Holland America is known for its comfortable travel. With a fleet of 11 ships, this cruise line offers 500 sailings across seven continents every year. With a mix of popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations, you can explore the best of all ports.
Whether you want to see famous ancient ruins or taste the flavors of local cuisine, Holland America Excursions are exceptional for curious travelers.
This guide features the types of excursions, booking tips, and unique experiences. Learn everything you need to know to make your time worthwhile while sailing on Holland America.
30-Second Summary
Want to experience an in-depth travel experience? Holland America Excursions offers an enriching way to see all the places on your bucket list. This cruise line creates a blend of thrilling and relaxing activities for all passengers.
In this blog, you will learn about the top destinations where Holland America offers shore activities. The tips aid you in making the most out of your journey. So, what are you waiting for? Prepare for your voyage with this insightful guide.
Why Choose Holland America for Shore Excursions?
Holland America offers a wide range of shore activities, from cultural tours to thrilling expeditions. Moreover, you can visit the less-traveled regions to get to the heart of the destination.
The experts lead these excursions, focusing on providing educational insights on every destination. These shore tours prioritize providing an authentic experience while keeping sustainability in mind.
Holland America guarantees value for money and peace of mind. The experts get you back on time, or the ship waits for you. All in all, you can enjoy Holland America shore excursions, which are informative and exciting.
Types of Shore Excursions Offered by Holland America
Every traveler has different interests. Holland America offers an enriching on-shore experience to suit every passenger.
Below are the various types of excursions you can enjoy with this cruise line.
Cultural Excursions Holland America
The cultural tours allow you to immerse yourself in the local traditions and learn about their history. The expert guides take you to museums and ancient ruins.
Travelers can also enjoy traditional dances and ceremonies. Cultural tours provide an opportunity to interact with the friendly locals.
Culinary Experiences
Indulge in the delightful culinary experiences of the port. Participate in cooking classes and make delicious local dishes.
You can also visit local markets and get fresh ingredients. These food tours are ideal for those who want to learn about a region’s history and culture.
Adventure and Nature Excursions
For passengers who want to feel their pulse pounding, adventurous tours are great. You can participate in a variety of water and land activities according to your interests.
Kayak in the turquoise waters and snorkel to see the thriving marine life. Get your hiking gear and explore the rugged terrain with a guide.
Scenic and Panoramic Drives
These drives are ideal for elderly passengers and travelers seeking a relaxing journey. Passengers pass by beautiful landscapes.
The stops include charming villages, stunning viewpoints, and historical sites. These panoramic drives fully immerse passengers in their tours.
Exclusive Experiences
Holland America offers unique shore experiences, such as the “Exclusive Medallion Collection.” These excursions provide in-depth perspectives on various sights.
Travelers get access to unique places and activities, which are typically not a part of standard travel. Moreover, these are small group excursions for a personalized experience.
Best Shore Excursions by Destination
Every traveler wants to see all the famous sights of a destination. Shore excursions provide you with precisely what you want.
Holland America focuses on providing a fulfilling experience by including famous sights in its itineraries. Let’s explore the best destination excursions included in Holland America tours.
Alaska
Alaska is home to stunning landscapes and wildlife. Holland America provides an authentic traveling experience and offers the “Alaska Up Close.” In this program, you get to see exclusive places with the help of experts.
Wildlife Excursions
In Juneau, you sail through Stephen’s Passage. Passengers enjoy a water-jet powered catamaran and watch whales from their comfortable cabins. A naturalist on board shares the habitats and interesting facts about these whales.
For nature lovers and wildlife photographers, this cruise line takes you to Haines. A professional guide shows you the best locations, lighting, and animal activity for your photos. You can see bald eagles and brown bears along the Chilkoot River.
Adventurous Excursions
The ZipRider adventure at Icy Straight Point is the tallest in the world. Passengers ascend to Hoonah Mountain and zipline at a speed of 60 mph. You soak in the sweeping views of Port Fredrick and Icy Strait.
Travelers also enjoy watching the gigantic glaciers from a helicopter in Juneau. After landing on Norris Glacier, you can participate in dog sledding. Another scenic excursion in Skagway includes hiking the Chilkoot Trail and watching landscapes on an inflatable raft at Taiya River.
Scenic Excursions
Cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage and get a glimpse into its commercial fishing culture. Watch the caught marine life up close in aquariums. Hear the real-life stories from the Bering Sea from seasoned crew members.
Experience the indigenous culture at Saxman Native Village. Enjoy the welcome by Tlingit dancers. While aboard the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, soak in the breathtaking landscapes along the way.
Caribbean
Caribbean shore excursions cater to every traveler. Passengers can take a submarine to see the coral reefs. If you want to relax, enjoy drinks on a catamaran, or watch the waves on a beach.
