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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 today's fare for your dates. can offer.

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Verified from official sources· checked Oct 21, 2026 123/156 facts verified from official sources

These differences add up. Call and we'll sort them for your trip.

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Holland 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. Where we have not verified something we say so and put you through to an advisor, rather than guess at it.

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, excursionsDining 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 itAll 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 costNot 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 sailingFinal payment due 90 days before departure for cruises of 13 days or less (excluding Asia, Australia and South America). Bookings opened from 29 Sep 2026 departing 2027 or later: 120 days.
Cancellation & refundsPenalty schedule as the sailing gets closerCruises of 13 days or less booked now: 90+ days before departure = full refund; 89-83 days = full refund less the deposit; 82-46 days = 50% refunded; 45 days or fewer = no refund. Bookings opened from 29 Sep 2026 departing 2027 or later: 120+ days = full refund; 119-91 = 75% refunded; 90-61 = 50% refunded; 60 or fewer = no refund. Grand World and Grand Voyages differ.
Refundable vs non-refundableFare/deposit types and what you forfeitMost lines sell both a refundable-deposit fare and a lower non-refundable-deposit fare. On a non-refundable fare the full deposit is held in penalty if you cancel, although payments beyond the deposit are refunded, and change fees apply to the booking. (General, fare types and penalties vary by line and sailing.)
Solo traveller supplementSingle supplement and whether solo cabins existA solo traveller in a two-person cabin normally pays a single supplement, roughly the cost of two fares. Some ships have cabins built and sold for one person, where double-occupancy rates do not apply, but they are a small part of the inventory and availability varies by ship and sailing. (General, the supplement and the cabin types vary by line.)
Kids, minimum age & clubsMinimum age to sail and kids-club age bandsInfants must be at least 6 months old to sail; 12 months for transoceanic, South America, Asia, South Pacific and Hawaii voyages. Kids programmes ages 3-17: Kids Club 3-6, Tweens 7-11, Teens 12-17.
Onboard credit termsRefundable vs non-refundable onboard creditOnboard credit comes from a promotion or your loyalty status, not the base fare, and it comes in two kinds. Complimentary credit is non-refundable and has no cash value, so it has to be spent on board. Purchased credit is refundable to you before you leave the ship. Where you hold both, the non-refundable credit is normally spent first, and anything left at the end of the last evening is forfeited. (General, terms vary by line and offer.)
Loyalty programmeProgramme name and how tiers workMariner 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 sailingsOn 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, with today's fare.

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At 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

What'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

🛏️

Interior

The most affordable rooms, no window, but the same comfy beds, bathroom and service. Perfect if you plan to be out exploring.

🪟

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.

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Cruising with children

Kids clubKids Club / Tweens / Teens
Minimum sailing age6 months; 12 months for trans-ocean crossings and itineraries with 3+ consecutive sea days

What's on board for kids & teens: Supervised, age-tiered youth programmes: Kids Club (3-6), Tweens (7-11) and Teens (12-17), plus 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.

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Accessibility

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, BC

What 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.

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Updates

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 →Contemporary vs premium vs luxury linesWhat the three tiers really describe, and which one fits your trip.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 cruise specialist

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We are an independent travel agency. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, authorised by, or an agent of Holland America. Holland America and its ship names and logos are trademarks of their owner, used here descriptively only.

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Training and certifications

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Training completed by individuals at BookMeCheapest LLC, the team that researches and publishes this site. Calls are answered by independent travel companies, not by any cruise line, and not by the people named here. These are professional development courses run by tourist boards and cruise lines for travel professionals. Completing one is a training achievement, not a partnership, appointment or endorsement. We are not affiliated with, authorised by, or an agent of any cruise line or tourist board.

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