Announced earlier this month, Holland America Line’s 2026 summer deployment in Europe includes four ships.
The program is highlighted by two of the company’s newest and largest ships, the Rotterdam and the Nieuw Statendam, which will sail in Northern Europe.
Cruise Industry News looks at some of the key numbers and aspects of the program that also includes itineraries in the Mediterranean and the Canaries.
4 Ships – The Rotterdam and the Nieuw Statendam visit destinations in Northern Europe and the Atlantic (including the Canaries). The Oosterdam offers a summer program in the Mediterranean, while the Zuiderdam sails roundtrip from Boston for a “Legendary Voyage” to Northern Europe and the Arctic.
6 Trans-Atlantic Cruises – In March and April, the Rotterdam and the Nieuw Statendam cross the Atlantic Ocean from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam on 14-day cruises. The Oosterdam crosses from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona on a 14-day itinerary.
In October and November, the Nieuw Statendam, the Rotterdam and the Oosterdam sail to Fort Lauderdale via Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Barcelona, respectively, on 14- and 15-day cruises.
6 “Celestial Cruises” – Including three eclipse cruises across Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, two Northern Lights cruises, and one summer solstice Arctic Circle crossing.
11 Departure Cities – Rotterdam and Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Barcelona, Spain; Boston, Massachusetts; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Trieste (Venice), Italy; Dover, England; Lisbon, Portugal; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
12 Overnight Ports – Alexandria, Egypt; Alta and Oslo, Norway; Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples and Trieste (Venice), Italy; Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland; Haifa, Israel; Istanbul, Turkey; South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland; and Valletta, Malta.
19 Late-Evening Departure Cities (between 10 p.m. and midnight) – Ålesund and Trondheim, Norway; Alexandria, Egypt; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Civitavecchia (Rome); Greenock (Glasgow); Dubrovnik, Croatia; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Istanbul; Kiel (Hamburg) and Warnemünde (Berlin), Germany; Liverpool, England; Mykonos and Rhodes, Greece; Reykjavik; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; South Queensferry (Edinburgh); St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada; and Tallinn, Estonia.
35 Countries – The season features visits to destinations in over 35 countries, where guests can visit more than 175 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Many Non-Repeating Itineraries – Holland America’s summer program in Europe also features a series of “Collector’s Voyages.” According to the company, these voyages are created by combining two seven-day itineraries, a seven- and a 14-day cruise or longer non-repeating voyages into back-to-back journeys of up to 42 days.
