Holland America Line Unveils Holiday Program for the 2026 Cruise Season

Holland America Line announced its special programming for the 2026 holiday season, which will include themed dinners, seasonal entertainment and family activities on board its entire fleet during Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's voyages. The cruise line will offer itineraries to the Caribbean, Antarctica and Australia, with ships decorated for the occasion and ceremonial tree-lighting events.

Among the dining offerings, passengers will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, Breakfast with Santa (also called Brunch with Santa), the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, and Nutcracker Tea, featuring dishes such as turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, latkes and eggnog. New for 2026, the Magnolia gingerbread cake will be added to the main dining room menu as part of the cruise line's partnership with Magnolia Bakery. Entertainment will include carol singing, holiday movies, crew performances and a New Year's Eve party with a champagne toast to ring in 2027.

Each ship in the fleet will set up its own gingerbread village display, designed and crafted by the onboard culinary teams. The festive beverage menu will add coffees such as the Christmas Cocoamint Coffee, the Vanilla Gingerbread Latte and the Eggnog Latte, along with cocktails such as the De Lijn Ginger Mojito, the Rudolph the Red Margarita and the Minty Elf Martini.

Michael Stendebach, Vice President of Food, Beverage and Stateroom Operations at Holland America Line, noted that the holidays are a time when traditions and family togetherness take priority, and that traveling does not mean leaving them behind. He said that on board, guests can celebrate as a family while creating new memories with their loved ones, with meals and activities that give them a sense of home during the holiday season.

Sample holiday cruises include the 7-day "Baja Peninsula" sailing on the Koningsdam, departing from San Diego on November 21, 2026; the 15-day "Panama Canal Holiday" sailing on the Zaandam, from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, on December 19; another 7-day sailing on the Koningsdam departing from Fort Lauderdale on December 19; the 11-day Eastern Caribbean sailing on the Rotterdam and the 14-day Southern Caribbean sailing on the Volendam, both departing from Fort Lauderdale on December 22; and the 7-day Western Caribbean sailing on the Eurodam, departing from Fort Lauderdale on December 26. Through the "Save on Sunshine" offer, the cruise line is providing discounts of up to 50% off fares and free fares for children as the third or fourth guest in the same stateroom on select departures, while guests who book between October 13 and 21, 2026 will receive up to US$200 in onboard credit per stateroom and one complimentary dinner at a specialty restaurant.