Holland America Line has announced its programme for the 2026 holiday season, with special meals, decorations and activities on its Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year cruises. According to the cruise line’s press release of 15 October 2026, the programme applies across the fleet, from the Caribbean to Antarctica and Australia.
Decorations, shows and New Year’s Eve
The ships will be decorated for the season, with tree-lighting ceremonies, carol singing, holiday films, crew performances and family activities. On New Year’s Eve, there will be parties across the ships and a champagne toast to welcome 2027.
A Holland America tradition is the gingerbread village: the culinary team on each ship designs, bakes and assembles its own village, which is displayed on board throughout the season.
Holiday menus
The holiday menus include:
- Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
- Christmas with Santa: a breakfast with Santa on Christmas morning (the release also calls it “Brunch with Santa”).
- Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, the Italian-American seafood dinner.
- Nutcracker Tea, an afternoon tea inspired by The Nutcracker.
- Classics and flavours from the destinations: latkes and eggnog, alongside holiday dishes from around the world.
- Magnolia Gingerbread Cake, new in 2026 in the Dining Room, created with the New York bakery Magnolia Bakery, which already works with the cruise line.
There will also be seasonal coffees, such as the Vanilla Gingerbread Latte and the Eggnog Latte, and cocktails such as the De Lijn Ginger Mojito and the Rudolph the Red Margarita.
Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s island in the Bahamas, is on several of its holiday cruises. Photo: Holland America Line.
Example cruises and the Save on Sunshine offer
Among the 2026 holiday cruises, Holland America Line mentions:
- Koningsdam: 7-day “Baja Peninsula”, roundtrip from San Diego, 21 November 2026 (Thanksgiving).
- Zaandam: 15-day “Panama Canal Holiday”, from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, 19 December 2026.
- Rotterdam: 11-day “Eastern Caribbean Holiday”, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, 22 December 2026.
- Volendam: 14-day “Southern Caribbean: ABC & Windward Islands Holiday”, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, 22 December 2026.
- Eurodam: 7-day “Western Caribbean Holiday”, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, 26 December 2026.
Several of these cruises call at Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas, which it now calls RelaxAway Half Moon Cay. On some departures, the Save on Sunshine offer gives up to 50% off the fare, and children sail free as third and fourth guests in the same cabin. Bookings made between 13 and 21 October 2026 also get up to $200 of onboard credit per cabin and a free night in a specialty restaurant on some holiday cruises.
