Heidi BucoloHolland America Line (HAL) has a long-standing history of over a 150 years. With origins as a passenger and shipping company, Holland America has been providing cruise vacations since the 1970’s. With nods to its Dutch heritage, the brand has built a reputation for its refined experiences and diverse itineraries. In a world of mega-ships, Holland America features perfectly mid-sized ships that offer sailings across the globe. But is this cruise line right for you? Having cruised with the brand a number of times in the recent years, we break down the pros and cons of taking a Holland America cruise to help you decide if it fits your travel style.
Pros of a Holland America Cruise
1. Focus on Culinary Excellence
One of Holland America’s standout features is its commitment to culinary excellence. The “port to plate” program brings locally inspired dishes onboard, allowing guests to experience regional flavors. The cruise line also prides itself on its global fresh fish program. Not to mention, Holland America partners with esteemed chefs, including Rudi Sodamin, David Burke, and Masaharu Morimoto to name a few, bringing one-of-a-kind menu items to your plate.
While the selections in the main dining room are great, the specialty restaurants should not be missed. Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, Canaletto, and the new Morimoto By Sea elevate the dining experience even further. Tamarind is our personal favorite…just saying that we may have sampled almost everything on the menu at this restaurant.
2. Enriching Onboard Activities
Holland America prioritizes enrichment through a variety of activities, many of which are included in the cruise fare. Guests can enjoy cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and expert-led lectures covering topics like history, wildlife, and culture pertinent to the cruise region. We personally think that this is one of the biggest differentiators of Holland America from other mainstream cruise lines.
In Alaska, guests can learn about topics such as glaciers and whales. In New Zealand, guests can learn about the culture and traditions of the Maori people. These are just a few examples of how Holland America seamlessly intergrates the onboard programming with its destinations. Not to mention, there are near-daily port talks that are much more than glorified shore excursion presentations.
3. More Diverse Itineraries
Another benefit of taking a Holland America cruise is the diversity of destinations to which they sail. The cruise line offers a broad range of ports (partially due to its smaller ship sizes) and more extended stays compared to many mainstream cruise lines. We’ve personally cruised with Holland America to Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, and the Norwegian Fjords.
With itineraries spanning Alaska, Asia, Australia, South America, Europe, and beyond, guests can explore unique destinations on every voyage. With longer stops and overnight stays in some ports of call, guests can enjoy deeper cultural immersion and more leisurely exploration.
The line is also known for its Legendary Voyages and Grand Voyages, which offer extended sailings lasting several weeks or even months. These in-depth itineraries take travelers to remote destinations, often including rare ports of call and cultural experiences, making them a favorite among seasoned cruisers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
4. A Leader in Alaska Cruises
Holland America is a top choice for Alaska cruises, boasting decades of expertise in the region. The line has been sailing to Alaska for over 75 years and has developed deep connections that enhance the guest experience. Further, HAL is one of the few cruise lines with permits to sail into Glacier Bay National Park. When deciding on your Alaska cruise, we ALWAYS recommend picking an itinerary that visits Glacier Bay as the views are truly breathtaking.
Their partnerships in the region allow guests to engage with local heritage both onboard and ashore. Additionally, Holland America’s Cruisetours seamlessly blend sea and land exploration, featuring scenic rail journeys on the McKinley Explorer and stays at exclusive lodges near Denali National Park. While we have yet to experience one of these land and sea packages, we hear they’re fantastic, providing unparalleled access to Alaska’s natural beauty and wildlife
5. “Have It All” Package
For those who cringe at the words “nickel and diming”, you’ll be happy to know that Holland America offers the option for a more all-inclusive cruise experience. Similar to sister brand Princess Cruises, HAL offers an upgrade from the standard cruise fare known as the “Have It All” Package.
The “Have It All” package offers added value by bundling perks like shore excursions, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and beverage packages into the cruise fare. This package enhances the overall cruise experience by allowing guests to enjoy more premium offerings without worrying about additional charges or their tab at the end of the cruise. Guests can enjoy dinner in Pinnacle Grill or Tamarind, sip specialty coffees or cocktails, and stay in touch with loved ones back home while traveling the world— all for the price of a few cocktails a day.
6. Relaxed Atmosphere and Comfortable Ships
Holland America provides a sophisticated, yet unpretentious atmosphere. You won’t find amusements like waterslides or racetracks like some other more family-friendly cruise lines, and you won’t encounter the stuffiness that you might on a luxury or ultra-luxury cruise line. The ships are designed for comfort. The overall vibe is relaxed, perfect for those seeking a traditional cruising experience with modern comforts.
