Holland America Line has announced an expanded 2028 Europe cruise season featuring the highest number of European port calls in nearly ten years. The season will include five ships—Zuiderdam, Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Volendam—sailing across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and transatlantic routes.
The 2028 program will operate from January through early December, offering itineraries ranging from seven to 48 days. Cruises will cover destinations including Norway’s UNESCO-listed fjords, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, six calls at Portofino, and transatlantic crossings connecting Europe and North America.
Expanded Destinations and Record Port Visits
Holland America Line’s 2028 schedule sets record numbers of visits to
Norway, Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands. It includes six calls at Portofino, the most in the line’s history. Northern Europe ports such as Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger are featured alongside Mediterranean stops in Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey, while Canary Island ports like Tenerife and Gran Canaria add to the itinerary diversity.
The cruise line is emphasizing longer time ashore, including overnight stays and late-night departures at select ports, to provide extended cultural and shore-based experiences.
Shift to Year-Round Europe Cruising
Responding to a sharp rise in European cruise bookings in 2026, Holland America Line has shifted from a traditional summer-focused Europe season toward
nearly year-round operations. This approach builds on the introduction of winter cruises in 2027 and 2028, reflecting confidence in demand for shoulder and off-season itineraries.
The 2028 deployment prioritizes port-intensive itineraries that reduce sea days in favor of destination time. This aligns with traveler trends favoring cultural immersion, longer shore visits, and smaller-ship experiences.
Ship Deployments and Onboard Enhancements
Nieuw Amsterdam returns to Europe in 2028 for the first time in over a decade, featuring signature amenities such as Morimoto by Sea, the only dedicated restaurant at sea by Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Zuiderdam’s first European cruises are now open for booking following extensive upgrades under
Holland America’s Evolution program, which improves public spaces and accommodations across the fleet to support expanded deployment.
These refurbishments enhance onboard experiences, complementing the line’s strategy to increase time ashore and elevate shore excursion offerings.
Industry Context and Traveler Benefits
European port authorities have upgraded infrastructure and adjusted scheduling to accommodate more vessels and reduce congestion. This facilitates Holland America’s expanded itineraries that blend major cities with lesser-visited regional ports.
Holland America integrates Europe into a global deployment model that also includes Alaska, the Caribbean, and multi-continent Grand Voyages. This balance addresses growing demand for diverse itineraries across regions.
Travelers benefit from a wider variety
of itinerary options, increased port calls, and extended stay durations that allow for varied excursions, including hiking, cycling, culinary tours, and cultural workshops.
Early booking incentives include shore excursions, specialty dining, beverage packages, and Wi-Fi as part of premium offers.
Paul Grigsby, Holland America Line’s Vice President of Deployment and Revenue Planning, 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.”
