Holland America Line has announced an expansion of its European offerings with year-round cruises, strengthening its presence in the region with an extended 2027-2028 season that will include winter voyages. With the Nieuw Statendam remaining in European ports year-round, the cruise line will offer more opportunities than ever to discover the continent beyond the traditional summer season.
The expansion includes a dozen cruises aboard the Nieuw Statendam in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, significantly increasing Holland America's presence in the region during the off-season. The new itineraries add more than 70 days in port compared to last year, allowing passengers to enjoy more time at their destination, extended stops, and less tourist crowds. In addition, the expansion includes two more cruises aboard the Zuiderdam, further expanding options for exploring Europe during the winter.
“Europe remains one of the most sought-after destinations for our guests and, as a company with Dutch roots, it is a region we know exceptionally well,” said Paul Grigsby, Vice President of Deployment Planning and Itineraries at Holland America Line.
The new season revolves around a series of winter and early spring itineraries that offer a different way to experience Europe, with access to seasonal experiences, local traditions, and a greater diversity of destinations. From cruises focused on the Christmas markets of Northern Europe to an expanded program in the Mediterranean with more overnight stops and longer stays, the offering provides deeper and more enriching experiences throughout the year.
Christmas market cruises: the magic of European Christmas
The Nieuw Statendam's festive cruises are designed to immerse passengers in one of Europe's most evocative times of year, when squares are illuminated, markets fill with local artisans, and the pace of travel invites a more leisurely exploration. Thanks to the overnight stays and extended visits included in each itinerary, travelers can fully enjoy the traditions, cuisine, and atmosphere characteristic of this time of year.
One of the featured itineraries is the 13-day cruise "Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Markets: Stockholm," departing from and returning to Rotterdam or Dover. The trip includes stops in Kiel (the gateway to Hamburg's famous Christmas markets), Tallinn, and Copenhagen. Overnight stays in Helsinki and Stockholm allow you to explore these cities when their markets and Christmas celebrations are at their peak. Furthermore, excursions to Lapland, within the Arctic Circle and considered by many to be the home of Santa Claus, are available from Helsinki.
A second 15-day Christmas cruise covers the Christmas period and includes overnight stays in Hamburg and Copenhagen. The itinerary also visits Aarhus and features scenic sailing on the Elbe River, as well as stops in southern Norway, including Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen, and Stavanger.
A more relaxed and authentic Mediterranean
After the Christmas season, the Nieuw Statendam's cruises move to the Mediterranean during the winter and early spring.
The itineraries cover both the western and eastern Mediterranean, as well as the Canary Islands, connecting historic cities and coastal towns in Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. Highlights include stops in Valencia, Marseille, Livorno, and Naples, the gateway to Pompeii. Further east, passengers can visit destinations such as Mykonos, Rhodes, and Kusadasi, and enjoy overnight stays in some of the most popular ports.
With options ranging from 7 to 14 days, travelers can choose shorter cruises or combine several itineraries for longer trips. The Collectors' Voyages last up to 24 days and can also be taken consecutively, allowing for the exploration of a wider variety of destinations. These voyages showcase the Mediterranean at a time when the pace is more relaxed, the atmosphere more intimate, and the connection with each destination more genuine.
Main winter/spring itineraries 2027-2028
- November 20, 2027 – 15 days – Western Mediterranean: Lisbon with overnight on board
- December 5, 2027 – 13 days – Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Markets: Stockholm
- December 18, 2027 – 15 days – Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Markets
- January 2, 2028 – 14 days – The charm of the Canary Islands with Morocco and Spain
- January 16, 2028 – 10 days – Mediterranean Splendor: Spain, France, Italy and Greece
- January 26, 2028 – 10 days – Greek Islands and Istanbul
The program also includes itineraries through:
- Egypt and Santorini.
- Greece, Croatia and Italy.
- Spain, Morocco and Italy.
- Malta, Tunisia and Greece.
- Athens, Rhodes, Bodrum and Ephesus.
- Lisbon, Mallorca, Alicante, Cartagena, Tangier and Cadiz.
These new programs reinforce Holland America Line's commitment to Europe as a year-round destination, offering more authentic experiences and greater cultural immersion at every stop.
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