Guests can unwind in inviting public spaces such as the Crow’s Nest, which offers panoramic ocean views and a cozy lounge atmosphere with games and puzzles. Or, they can explore the extensive onboard library filled with books and quiet nooks for reading.
The pool areas provide a tranquil retreat, with some ships featuring retractable roofs for all-weather enjoyment. Fitness and recreation options are available as well, including the increasingly popular pickleball courts, while those seeking relaxation can indulge in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, which offers a thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool.
7. Focus on Live Music
While you won’t find elaborate stage productions on Holland America cruise ships, music lovers will appreciate the line’s impressive live entertainment offerings. Venues like the B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room/Lounge, and Billboard Onboard provide top-tier performances ranging from blues to rock and top hits of today.
Musicians in these venues perform multiple sets a night, so you’re bound to find some live music throughout the evening. We often find ourselves bouncing from one venue to the next listening to the various selections after dinner and in-between main theater shows (which Holland America does still have). And we’re not alone, as these venues are usually busy. The dance floor gets busy too!
8. Half Moon Cay
While historic cities and quaint villages are great, sometimes you just need a relaxing beach day. Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, is consistently ranked among the best cruise line private destinations. With powdery white sands, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere, it offers a perfect beach day experience. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, water sports, and other activities as well.
And it gets better. Half Moon Cay is being enhanced and expanded. Relax Away, Half Moon Cay will receive a new pier (goodbye tendering). Other upgrades include expanded dining options, additional cabanas, and new recreational facilities. A brand-new lagoon area is also being introduced, offering more opportunities for water activities and relaxation. These enhancements, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, aim to elevate the experience while maintaining the natural charm that Half Moon Cay has been known for.
9. Solo Traveler Options
Unlike many cruise lines, HAL caters to solo travelers with dedicated solo staterooms on select ships, eliminating the need for a costly single supplement. These staterooms are thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and convenience, featuring cozy layouts and modern amenities. In addition to dedicated accommodations, solo travelers can take advantage of social gatherings and meet-ups designed to connect like-minded cruisers.
Because there are only small blocks of solo cabins on any given cruise ship, they sometimes sell out quite a bit in advance. If you want to cruise solo (and not pay double-occupancy rates), you’ll need to secure one of these rooms early. We recommend working with a travel advisor to help with this process.
10. Free Room Service
Holland America still offers complimentary room service, a perk that is becoming less common among mainstream cruise lines. Guests can enjoy breakfast in bed or a late-night snack without additional charges. Yes, many cruise lines do still include continental breakfast, but on Holland America guests can order hot items like an All-American breakfast or frittatas. During the rest of the day, they can order salads, sandwiches, and select entrees with no added fees. This is a nice perk if you just want to relax after a long day ashore.
Cons of a Holland America Cruise
1. Demographic Skews Older
While Holland America isn’t necessarily for “old people”, the demographic does skew a bit older than other mainstream cruies lines. Partially due to its longer itineraries, HAL does attract many retirees and seasoned travelers. The cruise line’s onboard amenities are also more subdued when compared to other lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. This means that younger cruisers or families might opt for another cruise line with more bells and whistles.
With that being said, we are in our 40’s and do really enjoy Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships. This slightly older demographic typically means you don’t have to deal with kids running around the pool deck or drunken passengers causing a scene.
2. Limited Activities for Youths and Multi-Gen Groups
While HAL offers kids’ clubs (Club HAL) and teen programs, the options are minimal compared to family-focused cruise lines. Multi-generational families may find fewer entertainment options for younger guests as well. There aren’t usually family-centered activities like dance parties or scavenger hunts. While there’s usually a sports court and maybe some ping pong tables, you won’t find an arcade or waterslides on the pool deck either.
If your family vacation is focused on long days ashore enjoying the ports of call, this may not be an issue but it’s something to keep in mind.
3. Lack of Thrills and Attractions
Along the same lines, guests won’t find all the thrills and over-the-top attractions that are found on many megaships. Those seeking adrenaline-pumping amenities like surf simulators, zip lines, rock-climbing walls, ropes courses, or racetracks won’t find them on Holland America Line. The cruise line focuses more on cultural enrichment and relaxation rather than high-energy amusements.
