Sarah Bretz, ContributorHolland America has announced a six-week extension of its 2026 Europe season, and opened bookings for four voyages available as part of the expansion. Guests will have further opportunities to explore the Mediterranean and Norway, including a chance to see the Northern Lights on a cruise that enters the Arctic Circle.
Each of the newly-added cruises will be aboard Nieuw Statendam either roundtrip or one-way from Rotterdam.
“Cruises rooted in the culture and history of Europe are proving to be popular with our guests, and extending the season means more opportunities to enjoy our personalized service in the region,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment for Holland America Line. “With 2026 projected to be a peak year for aurora activity, adding a Northern Lights cruise late in the year gives our guests a better opportunity to see this phenomenon with the aid of dark skies and little light pollution.”
Added Holland America Sailings
Now bookable as part of the extension is an additional departure of the 14-day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights with The History Channel cruise, departing November 7, 2026. As 2026 is predicted to be a highly-active period for auroras, a growing number of travelers are planning to prioritize seeing them on vacation. This sailing offers ample opportunity to see the aurora and deeply explore Norway.
The ship will sail north, calling at Ålesund, Trondheim, and crossing the Arctic Circle before reaching Tromsø, known as the “Capital of the Arctic” and a base camp for many aurora hunters. The ship will then spend an overnight at Alta — often called the world’s Northern Lights capital — before sailing to hard-to-reach Leknes (Lofoten). Before returning to Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam will visit Åndalsnes and Bergen, Norway as well as Lerwick, Scotland.
Guests sailing to see the Northern Lights can sign up to get a wake-up call from the ship any time the aurora borealis is spotted.
Also open for booking is a 14-day Mediterranean and Atlantic Treasures: Lisbon Overnight cruise departing November 21st. The voyage explores seven ports in Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar: Cadiz (Seville), Malaga (Granada), Alicante, Cartagena (Murcia), Gibraltar and Leixoes — as well as an overnight in Lisbon, allowing guests to further immerse themselves in the destination. While in Lisbon, guests can book shore excursions taking them to the city’s two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. The voyage is also notable as Holland America’s first roundtrip exploration of the Mediterranean from Rotterdam in nearly 10 years.
Also available are a seven-night Norway with Nordfjord cruise and a 15-day Cultural Crossing with England and Normandy itinerary.
Have It All Early Booking Bonus
For a limited time, when guests book one of these four European extension cruises with the Have It All premium package, guests will receive free gratuities and free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium WiFi.
Travelers can also take advantage of Holland America’s Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 in onboard credit per stateroom when the cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by July 9, 2025 to receive the early booking bonus.
Comments
Are you interested in any of these four additional sailings in Europe? If you’ve cruised in Europe, what’s your favorite destination there? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
