Five
European cruise holidays
you’ll never forget
A Holland America Line voyage offers experiences few getaways can match, from witnessing natural wonders to discovering cultural delights By Joanna Booth
With plenty of time to make the most of both the onshore and sailing days, Holland America Line’s roundtrip cruises from Dover are a luxurious and convenient way to explore the diverse natural and cultural treasures of Europe, all while enjoying the ship’s bountiful onboard amenities from the minute your holiday begins.
Why fly when you can sail?
Flying is increasingly becoming an experience to be tolerated rather than enjoyed, but choosing not to fly doesn’t have to clip your wings. Take a roundtrip cruise from the UK with Holland America and you can explore as far afield as North Africa and the Arctic Circle, sailing in style and comfort, with none of that pesky airport admin delaying your adventures. Even better, instead of setting sail from the bustling and sometimes hectic Southampton, Holland America departs from Dover, a smaller and less congested port. Once you set foot on your elegant ship, your cases will be whisked to your stateroom, ready for you to unpack and settle in. You’ll only need to unpack once for your whole destination-filled adventure. Your floating boutique hotel for this Dover roundtrip will be Nieuw Statendam, one of Holland America’s sleek, mid-sized Pinnacle Class ships, which blends extensive facilities with an uncrowded feel.
All of these expertly curated itineraries offer a varied programme of shore excursions, introducing you to the best of every destination
Your destination? Choose from a varied portfolio of port-rich but unhurried itineraries scheduled to depart between April and October 2026. Will you soak up the sun while hopping between the Canary Islands archipelago or venture among the icebergs in Greenland? Perhaps you’ll cruise among the crenellated contours of the Norwegian fjords, tick off the cultural capitals of Scandinavia and the Baltics or even discover the closer-to-home delights of the British Isles.
All of these expertly curated itineraries offer a varied programme of shore excursions, introducing you to the best of every destination. Whichever voyage you select, you’ll enjoy Holland America’s elegant feel, warm service and convivial atmosphere, all the way until you cruise back into Dover.
Holland America Line cover 300 ports across seven continents with their cruise holidays | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Breathe in expansive views and relax in spacious staterooms aboard elegant cruise ships
With its wraparound teak decks, sumptuous spa and elegant pools with hot tubs, Nieuw Statendam is an elegantly appointed mid-sized cruise ship sailing from Dover through 2025 and returning for 2026. It’s the perfect floating boutique hotel for guests who prioritise sophisticated experiences and destination knowledge over the on-board waterslides and crowds of the mega-ships. Dine around the world with restaurants from the Pinnacle Grill and Italian trattoria Canaletto to sushi, steak and even a traditional Dutch café – a nod to this 150-year-old cruise line’s heritage. And whether you’re enjoying a yoga class in the on-board gym, a cocktail in one of the many bars or taking in a gig at the Rolling Stone Lounge or B.B. King’s Blues Club, or attending a talk at the visually stunning, two-level World Stage, you’ll notice the same superlative service that’s a characteristic of a Holland America cruise.
Sail on Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam sails from Dover in 2025 | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Enjoy authentic live music at B.B. King’s Blues Club
Shake things up at one of the many cocktail bars | Credit: Cruise Image Library
A hot tub at sunset is a holiday dream come true | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Relax with a good book beside the Lido pool | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Your comfort is prioritised in the light-filled staterooms
Grab your morning coffee at Grand Dutch Cafe
1
A sun-soaked adventure to the Canary Islands
Set sail from Dover on board the Nieuw Statendam, bound for spring sunshine and an archipelago that abounds with natural beauty and cultural charm. Departing April 17 2026, Holland America Line’s 13-Day Canary Island Enchantment itinerary will sail you to warmer climes of these Spanish isles, sprinkled just off north-western African coast. You’ll visit the fascinating Moroccan port city of Agadir en route, with its sprawling beach promenade. Join a shore excursion to explore the local markets or head into the lush oasis of Paradise Valley. Foodies shouldn’t miss taking a Berber cooking class with locally grown ingredients.
