What makes Holland America different

TL;DR:

Holland America is a premium, midsize-ship line with strong Alaska and music.
Daily crew appreciation runs $17 pp, $19 in suites, plus 18 percent on extras.
“Have It All” bundles drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, and shore-excursion credit.
Dress is smart-casual most nights, with optional Gala nights.
Private island Half Moon Cay features beach day fun and new upgrades.

Holland America Line (HAL) dates to 1873. Today it runs 11 midsize ships that focus on good food, live music, and varied itineraries. The line skews adult, with many couples, solo travelers, and multigenerational groups. Families do sail, and there is a Kids Club, but the vibe is calm, not splash-park loud.

HAL’s calling cards:

Alaska depth with scenic glacier days and permits for Glacier Bay on many runs.
The Music Walk, a cluster of live venues steps apart, so you can catch back-to-back sets.
A private Bahamian island, Half Moon Cay, with clear water, soft sand, and rentable cabanas.

This guide covers ships, cabins, routes, what is included, extra costs, dress code, and booking tips. It is current as of 7 January 2026.

Fleet, classes, and the “feel” on board

HAL’s ships are midsize by modern standards, which helps with crowd flow and scenery viewing. The newest Pinnacle Class trio, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam, carries the full Music Walk lineup and the 270-degree World Stage theater. Signature and Vista Class ships feel quieter and more traditional, with fewer music venues but similar dining and service.

Cabins range from inside to ocean-view and balcony, up to Neptune and Pinnacle Suites. Storage is strong. Bathrooms are simple, with walk-in showers on newer builds and shower-tub combos on some older ships.

Who will like HAL:

Travelers who want live music nightly, not giant water slides.
Food-first cruisers who enjoy specialty venues and classic main dining.
Alaska fans who care about glacier time and naturalist talks.

Where HAL sails

Alaska, May to September. Most 7- to 14-day cruises include glaciers such as Glacier Bay, Hubbard, or Dawes. Holland America promotes a Glacier Guarantee for 2024-2025 departures. Many itineraries add Denali by rail on cruisetours.
Caribbean, winter. Expect Half Moon Cay on many Eastern and Western routes. The island has seen new upgrades, including pickleball courts.
Europe, spring to fall. The line offers Norway fjords, British Isles, Med, and Baltics alternatives.
Long voyages. HAL runs Grand Voyages 30 to 100+ nights and world segments for slow travel fans.

Entertainment and enrichment

The Music Walk brings three big acts near each other:

B.B. King’s Blues Club for Memphis blues and soul, with the All-Star Band.
Billboard Onboard for chart hits with dueling pianos and audience trivia.
Rolling Stone Lounge for a live band playing rock and pop standards.

On the theater side, World Stage uses wraparound LED screens for dance shows and guest acts. Daytime programming includes cooking demos, location talks, and craft classes. In Alaska, naturalists and park rangers board for glacier days.

Dining, drinks, and specialty options

Main Dining Room offers rotating menus with plenty of classics. Lido Market is the buffet with made-to-order stations. Popular specialty venues include:

Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood.
Tamarind for pan-Asian.
Canaletto for Italian served family-style.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Book specialty dinners before sailing if your dates are firm.

Beverage packages: HAL sells tiered packages. The Elite package covers drinks up to a defined price cap with a daily limit on alcoholic beverages, and includes non-alcoholic items. If you drink modestly, buying a la carte can still be cheaper. For many guests, bundling makes sense with the “Have It All” fare (details next).

“Have It All” explained

“Have It All” is an optional fare that rolls popular extras into one price:

Signature Beverage Package.
Specialty dining credits (varies by cruise length).
Wi-Fi Surf plan for general browsing, with upgrades to faster tiers for a fee.
Shore-excursion credit that scales with length, starting at $100 per person on 6- to 9-day cruises.

If you plan to buy drinks, one or two specialty dinners, basic Wi-Fi, and a tour, this bundle often saves money. If you rarely drink and skip specialty dining, the standard fare may be smarter.

Wi-Fi at sea

The Surf plan suits email, messaging apps, news, and basic browsing. It is the plan included with “Have It All.” Premium or Stream upgrades can be purchased pre-cruise or on board for higher speeds, better for video calls or streaming. Only one device connects at a time by default, unless you buy a multi-device option.

Dress code and Gala nights

Days are casual across the ship. Evenings are usually smart-casual. Think slacks and a collared shirt for men, dresses, skirts, or nice pants for women. Shorts, pool wear, and distressed jeans are not allowed in restaurants at night. Most week-long cruises include Gala Nights, which invite suits or cocktail dresses. A jacket is common, a tie is optional. If you prefer to keep it casual, dine at the buffet on Gala night.

Gratuities and service charges

HAL adds Crew Appreciation automatically to your onboard account. Current rates are $17 per person, per day for non-suite cabins, and $19 per person, per day for suites. An 18 percent service charge is added to bar drinks, specialty dining cover charges, à la carte food items, and spa services. You can adjust daily crew appreciation at Guest Services before you settle your account.

Half Moon Cay: HAL’s beach day

Half Moon Cay is the line’s private island in the Bahamas, reached by tender. Expect a long crescent of powder sand, shallow turquoise water, and water toys. Book early if you want a cabana or two-story beach villa. Recent updates have added new activities, including pickleball courts. Food is a beach barbecue. Drinks and rentals cost extra, and your beverage package usually applies on the island.

Families and Kids Club

HAL’s Kids Club runs age-grouped activities for kids and teens 3 to 17. Hours vary by ship and day. Programs include crafts, games, video-game tournaments, and theme nights. Strollers and cribs are limited, so request in advance. Guests under 21 must travel with a parent or chaperone.

Budget snapshot

Use this simple table to plan common costs for a 7-night cruise for two adults.

Line item	Typical cost
Base fare (balcony, shoulder season)	Varies by region and ship
Crew Appreciation	$17 pp/day standard rooms, $19 pp/day suites
Drinks if not on a package	$8–16 per cocktail or glass of wine, plus 18%
Specialty dining	$25–$55 per person, venue dependent
Wi-Fi	Surf included with “Have It All,” upgrades extra
Shore tours	$50–$250+ per person per tour
Laundry	A la carte or package pricing on board

Prices change by ship and season. Check your booking flow for your exact rates.

Sample planning checklist

Pick your region and season first. For Alaska, June to August has peak wildlife and warmer temps. May and September are cooler with value pricing.
Decide if “Have It All” makes sense for your habits. If you want drinks, Wi-Fi, tours, and a specialty dinner, it often will.
Book cabins mid-ship if you are motion sensitive.
Reserve specialty dining and popular shore tours early.
Pack smart-casual outfits and one Gala look.
Budget for crew appreciation and the 18 percent service charge on extras.
For Half Moon Cay, pre-book cabanas or villas and bring reef-safe sunscreen.
For Alaska, layer up, carry binoculars, and be on deck early on glacier day.

Tips to save without stress

Watch for promotions that include “Have It All” or extra onboard credit.
Shoulder seasons often run lower fares and fewer crowds.
Consider inside passage or one-way Alaska sailings with a Denali cruisetour if you want more land time; the train ride is a highlight.
Loyalty matters. The Mariner Society offers perks like early booking onboard credit and discounts as you earn cruise-day “stars.”

Why it matters

Cruises bundle transport, lodging, food, and fun, but the fine print shapes your real spend and experience. Knowing what HAL includes, what costs extra, and how its ships feel helps you book the right itinerary, pack the right clothes, and set the right budget. That means fewer surprises at checkout and more time listening to a blues riff under the lights or watching ice calve off a glacier.

Sources: