Is Holland America A Good Cruise Line
Here’s Who Will Love It…and Who Probably won’t
Sometimes the best cruise line isn’t the biggest one. It’s the one that matches the kind of vacation you actually want.
If you’re researching your next cruise, you’ve probably asked the same question thousands of travelers type into Google every month:
“Is Holland America a good cruise line?” The short answer? Yes, but probably not for the reasons you think.
One thing we’ve learned after sailing several different cruise lines over the years is that there really isn’t a single “best” cruise line. There is only the cruise line that’s best for you.
Royal Caribbean fans often love things that Viking passengers couldn’t care less about. Disney Cruise Line creates magical vacations for families, while Virgin Voyages intentionally leaves the kids at home. Carnival thrives on energy and fun, while Celebrity leans toward contemporary luxury.
Holland America? They’ve spent more than 150 years quietly perfecting something different. They’re not trying to build the biggest ships or installing the tallest waterslides. They’re not trying to convince you to spend your afternoon racing go-karts or zip-lining over the pool deck.
Instead, Holland America has focused on creating a vacation that’s a little slower, a little more refined, and a lot more centered around the destinations themselves.
That isn’t better, it isn’t worse, it’s simply different.
And for many travelers, different turns out to be exactly what they’ve been looking for.
Our Experience with Holland America
Susan and I actually sailed with Holland America nearly twenty years ago on an Alaska cruise.
At the time, it was an easy choice. Holland America had (and still has) one of the strongest reputations in Alaska, with decades of experience, outstanding Glacier Bay itineraries, and an overall experience that seemed perfectly suited to soaking in one of the world’s most spectacular destinations. We thoroughly enjoyed that cruise.
Since then, however, we’ve found ourselves sailing more often with Celebrity, Princess and Royal Caribbean. That wasn’t because Holland America disappointed us. Quite the opposite. It was simply a matter of itinerary.
Celebrity, Princess and RCL happened to offer more of the destinations we wanted to explore over the years, whether it was Asia, the Mediterranean, or our upcoming Panama Canal sailing. As our travel bucket list expanded, those cruise lines often had the right ship in the right place at the right time.
Ironically, while researching and updating this article, Susan and I both came to the same conclusion. Maybe it’s time to revisit Holland America.
Not necessarily for another Alaska cruise, although we’d happily do that again, but somewhere completely different.
Sometimes revisiting an old favorite reminds you why it became a favorite in the first place.
Holland America Isn’t Trying to Be Royal Caribbean
One mistake many first-time cruisers make is assuming every cruise line is chasing the same goal. They aren’t.
Royal Caribbean wants to wow you with attractions, while Disney wants to immerse you in storytelling. Virgin Voyages wants to reinvent what cruising can feel like, while Holland America simply wants to help you enjoy the journey.
That philosophy becomes obvious almost immediately after boarding.
With Holland America, you’ll find beautiful public spaces instead of amusement-park attractions. You’ll hear live music drifting through the evening instead of constant announcements encouraging you to participate in the next deck contest. Sea days tend to feel peaceful rather than packed with scheduled activities every fifteen minutes.
If your ideal vacation involves standing in line for a surf simulator before racing to the water coaster, Holland America probably isn’t going to become your favorite cruise line.
But if your perfect afternoon is finding a comfortable chair on deck with a good book while watching glaciers, fjords, islands, or endless ocean slip by…Now we’re talking.
One of the themes you’ll find throughout MAK’n Waves is that sea days are part of the vacation, not simply the time between ports.
Holland America seems to understand that philosophy better than almost anyone.
Who Will Probably Love Holland America?
Rather than asking whether Holland America is a “good” cruise line, I think a better question is: Who is it good for?
If you’re someone who enjoys slowing down instead of constantly moving from one activity to the next, Holland America begins making a lot of sense.
Food lovers tend to appreciate the quality of the dining program. While every cruise line has improved its culinary offerings over the years, Holland America has built a reputation for consistently excellent meals, thoughtful menus, and specialty restaurants that feel like part of the vacation rather than an added expense.
Music lovers also tend to leave impressed. The line’s Music Walk venues have developed something of a cult following, offering everything from rock classics to blues and classical performances. Instead of one large production show trying to appeal to everyone, guests often find themselves venue hopping throughout the evening depending on what mood they’re in.
Destination-focused travelers are another natural fit.
If you’ve read our article on Why Cruises Are Perfect for People Who Hate Planning, you already know one of the greatest advantages of cruising is waking up somewhere new without constantly packing and unpacking. Holland America leans heavily into that philosophy, emphasizing enriching itineraries over flashy onboard attractions.
And then there’s Alaska. There are very few cruise lines that have earned as much trust in Alaska as Holland America. Between their long history, Glacier Bay access, knowledgeable onboard naturalists, and cruise tour options, it’s easy to understand why so many experienced cruisers recommend them for a first visit to the 49th state.
What Holland America Does Exceptionally Well
One thing that stands out after talking with experienced Holland America cruisers, and reading countless passenger reviews, is how often the same themes appear.
Not the biggest ships, not the wildest entertainment, not the flashiest attractions, but instead, people keep talking about how relaxed they felt. That’s not an accident.
The ships themselves generally carry fewer passengers than the mega-ships dominating today’s cruise industry, meaning shorter walks, less congestion, and fewer moments where you feel like you’re sharing your vacation with several thousand of your closest friends.
There’s something refreshing about boarding a ship where you can actually learn your way around in a day or two.
The dining experience also deserves its reputation. Whether you’re enjoying breakfast in the main dining room, grabbing something casual by the pool, or celebrating in one of the specialty restaurants, Holland America consistently punches above its weight. Many loyal guests will tell you the food alone is one of the reasons they keep coming back.
Then there’s the service. Excellent service is expected on premium cruise lines, but Holland America has built remarkable consistency over decades. Crew members often stay with the company for years, and repeat guests frequently talk about feeling welcomed back rather than simply checked in.
It’s the kind of thing that’s difficult to measure on a brochure but easy to notice once you’re onboard. And perhaps that’s the best way to describe Holland America as a whole.
It isn’t necessarily about having the biggest “wow” moments but about getting hundreds of little things right.
Why Holland America Has Such Loyal Passengers
One thing that has always fascinated me about Holland America is the loyalty of its guests.
Every cruise line has repeat passengers, but Holland America seems to inspire a different kind of devotion. Talk to longtime HAL cruisers and you’ll often hear things like, “We’ve sailed Holland America fifteen times,” or “We tried another cruise line once, but came right back.”
Why? We know it’s not because Holland America has the newest ships or the biggest attractions, but I believe it’s because they know exactly who they are.
There’s something comforting about consistency. Guests know they’ll find attentive service, excellent dining, engaging itineraries, and an atmosphere that encourages them to slow down instead of constantly wondering what activity they’re supposed to do next.
Ironically, that approach feels almost refreshing in today’s world. Life on land is noisy. Our phones never stop buzzing. Work follows us home and even vacations can begin feeling like a checklist of experiences that somehow need to be squeezed into a single week.
Holland America quietly goes the other direction. It invites you to sit on deck with a cup of coffee while watching glaciers drift by. To linger over dinner instead of rushing to the next show or venue. To enjoy live music simply because it’s enjoyable and not because it’s the headline attraction of the evening.
If you’ve read our article on Why Cruises Quiet an Anxious Mind, you’ll recognize why that resonates with so many travelers. Sometimes the greatest luxury isn’t another attraction, but it’s simply having permission to slow down.
Where Holland America Isn’t the Best Choice
No cruise line is perfect and in fact, I’d be suspicious of any review that tells you otherwise.
If you’re traveling with younger children or teenagers, there are far better options.
While Holland America does offer youth programs, family-friendly pools, and activities for younger guests, the overall experience simply isn’t designed around them. Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and even Carnival devote much more of the ship to family entertainment.
