Holland America Line (HAL) has a long-standing history of over a 150 years. With origins as a passenger and shipping company, Holland America has been providing cruise vacations since the 1970’s. With nods to its Dutch heritage, the brand has built a reputation for its refined experiences and diverse itineraries. In a world of mega-ships, Holland America features perfectly mid-sized ships that offer sailings across the globe. But is this cruise line right for you? Having cruised with the brand a number of times in the recent years, we break down the pros and cons of taking a Holland America cruise to help you decide if it fits your travel style.

Pros of a Holland America Cruise

1. Focus on Culinary Excellence

One of Holland America’s standout features is its commitment to culinary excellence. The “port to plate” program brings locally inspired dishes onboard, allowing guests to experience regional flavors. The cruise line also prides itself on its global fresh fish program. Not to mention, Holland America partners with esteemed chefs, including Rudi Sodamin, David Burke, and Masaharu Morimoto to name a few, bringing one-of-a-kind menu items to your plate.

While the selections in the main dining room are great, the specialty restaurants should not be missed. Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, Canaletto, and the new Morimoto By Sea elevate the dining experience even further. Tamarind is our personal favorite…just saying that we may have sampled almost everything on the menu at this restaurant.

2. Enriching Onboard Activities

Holland America prioritizes enrichment through a variety of activities, many of which are included in the cruise fare. Guests can enjoy cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and expert-led lectures covering topics like history, wildlife, and culture pertinent to the cruise region. We personally think that this is one of the biggest differentiators of Holland America from other mainstream cruise lines.

In Alaska, guests can learn about topics such as glaciers and whales. In New Zealand, guests can learn about the culture and traditions of the Maori people. These are just a few examples of how Holland America seamlessly intergrates the onboard programming with its destinations. Not to mention, there are near-daily port talks that are much more than glorified shore excursion presentations.

3. More Diverse Itineraries

Another benefit of taking a Holland America cruise is the diversity of destinations to which they sail. The cruise line offers a broad range of ports (partially due to its smaller ship sizes) and more extended stays compared to many mainstream cruise lines. We’ve personally cruised with Holland America to Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, and the Norwegian Fjords.

With itineraries spanning Alaska, Asia, Australia, South America, Europe, and beyond, guests can explore unique destinations on every voyage. With longer stops and overnight stays in some ports of call, guests can enjoy deeper cultural immersion and more leisurely exploration.

The line is also known for its Legendary Voyages and Grand Voyages, which offer extended sailings lasting several weeks or even months. These in-depth itineraries take travelers to remote destinations, often including rare ports of call and cultural experiences, making them a favorite among seasoned cruisers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

4. A Leader in Alaska Cruises

Holland America is a top choice for Alaska cruises, boasting decades of expertise in the region. The line has been sailing to Alaska for over 75 years and has developed deep connections that enhance the guest experience. Further, HAL is one of the few cruise lines with permits to sail into Glacier Bay National Park. When deciding on your Alaska cruise, we ALWAYS recommend picking an itinerary that visits Glacier Bay as the views are truly breathtaking.

Their partnerships in the region allow guests to engage with local heritage both onboard and ashore. Additionally, Holland America’s Cruisetours seamlessly blend sea and land exploration, featuring scenic rail journeys on the McKinley Explorer and stays at exclusive lodges near Denali National Park. While we have yet to experience one of these land and sea packages, we hear they’re fantastic, providing unparalleled access to Alaska’s natural beauty and wildlife

5. “Have It All” Package

For those who cringe at the words “nickel and diming”, you’ll be happy to know that Holland America offers the option for a more all-inclusive cruise experience. Similar to sister brand Princess Cruises, HAL offers an upgrade from the standard cruise fare known as the “Have It All” Package.

The “Have It All” package offers added value by bundling perks like shore excursions, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and beverage packages into the cruise fare. This package enhances the overall cruise experience by allowing guests to enjoy more premium offerings without worrying about additional charges or their tab at the end of the cruise. Guests can enjoy dinner in Pinnacle Grill or Tamarind, sip specialty coffees or cocktails, and stay in touch with loved ones back home while traveling the world— all for the price of a few cocktails a day.

6. Relaxed Atmosphere and Comfortable Ships

Holland America provides a sophisticated, yet unpretentious atmosphere. You won’t find amusements like waterslides or racetracks like some other more family-friendly cruise lines, and you won’t encounter the stuffiness that you might on a luxury or ultra-luxury cruise line. The ships are designed for comfort. The overall vibe is relaxed, perfect for those seeking a traditional cruising experience with modern comforts.

Guests can unwind in inviting public spaces such as the Crow’s Nest, which offers panoramic ocean views and a cozy lounge atmosphere with games and puzzles. Or, they can explore the extensive onboard library filled with books and quiet nooks for reading.

The pool areas provide a tranquil retreat, with some ships featuring retractable roofs for all-weather enjoyment. Fitness and recreation options are available as well, including the increasingly popular pickleball courts, while those seeking relaxation can indulge in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, which offers a thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool.

7. Focus on Live Music

While you won’t find elaborate stage productions on Holland America cruise ships, music lovers will appreciate the line’s impressive live entertainment offerings. Venues like the B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room/Lounge, and Billboard Onboard provide top-tier performances ranging from blues to rock and top hits of today.

Musicians in these venues perform multiple sets a night, so you’re bound to find some live music throughout the evening. We often find ourselves bouncing from one venue to the next listening to the various selections after dinner and in-between main theater shows (which Holland America does still have). And we’re not alone, as these venues are usually busy. The dance floor gets busy too!

8. Half Moon Cay

While historic cities and quaint villages are great, sometimes you just need a relaxing beach day. Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, is consistently ranked among the best cruise line private destinations. With powdery white sands, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere, it offers a perfect beach day experience. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, water sports, and other activities as well.

And it gets better. Half Moon Cay is being enhanced and expanded. Relax Away, Half Moon Cay will receive a new pier (goodbye tendering). Other upgrades include expanded dining options, additional cabanas, and new recreational facilities. A brand-new lagoon area is also being introduced, offering more opportunities for water activities and relaxation. These enhancements, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, aim to elevate the experience while maintaining the natural charm that Half Moon Cay has been known for.

9. Solo Traveler Options

Unlike many cruise lines, HAL caters to solo travelers with dedicated solo staterooms on select ships, eliminating the need for a costly single supplement. These staterooms are thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and convenience, featuring cozy layouts and modern amenities. In addition to dedicated accommodations, solo travelers can take advantage of social gatherings and meet-ups designed to connect like-minded cruisers.

Because there are only small blocks of solo cabins on any given cruise ship, they sometimes sell out quite a bit in advance. If you want to cruise solo (and not pay double-occupancy rates), you’ll need to secure one of these rooms early. We recommend working with a travel advisor to help with this process.

10. Free Room Service

Holland America still offers complimentary room service, a perk that is becoming less common among mainstream cruise lines. Guests can enjoy breakfast in bed or a late-night snack without additional charges. Yes, many cruise lines do still include continental breakfast, but on Holland America guests can order hot items like an All-American breakfast or frittatas. During the rest of the day, they can order salads, sandwiches, and select entrees with no added fees. This is a nice perk if you just want to relax after a long day ashore.

Cons of a Holland America Cruise

1. Demographic Skews Older

While Holland America isn’t necessarily for “old people”, the demographic does skew a bit older than other mainstream cruies lines. Partially due to its longer itineraries, HAL does attract many retirees and seasoned travelers. The cruise line’s onboard amenities are also more subdued when compared to other lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. This means that younger cruisers or families might opt for another cruise line with more bells and whistles.

With that being said, we are in our 40’s and do really enjoy Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships. This slightly older demographic typically means you don’t have to deal with kids running around the pool deck or drunken passengers causing a scene.

2. Limited Activities for Youths and Multi-Gen Groups

While HAL offers kids’ clubs (Club HAL) and teen programs, the options are minimal compared to family-focused cruise lines. Multi-generational families may find fewer entertainment options for younger guests as well. There aren’t usually family-centered activities like dance parties or scavenger hunts. While there’s usually a sports court and maybe some ping pong tables, you won’t find an arcade or waterslides on the pool deck either.

If your family vacation is focused on long days ashore enjoying the ports of call, this may not be an issue but it’s something to keep in mind.

3. Lack of Thrills and Attractions

Along the same lines, guests won’t find all the thrills and over-the-top attractions that are found on many megaships. Those seeking adrenaline-pumping amenities like surf simulators, zip lines, rock-climbing walls, ropes courses, or racetracks won’t find them on Holland America Line. The cruise line focuses more on cultural enrichment and relaxation rather than high-energy amusements.

That’s not to say that families can’t have a good time on a Holland America cruise; they just need to set the expectations ahead of time. Hey, most teens and tweens can occupy themselves for hours with WiFi and a smartphone.

4. Less Energetic Nightlife

Similarly, night owls looking for a party atmosphere may find Holland America lacking. The live music venues are the focus, so there are no high-energy nightclubs or late-night entertainment hubs. Bars and lounges tend to wind down early compared to other cruise lines. There’s also no silent disco, white party, or lively DJ spinning hits until the wee hours of the morning.

Though, we often find that this doesn’t matter as we’re tired after our long days in port. After dinner, we usually attend the theater show, then listen to a few sets of live music while enjoying a couple cocktails, and we’re more than ready to call it a night by that time.

5. No Broadway-Style Productions

Unlike some competitors, Holland America does not offer full-scale Broadway productions. You won’t find Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, or Grease on HAL ships. Instead, entertainment centers around live music and smaller-scale stage performances. Guests can still enjoy a lineup of nightly performances on the World Stage. But they usually include headliner acts like singers, comedians, or magicians. Some ships also feature performances by the Step One Dance Company. The line’s signature production, Origin Story, should not be missed either.

Still, if Broadway-caliber shows are a priority for you, another cruise line may be a better fit.

6. Limited Casual Dining Options

While the main dining room and specialty restaurants are excellent, Holland America does have fewer casual grab-and-go dining options compared to other lines. The buffet (Lido Market) has a wide selection of offerings including Asian and Italian Distant Lands stations. Many ships also feature the poolside Dive-In burger joint. However, across a vast majority of the fleet, you won’t find many other quick service options (complimentary or up-charge) like cafes with sandwiches, pizza windows, Mexican restaurants, or sports pubs.