You’ll visit the fascinating Moroccan port city of Agadir en route, with its sprawling beach promenade
Then it’s on to the subtropical climes of the Canaries themselves, which offer so much more than sea and sand. On the dramatically volcanic Lanzarote you can tour and trek along lava formations, or discover the beautiful art and architecture of Cesar Manrique, the island’s most famous son.
Romantic Sintra is a Unesco World Heritage site filled with palaces and castles | Credit: Getty / Cruise Image Library
Souk El Had d'Agadir is one of the biggest souks in Morocco | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Gran Canaria is known as ‘a continent in miniature’ due to its diverse terrain; choose between exploring the south’s towering sand dunes at Maspalomas or the greener north, home to the Agaete Valley. Here you’ll find vineyards and the only coffee plantation in Europe. Why not taste both, and learn to make mojo, the Canaries’ signature spicy sauce, while you’re at it? On Tenerife, join one of the shore excursions that take you back in time as you explore the beautiful old town of La Laguna, a Unesco World Heritage site, and ancient laurisilva forest of Anaga, rich with endemic bird life. You’ll then sail home via Lisbon, enjoying the delights of the Portuguese capital, the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra and the mediaeval walled town of Obidos.
Don’t miss...
With five sunny sea days on board the Nieuw Statendam on this itinerary, you can make the most of the ship’s beautiful lido deck, complete with pool, while you gaze out at the Atlantic. Then take a stroll along the wraparound Promenade Deck or play a game of pickleball on the outdoor court. After a dinner full of Mediterranean flair at Canaletto, the on-board Italian restaurant, be sure to enjoy an al fresco movie on board.
Canaletto Italian restaurant | Credit: Cruise Image Library
2
Circumnavigate
our own British Isles
Discover the wildlife and heritage of the most picturesque parts of Scotland, Ireland and Wales, without spending hours on the road, on Holland America’s 14-Day Wild British Isles itinerary, leaving Dover on May 29 2026. This voyage will uncover the numerous treasures of Edinburgh – from seeing the Scottish Crown Jewels in the hilltop castle to climbing Arthur’s Seat for soaring city views – then take you on to Aberdeen before voyaging on to Lerwick in the Shetlands. In Scotland’s most northerly isles, you’ll find the remains of Viking settlements alongside the remarkable Bronze Age archaeological site at Jarlshof. It’s also a haven for marine life, from endangered harbour porpoises to vast colonies of seabirds.
Set off to Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone and sample Irish whiskey
With its rugged moorlands, mountains, waterfalls and lochs, the Isle of Skye is bound to be a highlight. From here you can join excursions to Eilean Donan Castle on the mainland or visit the Isle of Raasay Distillery. Next up, enjoy the drama of the Northern Irish coastline at Killybegs, from which you can visit Slieve League, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. After an overnight stay in Glasgow – where optional shore excursions include an exclusive evening visit to grand Edwardian Pollok House with its impressive art collection and a three-course dinner – you’re bound for Holyhead to discover Welsh heritage in Anglesey, before the next port of call, the charming city of Cork.
13th century Eilean Donan Castle is situated on an island where three sea lochs meet in Scotland | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Set off to Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone and sample Irish whiskey at the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, or even enjoy an exclusive performance of Irish dancing at the Cork Cultural Show.
Blarney Castle is a tower house that was built almost 600 years ago | Credit: Shutterstock
Kissing the Blarney stone is said to give greater powers of eloquence or the 'Gift of the Gab' | Credit: Shutterstock
Don’t miss...
If you love music, you’ll be spoilt for choice on board Nieuw Statendam. Among the choice of evening venues are the ever-popular gig venues B.B King’s Blues Club, with a set of classic blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll; the Rolling Stone Lounge, with its crack covers band charting a musical journey from pop and rock to country and beyond; and the more interactive and intimate Billboard Onboard, where you can be part of the show. Then there is the impressive World Stage, where you can listen to fascinating lectures and talks, take in a live set from vocal quartet Cantaréa, thrill to Step One Dance Company or take in a classical music performance and theatrical shows.
