Holland America Line Plans Its Biggest Europe Season in Nearly a Decade for 2028

Holland America Line opened bookings for its 2028 Europe season on August 3, and the lineup marks the line’s highest number of European port calls in nearly a decade. The expanded season spans Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, with departures running from January through December 2028 and voyage lengths ranging from seven to 48 days.

Five ships will sail the region in 2028: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam and Zuiderdam. Notably, Nieuw Amsterdam returns to Europe for the first time in more than a decade, bringing signature onboard experiences including Morimoto by Sea, chef Masaharu Morimoto’s only dedicated restaurant at sea, to European itineraries for the first time.

The 2028 season includes record numbers of calls to Norway, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands, giving travelers deeper access to the region’s coastline and countryside beyond the usual capital-city stops. Guests can visit more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage sites across the itineraries, including extended exploration of Norway’s UNESCO-listed fjord landscapes.

The expansion follows Holland America’s move to year-round European sailings for 2027-28, announced earlier this year. Together, the two announcements signal a deliberate push by the line to make Europe a bigger year-round pillar of its business rather than a strictly seasonal offering.

Sources: PR Newswire, Cruise Industry News