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The most affordable rooms, no window, but the same comfy beds, bathroom and service. Perfect if you plan to be out exploring.
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Classic premiumHolland America
Classic, destination-focused cruising.
☎Call now · +1-833-684-4250Compare lines
Compare Holland America with any other cruise line, and see who wins on what matters.
No more hopping between pages. Line them up on the money-and-complexity facts, gratuities, what's included, drink rules, cancellation, then one call gets you the best rate our partners can offer.
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Verified from official sources· checked Jul 18, 2026 96/96 facts verified from official sources
These differences add up. Call and we'll sort them for your trip.
☎Get your options, call nowHolland America is best described as classic premium. Classic, destination-focused cruising. Below is an independent, source-checked look at what actually matters before you book, and the money-and-complexity details worth a phone call.
Classic premium
The facts that cost money
These are the details that quietly change your final bill and vary by fare, cabin and sailing. We verify each from its source and re-check every 30 days; anything not yet verified is shown as a gap rather than guessed.
| Daily gratuitiesA published service charge added to your onboard account each day | $20.00/day for suites; $18.00/day for all other staterooms (per guest, Crew Appreciation) |
|---|---|
| What's included vs. extraDining and entertainment vs. specialty dining, drinks, wifi, excursions | Dining and entertainment are included, and all taxes/fees are in the advertised fare. Extra: shore excursions, spa, beverage packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining. |
| Drink package ruleWhether all adults in the cabin must buy it | All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom must buy the same package for the whole cruise (Signature or Elite). |
| Wi-FiIncluded, or tiered packages at extra cost | Not included in the base fare, three paid plans: Surf (web, email, messaging), Premium (adds audio/messaging apps) and Stream (streaming). The Surf plan is included with the Have It All fare. |
| Deposit & final paymentWhen the balance is due before sailing | Final payment due 120 days before departure for most cruises (some shorter cruises 90 or 75 days). |
| Cancellation & refundsPenalty schedule as the sailing gets closer | Typical schedule: 120+ days before = full refund; 91-119 days = 25% penalty; 61-90 days = 50%; 60 days or fewer = 100% (no refund). Longer/shorter voyages differ. |
| Refundable vs non-refundableFare/deposit types and what you forfeit | Most lines sell both a refundable-deposit fare and a lower non-refundable-deposit fare; a non-refundable deposit is forfeited if you cancel and change fees can apply. (General, fare types vary by sailing.) |
| Solo traveller supplementSingle supplement and whether solo cabins exist | A single supplement usually applies to solo travellers (roughly the cost of two fares); some ships offer dedicated solo cabins. Availability varies by ship and sailing, an advisor can find the solo-friendly options. |
| Kids, minimum age & clubsMinimum age to sail and kids-club age bands | Infants must be at least 6 months old to sail; 12 months for transoceanic, South America, Asia, South Pacific and Hawaii voyages. Kids programme: Club HAL (ages 3-17). |
| Onboard credit termsRefundable vs non-refundable onboard credit | Onboard credit comes from promotions or loyalty status, not the base fare. Refundable credit can be withdrawn as cash at the end of the sailing; non-refundable credit must be spent onboard. (General, amounts and terms vary by offer.) |
| Loyalty programmeProgramme name and how tiers work | Mariner Society, Cruise Day credits from cruise days, onboard purchases and double days in suites; five Star Mariner tiers. |
| Travel documentsPassport vs birth certificate on closed-loop sailings | On closed-loop US sailings, US citizens can sail with a US passport or an original/certified US birth certificate plus a government photo ID; a passport is preferred. |
These are exactly the details that surprise people at the pier and on the final bill. Call and we'll confirm every one for your ship, cabin and dates, and the best rate our partners can offer.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250At a glance
Founded1873
HeadquartersSeattle, Washington
Parent companyCarnival Corporation & plc
Ships in fleet11
Loyalty programmeMariner Society
StyleClassic Premium
Is this the right line for you?
✓ A strong fit for
- Alaska and glacier-focused travellers
- Couples and older cruisers
- Music and culinary enthusiasts
- Longer voyages and world cruise segments
- Travellers who want port depth over onboard spectacle
✕ Probably not for
- Families needing extensive children's programming
- Travellers wanting waterslides and thrill rides
- Those seeking nightlife-driven sailings
- Budget-first shoppers
The fleet, class by class
Pinnacle class
Koningsdam
2016 · 2,650 guests
View ship →Nieuw Statendam
2018 · 2,666 guests
View ship →Rotterdam
2021 · 2,668 guests
View ship →Signature class
Vista class
Noordam
2006 · 1,972 guests
View ship →Oosterdam
2003 · 1,964 guests
View ship →Westerdam
2004 · 1,964 guests
View ship →Zuiderdam
2002 · 1,964 guests
View ship →R Class class
Not sure which Holland America ship fits your trip? A specialist knows which ships sail where, and when.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250What's included, and what isn't
Included in your fare
- Main dining room, Set or flexible seating
- Buffet, Open most of the day
- Select casual venues
- Main theatre productions
- Pools and sports decks
- Fitness centre, Classes may carry a fee
- Kids club
- Water, drip coffee, tea, select juice
Costs extra
- Gratuities
- Alcohol, soda, speciality coffee, Packages available
- Speciality restaurants, Cover charge or à la carte
- Wi-fi, Tiered packages
- Shore excursions
- Spa and salon
- Casino and arcade
- Laundry and pressing
Choosing a cabin
Ocean View
A sealed window or porthole onto the sea, natural light and a view, without the extra of a balcony.
