When Holland America Line 's Veendam II sailed from New York in February 1926, it charted a course that would help define Caribbean cruising, making the company one of the first to offer regularly scheduled vacations to the region for guests seeking a warm-weather escape. A century later, Holland America Line is commemorating 100 years of Caribbean cruising with a limited-time promotion that includes an onboard credit.
From February 3 to 9, 2026, guests can escape the cold by booking selected Caribbean sailings with a departure date from now until April 30, to receive up to 50% off fares and an onboard credit, plus Free Fare Children.
“Our first voyage to the Caribbean in 1926 marked a pivotal moment for Holland America Line and for the evolution of modern cruising,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “As we celebrate 100 years, we wanted to offer something meaningful and memorable. This is our way of honoring this milestone and inviting travelers to experience what sets us apart in the Caribbean: ideally sized ships designed for relaxation and connection, a premium onboard experience, and ashore time on our private RelaxAway island, Half Moon Cay.”.
Eligible departures include a variety of Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida, including:
- 10-day Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles, Belize and Mexico aboard the Koningsdam, departing February 25, 2026, round trip from Fort Lauderdale.
- 7-day Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles and Mexico aboard the Eurodam, departing March 22, 2026, round trip from Fort Lauderdale.
- 10-day Southern Caribbean: Amber Cove and ABC Islands aboard the Zuiderdam, departing March 25, 2026, round trip from Miami.
- 7-Day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas aboard the Eurodam, departing March 29, 2026, round trip from Fort Lauderdale.
- 12-Day Eastern Caribbean: US and British Virgin Islands aboard the Koningsdam, departing March 29, 2026, round trip from Fort Lauderdale.
- 7-day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas aboard the Zuiderdam, departing April 4, 2026, round trip from Miami.
A story of Caribbean cruises
A pioneer in the industry for more than 150 years, Holland America Line has a history of milestones in the Caribbean that continue to set the standard for cruise travel:
1926: First cruise to the Caribbean (then “West Indies”) aboard the Veendam II.
1927: First stops in Willemstad, Curacao, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
1938: First stop dedicated exclusively to cruise ships in Cristóbal/Colón, Panama.
1959: First stops in Aruba after the development of larger docks.
1964: First stops in St. Maarten, as the island became a growing tourist destination.
1997: Opening of Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's award-winning private island in the Bahamas, with Ryndam III making its first stop.
- The company's first Caribbean cruise was a pioneering 26-day itinerary that departed from New York on February 18, 1926, and visited Havana (Cuba); Kingston (Jamaica); Colón/Cristóbal (Panama); Cartagena (Colombia); San Juan (Puerto Rico); and Bermuda, before returning to New York.
- Caribbean cruises were introduced during the North Atlantic off-season and quickly gained popularity during the 1920s and 1930s. As demand grew, the company expanded its Caribbean presence with multiple ships, including the Veendam, Statendam, and Volendam, bringing warm-weather cruising to more guests.
- In the years leading up to World War II, the line's flagship vessels, including the Nieuw Amsterdam II, were incorporated into Caribbean itineraries, further strengthening Holland America Line's leadership in the region. Following the war, winter Caribbean cruises resumed and expanded, ushering in a new era that reflected evolving travel preferences.
- By the 1970s, the rise of commercial aviation transformed Caribbean cruising, allowing Florida—particularly Fort Lauderdale—to solidify its position as Holland America Line's primary gateway to the region. One hundred years after its first Caribbean voyage, the company continues to build upon this legacy, honoring more than a century of innovation.
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