Most Holland America reviews describe the same thing: a calm, mid-sized, premium cruise line with excellent live music, attentive service and some of the strongest Alaska itineraries at sea. It suits travelers who want good food, proper destination time and a quieter atmosphere, and it is less suited to families looking for waterslides and non-stop activity.
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This guide pulls together what passengers commonly praise and criticise in Holland America cruise reviews, plus the facts you need before booking: the current fleet, the Have It All package, dining, entertainment and how the line compares with Princess.
Holland America reviews at a glance: pros and cons
Holland America Line (HAL) has been sailing since 1873 and is part of Carnival Corporation. Read enough reviews and clear patterns emerge.
What passengers commonly praise
- Live music every evening across several small venues, rather than one big production show.
- Service, especially in the main dining room and from cabin stewards.
- Mid-sized ships that are easy to get around, with plenty of quiet corners, libraries and outdoor promenade decks.
- Itineraries with longer port stays, plus a big Alaska program and long voyages such as Grand Voyages.
- Value when fares are discounted or bundled with Have It All.
What passengers commonly criticise
- Older ships on the smaller end of the fleet can feel dated in places, despite refurbishments.
- Limited choice for children and teens compared with Royal Caribbean or Carnival.
- Quiet evenings for anyone wanting late-night clubs or splashy production shows.
- Extra charges for specialty dining, drinks and Wi-Fi if you book a basic fare.
Who Holland America suits (and who it doesn’t)
Holland America works best for couples and solo travelers over about 45, first-time cruisers who want a gentler introduction, multi-generational groups led by grandparents, and anyone whose main goal is the destination rather than the ship. It is also a sensible choice if you want a long voyage, as the line runs extended cruises that few mainstream brands still offer.
It is a weaker fit for families with young children who want waterparks, for groups who want a party atmosphere, and for travelers who care most about the newest, flashiest ship hardware. If you are weighing it against another premium brand, our Holland America vs Celebrity Cruises comparison sets out the differences in style and price.
Holland America ships: the current fleet
Holland America currently sails 11 ships, all mid-sized by today’s standards. In October 2026 the line announced that P&O Cruises’ Arcadia will transfer to the fleet in 2029, taking it to 12 ships. Guest numbers below are standard (double occupancy) capacity from Holland America’s fleet facts.
| Ship | Class | Entered service | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam | Pinnacle | 2021 | 2,668 |
| Nieuw Statendam | Pinnacle | 2018 | 2,666 |
| Koningsdam | Pinnacle | 2016 | 2,650 |
| Nieuw Amsterdam | Signature | 2010 | 2,106 |
| Eurodam | Signature | 2008 | 2,104 |
| Noordam | Vista | 2006 | 1,972 |
| Westerdam | Vista | 2004 | 1,964 |
| Oosterdam | Vista | 2003 | 1,964 |
| Zuiderdam | Vista | 2002 | 1,964 |
| Zaandam | R Class | 2000 | 1,432 |
| Volendam | R Class | 1999 | 1,432 |
| Arcadia (joining 2029) | Vista | 2005 | around 2,000 |
The three Pinnacle Class ships are the newest and get the most positive reviews for public spaces and dining choice. If you are booking Nieuw Statendam, check our guide to Nieuw Statendam cabins to avoid before you choose a stateroom. Zaandam and Volendam are the smallest and oldest, which suits travelers who like an intimate, traditional feel but means fewer venues.
HAL has also launched a multiyear upgrade program, Holland America Evolution, which brings Pinnacle-style venues and new cabin types to the Vista Class. Oosterdam is scheduled to debut its changes in fall 2027 and Zuiderdam in April 2028, and Arcadia will join the same program. Details are still emerging, so check the latest when booking. You can read more in our news story on Arcadia joining Holland America in 2029.
Dining: main dining room, Lido Market and specialty restaurants
Food is one of the areas most Holland America cruise reviews rate highly, particularly for consistency rather than wow factor.
Included dining
The main dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with waiter service, and you can choose set-time or flexible dining. The Lido Market is the casual buffet-style venue, laid out as separate stations with many items served by crew rather than self-service. Most ships also have a free poolside grill and pizza, plus afternoon tea and snacks.
Specialty dining
- Pinnacle Grill: HAL’s signature steakhouse, found across the fleet.
- Canaletto: Italian, usually in a section of the Lido.
- Tamarind: Pan-Asian, on selected ships.
- Sel de Mer: French seafood brasserie, on selected ships.
- Morimoto by Sea: Created with chef Masaharu Morimoto. A Morimoto by Sea sushi bar (a la carte, extra charge) is on Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Nieuw Amsterdam also has a full Morimoto by Sea restaurant, and the rest of the fleet offers at least one pop-up per cruise.
Venue line-ups differ by ship, so check the deck plan for your sailing rather than assuming every restaurant is on board.