Sightseeing
The off-road 4-wheel drive takes you to some of the most beautiful sights in Aruba. You can visit the Mini Natural Bridge, the Casibari Rock Formation, and the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins. Sample coffee beans and learn about their production in the Dominican rainforest.
Reach Monkey Land in a safari truck and make friends with squirrel monkeys. Afterward, travel to a countryside home. Participate in traditional customs and sample coffee and mamajuana, which is a medicinal drink.
Adventure
Take a horseback ride to RelaxAway, the highest point of Half Moon Cay. See the beautiful islands and come back down to splash into the ocean with your horse. A luxurious catamaran takes passengers to the shimmering waters of Cozumel.
Snorkel into the water that is teeming with marine life and coral reefs. You can participate in the America’s Cup 12-meter regatta. You can work with the competitors or simply sit back and enjoy this thrilling adventure.
Relaxation
Interact with the gentle stingrays in RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s Stingray Cove. Make this excursion unforgettable by touching their wings and feeding them fishy treats.
To unwind after a long day, indulge in drinks on a catamaran while watching the sunset. Passengers can also watch the waves from their private air-conditioned beach cabanas.
Europe
With a blend of history and culture, Europe’s shore excursions are ideal for exploring this region. Holland America highlights the following destinations and activities in Europe.
Mediterranean
Explore the 19th-century palaces of Andalusia and attend a flamenco performance. Get on a gondola ride beneath the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Watch the age-old charm of Athens and discover the Acropolis and other Greek temples.
Baltic Sea and Scandinavia
The exciting excursions in the Baltic Sea and Scandinavia make them a famous tourist destination. The stunning Norwegian fjords have a picture-perfect charm. Step into old times in Copenhagen palaces. Enjoy the culture of Estonia with a folk dance performance.
Northern Europe
Relax in the steamy water of Blue Lagoon, which is known for its healing properties. Explore the wilderness of Tromso with huskies and a guide. Explore Iceland on horseback and take a helicopter ride over the Pulpit Rock.
Transatlantic Crossing
Take a cable car to visit Madeira’s hilltop village called Monte. Explore the extensive flora and fauna of The Rock of Gibraltar. The Golden Circle tour takes you to the gushing waterfalls and geysers. Soak in the rich cultural heritage of Cádiz through local traditions and architecture.
Asia
Asian Holland America Excursions focuses on providing an immersive and culturally rich traveling experience. Some famous Asian ports where you can enjoy shore activities are:
Tokyo, Japan: The bustling and energetic life of Tokyo offers multiple shore excursion opportunities. Passengers can see the iconic places of this city, such as Meiji Shrine, Asakusa District, and Shibuya Crossing.
Singapore: Singapore has multiple attractions. You can admire the surfboard atop Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Enjoy the largest orchid display and city tours that show the modern and multicultural blend of this city.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia: Get a glimpse of Komodo Dragons thriving in their natural habitat during this excursion. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts unique biodiversity and rugged terrain.
Puerto Princesa, Philippines: In this excursion, passengers glide through the underground river in the Subterranean River National Park.
Bali, Indonesia: This excursion focuses on visiting the artistic centers of Mas and Ubud. Enjoy the Balinese dance with gongs and percussion instruments.
South America
This region is rich in ancient ruins, cosmopolitan cities, and unique terrains. Holland America offers an overnight stay, allowing you plenty of time to explore various sights.
Ushuaia, Argentina: Passengers explore this fantastic city through trekking. You can opt for Scenic Beagle Channel wildlife cruises and participate in “end of the world” excursions.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Explore the capital of Argentina with cultural walking tours of historic barrios. The excursion also includes behind-the-scenes restaurant visits and attending polo matches.
Manaus, Brazil: This city offers opportunities to explore jungles through excursions. The nighttime canoeing allows you to see nocturnal wildlife and pink dolphins.
Punta Arenas, Chile: Punta Arenas is the gateway to Cape Horn and Patagonia. You can watch wildlife, soak in the stunning beauty of fjords, and see the dramatic landscapes.
San Antonio, Chile: You can explore Santiago’s sights with day trips in a minivan. Take a trip to the colonial center and surrounding wine regions with a full or half-day private tour.
Unique Shore Excursions Holland America Offers
Holland America offers unique excursions that are beyond the usual cruise experience. These excursions provide a deep connection to travelers with the destinations they visit.
Overland Journeys
This excursion allows you to enjoy multi-day land tours during the cruise. You can book train rides, flights, and hotels. With overland journeys, you can visit remote destinations.
Private Car and Driver
Some ports offer the flexibility of hiring a private car and driver. It allows travelers to create a personalized itinerary according to their interests.
Local Volunteering
Holland America offers the opportunity to volunteer for a short period in a local community. You can help out at local schools, community gardens, and clean environment projects.
Wildlife Conservation with Naturalists
The naturalists or environmental experts lead these tours. Passengers get knowledge about wildlife conservation. You visit the marine research centers and learn about the local ecosystem.
