Holland America Line is taking European cruising year-round with a 2027-2028 season that keeps Nieuw Statendam in European waters well past summer. The expanded program adds a dozen cruises across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with more than 70 additional port days compared to the prior year, giving clients extended time ashore with fewer crowds. Zuiderdam joins the season with two additional sailings.
“Europe continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for our guests, and as a cruise line with Dutch roots, it’s a region we know incredibly well,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and itinerary planning for Holland America Line, in a press statement. “Expanding to year-round Europe allows us to showcase a completely different side of the destination—one that is quieter, more immersive and deeply seasonal. From the festive charm of Christmas markets to a cooler and more relaxed Mediterranean region, winter offers a more authentic way to experience Europe.”
Holland America’s Europe
Two holiday sailings anchor the Northern Europe program. The 13-Day Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Markets: Stockholm departs roundtrip from Rotterdam or Dover, with calls at Kiel—the gateway to Hamburg’s Christmas markets—Tallinn and Copenhagen. Overnight stays in Helsinki and Stockholm let clients experience festive city centers after dark, when markets are at their peak. The Helsinki call also puts Lapland, widely known as the home of Santa Claus, within reach.
A 15-Day Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Market Holiday covers the Christmas season itself, with overnights in Hamburg and Copenhagen. The route includes scenic cruising on the Elbe River and a call at Aarhus, plus southern Norwegian ports including Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen and Stavanger, with scenic cruising in Hardangerfjord.
The winter and early-spring Mediterranean program spans Western and Eastern itineraries, as well as the Canary Islands. Key ports include Valencia, Marseille, Livorno and Naples, with overland access to Pompeii. Eastern sailings reach Mykonos, Rhodes and Kusadasi, with overnight calls built into several routes for more time ashore. Zuiderdam sails a 14-Day Cultural Crossing with Morocco and Spain from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona on Feb. 3, 2028, and a 9-day Barcelona-to-Rome itinerary on Feb. 17, 2028. A Jan. 2, 2028, 14-Day Canary Island Enchantment with Morocco and Spain on Nieuw Statendam departs Rotterdam for Barcelona, stopping at Casablanca, Agadir, the Canary Islands and southern Spain.
Voyages run from seven to 14 days, with Collectors’ Voyages stretching up to 24 days and available back-to-back for broader regional coverage. The season opens Nov. 20, 2027, with a 15-Day Western Mediterranean: Lisbon Overnight sailing roundtrip from Rotterdam, calling at Lisbon, Cadiz, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena and Gibraltar.
For more information, visit hollandamerica.com.
