TORONTO — Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Europe season, featuring its highest number of Europe port calls in nearly a decade and expanded sailings across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and beyond.
The cruise line’s newest Europe program includes record numbers of calls in Norway, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands, while giving travellers access to more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Five ships – Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam and Zuiderdam – will operate in the region from January through early December 2028, with itineraries ranging from seven-day cruises to 48-day Legendary Voyages.
“Europe is a destination that changes with every season, and each one offers guests a completely different way to experience it,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line. “We built each season around moments travellers can only experience at certain times of year, from the Netherlands in full bloom during spring to winter escapes in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands and long summer days along Europe’s coastlines.”
MEDITERRANEAN HIGHLIGHTS
The Mediterranean will once again be a major focus of the season, with voyages ranging from seven to 11 days visiting Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey.
Nieuw Amsterdam will return to Europe for the first time in more than a decade, bringing back Morimoto by Sea, Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s dedicated restaurant at sea. Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam will operate spring and fall departures, while Zuiderdam returns following its Evolution enhancements.
Many itineraries are designed to be combined back-to-back with few or no repeat ports. Holland America Line will also offer a 48-day Legendary Mediterranean Voyage sailing roundtrip from North America. The season includes the line’s highest number of visits to Spain since 2017 and a record six calls at Portofino.
NORTHERN EUROPE EXPANSION
Northern Europe also expands in 2028, with Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam sailing seven- to 28-day itineraries through Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles and the Baltic. Highlights include scenic cruising through Norway’s UNESCO-listed fjords, along with the cruise line’s highest number of Norwegian calls since 2014 and record visits to Ireland and the Netherlands.
CANARY ISLANDS & TRANSATLANTIC
The season also features Canary Islands itineraries visiting Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote alongside ports in Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Plus, guests seeking a longer journey can choose from several transatlantic sailings and Legendary Voyages that connect Europe and North America and combine extended time at sea with calls throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Atlantic islands.
EUROPE IN ALL SEASONS
The 2028 deployment has been structured to showcase Europe throughout the year:
- Winter (January-March): Nieuw Statendam will sail seven- to 14-day Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal and Morocco itineraries.
- Spring (March-May): Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Zuiderdam will offer seven- to 14-day cruises through the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Low Countries, timed to coincide with tulip season in the Netherlands.
- Summer (June-August): All five ships will operate throughout Europe on voyages ranging from seven to 35 days, including Norway’s fjords, Iceland, the Baltic, Greece, Croatia and Turkey.
- Autumn (September-November): Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Volendam will continue Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings, with itineraries timed to coincide with harvest season and regional culinary experiences.
- Late fall (November-early December): Europe departures continue aboard Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and other ships operating in the region, extending the season well beyond the traditional summer months.
EARLY BOOKING BONUS
For a limited time, guests booking a 2028 Europe cruise with the Have It All premium package will receive included shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi. Those who book early will also receive Holland America Line’s Early Booking Bonus, which includes complimentary prepaid crew appreciation and upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.
To keep track of Holland America Line’s Europe offerings, guests can subscribe to its Europe Insider calendar featuring notable dates, cultural events and seasonal highlights.
For more information, go to www.hollandamerica.com.
Lead image caption: Holland America’s Rotterdam will once again homeport in Rotterdam for the 2028 Europe season