7. Some Ships Feel Dated

While Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships are the newest in the fleet, many of the other ships feel older and less modern when compared to competitors’ vessels. Stateroom designs and public areas on certain ships may not match the sleek, high-tech aesthetic of newer cruise ships.

This often means that the cabins have darker wood finishes, and maybe even shower curtains in the bathrooms, that were typical of ships from previous decades. Some furnishings and decor may feel outdated, and there will likely be a lack of modern conveniences such as USB outlets. You might also find evidence of older ship design in public spaces like narrower pathways, less grand atriums, more compartmentalized spaces, and ornate detailing that many would consider “tacky” now.

8. Lack of Short Getaways

Holland America primarily focuses on longer cruises, often 7 days or more. The cruise line offers few short getaway options that are 3 to 5 days in length. If you’re looking for a quick escape or are short on vacation time, you may need to consider another cruise line.

These cruises aren’t the ones you see in the advertisements as “the world’s biggest weekend” or the ones considered “booze cruises”. They aren’t those quick jaunts to the Bahamas or the cruise line’s private island. Subsequently, they’re also not the cheapest cruise option.

9. Little Diversity Between Ships

Holland America ships have a consistent design and onboard experience, which can be a pro for brand loyalty but a con for those seeking variety across different sailings. Unlike Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line, where ships in the fleet vary greatly, HAL ships maintain a similar feel.

This can be great when it comes to familiarity with ship layout and expectations. However, entertainment may feel redundant and dining choices could feel repetitive. It really all comes down to what you’re looking for in a cruise vacation.

10. Limited Tech and Smart Features

Modern travelers, especially those who have cruised with other brands, might miss some of the tecnology and smart features found on other vessels when cruising with Holland America Line. Compared to newer cruise ships from other lines, you won’t find many high-tech elements like digital touch screens around the ship, smart elevators, wearable technology, app-based features like drink delivery, digital deck plans, or crew chat. You also won’t find smart features in the staterooms like digital controls for lighting or temperature.

While these modern conveniences are nice, many would argue that they aren’t necessary on vacation. But that’s up to you to decide.

Key Takeaways:

Choose Holland America if you:

• Prefer relaxation and enrichment over thrills and nightlife
• Enjoy longer cruises with unique destinations
• Appreciate smaller ships with fewer people and over-the-top amenities
• Want the destinations to be the focus of your trip

You might prefer another line if you:

• Want lots of nightlife and high-energy entertainment
• Have kids or teens who want lots of onboard activities and thrills
• Are looking for a short getaway
• Want the ship to be the focus of your trip

Comments

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As with just about any cruise line, being loyal to Holland America Line can certainly pay off. Holland America’s loyalty program has five tiers, with new guests achieving 1-Star rank after their first cruise. In our guide to the Holland America Mariner Society program, we go over how to sign up and accrue credits, as well as each tier and the associated benefits.

Our Guide to the Holland America Mariner Society Loyalty Program

How to sign up for Holland America’s Mariner Society loyalty program

Signing up for the Holland America Mariner Society loyalty program is easy — in fact, you don’t have to sign up at all! Once you have sailed with HAL, you’re automatically enrolled in the program and start to receive benefits with your second cruise.

If you’ve sailed with one of Holland America’s sister lines (Carnival, Princess, Cunard, Seabourn, or Costa) you’re automatically enrolled in the Mariner Society program once you book your first Holland America voyage.

To create an account to view your cruise history, Star Level, and bonus Cruise Day credits, go to the “My Account” section of the Holland America website.

How to earn points in Holland America’s loyalty program

With the Mariner Society program, you earn one Cruise Day credit for each actual day sailed. Holland America defines each “actual day sailed” as each overnight on the ship. So if you took a seven-night cruise, you would receive seven Cruise Day credits. If you book a suite or penthouse, you receive double the Cruise Day credits.

Travelers also receive Cruise Day credits for Alaska cruisetours, meaning both the cruise and land portions count for Cruise Day credits. Pre and post-cruise tours and hotel packages in other destinations do not qualify.

You can earn bonus Cruise Day credits by spending money onboard the ship, through HAL’s Onboard Spending Bonus. For each $300 in eligible onboard purchases, one bonus Cruise Day credit is earned. This is calculated on the combined folio charges for all guests on the booking, regardless of who signs each charge and who pays the bill. Casino charges, cash advances, and Future Cruise deposits are excluded. Only the first two guests on a booking are eligible to receive the Onboard Spending Bonus Cruise Day credits.

All guests sharing a stateroom as part of the same booking will receive the benefits earned by the guest at the highest level in the Mariner Society program. This means that if you’re a 2-Star Mariner sailing with a 4-Star Mariner, you’ll receive the 4-Star level perks.

Your Cruise Day credits accrual (and loyalty status, if applicable) will be updated seven to 10 days after the cruise or cruisetour ends.

Holland America Mariner Society Tiers and Benefits

How many levels are in Holland America’s Mariner Society program?

There are five Mariner Society tiers:

• Star Mariner: received after taking one cruise
• 2-Star Mariner: 30 to 74 Cruise Day credits
• 3-Star Mariner: 75 to 199 Cruise Day credits
• 4-Star Mariner: 200 to 499 Cruise Day credits
• 5-Star Mariner: 500+ Cruise Day credits

What benefits do you receive in each Holland America loyalty program tier?

1-Star Mariner

You reach the first Star Mariner tier once you’ve completed your first Holland America cruise. This tier includes a free drink voucher that can be used anytime during the cruise, as well as a collectible gift. 1-Star Mariners also receive a 50 percent discount on cruise fares for the third and fourth guests in a cabin on select sailings.

All Star Mariner tiers, including 1-Star, can also receive up to $400 per cabin in onboard credit for cruises booked within 90 days of a new season launch.

2-Star Mariner

The second Star Mariner tier includes all of the perks as a 1-Star, plus the addition of a complimentary photo of the ship. 2-Star Mariners also receive a 10 percent discount on select Holland America Line logo clothing sold in the onboard shops.

3-Star Mariner

3-Star Mariners receive everything that 2-Stars do, plus an invitation to the Mariner Society Welcome Onboard Reception, which is just for 3 to 5-Star loyalty members.

The 3-Star tier is also where more discounts start to kick in. In addition to the 10 percent discount on select HAL logo clothing, 3-Star Mariners get discounts on select spa treatments, a 25 percent discount on Sommelier Suite packages (excluding wine cards, Cellar Master packages, individual bottles, wine-by-the-glass, and beverage gift cards), a 25 percent discount at most specialty restaurants, a 25 percent discount on specialty coffees, and a 25 percent discount on mini-bar purchases.

4-Star Mariner

The fourth tier in the Holland America Mariner Society program is where the perks start to really get good. Firstly, the discounts on Sommelier Suite packages, specialty restaurants, specialty coffees, and mini-bar purchases are upped to 50 percent. The discount on Holland America logo clothing is raised to 15 percent. 4-Star loyalty guests also receive a 25 percent discount of $55 per person for Rudi’s Sel De Mer specialty restaurant.

4-Star Mariners also receive a complimentary regional wine tasting, complimentary laundry and pressing service, priority check-in, priority tendering and disembarkation, and free cruise fare on select cruises for the third and fourth passengers in the stateroom.

5-Star Mariner

The fifth tier is the highest in Holland America’s Mariner Society loyalty program, and is achieved by those who have accrued 500 Cruise Day credits. For a guest taking seven-night cruises in a regular stateroom, it would take 72 voyages to reach this level, or just under 1.5 years at sea total!

To reward its most loyal passengers, Holland America provides two complimentary dinners at Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, or Canaletto; one complimentary day pass to the spa thermal suite, and up to a $30 credit towards an internet package for each cruise. These perks are in addition to all of the perks that are included with the other Mariner Society tiers, and in addition to everything else that is always included on a Holland America cruise!

Holland America Mariner Society Q&As

If I become eligible for the next tier during my cruise, will my additional benefits apply right away?

Unless you’re sailing on one of Holland America’s longer Grand Voyages, you do not receive your next tier benefits until the next cruise.

Does Holland America have reciprocal status matching with other Carnival Corporation cruise brands?

While you do qualify as a past guest by sailing the other Carnival Corp. brands listed at the top of this article, cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation umbrella do not offer status matching with each other. You earn credits/points for each cruise line by sailing that line only.

If I qualify for onboard discounts, do I need to request them at the time of purchase?

You do not need to ask for your Mariner Society discounts; they will be applied automatically.

Which specialty restaurants qualify for the 3, 4, and 5-Star discounts?

Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, and Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurants all qualify for Star level discounts. The discount does not apply to Morimoto by Sea, other restaurant pop-ups, special events, or restaurant packages.

Can my Cruise Day credits expire and can I lose status?

As is the case with most cruise lines, Holland America’s Cruise Day credits do not expire and you do not need to requalify for your status at any time. This means that once you reach any status, you will never be downgraded — you will have at least that status or higher forever (unless Holland America changes this aspect of the Mariner Society program in the future).

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To provide guests with a more inclusive cruise experience, Holland America offers a package called ‘Have It All.’ Through the Holland America Have It All package, guests receive four extras for a flat per-day price. For many cruisers it’s worth the price, but is it for you? Here, we’re going over the inclusions in the Have It All package and crunching the numbers to help you determine if it’s worth making the purchase.

What’s Included in the Holland America Have It All package? (2025)

What’s included on a Holland America cruise?

When you book a Holland America cruise under the standard fare, there are a number of things that are included. The cruise fare will cover the cost of your stateroom. The category of stateroom you choose will be the main factor of your total cruise cost. Interior cabins without windows are generally the cheapest, while suites with more room to spread out are the most expensive.

Three meals a day, plus snacks, are also included in the cruise fare from several venues around the ship. These include the main dining room, the buffet, the poolside grill, and the fast-casual pizza counter. 24-hour room service is also complimentary on Holland America cruises.

Most activities and amenities are also part of the standard cruise fare. These include use of the pools, fitness centers, and sports courts, as well as workshops and lectures, trivia, game shows, movies, and cooking demonstrations. A variety of entertainment like theater production shows, live music, and comedy shows, keep guests entertained throughout the day and into the night.

Further, Holland America ships have complimentary programs for kids, with most activities taking place in the Club HAL youth center. Toddlers all the way to 17-year-olds have their own age-appropriate spaces and activities like parties, sports, games, crafts, scavenger hunts, and more — all supervised by professionally-trained staff.

What’s included in Holland America’s Have It All package?

