Holland America Line is celebrating the 2026 holiday season with special cruises filled with festive traditions, seasonal flavors and memorable celebrations at sea.

“The holidays are a time when traditions and togetherness matter most, and traveling doesn’t mean leaving those traditions behind,” Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line, said in a press release.

“On board, guests can celebrate in ways that feel familiar while also making new memories with the people they care about,” he said. “From cherished meals to time spent together, we’re creating moments for guests to feel like they have a piece of home with them during the holidays.”

Guests can savor holiday favorites such as Thanksgiving dinner, Brunch with Santa and the Feast of the Seven Fishes while enjoying beautifully decorated ships and special celebrations throughout Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s voyages.

Celebrating the holidays at sea offers a different way to enjoy the traditions that matter most while leaving the planning to someone else.

With Holland America Line taking care of the details, there’s more time to gather over special meals and activities, combining travel and discovery with the wonder of the season.

                                         A Festive Ambiance on Every Holiday Cruise

Whether exploring the tropical islands of the Caribbean, glaciers of Antarctica or landscapes of Australia, Holland America Line creates a warm holiday atmosphere with seasonal décor throughout the ship, ceremonial tree lightings and special programming.

Entertainment makes each cruise merry and bright with carol singing, holiday movies, crew performances and family-friendly activities. A New Year’s Eve celebration will welcome 2027 with parties throughout the ships and a champagne toast.

                                                    A Holiday Taste of Tradition

Holiday traditions come to the table with seasonal food and beverage offerings that bring familiar favorites and global flavors together.

Guests can gather for Thanksgiving dinner, start Christmas with “Breakfast with Santa,” enjoy “Feast of the Seven Fishes” on Christmas Eve and savor “Nutcracker Tea.”

Holiday menu items add a taste of home with classic items such as latkes, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and eggnog.

Destination-inspired holiday flavors from around the world also give guests a chance to discover new tastes alongside the classics.

New for 2026 is a seasonal Magnolia Gingerbread Cake available in the Dining Room, created as an extension of Holland America Line’s partnership with famed Magnolia Bakery, bringing the bakery’s signature flavors to the holidays at sea.

Holiday spirit extends to the glass with seasonal coffee creations including Christmas Cocoamint Coffee, Vanilla Gingerbread Latte and Eggnog Latte, alongside festive cocktails such as the De Lijn Ginger Mojito, Rudolph the Red Margarita and Minty Elf Martini.

                                           Gingerbread Villages Bring Holiday Magic

A Holland America Line holiday cruise wouldn’t be complete without gingerbread, and across the fleet, shipboard culinary teams turn the classic holiday treat into elaborate village displays.

Each ship creates its own unique design, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship that go into these festive works. Culinary teams spend hours planning, baking and assembling the intricate pieces that bring each gingerbread village to life, carrying on a signature holiday tradition.

Holiday Cruises for the 2026 season include:

• 7-Day “Baja Peninsula” on Koningsdam, roundtrip from San Diego, California, departing Nov. 21, 2026.
• 15-Day “Panama Canal Holiday” on Zaandam, from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, departing Dec. 19, 2026.
• 7-Day “Baja Peninsula Holiday” aboard Koningsdam, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, departing Dec. 19, 2026.
• 11-Day “Eastern Caribbean Holiday: Windward & Leeward Islands” aboard Rotterdam, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Dec. 22, 2026.
• 14-Day “Southern Caribbean: ABC & Windward Islands Holiday” aboard Volendam, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Dec. 22, 2026.
• 7-Day “Western Caribbean Holiday: Greater Antilles & Mexico” on Eurodam, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Dec. 26, 2026.

                                            About Holland America Line

Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations.

Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for nearly 80 years — longer than any other cruise line.

In 2029, Holland America Line will welcome a 12th ship to its fleet.

Savour the Journey isn’t just a tagline, it’s a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other.

Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising.

Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide.

Photos courtesy of Holland America Line

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