That’s not to say that families can’t have a good time on a Holland America cruise; they just need to set the expectations ahead of time. Hey, most teens and tweens can occupy themselves for hours with WiFi and a smartphone.
4. Less Energetic Nightlife
Similarly, night owls looking for a party atmosphere may find Holland America lacking. The live music venues are the focus, so there are no high-energy nightclubs or late-night entertainment hubs. Bars and lounges tend to wind down early compared to other cruise lines. There’s also no silent disco, white party, or lively DJ spinning hits until the wee hours of the morning.
Though, we often find that this doesn’t matter as we’re tired after our long days in port. After dinner, we usually attend the theater show, then listen to a few sets of live music while enjoying a couple cocktails, and we’re more than ready to call it a night by that time.
5. No Broadway-Style Productions
Unlike some competitors, Holland America does not offer full-scale Broadway productions. You won’t find Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, or Grease on HAL ships. Instead, entertainment centers around live music and smaller-scale stage performances. Guests can still enjoy a lineup of nightly performances on the World Stage. But they usually include headliner acts like singers, comedians, or magicians. Some ships also feature performances by the Step One Dance Company. The line’s signature production, Origin Story, should not be missed either.
Still, if Broadway-caliber shows are a priority for you, another cruise line may be a better fit.
6. Limited Casual Dining Options
While the main dining room and specialty restaurants are excellent, Holland America does have fewer casual grab-and-go dining options compared to other lines. The buffet (Lido Market) has a wide selection of offerings including Asian and Italian Distant Lands stations. Many ships also feature the poolside Dive-In burger joint. However, across a vast majority of the fleet, you won’t find many other quick service options (complimentary or up-charge) like cafes with sandwiches, pizza windows, Mexican restaurants, or sports pubs.
7. Some Ships Feel Dated
While Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships are the newest in the fleet, many of the other ships feel older and less modern when compared to competitors’ vessels. Stateroom designs and public areas on certain ships may not match the sleek, high-tech aesthetic of newer cruise ships.
This often means that the cabins have darker wood finishes, and maybe even shower curtains in the bathrooms, that were typical of ships from previous decades. Some furnishings and decor may feel outdated, and there will likely be a lack of modern conveniences such as USB outlets. You might also find evidence of older ship design in public spaces like narrower pathways, less grand atriums, more compartmentalized spaces, and ornate detailing that many would consider “tacky” now.
8. Lack of Short Getaways
Holland America primarily focuses on longer cruises, often 7 days or more. The cruise line offers few short getaway options that are 3 to 5 days in length. If you’re looking for a quick escape or are short on vacation time, you may need to consider another cruise line.
These cruises aren’t the ones you see in the advertisements as “the world’s biggest weekend” or the ones considered “booze cruises”. They aren’t those quick jaunts to the Bahamas or the cruise line’s private island. Subsequently, they’re also not the cheapest cruise option.
9. Little Diversity Between Ships
Holland America ships have a consistent design and onboard experience, which can be a pro for brand loyalty but a con for those seeking variety across different sailings. Unlike Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line, where ships in the fleet vary greatly, HAL ships maintain a similar feel.
This can be great when it comes to familiarity with ship layout and expectations. However, entertainment may feel redundant and dining choices could feel repetitive. It really all comes down to what you’re looking for in a cruise vacation.
10. Limited Tech and Smart Features
Modern travelers, especially those who have cruised with other brands, might miss some of the tecnology and smart features found on other vessels when cruising with Holland America Line. Compared to newer cruise ships from other lines, you won’t find many high-tech elements like digital touch screens around the ship, smart elevators, wearable technology, app-based features like drink delivery, digital deck plans, or crew chat. You also won’t find smart features in the staterooms like digital controls for lighting or temperature.
While these modern conveniences are nice, many would argue that they aren’t necessary on vacation. But that’s up to you to decide.
Key Takeaways:
Choose Holland America if you:
- Prefer relaxation and enrichment over thrills and nightlife
- Enjoy longer cruises with unique destinations
- Appreciate smaller ships with fewer people and over-the-top amenities
- Want the destinations to be the focus of your trip
You might prefer another line if you:
- Want lots of nightlife and high-energy entertainment
- Have kids or teens who want lots of onboard activities and thrills
- Are looking for a short getaway
- Want the ship to be the focus of your trip
Comments
Do you agree with our pros and cons of taking a Holland America cruise? Do you have anything else to add to this list? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising with Holland America Line.