Verandah
Your own private outdoor space for morning coffee and sail-aways, the most popular choice for good reason.
Vista Suite
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
Signature Suite
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
Neptune Suite
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
Neptune Spa Suite
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
Pinnacle Suite
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
The right cabin, and the numbers to avoid on each ship, is exactly what an advisor knows.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Cruising with children
Kids clubClub HAL
Minimum sailing age6 months; 12 months for trans-ocean crossings and itineraries with 3+ consecutive sea days
What's on board for kids & teens: Club HAL (branded Kids Club) offers supervised, age-tiered activities for ages 3-12 with a separate tween/teen space and a 'High Score!' arcade. Programming runs on select sailings and is lighter on adult-oriented itineraries.
Travelling with kids? An advisor books connecting cabins, dining times and the right club, and finds the family deals.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Accessibility
Tender ports can be difficult or impossible with a wheelchair or scooter; the line publishes guidance per itinerary
Where and when it sails
RegionsAlaska, Caribbean, Europe, World voyages
Typical lengths7 to 35 nights (destination-focused, longer voyages)
Home ports:
Seattle, WA
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Boston, MA
San Diego, CA
Vancouver, BCWhat actually drives the cost
Alaska season timingMay and September sail for less than July but bring cooler, wetter weather and less wildlife activity.
Verandah vs interiorOn scenic itineraries a verandah earns its cost far more than on a Caribbean sailing, you use it constantly.
Voyage lengthLonger voyages frequently deliver the lowest cost per night in the fleet.
Cruisetour add-onLand extensions add rail, hotels and transfers, a separate budget line from the sailing.
Ship classThe newest class carries a premium over older tonnage on similar routes.
What you add onGratuities, drinks, speciality dining and excursions change the total meaningfully.
Prices move daily by ship, date and cabin. One call gets you the real number for your trip, and the best rate our partners can offer.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Updates
Latest Holland America updates
No updates right now. Call and we'll confirm the latest policy from the source.
Questions people actually ask
Is Holland America genuinely better for Alaska?
It is one of the longest-operating lines in the region with established glacier access and integrated land programmes. Whether it beats alternatives for your trip depends on your dates, budget and whether you want a land extension.
What is a cruisetour?
A one-way sailing combined with an inland land programme travelling by rail and coach toward the interior national park. More moving parts than a standard cruise, which is why most travellers arrange it by phone.
Is the average passenger older?
Generally yes, particularly on longer voyages and off-peak dates. Alaska summer sailings and holiday periods draw a broader mix.
Helpful guides
Free, factual reading to help you decide, then one call books it.
Choosing a cabinInterior to suite, what you get, what to watch for, and the cabins to avoid.Read guide →
What's includedThe gap between the fare and your final bill, explained plainly.Read guide →
Cruise gratuities explainedThe daily service charge, how it works, who it goes to, and how to plan for it.Read guide →
Find an affordable cruiseThe real levers that move the price, without the fake-deal gimmicks.Read guide →
Deposits, payment & cancellationThe booking timeline that keeps you in control of your money.Read guide →
Are drink packages worth it?How to tell, plus the whole-cabin rule that catches people out.Read guide →
Cruise Wi-Fi explainedPackages, tiers and what to realistically expect at sea.Read guide →
Refundable vs non-refundableWhich fare type fits your plans, and where insurance helps.Read guide →
Hidden cruise costsThe extras first-timers forget to budget for, in one checklist.Read guide →
How cruise pricing worksWhy fares vary, how lines price a sailing, and how to time it right.Read guide →
Onboard credit, explainedWhere it comes from, refundable vs not, and how to spend it well.Read guide →
Big ship vs small shipFloating resort or intimate vessel? How to pick the size that fits.Read guide →
How to choose a cruise lineMatch the line to how you travel, in three quick steps.Read guide →
Solo cruisingThe single supplement, solo cabins, and how to travel alone well.Read guide →
Groups & familiesConnecting cabins, kids' clubs, group dining and split payments, sorted.Read guide →
Accessible cruisingAccessible cabins, tendering, and what to confirm before you book.Read guide →Talk to a Holland America specialist
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