The same is true if your vacation revolves around nightlife. You’ll certainly find bars, lounges, casinos, and excellent live music onboard, but don’t expect all-night deck parties or venues that stay packed until two in the morning. That’s by design.
Holland America attracts guests who are often perfectly happy ending the evening with a great show, a glass of wine, and a relaxing walk around the promenade deck before calling it a night.
There’s also the question that inevitably comes up: “Is Holland America only for older people?” Not anymore.
Yes, the average passenger still tends to be older than you’ll find on Carnival or Royal Caribbean, but that statistic can also be a little misleading.
What I’ve noticed over the past several years, is that the average age often has more to do with the itinerary than the cruise line itself.
A seven-night Caribbean sailing during spring break naturally attracts a different crowd than a fourteen-night voyage through Norway or a three-week cruise across the Pacific.
More younger couples are discovering Holland America precisely because they’re looking for a quieter vacation. They don’t necessarily want a ship filled with roller coasters and waterslides, but they want exceptional food, beautiful destinations, and a chance to actually relax.
In other words, Holland America isn’t becoming younger, though travelers are simply becoming more open to different styles of cruising.
Holland America vs. Princess vs. Celebrity
Since we’ve sailed Princess and Celebrity much more recently, this is probably the comparison we’re asked most often. The truth is they’re all excellent cruise lines.
Princess feels slightly more destination-focused while still offering a broader selection of itineraries and ships around the world. That’s one of the reasons we’ve continued sailing with them over the years, including our most recent Southeast Asia cruise.
Celebrity leans a little more contemporary. Their ships have a sleek, modern feel, outstanding specialty dining, and an atmosphere that strikes a good balance between sophistication and energy.
Holland America, meanwhile, feels the most classic of the three. That’s not another way of saying “old.”
It’s more like walking into a beautifully restored historic hotel instead of a brand-new luxury resort. Both can be great experiences, though they simply appeal to different personalities.
If you’re trying to decide between Princess and Holland America, I’d honestly let the itinerary make the decision. Both offer excellent service, destination-rich cruises, and loyal followings. If one has the ports you really want to visit, I wouldn’t hesitate to book it.
Compared with Royal Caribbean, however, the differences become much more dramatic.
Royal Caribbean is built around onboard excitement while Holland America is built around the journey itself. Neither philosophy is right nor wrong, they’re simple trying to deliver different vacations.
Is Holland America Good for First-Time Cruisers?
Absolutely. In fact, I think many first-time cruisers would be pleasantly surprised.
One of the biggest misconceptions about cruising is that bigger automatically means better. New cruisers often assume they need the newest ship with the most attractions because they’re worried about getting bored.
The funny thing is that many experienced cruisers eventually discover the opposite. After sailing some of the largest ships at sea, they begin appreciating ships that are easier to navigate, have fewer crowds, and feel a little more personal.
That’s one reason I always encourage readers to think about how they want to vacation before choosing a cruise line.
If your dream vacation is packed with adrenaline and nonstop activities, Holland America probably isn’t your first choice. But if your ideal cruise involves incredible scenery, wonderful food, attentive service, fascinating destinations, and enough quiet moments to actually appreciate where you are, Holland America deserves a spot near the top of your list.
You might even find yourself wondering why you didn’t try them sooner.
Final Thoughts
So…Is Holland America a good cruise line? For the right traveler, I think it’s an outstanding one.
Looking back, Susan and I still have wonderful memories of our Alaska cruise nearly twenty years ago. Since then, we’ve enjoyed incredible voyages with several other cruise lines, not because Holland America fell off our radar, but because those cruise lines happened to offer more of the itineraries we wanted to explore.
Researching Holland America for this article has been a good reminder that cruise lines, much like favorite restaurants or vacation destinations, are worth revisiting from time to time.
The industry evolves, ships change, travel styles change, and sometimes, we do too.
But when all is said and done, Holland America still offers something that’s becoming surprisingly rare in modern travel: a vacation that encourages you to slow down, look around, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
And honestly, that’s a philosophy we can all use a little more of.
