Holland America has announced new Heritage Cruises, focusing on historic ports and featuring unique onboard and shoreside experiences.
Listen to this articleHolland America Line has announced a new lineup of Heritage Cruises, just in time for its 150th anniversary year in 2023.
The cruise line will roll out 48 special Heritage Cruises over the next year, aiming to authentically focus on ports that are rich in the brand’s history. These special itineraries will include cruises in Alaska, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii, South America, and Mexico.
“As a beloved company that’s been around for 150 years, these special Heritage Cruises allow us to continue celebrating Holland America Line with our guests in a meaningful way,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America.
“We have a deep connection to ports around the world, and we’re excited to show how each highlighted destination has shaped our brand,” Antorcha continued in a press release.
Which ports will Holland America’s Heritage Cruises visit?
Over the last 150 years, Holland America Line’s cruises have called at hundreds of ports around the world. The brand’s new Heritage Cruises will shine a spotlight on 56 ports of call and aim to tell the region-specific stories that connect these locations to the cruise line.
- Alaska: Sitka, Skagway, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Icy Strait, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert
- Northern Europe: Copenhagen, Eidfjord, Ålesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Oslo, Amsterdam, Rotterdam
- Mediterranean: Trieste, Naples, Rome, Florence, Dubrovnik, Sarande, Katakolon, Nice, Le Havre, Barcelona, Cartagena, Lisbon
- Caribbean: Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, Curaçao, San Juan, Oranjestad, Philipsburg, Colón
- Hawaii: Hilo, Honolulu, Kona, Maui
- Mexico: Ensenada, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas
- West Coast US: San Diego
- South America: Lima, Pisco, La Serena, Santiago, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt
- Australia / New Zealand: Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington, Auckland, Hobart, Port Chalmers
- Panama Canal
Guests will receive special port fact sheets to showcase fun, historic, and unique facts about each heritage port.
Exclusive onboard experiences on HAL’s Heritage Cruises
Holland America’s Heritage Cruises will offer several unique onboard experiences not found on their regular itineraries.
Shipboard display screens will showcase each port’s history with photos and fun facts. The line plans to offer region-specific drinks and menu items to bring the port destinations to life on board.
Guests will have the opportunity to “turn back the clock” and engage in classic cruise games and activities like Sjoelen (Dutch shuffleboard) and anniversary-themed trivia.
Continuing with the classic cruising theme, a Throwback Happy Hour will roll back time, featuring select drinks priced as low as 75 cents.
Passengers can indulge in a special Dutch High Tea, offering sweets like Oliebollen, Specoolus, mini bossche bollen, Gugelhupf and Tompouce, along with tea sandwiches including smoked salmon on curry bread and chicken satay in peanut sauce on spiced bread.
Dinner menus in the Dining Room will showcase Holland America Line’s history with regional-based heritage dishes.
150th anniversary celebrations on all cruises
It’s not only Heritage Cruises that will feature special experiences on Holland America in 2023. As part of the cruise line’s anniversary celebration, all cruises sailing next year will include some fun events highlighting HAL’s heritage.
Cruisers can enjoy a Captain’s Gala Menu one evening in the Dining Room, with a collection of classic dishes. Each option will be sourced from a vintage Holland America Line menu.
Holland America’s Origin Story, a visual telling of the company’s history from its founding through the present day, will be shown on the World Stage with LED screens that envelop the audience.
As an extra perk, all Mariner Society members (the cruise line’s loyalty program) will receive an exclusive 150th Anniversary Royal Goedewaagen tile.
Holland America’s 150th anniversary crossing
Cruisers looking for an extra-special celebration itinerary can book the 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing, retracing Holland America’s very first voyage—in reverse order.
The celebration cruise departs April 6, 2023 from New York, calling on Plymouth and Dover, England. The journey ends at Rotterdam on April 18, the cruise line’s 150th birthday.
Ready to book your Holland America cruise? Find the best HAL prices and exclusive bonus offers when you book through CruiseDirect. Plus they never charge a booking fee!
Resources for your Holland America cruise
- Holland America Fitness Classes (With Menu and Prices)
- Holland America Spa and Salon Services (With Menu and Prices)
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Are you interested in trying one of Holland America’s new Heritage Cruises? Which itinerary would you choose? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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