Holland America Line Cruises

Holland America is the traditional choice among the big lines: mid-sized ships, a proper dining room, live music in the evenings rather than waterslides, and a heavy schedule of Alaska, Europe and long Panama Canal and world itineraries. The passengers tend to be older and the pace slower, which is exactly why its loyal cruisers book it.

The add-on most people weigh is Have It All, which bundles the Signature drink package, Wi-Fi, specialty dinners and a shore-excursion credit that scales with trip length - one specialty night and up to $100 in credit on a 4-9 day cruise, rising to three nights and $300 on 21 days or more. As of 2026, Holland America lists it at $60 per person per day for departures before summer 2027 and $65 after that. Crew Appreciation is separate: $18 per guest per day in regular staterooms and $20 in suites, plus an automatic 20% on drinks and specialty-dining cover charges and 18% on spa services.

Most evenings are smart casual. A seven-day cruise usually has two Dressy Nights - typically the first full day and the second-to-last evening - when a jacket and tie or a cocktail dress fit in, especially at the five-course dinner in the Dining Room. The Kids Club program runs for ages 3 to 17, but on many sailings children are few, and the ships are not built around them.

Princess is the closest rival, with similar itineraries and a similar crowd; Princess feels a little more mainstream, Holland America a little more formal and quieter. Travelers coming from Celebrity often find Holland America's ships older in feel but its long itineraries hard to beat.

Sources: hollandamerica.com, hollandamerica.com, hollandamerica.com, hollandamerica.com, hollandamerica.com