World Stage plays host to theatre and musical entertainment | Credit: Cruise Image Library
3
Explore Scandinavia and the Baltics
As summer begins and temperatures start to soar in the Mediterranean, savvy travellers head north. Holland America’s 14-Day Baltic and Scandinavian Capitals cruise departs on June 26 2026 strings together the jewels of the region into a trip that’s like a relaxing series of city breaks with plenty of sea days (or scenic fjord cruising) in between for some welcome downtime.
Built across a series of islands, stunning Stockholm has an enchanting old town
You’ll tick off a host of cool Nordic capitals: beautiful Copenhagen comes first, where you can take a cruise around the harbour – the water is so clean you can even swim in it – and visit Tivoli Gardens for immaculate horticulture, a host of restaurants plus rollercoasters and other rides. Built across a series of islands, stunning Stockholm has an enchanting old town (brimming with coffee houses – perfect for joining in with the oh-so Swedish ritual of fika) and also home to the interactive ABBA Museum, a must for any fan.
In Oslo, you’ll discover Norway’s history of oceanic exploration; from Viking ships at the Maritime Museum to polar exploration at the Fram Museum, and Thor Heyerdahl’s Pacific expeditions at the Kon-Tiki Museum. Helsinki completes your Scandinavian capital set; here you can choose between shore excursions to take in the city sights or join a thrilling RIB boat tour of the Helsinki archipelago.
Take in the bright colours and clear waters of Copenhagen's harbour | Credit: AdobeStock & Cruise Image Library
The impressive neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral | Credit: Cruise Image Library & AdobeStock
Estonia’s pint-sized Tallinn, with its Unesco World Heritage-listed Old Town, is arguably the prettiest city in the Baltics
Tallinn in Estonia is one of the Baltics’ prettiest cities | Credit: Cruise Image Library & AdobeStock
On other cruises, you can explore another of Europe’s dazzling capitals, Berlin. There’s no shortage of historic sights to see here, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie. Estonia’s pint-sized Tallinn, with its Unesco World Heritage-listed Old Town, is arguably the prettiest city in the Baltics. Be sure to walk up Toompea Hill to see the ornate Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and gaze over the turrets of its walled old town.
Don’t miss...
Soak up yet more culture on board the ship as you sail between some of Europe’s most fascinating cities. Holland America Line’s unique EXC multimedia enrichment talks are held on the high-tech World Stage, which let you delve deeper into the stories surrounding each destination.
Learn more about your destinations at enrichment talks | Credit: Cruise Image Libarary & EXC Talks
4
Norway under the midnight sun
If you want to maximise your holiday time there’s nothing like the long, light days of the Arctic to help you do it. Set sail out of Dover on Holland America’s 14-Day Arctic Circle Crossing: North Cape Solstice on June 12 2026, and you’ll reach Norway’s most northerly point in time for the summer solstice and 24 hours of daylight. You’ll experience the beauty of the fjords on your way, with ports of call and scenic cruising interspersed to give you some of the best views imaginable. Sail down the 100-mile long and half-a-mile-deep Hardangerfjord, the world’s fourth-longest fjord, passing tumbling waterfalls and shoreside villages. Travel in the wake of the Vikings in Trondheimsfjord, tracing their route back from raids to their home.
Sail down the 100-mile-long and a half-a-mile deep Hardangerfjord, passing tumbling waterfalls and shoreside villages
Next, you’ll stop to admire the pretty villages in the Lofoten archipelago, where fish dry on racks by brightly painted wooden houses, then you can choose between cafés and art galleries or head off on a boat ride in search of the archipelago’s abundant wildlife, including orcas and sea eagles. In far-north Norway, ride the Tromsø cable car for expansive views over the pretty city with its spectacular Arctic Cathedral, or head into the surrounding countryside to see the region’s husky dogs and meet their adorable puppies.