The Have It All package explained
Have It All is HAL’s bundled fare add-on and the easiest way to cut extra charges. At the time of writing it includes:
- The Signature Beverage Package (drinks up to $12 each, up to 15 drinks a day, plus specialty coffee, sodas and mocktails).
- Specialty dining: one night on 4-9 night cruises, two nights on 10-20 nights, three nights on 21 nights or more.
- Shore excursion credit: up to $100, $200 or $300 per person depending on cruise length.
- Surf Wi-Fi for browsing and messaging.
Holland America lists the upgrade at around $60-65 per person per day depending on departure date, so check the current price when booking. As a rule of thumb, it pays off if you drink at least a few cocktails or glasses of wine a day and plan to use the excursion credit. If you barely drink, buying specialty dinners and Wi-Fi separately is often cheaper.
Entertainment and Music Walk
Live music is the line’s strongest entertainment card. On many ships the Music Walk groups several venues together so you can move between them in an evening. Depending on the ship you may find:
- Billboard Onboard: dueling pianos playing chart hits.
- B.B. King’s Blues Club: a live blues and soul band with a dance floor.
- Rolling Stone Rock Room (Pinnacle Class) or Rolling Stone Lounge (Vista Class): classic rock and pop.
The line-up has changed over the years. For example, the Lincoln Center classical venue closed, and Rolling Stone Lounge replaced B.B. King’s on the Vista Class ships. Expect a different mix on each ship. Daytime options include cooking demonstrations, talks and trivia. The line’s shows tend to be smaller-scale than Broadway-style productions on bigger ships, which is the source of most entertainment complaints.
Alaska and Glacier Bay: HAL’s biggest strength
If there is one area where Holland America reviews are near-unanimous, it is Alaska. The line has sailed there for decades, and Holland America says it has more permits to enter Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. Entry is tightly limited by the National Park Service, and on Glacier Bay days park rangers board the ship to give commentary.
HAL also runs Alaska cruisetours that combine a cruise with land travel into Denali and the Yukon, plus a glacier guarantee: if you don’t see at least one glacier, you receive a future cruise credit (exclusions apply, so read the terms). Not every Alaska sailing goes into Glacier Bay itself, so check the itinerary before you book. For port planning, see our Alaska cruise ports guide.
Caribbean and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
In the Caribbean, many HAL itineraries call at the private island in the Bahamas now named RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Holland America shares the island with Carnival Cruise Line. A new pier means ships can now dock rather than use tenders, and an enhancement program running through 2026 adds new dining, bars and cabanas. HAL guests use the quieter south side of the island, which is getting a refreshed beach club and lunch venue. Our Half Moon Cay guide covers what to do once ashore.
Holland America vs Princess Cruises
Holland America and Princess are sister brands under Carnival Corporation, and both target travelers who want a relaxed, premium-leaning experience. The main differences:
| Holland America | Princess Cruises | |
|---|---|---|
| Ship size | Mid-sized, roughly 1,400-2,700 guests | Wider range, including much larger newer ships |
| Atmosphere | Quieter, more traditional | Slightly busier, more activities |
| Entertainment | Live music focus (Music Walk) | Production shows, Movies Under the Stars |
| Tech | Standard app and Wi-Fi | MedallionClass wearables for contactless service |
| Alaska | Most Glacier Bay permits, Denali and Yukon land tours | Also strong, with its own wilderness lodges |
| Bundles | Have It All | Princess Plus and Princess Premier |
Pick Holland America if you value a calmer ship and live music; pick Princess if you want more onboard choice and a larger, newer ship. In Alaska, both are strong, so compare the specific itinerary and how many glacier days it includes.
Our verdict on Holland America Line
Taken together, Holland America reviews point to a dependable, well-run cruise line that does the classic things well: good dining, warm service, real destination time and excellent live music. Its weaknesses are the age of some ships, limited facilities for children and quieter evenings. If those suit you, and especially if Alaska is on your list, it is one of the best-value premium choices at sea. Check the latest deals and Have It All pricing on the official Holland America website before booking.
FAQs
Is Holland America a good cruise line?
Yes, for the right traveler. Reviews regularly praise its service, dining, live music and itineraries, especially in Alaska. It is less suited to families who want waterparks or anyone looking for a party atmosphere.
How many ships does Holland America have?
Holland America sails 11 ships at the time of writing. P&O Cruises’ Arcadia is due to join in 2029, taking the fleet to 12.
Which is better, Holland America or Princess?
Holland America has quieter, mid-sized ships and a focus on live music. Princess has a wider range of ship sizes, more onboard activities and MedallionClass technology. Both are strong in Alaska.
Is the Holland America Have It All package worth it?
Usually yes if you drink a few alcoholic drinks a day and will use the specialty dining and shore excursion credit. Light drinkers often save by paying for extras separately.
What age group cruises on Holland America?
Holland America attracts mostly couples and solo travelers in their 50s and older, though school-holiday and Alaska sailings bring more families and multi-generational groups.