The Holland America Have It All package allows guests to bundle some extras into their cruise fare, minimizing onboard costs during the cruise. Have It All costs $60 per person, per day if purchased prior to the cruise. If you upgrade once on board, it’s $70 per person, per day.

Have It All includes the Signature Beverage Package, the Surf wifi package, a limited number of specialty dining nights (depending on the length of the cruise), and shore excursion credit (the amount of which depends on the length of the cruise as well).

Holland America breaks down the amount of shore excursion credit and specialty dining nights into three cruise lengths: six to nine days, 10 to 20 days, and 21+ day cruises (excluding Grand Voyages).

Here’s what each includes:

6 to 9 day cruises

• $100 shore excursion credit per person
• Signature Beverage Package
• 1 night of specialty dining
• Surf wifi package for one device (can switch between devices)

10 to 20 day cruises

• $200 shore excursion credit per person
• Signature Beverage Package
• 2 nights of specialty dining
• Surf wifi package for one device (can switch between devices)

21+ day cruises

• $300 shore excursion credit per person
• Signature Beverage Package
• 3 nights of specialty dining
• Surf wifi package for one device (can switch between devices)

Fine Print

Holland America’s Signature Beverage Package is the line’s standard alcoholic drinks package. It includes drinks onboard that are priced at $11 or less such as beers, wine by the glass, spirits, cocktails, sodas, and specialty coffees. There is a limit of 15 drinks per day with this package, including non-alcoholic ones. The Signature Beverage Package excludes purchases made in the ship’s shops, mini-bar drinks, and beverages purchased through room service. The package does not work on Holland America’s island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, either.

The specialty dining meals are available for Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, or Tamarind. Guests on 10+ night cruises who receive two or three specialty dining meals cannot choose the same restaurant for every meal. Instead, one meal is at Pinnacle Grill and the other nights are at Canaletto and/or Tamarind. On 21+ day cruises aboard ships without Tamarind, guests receive two nights at Pinnacle Grill and one night at Canaletto. The specialty dining offer excludes specialty dining events in Pinnacle Grill such as Rudi’s Sel de Mer, A Taste of De Librije, and Cellar Master Dinner.

The Surf wifi package is Holland America’s most basic internet package, and is only available through the Have It All package. It allows guests to access web browsing and email, as well as news, sports, and messaging apps. Audio and video calling is not supported in the Surf plan. Those wanting access to more functionality or better bandwidth can upgrade to the Premium or Stream wifi packages once on board.

What is not included in the Have It All package?

While the Holland America Have It All package does include some services and amenities that make the cruise more inclusive, it doesn’t include everything on the ship. For example, Have It All doesn’t include the automatic daily gratuities, which is $17 per person, per day for standard cabins and $19 per person, per day for suite guests.

Spa and salon services, as well as access to the spa thermal suite and fitness classes also costs extra. Laundry services, the casino, the shops, and specialty dining events are also not included.

Premium spirits and wines will go beyond the $11 price cap for the Signature Beverage Package, but the good news is that guests must only pay the difference — not the entire price. An upgrade to the Elite Beverage Package includes more premium drinks worth up to $15 per serving, and can be done once on board. Guests can also upgrade their wifi package once on board to be able to do things like audio/video calling and streaming, or add additional devices to their internet plan. Any shore excursion expenses that go beyond the allotted credit must also be paid out-of-pocket.

Can you get the Have It All package on any sailing?

While the Have It All package is available on most sailings, there are some exceptions. Cruises that are five days or shorter and Grand Voyages are not eligible. For Alaska cruisetours, Have It All is only applicable to the cruise portion of the trip.

Holland America Have It All Package FAQs

Do the 3rd and 4th guests in a cabin need to purchase Have It All if the first two guests do?

Yes, if anyone in a stateroom purchases Have It All, all other passengers 18 and older in the same stateroom must buy it as well. Of course, guests under 21 years old are not allowed to order or consume alcoholic beverages.

Can you add the Holland America Have It All package to an existing booking?

Yes, all you have to do is log into your Holland America account and navigate to ‘Manage my Cruise’ to add the package prior to the sailing for $60 per day. You can also contact your travel agent so they can add the package to your booking.

Do you still need to pay gratuities on beverages with the Have It All package?

No, beverage gratuities are included in the Have It All package.

Is the Holland America Have It All package worth it?

According to Holland America, “guests save 50% or more” on the four Have It All amenities compared to buying them separately, at a value of $110 per person, per day. Let’s break down how much each amenity would cost if purchased separately.

How much things cost

The Signature Beverage Package costs $60.95 per person, per day if purchased separately. “Wait,” you may be thinking, “that’s more than the cost of the Have It All package right there!” You’d be right. If you were already planning to purchase the standard alcoholic drinks package, just that alone means you’d be better off to pre-purchase Have It All.

The Surf wifi package that Have It All includes is only available through the Have It All package. However, Holland America lists its value as $31 per device, per day. If you were to purchase the lowest internet package available a la carte, it would be the Premium package for $36 per device, per day. This is the same as the Surf package, except it adds on the ability to make audio and video calls. Discounts may apply for longer voyages.

Each specialty restaurant on Holland America’s ships incur one per-person charge for dinner. Pinnacle Grill costs $52 ($104 per couple), Canaletto is $25 ($50 per couple), and Tamarind is $35 ($70 per couple).

The shore excursion credit is self-explanatory — the credit can be used for shore excursions in port that are booked through the ship.

Crunching the numbers

So let’s assume you’re taking a standard seven-night cruise. Here are the prices you’d pay for all four amenities included in the Have It All package if you purchased them a la carte:

• Signature Beverage Package: $60.95 per day = $426.65 for seven days
• 1 night of specialty dining: $25 to $52 per person
• Premium wifi package (since Surf cannot be purchased separately): $36 per day = $252 for seven days
• You’d just pay out-of-pocket for shore excursions and not receive a $100 credit

Adding all of this up, you’d pay about $817 per person for a seven-night cruise for the amenities included in the Holland America Have It All package if they were purchased separately. That’s $1,634 for two people. If purchased prior to the cruise, the Have It All package would be $420 per person, or $840 per couple. If purchased once on board, it’s $490 per person or $980 per couple.

It’s worth noting that gratuities are included in the purchase price of Holland America’s drink packages, whether you purchase separately or buy Have It All. However, an 18 percent gratuity is automatically added for specialty restaurant dining if purchased separately. If you’re dining with the Have It All package, though, it’s included.

So… is it worth it?

If you’d take advantage of all of these perks, the package is well worth it. Even if you’re planning to just purchase wifi and a few drinks per day, you’re still likely to break even or get a better deal with Have It All — and you get the other perks too.

If you don’t drink and don’t need internet during your cruise, you might want to do some math. If you’d use the shore excursion credit and dine in a specialty restaurant or two throughout the sailing, it actually may be better to go a la carte. It’s also important to consider your traveling companions. If you drink but your spouse doesn’t and you don’t plan to purchase wifi or eat in any specialty restaurants during your cruise, it may be better to skip Have It All — remember, if one person in a cabin purchases it, all guests 18+ in the same cabin must also purchase.

Sit down with your traveling companions and do the math on what you expect you’ll be paying extra for throughout your cruise. This will help you determine whether adding the Have It All package is a better deal than paying for things separately.

Of course, some guests like to purchase inclusive packages just so they don’t have to worry or think as much about their bill at the end of the cruise. In that case, the Have It All package would likely be worth it for you.

Comments

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Holland America has announced its 2026-2027 Mexico and Pacific Coast schedule. The Mexico season will include longer voyages that are up to 12 days long, visiting well-known favorites as well as less frequently called on gems like Loreto. The Pacific Coast season is highlighted by visits to places like the fjord-like waterways of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Visiting Mexico From San Diego

Koningsdam and Zaandam will sail the Mexico season, offering 16 departures on a variety of eight itineraries ranging from seven to 12 days. The cruises, which explore the Mexican Riviera, the Baja Peninsula, and the Sea of Cortez, all sail either roundtrip from San Diego or open-jaw between San Diego and Vancouver.

Guests can further explore Mexico through shore excursions, such as a full-day tour to the Colonial Villages of the Sierra Madre — showcasing Malpica, Concordia, and Copala. Those seeking an escape from civilization can take the Majahuitas Cove Catamaran Snorkel & Yelapa Bay Beach tour. Majahuitas Cove, accessible only by sea, will entice visitors with its warm water, gentle surf and abundant sea life. And Yelapa, a charming Mexican fishing village, provides the opportunity to hike through the jungle to the Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail Waterfall), or simply relax on the beach.

The Pacific Coast

Holland America will offer 11 Pacific Coast itineraries for the 2026-2027 season, ranging from one to seven days long. Cruises are available on five ships sailing from three ports: San Diego, Seattle, and Vancouver. Port calls will include Astoria, Santa Barbara, and Ensenada. Select itineraries will include an overnight in San Francisco.

Guests can also choose from two departures of a seven-day Great Bear Rainforest voyage aboard Noordam, sailing roundtrip from Seattle. The cruise, calling at Ketchikan, Alaska as well as a number of ports in British Columbia, provides guests with the opportunity to view wildlife like whales, eagles, and the rare white-furred Kermode bear — also known as the spirit bear. These voyages will also include the rare chance to sail the historic Inside Passage, including Bella Bella and the Grenville Channel.

Have It All Early Booking Bonus

For a limited time, when guests book 2026-2027 Mexico and Pacific Coast cruises with the Have It All premium package, they’ll receive the added perk of free prepaid gratuities and free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium wifi. The package already includes shore excursion credit, a set number of specialty dining nights, a Signature Beverage Package, and the Surf wifi package.

Guests can also take advantage of Holland America’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 in onboard credit per stateroom when these cruises open for sale. These cruises must be booked by May 28, 2025, to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.

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At 82K gross tons, carrying just under 2,000 passengers, Holland America Westerdam offers a variety of itineraries in the Pacific. In the summer, the ship sails roundtrip from Seattle, exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Outside of the Alaska season, the ship repositions to the southern hemisphere, offering cruises from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand and a variety of sailings in Asia in 2025-2026. Heidi and I just spent 14 nights Down Under on Westerdam and share everything you need to know from the dining to entertainment and onboard activities with our honest Holland America Westerdam review.

Holland America Westerdam Review

Casual Dining

Like the rest of the fleet, Holland America Westeram features several included dining spots.

