Holland America Line is making Europe an almost year-round destination in 2028, opening bookings for an expanded season that stretches from January into early December and includes the cruise line's highest number of European port calls in nearly a decade.

Five ships — Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam and Zuiderdam — will operate across the region. Itineraries range from seven-day cruises to 48-day Legendary Voyages, covering the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canary Islands and transatlantic routes.

For travelers, the expanded schedule means considerably more choice in both timing and destination. Holland America is specifically designing voyages around seasonal experiences, from tulip season in the Netherlands and long summer days in Northern Europe to fall traditions and winter escapes in the Canary Islands.

Five Holland America Ships Will Sail Europe in 2028

The 2028 deployment includes Holland America's highest number of Europe port calls in nearly a decade, along with record numbers of visits to Norway, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands during the periods highlighted by the cruise line.

Across the season, guests will have access to more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including opportunities to explore Norway's UNESCO-listed fjords.

Select itineraries will also include overnight stays, extended calls and late-night departures, providing more time ashore in destinations ranging from Northern European capitals and fjord communities to Mediterranean ports.

Nieuw Amsterdam Returns to Europe

One of the notable changes for 2028 is the return of Nieuw Amsterdam to Europe for the first time in more than a decade.

The ship will join the Mediterranean program, where travelers will also be able to experience onboard offerings including Morimoto by Sea, Chef Masaharu Morimoto's dedicated restaurant at sea.

Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam will offer spring and fall departures in the Mediterranean, while Zuiderdam returns following her Evolution enhancements.

Mediterranean itineraries will range from seven to 11 days and depart from six homeports, visiting destinations across Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey.

Back-to-Back Cruises Can Create Longer Mediterranean Trips

Many of Holland America's Mediterranean itineraries are being designed so travelers can combine consecutive cruises with few or no repeated ports.

That gives guests the option of creating a longer European vacation without moving between ships or arranging a completely separate itinerary.

Travelers wanting an even longer experience can choose a 48-day Legendary Mediterranean Voyage sailing roundtrip from North America and visiting multiple destinations across the region.

The Mediterranean season will include Holland America's highest number of visits to Spain since 2017, along with a record six calls at Portofino during 2028.

Northern Europe Includes Norway, Iceland and Greenland

Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam will operate Northern Europe cruises ranging from seven to 28 days.

Destinations include Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles and the Baltic, with itineraries combining major cultural centers and smaller coastal communities.

Holland America says 2028 will feature its highest number of Norway visits since 2014, along with record numbers of calls in Ireland and the Netherlands.

Highlights include scenic cruising through Norway's UNESCO-listed fjords and visits to destinations including Flam, Geiranger, Reykjavik and Stockholm.

Canary Islands Cruises Offer a Winter Alternative

The season begins during the European winter, when Nieuw Statendam will operate seven- to 14-day voyages between January and March.

Those itineraries will visit the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal and Morocco, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon and Casablanca.

Holland America is positioning these cruises as a way to experience destinations with milder winter temperatures while extending its European program beyond the traditional spring-through-fall season.

Spring Brings Tulip Season in the Netherlands

From March through May, Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Zuiderdam will sail seven- to 14-day itineraries through the Mediterranean, Low Countries and Northern Europe.

Destinations include Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges, Barcelona, Athens and Naples.

The timing is designed in part around spring experiences, including tulip season in the Netherlands and blooming landscapes elsewhere in Europe.

All Five Ships Sail Europe During Summer

The largest selection comes between June and August, when all five ships will operate in Europe.

Summer itineraries range from seven to 35 days and cover Norway, Iceland, the British Isles, Baltic, Greece, Croatia and Turkey.

Travelers can choose scenic cruising through Norwegian fjords or itineraries calling at destinations such as Flam, Geiranger, Reykjavik, Stockholm and Dubrovnik.

Europe Cruises Continue Through Fall and Early Winter

From September through November, Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Volendam will continue sailing Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries ranging from seven to 48 days.

Ports across Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Ireland and the Netherlands will coincide with the region's fall harvest season and associated culinary and cultural traditions.

Departures then continue into early December, including Mediterranean, Canary Islands and transatlantic cruises. Highlighted destinations include Barcelona, Lisbon and Tenerife, with some transatlantic itineraries continuing to Fort Lauderdale.

Early Bookings Include Have It All Benefits

Holland America is also offering an early booking promotion for travelers reserving eligible 2028 Europe cruises with the Have It All premium package.

The package includes shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi.

Guests qualifying for the Early Booking Bonus also receive prepaid crew appreciation along with upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

With five ships, departures across most of the calendar year and itineraries ranging from one week to 48 days, Holland America's 2028 schedule significantly broadens the ways travelers can experience Europe. Instead of concentrating almost entirely on summer, the cruise line is building the season around how destinations change throughout the year, giving guests opportunities to choose Europe based not only on where they want to travel, but when they most want to experience it.

Source: Holland America Line