Holland America Reveals Most Extensive Europe Cruise Season in Nearly 10 Years 

August 4, 2026 Team Contributor

Holland America Line is significantly expanding its European footprint in 2028, opening bookings for its most ambitious Europe season in nearly a decade. With record port calls in markets including Norway, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands, alongside year-round sailings and access to more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the program marks one of the cruise line’s largest regional deployments in recent years. 

Record Growth Across Europe’s Most Popular Cruise Destinations 

The 2028 season will feature Holland America’s highest number of European port calls in almost ten years, with record visits scheduled for Norway, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. Guests will have access to more than 200 landmarks recognized by UNESCO, including renowned fjords, while a mix of cultural excursions, regional cuisine and local experiences aims to deepen destination immersion. 

Adding to the expansion, the cruise line will offer more overnight stays, extended calls and late departures, allowing travellers additional time to explore cities, coastal communities and historic landmarks throughout the region. 

Mediterranean and Northern Europe Take Centre Stage 

The Mediterranean remains a cornerstone of the program, with cruises ranging from seven to 11 days and departures from six homeports. Sailings will span Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey, while Nieuw Amsterdam returns to European service for the first time in more than a decade. 

Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line, said, “Europe is a destination that changes with every season, and each one offers guests a completely different way to experience it. 

“We built each season around moments travelers can only experience at certain times of year, from the Netherlands in full bloom during spring to winter escapes in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands and long summer days along Europe’s coastlines.” 

Several itineraries have been designed to be combined into longer voyages with minimal repeat ports. The season also includes Holland America’s highest number of port calls to Spain since 2017, along with a record six visits to Portofino. 

In Northern Europe, Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam will operate cruises ranging from seven to 28 days, visiting Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles and Baltic destinations. The deployment marks the company’s highest number of Norwegian port calls since 2014. 

Europe Beyond Summer: A Season-by-Season Cruise Strategy 

Unlike traditional cruise programs concentrated around the summer peak, Holland America’s 2028 deployment stretches from January through early December, giving travellers access to distinct experiences across different times of the year. 

Winter Escapes (January-March) 

• Nieuw Statendam will operate seven- to 14-day voyages to the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. 

• Featured ports include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon and Casablanca. 

• The itineraries are designed for travellers looking to enjoy milder weather and explore popular destinations outside the busy summer season. 

Spring Sailings (March-May) 

• Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Zuiderdam will sail across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Low Countries. 

• Key ports include Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges, Barcelona, Athens and Naples. 

• Spring departures coincide with the Netherlands’ tulip season and some of Europe’s most colourful landscapes. 

Summer Voyages (June-August) 

• All five ships will be deployed across Europe on itineraries ranging from seven to 35 days. 

• Destinations span Norway, Iceland, the British Isles, the Baltic region, Greece, Croatia and Turkey. 

• Highlights include scenic cruising through Norway’s UNESCO-listed fjords and calls at destinations such as Flam, Geiranger, Reykjavik, Stockholm and Dubrovnik. 

Autumn Discoveries (September-November) 

• Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Volendam continue operating cruises throughout the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. 

• Voyages range from seven to 48 days. 

• Destinations across Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Ireland and the Netherlands align with harvest-season celebrations, local culinary traditions and cultural festivals. 

Late-Fall Sailings (November-Early December) 

• Cruises continue well beyond the traditional Europe season aboard Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and other vessels in the region. 

• Travellers can choose from Mediterranean, Canary Islands and transatlantic voyages. 

• Featured destinations include Barcelona, Lisbon, Tenerife and Fort Lauderdale. 

With cruise lines increasingly unveiling itineraries years ahead of departure, Holland America’s ambitious Europe expansion reflects a broader industry movement toward early planning and expanded choice. A similar strategy can be seen in MSC Cruises’ 2028 Alaska season, which recently opened for bookings and further highlights confidence in long-term cruise demand. 

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