The Lido Market is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Like other cruise ship buffets, this Deck 9 buffet features a variety of hot and cold items that are well organized into stations. In the Navigator app, guests can see the buffet menus for each day, which is a nice perk that most cruise lines do not offer.

While menu items did rotate at lunch and dinner, breakfast consisted of basically the same offerings each morning. Breakfast offered all of the classics, including two custom omelet stations, warm entrees, fresh fruit, pastries, and plenty of side dishes.

For lunch and dinner, there were several themed offerings. The Distant Lands Asian station boasted items like sushi, fried rice, noodles, and dishes like chicken teriyaki and sweet and sour pork. The Distant Lands pasta station included a made-to-order selection of different pastas and sauces. The Carving Station offered a variety of entrée selections as well. There were also other regional specialties like meat pies.

While the food variety was on par with our expectations, the food quality was a bit of a letdown. We aren’t sure if this was related to the sourcing of products in the region, but nothing we sampled lived up to our previous experiences on Holland America ships. In fact, the pizza was inedible.

Another casual option on Westerdam is the Dive In Burger stand. Here, guests can order signature burgers and dogs right in the app or at the walk-up window. While our selections were hit or miss during the cruise, the offerings were still better than most burgers on a cruise ship. Plus, Heidi appreciated the option of a grilled chicken sandwich!

Also next to the Lido Pool was a Taco stand. This self-service option was a regular stop for us to have a quick snack after a long day ashore.

Further, unlike almost all contemporary cruise lines, Holland America Line still features complimentary room service. Guests can order continental breakfast items AND hot breakfast at no additional charge. During the day, guests can also enjoy options like sandwiches and salads delivered to their staterooms for no cost.

Outdoor Decks

Many Holland America Line ships have a similar layout and design. So, if you have sailed on another vessel in the fleet, you will feel right at home on Westerdam.

Most of the outdoor spaces on Westerdam are located on Decks 9 and 10. While the weather was not as sunny as we had hoped during our cruise, we did spend a few afternoons enjoying these areas.

Midship on Deck 9 is the Lido Pool. This main pool features a retractable roof, making it a popular spot regardless of the weather outside.

Aft on the same deck is the Sea View Pool. On warm afternoons, getting a deck chair near the pool took some work. But, additional lounge chairs could be found aft on Deck 10 as well. This sundeck wrapped around most of the ship but did not have many loungers or chairs out during this voyage.

Additionally, guests will find the sports court aft on Deck 11. The popular activity here was pickleball, with several sessions everyday of the cruise. There were also other open play hours for games like basketball or soccer.

Deck 3 also has an outdoor promenade. With some loungers and shuffleboard, this partially enclosed promenade wrapped around the ship, making it great for walking and jogging as well as sightseeing.  

During our day of scenic cruising, the captain opened up the ship’s bow, as well as viewing platforms on Decks 5, 6, and 7. There is an outdoor viewing area forward of the gym on Deck 9 as well.

For those looking for more active pursuits, the ship’s fully equipped gym has cardio machines, free weights, and weight machines.  

For those looking to unwind, there is the Greenhouse Spa and Thermal Suite. Guests can book services like massages and facials or can opt for passes to the Thermal Suite, home to a hydro-pool, heated loungers, and other experiences.

Onboard Activities

The cruise director, Grant, and the rest of the activities team offered a variety of events to keep guests entertained between Westerdam’s many exciting ports of call. Of course, for this Holland America Westerdam review we attended several of these onboard activities.

On many mornings, guests could start their day with Coffee with Cruise Director Grant, featuring a Q&A with ship personnel, like the Captain. Throughout the day, there were trivia contests and cruiser competitions. These events were very well attended. Whether it was 70s music trivia or Disney music trivia, which we scored 20/20, there was something for everyone.

Popular game shows like Majority Rules or the Game of Love also occurred during the voyage. The Activities Manager, Jose, hosted game night most evenings as well. These entertaining events were mainly an excuse for Jose to get the crowd involved and laughing.

Further, Holland America Line’s popular cooking show occurred several times. Executive Chef, Darren, taught attending guests how to cook the cruise line’s popular dishes, like Coral Trout with Porcini and Bacon.

Up on Deck 10, the Art Studio was a popular place for guests to master new knitting skills, learn origami, or engage in adult coloring. The Crow’s Nest was also a hub of activity with various board games and puzzles for guests to use at their leisure.

In the main theater, Eli, the ship’s travel guide, hosted port talks and regional presentations. This native Kiwi’s talks were in-depth and not glorified shore excursion pitches. Those came after.

Additionally, during our scenic day cruising in Fiordland National Park, there was commentary and a talk by one of the national park’s representatives.

Cruise Director Grant hosted a couple signature Holland America shows as well. From the cruise line’s “Origin Story” to the behind-the-scenes look at ship life in “A City on the Sea”, these offerings should not be missed.

Not to mention, there’s also a library, casino, and shopping.

Like our experiences sailing on Holland America Line in Alaska, the cruise line’s focus on the destinations and cultural immersion sets it apart from others sailing in the region. It helped that Grant, Jose, and Eli were all upbeat and engaging, making all the onboard activities that much more fun.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Along with the aforementioned daily activities, there was a pretty standard lineup of evening entertainment.

In the main theater, there was either a signature show or a headliner act each night. Across the 14 nights, there were four production shows by the Step One Dance Company, with our favorite being Humanity. Combining digital effects with perfectly sophisticated dance moves, these shows are certainly worth attending.

While we do enjoy the Step One shows, they are a bit repetitive and do not feature any live music. Holland America Line did recently announce new production shows, but none were on this ship.

When the dance cast wasn’t performing, there were other acts including comedians and singers. Two comedians took to the stage on two occasions each. There were also three different musical acts, each quite different. Sarah C offered a pretty typical “Diva” show with music from the likes of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Adele, among others.

There were also country music shows by Daniel Thompson. Not being a huge fan of country music, his “Icons: The Country Gentlemen” included more obscure numbers than we expected. Then, there was The Jason Singh Experience. He was perhaps the most surprising performance. His “Taxiride to the 90s” was right up our alley. With songs from Matchbox Twenty, Backstreet Boys, Oasis, and more, it might have been a bit too modern for many in the crowd. But, we were definitely fans.

Outside of the theater, there was live music in two signature Holland America venues— Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge. In Billboard Onboard, two resident pianists rotated through sets like “One Hit Wonders”, “Piano Greats”, “Love Songs”, and “All Requests”. In the Rolling Stone Lounge, a multi-talented band performed sets ranging from 80s rock to country, R&B, pop, and everything in between.

Additionally, guests looking for something more low-key, could unwind with live jazz music in the Ocean Bar.

While Holland America doesn’t have a glow party or silent disco like other cruise lines, there is one event that every Mariner attends— The Orange Party. This signature event features themed cocktails, live music, and specialized happenings. It’s definitely the most lively nightime event on the ship. So, be sure to pack your orange attire!

Bars and Lounges

While not as extensive as most mega-ships, Holland America Westerdam still features a number of bars with signature cocktails that are included in the line’s drink packages.

I appreciated the wide selection of regional beer and wines. We also made sure to sample at least one cocktail at each venue for this Holland America Westerdam review.

The venues with the most unique drinks are the Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard. We couldn’t pass up themed “hits” like a Whiskey Smash or Tennessee Lemonade. The Ocean Bar also featured a smooth Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned. Guests can also get a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink at the Pinnacle Bar, where the Penicillin or an Espresso Martini were our go-tos.

Another bar with quite unique theming and décor is the Gallery Bar. We appreciated the modern art displays and elegant furniture in this quiet, almost hidden bar behind the casino.

Out on the pool deck, guests can grab a classic boat drink or frozen cocktail from either the Sea View Bar or the Lido Bar. Up on Deck 10, the Crow’s Nest was our go-to for daily coffee. Along with offering some great forward-facing views, this cafe also has a full bar for guests wanting something stiffer than a latte or cappuccino. Of note, this is the only place on Westerdam to grab specialty coffee as there is no Grand Dutch Cafe found on newer ships in the fleet.

The non-alcoholic Quench beverage package covers premium beverages like espresso-based coffee, mocktails, soda, and juices. However, guests looking to upgrade their experience should consider the line’s Have it All package. This bundle includes add-ons like the Signature Drink Package, specialty dining, WiFi, and more for a flat fee.

Main Dining Room

The two-story main dining room on Decks 2 and 3 of Holland America Westerdam serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We had flexible dining for this cruise. On several nights, we had reservations for our group. On other nights, we entered the standby line for a party of two. We were sat within a few minutes on most nights, but we did wait close to 30 minutes on one occasion.

Breakfast was served daily from 7:30/8 AM to 9/9:30 AM, except when there was a special brunch from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. This Australian Brunch included a mix of sweet and savory items, like Macadamia Nut Brioche French Toast, a Bacon, Spinach and Mozzarella Frittata, and a Striploin Steak and Blue Cheese Sandwhich, among others.

On select sea days or early departure port days, the main dining room served lunch from 12 to 1 PM as well.

Each night, the main dining room serves a signature menu with “Port to Plate” selections from 5 to 9 PM. These locally inspired dishes feature regionally-sourced ingredients. These included items like the Chicken, Ham and Parmesan Croquette, Braised Lamb Shoulder, and Australian Flathead.

Some of my favorite dishes were the Prime Rib, Beef Pot Roast, and the Pork Chop. Heidi raved about several of the nightly plates of pasta, like the Bucatini Caponata and the Farfalle Boscaiola.

For dessert, you can’t go wrong with one of the featured crisps or the many various cheesecake selections. While there is also a cheese plate on the dessert menu, we suggest ordering it as a starter.

Overall, the food in the main dining room was on par with our previous experiences on Holland America Line ships. We had a different wait staff most nights, but service was consistent and friendly.

Specialty Restaurants

Holland America Westerdam has two specialty restaurant venues: Canaletto and Pinnacle Grill. However, there were “pop-ups” at the Pinnacle Grill for both Tamarind and Morimoto by Sea.

Of course, we made sure to sample all the specialty dining for this Holland America Westerdam review. And like our previous experiences, they did not disappoint.

On Deck 9, in the buffet, is the Italian restaurant Canaletto. We are happy to report that the cruise line’s newly enhanced menu delivered. Among some of our favorite starters were the Veal and Sage Meatballs, Burrata, and Antipasti Plate.

