price hadn’t tripled since last year). There is an active FB group for NCL passengers, lots of reviews pros/cons there.
The $450 for the Internet cafe was expensive and the cheap, food and beverage package at $900 American dollars was outrageous - but at least it saved us the compulsory tip of 20% on every drink purchased.. The food on the ship was plentiful and filling but nothing special and the specialty restaurants at an additional cover charge of $120 American for the one specialty we took, was overpriced and over valued. And $610 USD for simple medical services that in Australia would've cost about $30 was a rip off and a packet of common antibiotics which in Australia would cost $24, was on the ship, $240 that is 8 USD s a pill!
And the crowning disappointment was with the one shore excursion we decided to buy from Norwegian. Immediately we paid for it my knee gave way making it impossible to do the walking on that tour, but there was no chance of getting a refund, - so that was another $140 American wasted. The cruz director and his deputy were absolutely hopeless and at the morning television presentation they told us little about what we should be doing that day but comprised mainly banal chatter between the two of them that we only watched once because we couldn't believe how bad it was. We saw mention of a turndown Service which never occurred in our mini suite, and the movies offered were awful.
But on the positive note, their tender operations were better than other lines, and nearly all of their wait staff were helpful and friendly although some had very little understanding of English. The couple of production shows were very ordinary and most of the entertainment seemed to consist of single or duo artists, or the cruz director interviewing and embarrassing guests, or yet another Trivia, which of course would cost the cruz company next to nothing! We would only cruise Norwegian again if it was the only ship going where we wanted to go at the time we wanted.
NCL's most popular trips this month...
