Holland America’s 2026 Europe Cruise Bookings Jump Over a Third

Holland America Line says demand for its 2026 Europe cruises is accelerating, with bookings up more than one-third year over year and Northern Europe leading the gains with a 50% jump compared with early January 2025.

The cruise line is pairing that momentum with its Wave Season “Start Your Journey” promotion, rolling out fare discounts, stateroom upgrade offers, onboard credit and other incentives on select sailings from summer 2026 through spring 2027.

2026 Europe demand rises, led by Northern Europe

Holland America’s 2026 Europe season spans 35 countries across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the British Isles and the Canary Islands. Dan Rough, vice president of revenue management for Holland America Line, said the brand’s positioning is resonating with travelers looking at the region.

“With our Dutch roots and unmatched expertise in the region, guests know they’re traveling with the European cruise experts when they choose Holland America,” Rough said.

The cruise line has pointed to itinerary design as a driver, emphasizing longer port stays and more overnight calls, which can open up more time for shore excursions, evening dining ashore and earlier starts for popular attractions. Holland America also said its Europe itineraries collectively feature calls on more than 175 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Ports, pacing, and onboard dining tied to the destinations

Holland America has highlighted a mix of marquee gateways and smaller calls across its Europe program, including ports such as Barcelona, Naples and Dubrovnik, along with stops including Portofino, St. Tropez and Valletta. The line has also promoted extended stays in cities such as Amsterdam and Oslo, plus overnight calls on select itineraries.

Onboard dining is designed to reflect the regions visited, with menu inspiration drawn from Mediterranean, Northern European and British Isles cuisines, the company said.

The History Channel partnership extends into 2026 itineraries

Several 2026 itineraries include shore experiences shaped through Holland America Line’s collaboration with The History Channel, which the cruise line rolled out in early 2025. Holland America has described the partnership as a three-year agreement focused on itinerary planning and excursions tied to historical landmarks and cultural themes.

The cruise line has pointed to excursions introduced in 2025 that align with the concept, including the Trondheim Heritage Trail in Trondheim, Norway, and a “Walk With Huskies” experience in Tromso.

• Nieuw Statendam: A 13-day “Fjords of Norway” cruise departing Sept. 19, 2026, with eight Norway port calls including Trondheim, Stavanger and Oslo, and ending in Dover, England. Holland America said Nieuw Statendam is a Pinnacle-class ship with capacity for 2,666 guests.
• Oosterdam: A seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary departing Rome on Aug. 29, 2026, calling at Portofino (Italy), Ajaccio (Corsica), Marseille (France) and Gibraltar, and ending in Barcelona. Holland America said Oosterdam is a Vista-class ship with double-occupancy capacity for 1,964 guests.

Wave Season promotion targets 2026 and early 2027 departures

Holland America said its “Start Your Journey” promotion is the company’s largest offer of the year and applies to more than 500 cruises, including itineraries to Alaska, Europe and the Mediterranean. Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said the brand is aiming to link onboard programming with the places guests visit.

“The best journeys are those where the destination comes to life on and off the ship,” Bodensteiner said.

• Fare and deposit incentives: The cruise line said select bookings may include up to 30% off cruise fares and a 50% reduction in deposits for the first and second guests in a stateroom on eligible bookings. Holland America also said fares can start at $162 per person, per day.
• Stateroom upgrades: Depending on the sailing, upgrade offers can include booking a verandah at an ocean-view price point, or booking an ocean-view at an interior price point, where available. Holland America has also promoted complimentary balcony upgrades on select itineraries.
• Families offer: On select 2026 and 2027 cruises, third and fourth guests age 18 and under can sail for free, with taxes, fees and port expenses additional.
• Onboard credit tied to a booking deadline: For bookings made by Jan. 31, Holland America said onboard credit can range from $100 to $250 per person depending on itinerary length, including $100 per person on six- to nine-day cruises and $250 per person on Legendary Voyages. The company said onboard credit can be used toward specialty dining, spa services, shore excursions and onboard retail purchases.

Alaska shore excursion bonus offer

While Holland America’s strongest demand growth has been tied to Europe, the promotion also includes an Alaska-specific incentive. The cruise line said guests booking select 2026 Alaska cruises or Cruisetours by Jan. 31 can receive up to $200 in shore excursion credits per stateroom when using promo code #1ALASKA26.

“Have It All” bundle and limited-time low-deposit Europe options

Holland America is also promoting its “Have It All” premium fare, which the cruise line said bundles shore excursions (based on cruise length), a Signature Beverage Package, specialty dining (based on cruise length) and a Wi‑Fi Surf Package. The company has positioned Wave Season incentives as add-ons to those inclusions on eligible bookings.

For a limited time, Holland America also spotlighted Europe itineraries where “Have It All” bookings may be available with a $25 deposit and a free balcony upgrade. The cruise line said the highlighted sailings include a mix of British Isles, Mediterranean and Northern Europe departures from late May through late October 2026 aboard Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam and Rotterdam.

FIFA World Cup 26 broadcasts planned across the fleet

Holland America said guests sailing in 2026 will be able to watch every FIFA World Cup 26 match across the company’s fleet, a detail the line is using to appeal to travelers trying to align vacation plans with the tournament schedule.

Sales momentum follows Black Friday gains

Holland America has also tied current booking strength to recent promotional performance. The cruise line said bookings during its Black Friday 2025 campaign surged nearly 20% compared with 2024’s record-setting numbers, crediting promotions that included reduced deposits, fare discounts and bundled amenities.

Rough said the pace of demand is shaping early-season decision-making for travelers. “These voyages will sell out,” he said, adding that the Wave Season window includes a Jan. 31 deadline for certain onboard credit and bonus offers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What destinations are included in Holland America Line’s “Start Your Journey” promotion?

Holland America Line said the promotion applies to more than 500 cruises, including itineraries to Alaska, Europe and the Mediterranean, on select departures from summer 2026 through spring 2027.

What are the main Wave Season incentives offered through “Start Your Journey”?

Depending on the sailing and fare, Holland America Line said the offer can include up to 30% off cruise fares, stateroom upgrade offers (including verandah-at-ocean-view pricing or ocean-view-at-interior pricing where available), onboard credit tied to bookings made by Jan. 31, and “kids sail free” pricing for third and fourth guests age 18 and under on select 2026 and 2027 cruises (taxes, fees and port expenses are additional).

What is included in Holland America Line’s “Have It All” fare?

The cruise line said “Have It All” includes shore excursions (based on cruise length), a Signature Beverage Package, specialty dining (based on cruise length) and a Wi‑Fi Surf Package.

Is there an extra bonus for booking Alaska sailings during the promotion?

Yes. Holland America Line said guests booking select 2026 Alaska cruises or Cruisetours by Jan. 31 can receive up to $200 in shore excursion credits per stateroom when using promo code #1ALASKA26.

Will FIFA World Cup 26 matches be available onboard?

Yes. Holland America Line said every FIFA World Cup 26 match will be shown across the fleet in 2026.