For entrees, the restaurant’s version of chicken parmesan received Heidi’s seal of approval. The Italian Sausage Paccheri was a hearty, flavorful meal with homemade pasta in rich marina sauce, as was the Casarecce Pesto Genovese. For dessert, the Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake is by far the best dessert on the ship.

During the first half of the trip, the Pinnacle Grill on Deck 2 served its standard steakhouse menu. We carved into starters like the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and the Clothesline Candied Bacon. For dinner, a well-seasoned filet mignon paired well with the decadent lobster mac and cheese. While this revamped menu no longer has a chicken entree, Heidi did enjoy the newly added Mafaldine, Marinated Grilled Eggplant, Burrata, and Chiles. And, no steakhouse meal would be complete without classics like a key lime pie or creme brulee.

During the second half of the trip, Pinnacle Grill turned into Tamarind. This Asian-inspired specialty restaurant is one of our favorites. It is hard to pick the best menu items because they are all fantastic. Whether it is the chicken stays, the Lobster and Shrimp Potstickers, or Chinese Five Spice Baby Back Ribs, each appetizer is tangy and delicious. For dinner entrees, you can’t go wrong with the spicy Thai Basil Szechuan Shrimp, Panag Red Curry Coconut Chicken, or the Wok-Seared Lobster. The latter may be my new favorite dish at this restaurant.

Finally, one night there was a Morimoto by Sea pop-up as well. This upscale, Asian-influenced seafood menu included options like Pork Gyoza Dumplings, a Sushi Plate, as well as entrees like Chicken Teriyaki and the award-winning Ishiyaki Buri Bop prepared table side. I also couldn’t pass up the Shrimp Three Ways and House Fried Rice. For dessert, you can’t miss the Dark Chocolate Sphere.

Stateroom

For this sailing, we stayed in a verandah stateroom on Deck 4, cabin 4173. This category VC stateroom was aft on the starboard side. According to the Holland America Line deck plans, the room measures approximately 212 square feet including the balcony.

Upon entering the room, the bathroom was on the right with a closet to the left. We would have appreciated a bit more storage space in the room, but we made do with the closest configuration of clothes bar with hangers and several shelves.

The bathroom was functional but not nearly as well appointed as the staterooms on the cruise line’s new Pinnacle Class ships. Showing signs of Westerdam’s age, the bathroom still featured the dreaded shower curtain.

Beyond the entrance, the queen bed was on the aft wall facing forward. Before the balcony was the seating area on the right and desk on the left. Our bed was comfortable with newer bedding and accents. The seating area consisted of a rather small loveseat, making it adequate for really just one individual. The desk too was rather small with limited storage.

These cozy accommodations included USB outlets on each side of the bed, as well as nightstands. However, the only other power outlets were on the desk. Charging all our devices each day while still leaving room to get ready and/or work on our laptops took some coordination.

Our verandah had plenty of space for the two loungers with ottomans and small table. Though, the outdoor furniture had seen better days.

Having just sailed on Celebrity Summit, which is of similar age, this cabin on Westerdam definitely fell short.

Still, with a port-intensive itinerary, the room was an adequate space to recharge before our next exciting port of call.

Recap of Our Holland America Westerdam Cruise Review

Similar to our previous experiences sailing with the cruise line, Holland America Westerdam delivered on several fronts. However, as a 20+ year old ship, Westerdam did show some signs of her age.

Considered a mid-sized ship, Westerdam boasts several dining options. With casual, complimentary options to a traditional main dining room and exceptional specialty dining, guests will never go hungry on Westerdam. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients along with regional food and beverages, we were able to savor our journey both on and off the ship.

The ship’s activities staff kept guests inspired and entertained from morning until night with organized activities and cultivated and insightful enrichment. This is one of the benefits of cruising on Holland America Westerdam or any ship in the fleet for that matter. The onboard crew did an excellent job of intertwining regional programming with typical cruise events and activities.

It is true that Westerdam did show some signs of wear, especially in our stateroom and some decor around the ship. However, most public areas did feel refreshed and modern. Westerdam is set to undergo a dry dock in early 2026, so hopefully, the areas that need a little TLC will be addressed during this time.

Odds are that guests who are looking to book a cruise on Holland America Westerdam are focused on the itinerary, but the ship shouldn’t be overlooked either. With the cruise line’s value pricing and upgrade options, Westerdam will certainly be a popular choice for many cruisers looking to enjoy leisurely travel to bucket list destinations.

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Holland America is elevating its “Made Fresh Daily” menu with handcrafted breads, pastas, and regionally-inspired desserts.

Guests can now enjoy a variety of freshly-made selections at all dining venues — from just-out-of-the-oven baguettes to perfectly cooked spaghetti. To enhance the freshly-made onboard options, Chef Ethan Stowell has curated an Italian-inspired menu of pasta dishes, along with a made-to-order pizza with freshly-baked crust. In addition to handmade pasta and bread, Holland America Line also serves gelato made daily, waffle cones, regionally-inspired desserts, and additional pastries.

This summer, Holland America will also introduce a signature bread: a sourdough raisin loaf with pumpkin seeds. It will be available fleetwide in Pinnacle Grill every night and in the main dining room on formal nights.

“When bread or pasta is made fresh, you can certainly taste the difference, which is why we take a close look at our culinary program to assess what we can make on board from scratch as another way to bring our Destination Dining culinary platform to life,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “Chef Stowell’s new pasta and pizza are an exceptional addition to our ‘Made Fresh Daily’ menu items.”

Guests looking to indulge in Chef Stowell’s fresh pasta at the buffet can choose from tortiglioni with basil pesto, haricot vert and baby potatoes; paccheri with spicy tomato, shrimp and parsley; spaghetti with beef and ricotta meatballs, basil, and tomato; casarecce with beef short rib bolognaise; and basked conchiglie with mozzarella and tomato basil. At New York Pizza, Chef Stowell created the “Primo” with salami, pickled peppers and red onion, all atop a fresh pizza crust.

New Pasta-Making Class at Sur La Table

Stemming from a collaboration announced in November 2024, Holland America is teaming up again with Sur La Table for cooking classes offered at Sur La Table locations nationwide. The recipes are inspired by the cruise line’s Destination Dining program and give participants the opportunity to prepare and create pasta made from scratch, guided by one of Sur La Table’s professional chefs.

Starting this month, consumers can sign up for the “Made from Scratch Ravioli with Holland America Line” class to learn how to make pasta dough, smoked salmon ravioli with vodka cream sauce, Swiss chard and ricotta ravioli with lemon brown butter, and — as a nod to the cruise line’s Dutch roots — stroopwafel apple crumble. The class features step-by-step instructions on the ravioli making — from rolling and cutting dough to filling and cooking.

“Our initial class on fresh fish with Sur La Table was fantastic, and we are excited to expand the partnership by having consumers prepare and cook a menu that is carefully crafted by both brands connecting to the more than 140 ports we call at across Europe,” said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer for Holland America Line. “Sur La Table and Holland America Line share a vision that cuisine is a door to different cultures, and this new class will introduce participants to more of our global flavors, while benefitting from Sur La Table’s culinary authority and expertise.”

Classes can be booked at surlatable.com/cooking-classes or at local Sur La Table stores.

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Holland America has announced that it will be revamping the sushi bar on five of its ships, replacing Nami Sushi with the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar.

The unique venue is an expansion of the Morimoto By Sea dining experience, featuring a menu by Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The sushi bar will offer a selection of Chef Morimoto’s signature sushi, sashimi, rolls, and smaller dishes. The venue comes as an addition to the existing Morimoto By Sea pop-up experience, as well as the standalone specialty restaurant on Nieuw Amsterdam.

Morimoto By Sea will seat 12 guests, with additional table seating in the surrounding area on Rotterdam, Koningsdam, and Nieuw Statendam. Eurodam will feature a small counter for sushi preparation with seating in the surrounding area.

The venue will be rolling out on Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Eurodam from March through June of this year. Nieuw Amsterdam introduced the sushi bar with the standalone restaurant in 2023.

Guests with existing bookings on these ships can make reservations for the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar pre-cruise.

“With Chef Morimoto’s knowledge and expertise in the sushi world, it made sense for him to expand beyond his Morimoto By Sea restaurant and develop a specialized sushi bar featuring his signature style and flavors,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “We’re excited to extend our fresh fish options and give our guests access to another specialty venue with cuisine by such a renowned chef.”

Morimoto By Sea Sushi Bar Menu

Items on the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar include:

Appetizer

• Toto Tartare: Wasabi, nori paste, sour cream- and chives

Sushi and Sashimi

• Chef’s combination: Sushi Sashimi
• Nigiri and Sashimi: seasonal white fish, maguro tuna, sake salmon, hamachi yellowtail, kampachi amberjack, unagi freshwater eel, hotate scallop, ebi shrimp, tako octopus, Ikura salmon roe, otoro fatty tuna and cutoro medium fatty tuna

Sushi Rolls

• Shrimp Tempura: California roll, tempura shrimp and gochujang aioli
• Lobster Tempura: tempura lobster, avocado, romaine lettuce, tobiko, cucumber and scallion
• Tako Yaki: tempura octopus, cabbage, tonkatsu sauce, mayo and bonito flakes
• Aburi Salmon: salmon avocado roll and spicy mayo, torched
• California: snow crab, cucumber and avocado
• Spicy Tuna: tuna, scallion and spicy sauce
• Spicy Salmon: salmon, scallion and spicy sauce

Additional Signature Plates

• Tuna Pizza: anchovy aioli, kalamata olives, red onion and jalapeno
• Sticky Ribs: hoisin sweet chili sauce and cilantro 
• Pork Gyoza Dumplings: with scallion ginger sauce
• Poke Bowl: marinated fresh fish, cucumber, avocado, seaweed and rice
• Chicken Katsu curry: panko crusted chicken breast, Japanese curry sauce and rice
• Angry Lobster Pad Thai: Maine lobster, rice noodles and Thai red curry sauce

Dessert

• White Chocolate Lime Ganache: coconut foam, mango yuzu sorbet and rice pudding

Morimoto By Sea is part of Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish program that brings locally sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours — offering more than 80 varieties of fresh fish from across a worldwide network. In addition to the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar, Holland America Line ships feature Chef Morimoto’s first floating restaurant, Morimoto By Sea. The venue is a stand-alone restaurant on Nieuw Amsterdam and a pop-up experience at least once per cruise on the remainder of the ships in the fleet.

