SEATTLE — Holland America Line is marking a major milestone in its history, commemorating 100 years of Caribbean cruising with a limited-time anniversary promotion tied to select sailings through spring 2026.
The cruise line first entered the Caribbean market in February 1926 when Veendam II sailed from New York, making Holland America Line one of the earliest operators to offer regularly scheduled warm-weather cruises to the region. One hundred years later, the company is celebrating that legacy with special offers that include a $100 onboard credit for a party of two.
From Feb. 3 to 9, 2026, travellers booking select Caribbean sailings departing now through April 30 can receive up to 50% off fares along with a US$50 per guest onboard credit with Free Fares for Kids (18 and under on select sailings).
“Our first Caribbean voyage in 1926 marked a defining moment for Holland America Line and for the evolution of modern cruise travel,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “As we celebrate 100 years, we wanted to offer something both meaningful and memorable — $100 for 100 years, with added ways for guests to save. It’s our way of honouring the milestone while inviting travellers to experience what sets us apart in the Caribbean: perfectly sized ships designed for guests to relax and connect, a premium onboard experience and time ashore at our private island RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.”
A range of itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale and Miami are included in the anniversary promotion, including:
- 10-day Westerdam Caribbean: Greater Antilles, Belize and Mexico on Koningsdam, departing Feb. 25, 2026, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale
- 7-day Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles and Mexico on Eurodam, departing March 22, 2026, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale
- 10-day Southern Caribbean: Amber Cove and ABC Islands on Zuiderdam, departing March 25, 2026, roundtrip from Miami
- 7-day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas on Eurodam, departing March 29, 2026, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale
- 12-day Eastern Caribbean: U.S. and British Virgin Islands on Koningsdam, departing March 29, 2026, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale
- 7-day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas on Zuiderdam, departing April 4, 2026, roundtrip from Miami
A HISTORY OF CARIBBEAN CRUISING
The line’s inaugural Caribbean voyage was a 26-day itinerary departing New York on Feb. 18, 1926, calling on destinations including Havana, Kingston, Colon and Cristóbal, Cartagena, San Juan and Bermuda before returning to New York.
Throughout the decades that followed, the cruise line continued to expand its footprint in the region. In the late 1920s and 1930s, Caribbean sailings gained popularity as an off-season alternative to North Atlantic crossings, leading to the deployment of additional ships such as Veendam, Statendam and Volendam.
Holland America Line also recorded several industry firsts in the Caribbean, including early calls in Willemstad and St. Thomas in 1927, a dedicated cruise call to Cristóbal and Colón in 1938 and initial calls to Aruba in 1959 following dock expansions. In 1964, the line became one of the first to call on St. Maarten as the island emerged as a tourism destination. The opening of Half Moon Cay in 1997 further cemented the line’s presence in the region. The private island.
By the 1970s, the rise of commercial air travel shifted the cruise industry’s centre of gravity toward Florida, with Fort Lauderdale becoming Holland America Line’s primary Caribbean gateway. Today, the line continues to build on its century-long Caribbean legacy while adapting to modern traveller expectations.
For more information, go to hollandamerica.com.
