While we all have our old favorites when it comes to visiting Europe, there’s always something new to see and do, no matter how often we travel there. Even the most jaded of European habitués will agree. It’s this continual spirit of discovery that has propelled Holland America Line to create a number of incredible, flexible European itineraries for 2026.
Holland America’s lineup stars four stellar ships – Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam – sailing through the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and across the Atlantic, in seven to 42 days from eight easy departure points. Guests have more choice in the Med and Scandinavia, and more unique, themed cruises anchored to UNESCO Sites and natural phenomena.
Choose your own Mediterranean adventure
The very capable and comfortable Oosterdam takes care of the Mediterranean side of things for those looking for shorter cruises departing from Lisbon, Athens, Barcelona, Rome and Venice. Of course, you can cruise longer if you wish, as the range of options in 2026 is unparalleled.
To keep things interesting, passengers looking at back-to-back, non-repeating itineraries can take advantage of Holland America’s special series of 28 Collectors’ Voyages, which range from 14 to 27 days. You can embark on two seven-day cruises or a seven- and a 14-day cruise, for example, and sail up to 21 days with no repeat ports.
Explore more ports in Northern Europe
The Pinnacle-Class ships Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, with their hubs in hubs Dover and Rotterdam, respectively, set sail for seven-day cruises to the Norwegian fjords, with one itinerary that dashes over to Reykjavik. Four new ports in this series are Aberdeen, Scotland; Kalundborg, Denmark; and Odda, Norway, aboard Rotterdam; and Portsmouth, England, aboard Nieuw Statendam. That’s right, all new to you. A 14-day Baltic and Scandinavian Capitals cruise takes in the whole region.
Combine natural wonders with culturally rich destinations
A number of special itineraries in 2026 will give HAL guests a chance to experience unique natural phenomena.
Three eclipse cruises in July and August offer the rare opportunity to witness a solar eclipse while at sea. A 35-day cruise from Boston (round trip) takes in New England, Eastern Canada, Greenland, the eclipse near Iceland, followed by Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland and back to the U.S. A 28-day cruise from Dover (also round trip) heads first to the Netherlands and Norway, before sailing to Iceland and Greenland, seeing the eclipse in Iceland on the return leg, followed by stops in the U.K. And a 13-day Lisbon-to-Athens journey has you witnessing the eclipse near the coast of Spain.
The Northern Lights are always a big draw for cruisers in October. Holland America Line is ready with two 14-day adventures in the Arctic, sailing from the Netherlands to the top of Norway, both overnighting in Alta, the undisputed City of Northern Lights. Each cruise hits the Shetland Islands on the return voyage. And a June Summer Solstice Artic Circle Crossing takes you from Rotterdam to Norway’s North Cape for a 14-day voyage that includes the longest day of the year.
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime UNESCO adventure
Holland America Line also lets you see the most European UNESCO World Heritage Sites possible, its 2026 itineraries covering more than 175 Sites in 35 countries – from the hexagonal basalt columns of Northern Ireland to the fabled architecture of Barcelona. Isn’t it time you experienced some of the world’s finest examples of human achievement and natural beauty? We thought so.
This is where the Tully Travel Designers come in. Let us guide you to one of the Holland America Line’s 11 departure points to Europe's storied destinations, helping you discover more of the world you thought you already knew.