Menu items at the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar will be priced a la carte. Reservations can be made pre-cruise or once aboard the ship.

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Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2026-2027 Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises. The sailings will take place aboard six ships departing from five homeports, ranging in length from two to four weeks.

Panama Canal

There will be 12 Panama Canal voyages to choose from, ranging from 14 to 21 days long. Cruises are aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zuiderdam, and start or end in Vancouver, Seattle, San Diego, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale.

The three-week cruises sail from Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale on Nieuw Amsterdam. Guests will be able to experience 11 ports in eight countries, with the opportunity to visit multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. The cruise also includes calls to Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island.

On select Panama Canal itineraries, guests can visit Acapulco, Mexico. It will be the first time Holland America visits the destination in nearly 15 years.

Hawaii

Holland America will offer six itineraries ranging from 17 to 28 days in Hawaii. The voyages will take place aboard Koningsdam, Noordam, and Zaandam, and start or end in Vancouver, Seattle, or San Diego.

Each cruise to Hawaii offers onboard programming to help guests further immerse themselves in the destination, including talks and performances from cultural ambassadors, as well as the chance to participate in hands-on activities like hula dancing and ukulele lessons.

For a more unique onboard experience, guests can take an 18 day Circle Hawaii Holiday Thanksgiving cruise departing November 19th from San Diego. It will include five port calls in Hawaii, as well as a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. Those on board will arrive in Honolulu early in the morning on Thanksgiving Day and enjoy an overnight call there before heading to Hilo.

Those hoping to visit both Alaska and Hawaii on a single cruise can embark on a 27 or 28-day Legendary Glaciers & Volcanoes: Alaska to Hawaii voyage aboard Noordam. The cruise — sailing roundtrip Seattle or Vancouver to Seattle, departs in September 2026. It will include six ports in Alaska and British Columbia as well as four ports in Hawaii — including an overnight in Honolulu.

Have It All Early Booking Bonus

For a limited time, when guests book 2026-2027 Hawaii and Panama Canal cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package, and Surf wifi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium wifi.

Guests can also take advantage of the Holland America Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 in onboard credit per cabin when these voyages open for sale. Travelers must book these cruises within 90 days of opening for booking to receive the Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.

Beginning Have It All fares for 2026-2027 Hawaii cruises start at $3,029 and Panama Canal cruises start at $3,449 per person.

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From Alaska to Antarctica and the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, we’ve been fortunate to cruise quite a bit. Still, there are several places across the globe that remain on our travel bucket list. To start off 2025, we decided to venture Down Under for our first Australia and New Zealand cruise. After spending 14 days cruising the region, we can honestly say that it wasn’t quite what we expected. Find out why in our latest cruise review.

Our 14-Day Australia and New Zealand Cruise Wasn’t What We Expected

The closest we’ve come to Australia or New Zealand is Hawaii and French Polynesia, so we were thrilled when we were invited to join Holland America’s Westerdam for a 14-day sailing in the region. Since the ship’s itinerary spent most of its time in New Zealand, we decided to extend the trip by a few days in Sydney. We couldn’t come all this way and not explore this iconic city!

With the time differences and extended travel distances, we would be away for a total of three weeks. This would be our longest travel stretch yet; in fact, two weeks would also be our longest cruise to date. Would we survive? Well, we were about to find out!

With lots of luggage in tow, we set off on Sunday evening and arrived in Sydney on Tuesday morning. We had a few tours and activities lined up before we embarked on Westerdam the upcoming Sunday, and we were ready to make the most of it.

Table of Contents:

• Holland America Westerdam
• Australia and New Zealand Ports of Call
• What We Wish We Knew Before Our First Australia and New Zealand Cruise

The Ship – Holland America Westerdam

We’ve cruised with Holland America Line a few times in the past, but mostly on the line’s newer Pinnacle Class vessels. Luckily though, most ships in the fleet have a similar layout and venues. Thus, Westerdam felt familiar to us.

Holland America’s Westerdam launched in 2004. This ship is just over 82K gross tons and carries just over 1900 passengers at double occupancy.

When it comes to dining, guests will recognize some familiar favorites. In addition to the main dining room and Lido Market buffet, the ship features the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and Canaletto Italian restaurant, both specialty restaurants with recently refreshed menus. Don’t worry, while there isn’t a dedicated spot for the Asian Tamarind, the Pinnacle Grill hosts pop-up dinners during the cruise. Guests can also sample the new Morimoto by Sea menu at a pop-up experience in the same location. Further, the main dining room and buffet feature regional port-to-plate dishes.

While Pinnacle Grill sears up a great steak and we did like the new Canaletto menu, Tamarind is still our personal favorite. Don enjoyed the Asian-infused seafood selections at Morimoto as well.

Aside from food, another cruise staple is entertainment, and Westerdam delivers with plenty of offerings to keep guests busy. There are nightly show on the World Stage, which include performances by the Step One Dance Company and various other headliner acts. Our favorite of the Step One shows is Humanity, but unfortunately they are redundant if you’ve cruised with HAL before. We were hoping to see some new productions on this ship, but that was not the case.

Holland America is also known for its destination-focused enrichment. Eli, the travel director on our sailing, was a wealth of information with his daily port talks and other edutainment-type presentations. These should not be missed.

Other popular spots on the ship include Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge which host live music and various other trivia sessions, game shows, and dance classes throughout the cruise. The Crow’s Nest, perched all the way forward on the top of the ship, offers fantastic views and is home to the resident coffee shop. There are also two pools, the Lido Pool with a retractable roof and the SeaView Pool with great aft views. Not to mention, there’s a casino, spa, fitness center, pickleball court, and plenty of bars with specialty drink menus.

While not the new kid on the block, Holland America’s Westerdam has generally withstood the test of time. Though, some of the decor, and more notably the staterooms, did show signs of the ship’s age. While our verandah cabin did have some newer accents like curtains and pillows, the carpet, balcony, and bathroom did need some TLC. Did we mention, there’s still a shower curtain? Hopefully, the staterooms receive some updates during the ship’s scheduled dry dock in 2026.

The Ports of Call

Our 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruise was a one-way itinerary from Sydney to Auckland. It featured eight ports of call and a day of scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park. Unfortunately though, our four sea days were all clustered at the beginning of the itinerary as we transitted from Australia to New Zealand.

Given this was our first time in the region, we tried to make the most of it by booking a shore excursion in the majority of our ports. Admittedly, we did not spend as much time researching the destinations as we typically do, simply because we didn’t have the time with our travel schedule. So, we booked all our excursions with the cruise line for convenience.

Of course, other options exist and even offer return-to-ship guarantees like Shore Excursions Group.

Sydney, Australia

During our time in Sydney, we stayed at the W Sydney in Darling Harbor. This area was lively and had several restaurants within walking distance, but it was a bit out of the way from Circular Quay. Circular Quay is the main ferry transportation hub and where you’ll find the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, and other notable attractions.

During our five days here, we booked two tours and purchased tickets to an opera.

Day 1 Sydney

On the day of our arrival, we weren’t sure how tired we’d be, so we didn’t plan anything. Surprisingly, the 14-hour time difference didn’t impact us as much as we thought it would…though the 100 degree weather did!

We headed to Circular Quay to get our first glimpse (and plenty of photos) of the Syndey Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. We attempted to walk some of the nearby Botanic Garden, but it was just too hot. Instead, we hopped on a harbor cruise to get an overview of the area and did a little shopping for some authentic UGG Australia footwear because Don wanted more items in our luggage (haha!).

Day 2 Sydney

For Day 2, we had a full day private tour booked. This tour basically took us around the entire coastal city showcasing some of the touristy and less-touristy areas with several photo stops along the way. From The Rocks, to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, to Finger Wharf, Shark Beach, Vaucluse House, Gap Park in Watson’s Bay, Bondi Beach, Waverley Cemetery, Centennial Park, and more, we covered it all.

If you want to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, a private, customizable tour is a great option.

Day 3 Sydney

For Day 3, we booked a tour to the Blue Mountains. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with us. Nonetheless, we headed out for our full day adventure bright and early in the morning. After about an hour and a half drive, we arrived at Scenic World. Here, we experienced the Scenic Skyway, then took the Scenic Cableway down for a walk through the rainforest. The only thing we saw on these two “scenic” rides was fog! After a brief stroll on the elevated boardwalks scouting flora and fauna, we took the Scenic Railway back up. It’s the steepest passenger railway in the world, and we did it backwards! This was certainly a highlight of our day.

Following the visit to Scenic World, we stopped at a few different lookouts in the National Park in attempt to see something, anything. This included Cahills Lookout and Boars Head Lookout, in addition to the Katoomba Cascades or Three Sisters waterfalls.

After a lunch break (where we discovered chicken parm is a thing is Australia), we stopped at Yellowmundee Regional Park for another scenic lookout before heading to Featherdale Wildlife Park. Here, we had about 75 minutes to see and interact with various indigenous species. We got our first glimpse of koala bears, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, enchidnas, blue penguins, tasmanian devils, and more.

Day 4 Sydney

Since we needed to tie up some loose ends before we embarked on the cruise, we spent the morning in our hotel getting some work done. Looking for a half-day outing, several had recommended a visit to the Taronga Zoo. So, we took the ferry ride over from Darling Harbor and spent about three hours meeting all the local residents. Since it was rather hot again today, the animals were not very active. Still, we managed to get some more adorable koala photos, along with meandering through the African savannah, kanagroo country, and seal cove. We also met some gorillas, a sun bear, tigers, and red pandas along the way.

Taking the ferry back to Circular Quay, we headed to The Rocks for dinner. This historic area is popular with tourists and locals alike with outdoor markets, restaurants, pubs, shopping, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. I guess it had to be done eventually, so we settled in to an al fresco table for Don to try a kangaroo burger.

Day 5 Sydney

Why just tour the Sydney Opera House when you can actually attend an opera? And that’s exactly what we did. Prior to our travels, we purchased tickets to a matinee show of Cinderella. We figured if we had to watch an opera at least we could follow along with this storyline.

Since today was some of the best weather we had in Sydney, we decided to take the ferry over to Manly following this performance. Luckily, the ferry systems in Sydney are very user-friendly and easy to navigate. Here, we enjoyed an early dinner at Hugos on Manly Wharf then spent some time strolling Manly Beach.

