Holland America Line enhances its holiday offerings with new culinary traditions and festive experiences that bring a sense of home onboard. During the winter holidays, guests cruising with Holland America can enjoy a new Nutcracker Afternoon Tea, explore a refreshed cocktail menu and celebrate in an atmosphere filled with seasonal sights and scents.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
In early December, Holland America Line ships will be decorated for the season with festive decor, including gingerbread villages, special lighting, presents nder the tree, menorah displays and more. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, favorite holiday dishes will appear on menus throughout each ship, and bars will feature themed cocktails that capture the spirit of the season.
“The ambiance on a holiday cruise is special, and this year we’ve made some enhancements like a themed afternoon tea, breakfast with Santa, stateroom décor and even festive towel animals that are sure to delight our guests,” said Michael Smith, Senior Vice President, Guest Experience and Product Development, Holland America Line, in a press statement. “We are grateful to our guests who choose to share their holidays with us, and we want to be sure that we make it memorable—from a dish on the menu that tastes like home to activities that are fun for the whole family.”
Holiday-themed culinary offerings include a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Eve dishes from around the world and fresh jelly donuts and crispy potato latkes for Hanukkah. Canaletto will serve an Italian-inspired Christmas Eve dinner. New this year, guests on Caribbean cruises can enjoy a “Breakfast with Santa” experience, and during December a “Nutcracker Afternoon Tea” will be served on select sea days in the Dining Room on all ships.
Guests can toast the holidays with a new drink and cocktail menu, including a Minty Elf Martini, Rudolf the Red Margarita, De Lijn Ginger Mojito, Spiked Eggnog, Christmas Cocoa Mint Coffee or non-alcoholic libations like the Vanilla Gingerbread Latte and Eggnog Latte.
The ships will also offer a tree lighting ceremony, holiday movies, caroling and more. Onboard guests can make festive origami decorations, create ornaments in crafting sessions and learn cookie decorating tips and tricks from expert pastry chefs—and Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance.
Families onboard can enjoy holiday-themed activities at the Kids Club and Art Studio, including a coloring contest, card-making and a scavenger hunt. Festivities kick off with a tree lighting, followed by a Christmas Eve Party and a New Year’s Eve Ball with a midnight countdown and Champagne toasts.
The “Sounds of the Season” concert, featuring shipboard team choirs, is a guest favorite. Guests can also purchase the new “Winter Holiday” stateroom decor package, which includes stockings, a decorative pillow, a “Happy Holidays” blanket and other festive decorations to bring holiday cheer to their rooms.
Guests who book a holiday cruise with the Have It All premium package receive additional perks, depending on the length of the cruise. Perks include shore excursions, specialty dining, a beverage package and WiFi.
Destinations to Celebrate the Holidays
Sample holiday sailings include:
- 12-Day Panama Canal Sunfarer, Rotterdam, Nov 17: After exploring ports in the Caribbean, South America and Central America, guests can enjoy Thanksgiving Day at sea.
- 14-Day Southern Caribbean Holiday, Volendam, Dec. 21: This itinerary allows guests to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah and ring in the New Year on board. Highlights include Christmas Eve in St. Thomas, Christmas Day in Basseterre, New Year’s Eve in Oranjestad and New Year’s Day at sea.
- 7-Day Eastern Caribbean, Nieuw Amsterdam, Dec. 22: This cruise is ideal for travelers looking to spend Christmas or Hanukkah in a known for its festive season. The ship visits San Juan, Puerto Rico, on the holidays (which are both celebrated on Dec. 25, 2024).
- 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Holiday, Eurodam, Dec. 23: The ship overnights at San Juan on Dec. 25 after an evening arrival. Guests enjoy Christmas Day at sea before arriving in the late evening and can explore the city the next day.
For more information, visit hollandamerica.com.