Holland America EXC Tours
EXC stands for Explorations Central. This program blends an enriching onboard experience with shore excursions for a meaningful journey.
- Your EXC guide knows everything. You can learn about the manners of a region and simple phrases to successfully interact with the locals.
- EXC tours have local experts, performers, and artists onboard. You can learn different skills, such as playing steel drums with musicians from Trinidad and practicing Tai Chi with a Chinese master.
- With EXC talks, you learn about the tales only locals know. It fosters a deep sense of connection with the destination you are visiting.
- EXC shore excursions are ideal for encountering various cultures and their traditions. From a culinary tours cruise to adventurous trips, you get an authentic and transformative travel experience.
Accessibility Options
To cater to passengers with disabilities. Holland America offers different shore excursions. These excursions are graded according to the activity level of the guests.
Passengers choose the shore activities that best suit their needs. Moreover, the ship offers special accommodations on board to assist guests with specific needs.
Booking Excursions with Holland America
This section walks you through the process of booking shore excursions with Holland America.
When to Book?
- The tour bookings are based on a first-come, first-served approach. Book your favorite excursions as soon as possible after booking the cruise.
- You can book excursions online up to 3 days before sailing.
How to Book?
- For online booking, log in to the Holland America website.
- Navigate the excursions and book the ones you prefer.
- You can also download the “Navigator App” to book your desired excursions.
- You can also book excursions on the ship. Visit the shore excursion office to explore and reserve shore activities.
How to Cancel Excursions?
- You can cancel pre-paid excursions 3 days before the cruise embarkation and get a full refund to your credit card.
- If you cancel within 3 days, the refund goes to your onboard account. If there is any leftover credit, it will be given back to you at the end of the voyage by the ship’s purser.
- A 100% cancellation fee applies, with no refunds for cancellations made after the deadline.
- If Holland America cancels an excursion, you get a full refund 4 to 6 weeks after the voyage ends.
- Excursions in Land and Sea Journeys are non-refundable within 3 days of your departure.
- Group excursions are non-refundable within 3 days before the journey starts.
Tips to Secure Popular Shore Excursions
- Try to reserve the desired shore excursions as early as possible. You have a better selection with early bookings.
- Utilize online tools and do not wait to book excursions on board. The website and the Navigator App display the latest updates about excursions.
- If an excursion shows limited time availability, book it quickly.
- Specialty dining restaurants tend to fill up. Make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment.
Excursion Preparation Tips for a Smooth Experience
Not preparing in advance for the excursions can be frustrating, particularly if you forget something important. This section compiles tips that ensure a hassle-free excursion experience.
What to Pack?
- Ensure that you pack all necessary documents, including IDs, passports, and visas.
- Keep essential things in your carry-on bag.
- Make sure that you have all your medications.
- Have clothes for all occasions. Pack swimwear, shirts, and your cover-ups. Make sure to keep modest clothing if you plan to visit sacred places.
- Bring your toiletries, such as bug spray, sunscreen, moisturizer, toothpaste, and other items.
- Pack your technology, including chargers and adapters, for a worry-free journey.
- Bring your binoculars, reusable water bottle, eyeglasses, camera, and a good book to pass the time.
Time Management Tips
- Know the ship’s schedule, including its departure and return times.
- Have a plan B ready for any unexpected delays.
- Ensure you have sufficient time to return before the ship sails again.
- According to Holland America, the ship waits if there is a delay in the excursion. This policy applies only to Holland America excursions.
- If you book excursions independently, make sure to return on time, as the ship will not wait for you.
Wrapping Up
With a wide variety of shore excursions, Holland America offers a fulfilling voyage. Whether you want to visit the Alaskan glaciers or sunbathe at a Caribbean beach, you can find an activity based on your preferences.
This blog explored the various destinations and their excursions. It highlighted the essential tips for booking and packing for excursions to help you prepare for your journey. Moreover, unique experiences ensure that you enjoy every moment on the shore.
FAQs
Do I need to book Shore Excursions in Advance for Holland America?
Yes, booking shore excursions in advance is highly recommended for Holland America. These excursions fill up quickly. If you delay in reserving them, you might face disappointment. Therefore, it is crucial to book your desired shore activities as soon as possible.
What Happens If I Miss the Excursion on a Holland America Cruise?
If you miss a shore excursion, you will not receive a refund. Missing an excursion is treated as a late cancellation. According to the policy, cancellations made after the deadline result in a 100% cancellation fee with no refund.
Can I Get a Refund For a Canceled Excursion on Holland America?
Yes, you can receive a refund; however, it depends on the timeframe in which you cancel. You get a full refund on your credit card after you cancel a pre-paid excursion 3 days prior to embarkation. Within 3 days of embarkation, you can cancel onboard, and a refund is credited to your onboard account. After the deadline, there is no refund, and a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