While the sun was setting on our time in Sydney, the fun wasn’t over just yet. Upon returning to our hotel, we stumbled upon a Lunar New Year celebration ocurring at Darling Harbor complete with water performers and fireworks. Now, this was the perfect ending to our visit!

Melbourne, Australia (Day 3)

After a day at sea traveling from Sydney, our first port of call on our Westerdam cruise was Melbourne. We were docked at Station Pier from 8 AM to 5 PM. The city center was a 15-20 minute ride away and had plenty of highlights to explore, but we booked the River Cruise, Healesville Sanctuary & Wine Tasting excursion.

This 8-hour tour started with an hour-long scenic cruise on the Yarra River. Passing under several ornate bridges like the Princes Bridge, we listened to commentary as we sailed past landmarks like the botantic gardens, cricket stadium, Herring Island, and more. We then reboarded our bus for the nearly 75 minute drive to Fergusson’s in the Yarra Valley for a wine tasting. This portion of the tour felt a bit rushed, but we were provided lunch and got to sample five different wines before heading off once again.

Our final stop of the day was the Healesville Sanctuary where we had just over an hour to explore. Given the weather was quite warm once again, many of the animals were lazing in the shade this afternoon. We did get to see more koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, a platypus, and a sleeping wombat.

Overall, it was a long day with rushed stops. In hindsight, we would have certainly skipped the cruise on the Yarra River to allow more time for the wine tasting and/or sanctuary visit.

Hobart, Tasmania (Day 5)

Following another sea day, we arrived in Hobart, Tasmania for our second and final port in Australia. Once again, we were docked here from 8 AM to 5 PM. Hobart center was a 15-minute walk from the ship, but we decided to give the Australian animal encounters one last try. After all, we STILL had not seen a kangaroo hopping!

After attending the port talk, we decided to switch our excursion to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary & Historical Richmond. This 4-hour tour started with a visit to Bonorong where we had just over an hour to immerse ourselves in the wildlife. While I could have spent all day watching the kangaroos, our time here didn’t feel rushed like the other encounters. Given the weather was more pleasant today, the animals were FINALLY active. We even got to feed the kangaroos….major bucket list item achieved! Oh, and when in Tasmania, you must see a Tasmanian devil, right?

Next, it was on to historic Richmond where we had just over an hour of free time. So, we did a little shopping, grabbed some candy and coffee at a lolly shop, and took some photos along the way.

Scenic Cruising Fiordland National Park (Day 8)

Departing Tasmania, we had three days at sea before reaching our first port of call in the South Island of New Zealand. The third sea day was spent scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park. Much like Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, this is a full day event complete with commentary, sightseeing, and a presentation in the theater.

The day began bright and early as we were expected to enter Milford Sound around 6:30 AM. Given the weather conditions, the narration started a bit late. So, we ventured out into the fog and rain around 7:15 AM to the outdoor viewing area in front of the gym on Deck 9 forward. We were treated to an abundance of waterfalls that were quite stunning despite the weather. As it started to rain a bit heavier, we tried to scout out other viewing spots but ultimately ended up back inside watching out of our balcony.

At 10 AM, we attended the presentation in the theater and grabbed a coffee before gearing back up for our arrival in Doubtful Sound which had been delayed until around 12:15 PM.

What a difference a few hours can make in terms of the weather. By the time we arrived, it was picture-perfect! Thus, we spent a majority of the time outdoors admiring the views from differenet vantage points around the ship. From the Deck 10 sundeck, to the aft SeaView Pool area, to the bow, every angle was spectacular.

Of note, while the bow on Deck 4 of Westerdam is normally not accessible, it will open duing scenic cruising weather permitting. The outdoor viewing plaforms on Decks 5, 6, and 7 forward were also open to guests.

Exiting Doubtful Sound about an hour later, we grabbed some lunch before entering our third and final sound of the day, Dusky Sound. By this time, it had clouded up again and gotten quite windy, but at least it wasn’t raining. This was the least scenic in our opinion, but we still ventured out to the bow for a bit and watched from our balcony for a while.

Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand (Day 9)

After eight days on the ship, we reached our first port in New Zealand. Westerdam docked in Port Chalmers, which then required an approximately 30-minute drive into Dunedin. Guests could purchase shuttle tickets if they wished for $35 NZD roundtrip. Today, we were in port from 7 AM until 6 PM.

While we had been waitlisted for a while, we received word the night before that our desired tour, Albatross Cruise & Natures Wonders, had become available. Perfect!

Albeit another gray and overcast day, our tour began with an approximately 75-minute cruise on the Albatross Express. We set off through Otago Harbor towards the historic lighthouse in search of wildlife, mainly albatross which have nesting grounds near this lighthouse. Alas, we didn’t see any.

Next, we docked at Weller’s Rock where we boarded a bus for a short drive to the private Reid family farm. While the first half of this day was a letdown, the second part was a highlight of the trip. Here, we boarded a 6-person Argo for an off-road journey to see fur seals and blue penguins up close and personal. I never imagined that we would get so close to the seals living on the rocks and the penguins’ burrows.

Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand (Day 10)

Our next stop on the South Island was Lyttelton, which offered a complimentary shuttle into town. Alternatively, guests could book a shuttle into Christchurch for $45 NZD. Today, we were in port from 8 AM until 5 PM.

We booked the High Country Explorer by Off Road Vehicle & Jet Boat excursion which was another long tour and not really what we expected. All said and done, it was a lot of driving and not much adventure. We started the day with a 2-hour drive that took us on a brief panoramic tour of Christchurch before heading out to the Springfield Adventure Center.

Here, we were expecting to board similar vehicles as yesterday, but instead it was basically a 4WD bus that took us across sheep and cattle farms to a couple scenic lookout points. It was rather foggy, so we didn’t get to see too much. Following this portion of the tour, we had a less-than-delicious lunch before our jet boat ride. We boarded a famous Hamilton jet boat for an approximately 35-minute ride into the Waimakariri River Gorge. With the wind in our faces, our captain sped off skimming over shallow water with some twists and 360-degree turns along the way.

While the guides were great and the boat ride was fun, we probably wouldn’t book this tour again. It was a long and expensive day with little to show for it.

Picton, New Zealand (Day 11)

Coming off of some long days and shore excursions, we decided to take it easy during our stop in Picton. We did book a short Picton Seaport Walk tour, but in hindsight, it wasn’t necessary. Westerdam was docked 8 AM to 5 PM, and there was a complimentary shuttle into town.

During our barely 1.5-hour walking tour, we strolled the waterfront while the guides provided some narration about the history of the area. We then crossed the coathanger bridge for a short bush walk in Victoria Domain where our guides provided some info on the local flora and fauna as well as New Zealand’s goal to be predator free by 2050.

Since it was such a lovely day, we continued exploring on our own after the tour. We walked past the old Edwin Fox, did some shopping, and grab a toastie for lunch before taking the shuttle back to the ship.

Wellington, New Zealand (Day 12)

Another day, another port. We had now made our way to the North Island of New Zealand. Today, we were docked in Wellington from 7 AM until 4 PM. There was a complimentary shuttle that took cruisers on the 10-minute drive into town. But, we booked another shore excursion. Don was looking forward to our Full Day Lord of the Rings Film Locations & Weta Workshop tour. I do admit that even as a non-Lord of the Rings fan, it was an interesting tour.

This full-day journey took us to several stops in the Wellington region including the Hutt River (River Anduin), Harcourt Park (Gardens of Isengard), Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell), and Mount Victoria (Hobbiton Woods). At each stop, we were able to walk the grounds and take photos after our enthusiastic guides gave us some insight into the filming locations and some of the behind-the-scenes magic. It was impressive to contrast photos from the movie scenes with the actual locations, and the guides really brought everything to life.

The tour also included a lookout point on Mount Victoria, a buffet lunch, and a visit to the Weta Workshop. Because we arrived a little late, our time at the Weta Workshop did feel a bit rushed. Nonetheless, we got a brief tour of the facilities and some background into the making of costumes and props for 300+ movies like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar, District 9, and more. 

While it was a long day, the tour was balanced with no extended drive times between destinations. This is in contrast to the reviews we heard from the other Lord of the Rings tour in Christchurch. So, we’re glad we picked this one!

Napier, New Zealand (Day 13)

Approaching the end of our cruise, we were getting a bit worn out from all of the long-day excursions. So, after attending one of cruise line’s port talks we made the decision to cancel our shore excursion for the day and just walk around town.

We were only docked in Napier from 8 AM until 1 PM, and by coincidence it was the beginning of the Art Deco Festival. Plus, the center of town was less than a mile away and complimentary shuttles were provided.

We spent a few hours strolling the streets admiring the art deco buildings and antique cars on display. Then, we walked along the waterfront, through the gardens, and to the war memorial with its stunnig floral clock. We ended the day with a visit to Starbucks…I know, very authentic! But it had been nearly two weeks since I had my Starbucks drink, and we walked by the building at least three times.

Tauranga (Rotorua), New Zealand (Day 14)

Our final port of call, and final day of the cruise, was a stop in Tauranga. We were docked here from 7 AM until 5:30 PM. Docked at the base of Mount Maunganui, some beaches, hot pools, and waterfront were within walking distnce, but we chose to take an excursion to Rotorua to experience some of the Maori culture.

Our Te Puia Geyser & Maori Arts excursion took us to Te Puia, a Maori arts and crafts institute. Here, we learned a bit about the heritage, skills, and culture of these indigenous people of New Zealand. We saw recreations of a village and meeting house, witnessed a Haka dance and traditional Maori welcome, and toured the arts and crafts institute observing carving and weaving works in progress.

Then, we walked through the geothermal valley, where we saw the Pohutu Geyser, steam vents, and mud pools; and we saw adorable kiwis at the Kiwi Conservation Center (no pictures allowed though). We ended the tour with a delicious, semi-authentic buffet lunch.

What We Wish We Knew Before Our First Australia and New Zealand Cruise

We truly enjoyed our nearly three weeks touring this region of the world, and we would certainly return. However, in retrospect, we may not have been as prepared for our first Australia and New Zealand cruise as we thought we were. Here are a few things we wish we knew during our planning process.

1. There are more choices of ships than we thought.

Granted, as we mentioned previously, we were invited by Holland America to join this cruise, so we didn’t go through our normal ship researching process. Still, when we envisioned a 14-day itinerary visiting so many ports of call, we assumed these would be offered only by lines like Holland America, Princess Cruises, and some luxury lines.