Hike with some of Norway's most highly trained husky dogs | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Visit the puffins on a boat ride to Stappan Island | Credit: Cruise Image Library
The sheer headland of the North Cape on the island of Magerøya – commonly considered Europe’s northernmost point – is a dramatic stop-off that offers great opportunities for wildlife watching. A seabird safari will show you nesting colonies of kittiwakes, razorbills and puffins, or you could go fishing for king crabs instead, with a delicious lunch of your catch at the end.
Don’t miss...
With plenty of light evenings, scenic cruising and five relaxing sea days to enjoy on this itinerary, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy Nieuw Statendam’s many bars and lounges. Be sure to check out the Sea View Bar for al fresco cocktails as you drink in those ocean views.
Try the fresh seafood served at Sea View Bar | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Lofoten archipelago is home to pretty villages and abundant wildlife | Credit: Cruise Image Library
5
A once-in-a-lifetime voyage over the solar eclipse
You’ll have to wait a long time for the UK’s next total solar eclipse – until 2090, to be precise. But set off on this extraordinary voyage with Holland America and you could experience one from the deck of a sleek cruise ship off the coast of Iceland much sooner than that. The extraordinary 28-Day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland itinerary, departing on July 24 2026, promises to be a trip of a lifetime. This is one of Holland America’s Collector’s Voyages, a collection of epic journeys for travel connoisseurs that feature back-to-back sailings with no (or very few) repeated ports for a seamless adventure.
The jaw-dropping scenery you’ll witness includes glaciers, waterfalls, ice caves, geysers, geothermal springs and black-sand beaches
Greenland is the world's largest island and dazzles with it's otherworldly landscapes | Credit: Cruise Image Library
In addition to the thrill of witnessing the eclipse, this itinerary is packed with exhilarating destinations and memory-making experiences. After sailing through the Norwegian fjords, you’ll head on to Iceland, with its dazzling landscapes formed by volcanic activity. The jaw-dropping scenery you’ll witness includes glaciers, waterfalls, ice caves, geysers, geothermal springs and black-sand beaches. Other highlights include a whale-watching trip, riding sure-footed Icelandic horses on lava fields and snorkelling in the fissure between two tectonic plates.
Waterfalls, geysers and glaciers flank the fjords as you cruise through Norway | Credit: Cruise Image Library
The voyage will also take you to Greenland, the world's largest island. Here shore excursions include a RIB boat trip to ogle icebergs, a hike around edge-of-the-world landscapes and experiences that uncover the island’s indigenous Inuit culture and cuisine. On your return trip to Dover, you’ll visit the remote Faroe Islands, all brooding peaks and lofty sea stacks, and Lewis in the Hebrides, where you’ll find Bronze Age settlements and rich marine and bird life.
On your return trip to Dover, you’ll visit the remote Faroe Islands, all brooding peaks and lofty sea stacks
Don’t miss...
As well as stepping ashore to discover the cuisine of these incredible destinations, you’ll enjoy a great variety of high-quality dining on board. Holland America’s global fresh fish ambassador, chef Masaharu Morimoto, brings his innovative style to Morimoto by Sea on board Nieuw Amsterdam. All seafood is fresh and locally sourced, thanks to Holland America’s unique Global Fresh Fish programme, with catches drawn from the very waters you’re exploring.
Chef Morimoto brings innovation to the on board menu | Credit: Cruise Image Library
To find out more
Call 0344 338 8605, visit HollandAmerica.com or contact your travel agent.
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Produced by Telegraph Media Group Writer: Joanna Booth | Project manager: Fanni Szentivanyi | Commissioning editor: Rachel Truman | Sub-editors: Neil Queen-Jones & Tim Cumming | Picture editor: Tivinia Elliot-James | Designer: Kate Degel | Web editor: Ross Thomas
Canary Islands
British Isles
Scandinavia & the Baltics
Norway
North Cape solar eclipse
Lanzarote | Credit: AdobeStock & Cruise Image Library
Cork | Credit: AdobeStock & Cruise Image Library
Stockholm | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Lofoten, Norway | Credit: Cruise Image Library
A total solar eclipse | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Faroe Islands | Credit: Cruise Image Library
Souk El Had d'Agadir is one of the biggest souks in Morocco | Credit: Cruise Image Library
