Holland America Line has opened reservations for its 2028 European season, offering travelers more options to discover the continent thanks to an expanded itinerary covering Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and other destinations. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience in the region, the new season combines stops at iconic destinations with experiences that allow guests to gain a deeper understanding of local culture, landscapes, and traditions.
The 2028 season will feature the airline’s highest number of stops in Europe in nearly a decade, including record numbers of visits to Norway, Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Passengers will be able to discover more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Norwegian fjords, as well as enjoy regional cuisine, local traditions, and immersive shore excursions.
“Europe is a destination that changes with every season, and each one offers a completely different way to experience it,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning at Holland America Line. “We’ve designed each season around experiences that can only be enjoyed at certain times of the year, from tulips in bloom in the Netherlands in the spring to winter getaways in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, or the long summer days along Europe’s coastlines.”
The cruise line has recently expanded its European schedule to operate practically year-round, with departures between January and early December 2028 and itineraries ranging from 7 to 48 days. Five ships—the Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, and Zuiderdam—will sail throughout the region, offering a wide variety of options in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and on transatlantic voyages. In addition, several port calls will include overnight stays, extended stays, and evening excursions to allow guests to enjoy each destination at a more leisurely pace.
The Mediterranean Takes Center Stage
The Mediterranean will be one of the season’s main highlights, with itineraries ranging from 7 to 11 days and departures from six home ports. The cruises will visit destinations in Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey, while the Nieuw Amsterdam will return to Europe for the first time in more than ten years, allowing passengers to enjoy some of its most exclusive offerings, such as Morimoto by Sea, the only restaurant at sea by renowned chef Masaharu Morimoto.
For their part, the Rotterdam and the Nieuw Statendam will operate during the spring and fall, while the Zuiderdam will return to service after completing its "Evolution" modernization program.
Many of the itineraries are designed to be combined, allowing travelers to link several consecutive cruises and explore a larger part of the Mediterranean without repeating ports very often. For those seeking an even more extensive experience, the cruise line will also offer the Legendary Mediterranean Voyage, a 48-day cruise departing from and returning to North America.
More options in Northern Europe
The ships Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Zuiderdam will offer itineraries ranging from 7 to 28 days through Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles, and the Baltic, combining major cultural capitals with small coastal destinations.
The 2028 itinerary will feature the highest number of stops in Norway since 2014 and record numbers in Ireland and the Netherlands. Highlights include scenic cruises through the Norwegian fjords, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as visits to Iceland, Greenland, and numerous historic cities in Northern Europe.
The Canary Islands and Transatlantic Voyages
The season will also include itineraries through the Canary Islands, with stops in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, combined with ports in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.
In addition, Holland America will offer a variety of transatlantic cruises and its popular Legendary Voyages, connecting Europe and North America through itineraries that combine extended days at sea with stops in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Atlantic islands.
Europe All Year Round
- Winter (January–March) – The Nieuw Statendam will offer 7- to 14-day itineraries through the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, calling at ports such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon, and Casablanca, taking advantage of the season’s mild climate.
- Spring (March–May) – The Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zuiderdam will sail through the Mediterranean, the Netherlands, and Northern Europe on 7- to 14-day itineraries, coinciding with the tulip-blooming season.
- Summer (June–August) – The five ships in the fleet will sail throughout Europe on cruises ranging from 7 to 35 days, visiting Norway, Iceland, the British Isles, the Baltic, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey, with stops in destinations such as Flåm, Geiranger, Reykjavík, Stockholm, and Dubrovnik.
- Fall (September–November) – The Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Volendam will continue to sail through the Mediterranean and Northern Europe on itineraries ranging from 7 to 48 days, coinciding with the grape harvest season and numerous culinary and cultural celebrations.
- Late fall (November–early December) – The European season will run through early December, featuring 7- to 14-day cruises in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, as well as transatlantic cruises with stops in Barcelona, Lisbon, Tenerife, and Fort Lauderdale.
Passengers who book a European cruise in 2028 with the Have It All package will enjoy—for a limited time—included shore excursions, specialty restaurants, the Signature Beverage Package, and Surf Wi-Fi.
In addition, those who book in advance will receive the Early Booking Bonus, which includes prepaid tips for the crew and free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi service.
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