To our surprise, we saw a variety of ships from a variety of cruise lines while in the region. And many of them offer very similar itineraries.

So, while Holland America’s Westerdam (or Noordam) is a solid choice when taking an Australia and New Zealand cruise, it’s not the only one. If you’re looking for that enrichment component, Princess currently has two ships sailing in the region as well. If you want a more family-focused ship, Carnival Splendor offers 9- and 10-night sailings and Royal Caribbean’s Anthem/Ovation of the Seas also visits many of the same ports. Not to mention, Celebrity Edge is one of the newer large ships sailing the region.

In 2026, Norwegian Spirit will offer similiar itineraries too. In fact, there will be 14 different cruise lines in the region next year.

2. There are various itineraries in the region.

Speaking of itineraries, you will want to review all the options carefully. Our itinerary focused heavily on New Zealand with only two Australian ports of call. If you are looking to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, this is not the cruise for you. We didn’t realize this before our sailing either, but the Great Barrier Reef is along the more Northern Australian coast. These itineraries will likely still start in Sydney but will visit ports like Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Brisbane.

If you want to explore more of Southern Australia, pick an itinerary that includes ports like Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania.

Further, you should consider extending your stay to explore your embarkation and disembarkation ports as well. You could spend days in just Sydney or Auckland alone. So, pick an itinerary length that will allow for this, keeping your budget and vacation time in mind.

3. As Americans, you need visas to cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

With recent changes in tourism regulations, more and more destinations are starting to require visas to enter. However, as Americans, we aren’t quite used to this just yet. While we did know that we needed visas, applying for them slipped our minds until the last minute. Luckily, the turnaround time is quick, but it will still take you some time. You’ll need to download two separate apps (one for Australia and one for New Zealand) and input all the pertinent information. Once completed, we received our Australian visa almost immediately and our New Zealand visa in about 24 hours.

When budgeting, you should also be aware that each of these visas comes with a fee. The Australian visa is inexpensive at $20 AUD (roughly $13 USD) per person. However, the New Zealand visa is a bit more expensive at $117 NZD (roughly $67 USD) per person.

4. The countries are strict about biosecurity.

Yes, we’ve all heard that we aren’t allowed to bring fruits or vegetables off the ship in ports of call. But, Australia and New Zealand take things one step further. They are really strict about biosecurity and don’t allow you to take ANYTHING off the ship except bottled water. This means no morning coffee and not even a packaged granola bar for a midday snack.

We heard multiple announcements about this restriction every day before heading ashore and were warned that the countries conduct random bag checks and guests could be fined for not adhering. We also needed to complete declarations when entering each country for the first time.

These laws are in place to protect the environments from foreign pests and diseases. New Zealand in particular is serious about this, aiming to be predator free by 2050.

5. Most of the region is cashless.

We are accustomed to getting foreign currency at our local bank before traveling internationally. While we did get Australian dollars, we weren’t able to get New Zealand dollars prior to our departure. However, this didn’t matter much as both countries are primarily cashless. Almost everywhere we went used tap and pay systems. Even the ferry systems in Sydney and many buses used this process. This made things quick and efficient regardless of whether we were using public transit, shopping, or purchasing something at a local cafe.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have some local currency for tips or open-air markets (though even most of these vendors accepted credit cards).

Of note, most of the public toilets in Australia and New Zealand are free; so there’s no need to worry about having coins when going ashore like in Europe.

6. The weather can be quite variable.

The weather and packing for a cruise can be tricky regardless of destination. Even monitoring weather apps before our travels, we STILL didn’t pack appropriately for our Australia and New Zealand cruise. The weather during our time in Australia ended up being significantly warmer than we expected, reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a few occasions. Yet, the weather in New Zealand was cloudy and overcast most of the time with some wind and rain making it feel cooler than the actual temperatures.

So, be sure to pack layers and a rain coat at the very least.

7. There are two terminals in Sydney.

When walking around Sydney, most will encounter the Overseas Passenger Terminal located at the edge of Circular Quay in The Rocks area. However, this is not the ONLY cruise terminal in Sydney. There’s also the White Bay Cruise Terminal, which is about a 15-minute drive away from the Overseas Passenger Terminal. We actually didn’t realize until requesting our Uber on embarkation day morning that we were departing from the White Bay Cruise Terminal.

While the Overseas Passenger Terminal is in the heart of Sydney directly across from the Opera House, sailing from the White Bay Cruise Terminal has its advantages. Generally, smaller ships depart from this terminal and then sail out under the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Larger ships leaving from the Overseas Passenger Terminal will sail by the Opera House but not under the Bridge.

8. There are no koalas or kangaroos in New Zealand.

We don’t know about you, but we were pretty excited to see koala bears and kangaroos on this cruise. But, we didn’t realize that we would only see them in Australia NOT New Zealand. With only a few Australian ports on our itinerary, we ended up switching around some of our excursions to fit in more animal sightings.

If you are looking to interact with these adorable creatures, we’d recommend Healesville Sanctuary and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. If you want more time at these locations or want to partake in any for-fee “encounters”, consider hiring a car to go on your own or booking a tour outside the cruise line. Also, keep the weather in mind. The animals will likely be more active in the cooler temperatures, so consider a morning visit.

9. The Tasman Sea can be rough.

If you’re taking an Australia and New Zealand cruise, you’ll be traveling in the Tasman Sea at some point. This sea is known for being rough and unpredictable. Similar (but less intense) to the Drake’s Passage heading to Antarctica, this is where currents from two different oceans meet. The region is also prone to strong winds and tropical cyclones.

So, it’s best to be prepared. If you are prone to motion sickness, be sure to pack the proper aids— whether you take prescription meds, over-the-counter items like Dramamine or Bonine, use Sea-Bands, or other natural ingredients like ginger.

10. Investigate the ship’s laundry situation.

If you plan to spend any time in your pre-cruise or post-cruise destinations, you could be traveling for three weeks or more. And it’s just not realistic to pack that much…even for us! So, we suggest investigating your ship’s laundry situation before setting sail.

Some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, have self-service laundry rooms which are ideal. Even Carnival Splendor has self-service facilities where you can wash and dry your clothes for a nominal fee. If this option isn’t available, many cruise lines will offer deals on wash-and-dry bags of laundry. For instance, our Holland America ship offered a “fill the bag” service for $25 USD or unlimited laundry for 14 days for $119. If neither of these options are available, it could cost you a pretty penny to pay by the item!

11. Most ports are working ports so you can’t walk off the ship.

Like many ports in Europe, a majority of the ports on our Australia and New Zealand cruise were considered working ports used for the logging industry. Thus, cruise passengers are not allowed to just walk off the ship like you can in most Caribbean or Alaskan ports.

At many of our stops, complimentary shuttles into town were available. Or, in certain instances, you could purchase shuttle tickets. If you are booked on a shore excursion, there’s no need to worry, as you’ll typically depart from right outside the ship.

However, if you plan to book private tours or tours with third party vendors, be sure to inquire about meeting points.

12. Excursions are expensive.

Speaking of excursions, they are expensive in this region! As first-time visitors to Australia and New Zealand, we wanted to see and do as much as possible. This meant that we booked an excursion in almost every port of call, and these tours were often $200-$300 or more per person. So, this can easily add thousands of dollars to your vacation costs as it did for us!

We suggest that you do more research than we did and investigate options from all sources. For instance, Shore Excursions Group offers similar options at prices up to 40% off cruise line prices. They often offer smaller group sizes and private tour options as well. And the best part is that they offer a “return-to-ship” guarantee so you don’t have to worry about missing the ship.

As we’ve now realized, it’s okay to not book an excursion in every port too. Most of these ports are very walkable once taking the shuttle into town. If your cruise line offers them, we suggest you attend the port talks. Eli, our travel guide on Westerdam, did a fantastic job of highlighting what there was to do in each port. He even provided maps and practical information so you could feel confident exploring on your own.

Comments

Have you taken an Australia and New Zealand cruise? What tips or advice do you have for those planning their first visit to the region? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising Down Under.

The post We Spent 14 Days on an Australia and New Zealand Cruise and It Wasn’t What We Expected – Find Out What We Wish We Knew First appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.

Holland America’s ship Zaandam recently underwent a two-week dry dock in the Bahamas, where she received several public area upgrades.

The renovations include expansions to the ship’s library and activity areas; upgrades to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Photo Gallery, and Photo Studio; and refurbishments to the Neptune Lounge.

Spa and Fitness Center

The Greenhouse Spa & Salon received major updates during the dry dock. The thermal suite was completely rebuilt to include a new infrared sauna, Caldarium steam room, and experiential rain shower. In addition, the spa’s relaxation lounge now has new seating and a new beverage counter.

In the salon, there are new, custom manicure stations and pedicure chairs, as well as new salon chairs and shampoo wash basins. Updates also included making the spa and salon areas more accessible for guests with disabilities.

The ship’s Fitness Center received a new custom storage area, new bathrooms, and modernized finishes.

Library and Activity Areas

Zaandam‘s library was completely refurbished with a new, modern design and now has an updated book collection for guests to borrow during their cruise.

Several activity areas across the ship also received improvements. Explorations Café was transformed into a multi-use space complete with new puzzle and games tables. A new Art Studio was added on board, providing a dedicated space for guests to get creative. The Art Studio will host the ship’s art & craft programming, including water coloring, painting, origami, crochet, and other classes.

Photo Studio and Gallery

The ship’s Photo Studio and Photo Gallery also received updates during the dry dock. A new Signature Studio was added, allowing guests to have custom, private photo sessions and private photo viewings.

The Photo Gallery was refurbished with new photo display areas where guests can view traditional prints, as well as a high-tech facial recognition digital photo system. Guests can now log into their account and see their images digitally, which will appear through this technology.

Neptune Lounge

Parts of Zaandam‘s Neptune Lounge, a private space for Neptune and Pinnacle suite guests, received new flooring, and upgrades were made to the food catering area, the concierge desk, and the seating. The lounge also features a larger TV for better viewing.

Zaandam Schedule

Following the dry dock, Zaandam set sail this past weekend on a 27-day Amazon Explorer Legendary Voyage. The ship will spend the next few months exploring the Amazon, sailing through the Panama Canal, and visiting Mexico before heading north for the summer Alaska season.

Comments

Have you ever taken a cruise on Zaandam and if so, are you excited about these renovations? What is your opinion on the interior design of Holland America’s ships? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

Stay up to date with the latest cruise news and travel updates!

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