Thinking about booking a cruise with Holland America Line in 2025? Here’s everything you need to know about what’s included in your cruise fare, what’s not, and how to make the most of your time at sea.
Holland America is one of my favorite cruise lines! Having recently sailed with them, I have firsthand experience with the amenities, services, and experiences that are included, as well as those that require an additional cost.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, understanding what’s covered in your fare will help you budget effectively and enhance your overall experience.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll outline everything included in a Holland America Line cruise, highlight any extra costs to consider. You’ll also learn about HAL’s Have It All package and Club Orange, two options that can elevate your cruise.
What’s Included on a Holland America Cruise
Accommodations: Your Home at Sea
Your stateroom is your private retreat throughout your voyage. From cozy interior cabins to stunning ocean-view staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll find options for every budget. Each cruise cabin includes twice-a-day housekeeping to keep your space fresh and inviting.
Want to treat yourself? The Pinnacle Suite offers panoramic views and access to the exclusive Neptune Lounge. Here you’ll enjoy concierge service, complimentary fresh fruit, beverages, and a dedicated space to relax and unwind.
Every room has plush bedding, plenty of storage, and spacious bathrooms. Holland America’s veranda cabins feature glass doors that open onto your private balcony (perfect for watching sunsets.)
The attention to detail extends to the public venues around the cruise ship, with quiet spaces for reading and socializing just steps away.
Included Dining
Food is one of the highlights of any cruise, and Holland America doesn’t disappoint. The main dining room serves up multi-course daily meals, perfect for casual lunches and elegant dinners. You can choose between set dining times or open seating to fit your schedule.
When you’re in the mood for something more relaxed, head to the Lido Market buffet, where you’ll find international stations, made-to-order specialties, and fresh salads.
Grab a slice at New York Pizza when you’re craving comfort food. They also serve salads, sandwiches, and other delicious snacks.
The popular Dive-In for burgers by the pool is incredible. At Dive-In, cruise passengers can order tasty burgers, fries, and hot dogs.
One of my favorite spots is the Grand Dutch Café! This complimentary restaurant is exclusive to HAL and is a perfect place to enjoy hot coffee and authentic Dutch snacks.
Room service is also included for those times when you’d rather dine in your stateroom. You can order everything from fresh sandwiches to warm cookies without any extra charge.
I recommend ordering breakfast the night before to start your day with coffee and fresh pastries in your cruise cabin.
Included Entertainment
Your days and nights at sea can be as active or relaxed as you like. Let me walk you through the entertainment options that make Holland America cruises special.
Live Music and Shows:
The B.B. King’s Blues Club comes alive at night with soulful tunes and infectious energy from the live band. As it gets later, B.B King’s Blues Club becomes the nightclub with a live DJ.
Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge get everyone singing along to favorite hits. These venues are tailor-made for music lovers, and the live shows are incredible.
The main theater hosts production shows, comedy acts, enrichment shows, and local performers from various ports.
Staying Active:
The fitness center offers modern equipment and a clean space for cruises and exercise. Holland America offers state-of-the-art fitness centers, from treadmills and cardio equipment to weight racks and bench press machines.
Holland America offers dance classes for cruisers to learn new dances and have fun. From salsa to line dancing, there is something for everyone.
The sports courts on the upper deck host friendly competitions. One thing that is very popular onboard HAL cruise ships is pickleball. Every Holland America cruise ship has a pickleball court, which is super popular onboard.
Holland America cruise ships offer walking and jogging tracks, which give amazing views while you exercise.
Enrichment and Entertainment:
Holland America offers trivia contests and board games in public areas. They also offer arts and crafts sessions, as well as painting lessons.
A special offering that HAL has is a workshop about your port of call. The staff holds seminars where they share cruise port information to make your experience in the port more immersive.
Furthermore, during our Alaska cruise with Holland America, they brought park rangers and wildlife experts. They shared information about the glaciers and wildlife and answered questions from other cruisers.
For Families:
For families, Club HAL provides supervised activities for kids aged 3-17, giving parents some well-deserved downtime.
Here’s how Club Hal (kids club) is organized:
- Kids Program (3-6): Story time, arts and crafts, and games
- Tweens Program (7-12): Science experiments, sports, and themed parties
- Teens Program (13-17): Teen-only hangouts, music events, and sports competitions
Movies will be shown by the pool on Pinnacle-class cruise ships. This is a great activity to spend time together and watch a movie while they enjoy unlimited popcorn and snacks.
Included Beverages
Basic beverages won’t cost you extra. Here are the included beverages on Holland America Line:
- Regular coffee and tea
- Water
- Select juices during breakfast
- Lemonade and iced tea at lunch and dinner
What’s Not Included and Additional Costs to Consider
While Holland America offers many complimentary amenities and services, some extras come at an additional cost. Understanding the additional costs can help you budget for your new Holland America cruise and decide which add-ons are worth it.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s not included in your cruise fare:
Specialty Dining Venues
Although Holland America includes various free dining options, it also offers specialty dining. Specialty dining venues are ideal if you’re looking for a more elevated experience. However, specialty dining restaurants cost extra.
Specialty venues offer top-notch cuisine, intimate atmospheres, and high-quality service, making them a popular cruise extra.
Holland America Line’s most popular specialty dining venues include Pinnacle Grill, a high-end steakhouse known for its premium cuts of beef and fresh seafood. At the same time, Tamarind brings bold Pan-Asian flavors from Southeast Asia, China, and Japan.
Canaletto provides Italian cuisine lovers with a cozy atmosphere, handmade pasta, and delicious antipasti. Meanwhile, Rudi’s Sel de Mer delivers a French-inspired seafood brasserie experience featuring a menu curated by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin.
Each specialty restaurant has a per-person cover charge, typically from $30 to $50 per person, depending on the venue and the ship.
Beverage Packages
While Holland America includes basic beverages like water, coffee, tea, and juices at breakfast, alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, and sodas are not included. To save money, many guests purchase a beverage package.
Drink package options include:
- Quench Package – Covers non-alcoholic drinks like sodas, mocktails, and specialty coffees.
- Signature Package – Allows up to 15 drinks per day, including beer, wine, and cocktails up to $11.
- Elite Package – Covers drinks up to $15 per serving, including premium spirits and top-shelf wine.
Beverage package prices vary but generally start at $20 per person per day for non-alcoholic packages and $55+ per person per day for alcoholic options.
Related: 27 Best Cruise Ship Drinks: What to Sip at Sea
The Greenhouse Spa & Salon
For those looking to relax and unwind, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers a variety of luxurious treatments. However, they come at a cost.
Spa services include:
- Massages, facials, and body treatments
- Acupuncture and medi-spa treatments
- Salon services like haircuts, styling, and manicures
- Access to the Thermal Suite with heated loungers, a hydrotherapy pool, and saunas
Prices for spa treatments vary but typically range from $150 for a basic massage to over $300 for premium spa packages. Holland America sometimes offers discounts on port days, so watch for deals.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions are not included in your cruise fare and can vary widely in price depending on the experience. Holland America offers a range of excursions, from snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean to guided food and wine tours in Europe, glacier hikes in Alaska, and cultural city tours in Asia.
Prices typically start around $80 for basic tours and can exceed $300 for premium or private experiences, with some exclusive options like helicopter rides costing even more. Since shore excursions enhance your cruise experience, they’re worth budgeting for!
Wi-Fi Packages
Wi-Fi is not included in your cruise fare. However, Holland America offers three internet packages for purchase.
The Social Package provides access to social media apps, the Surf Package includes browsing, emails, and news sites, and the Premium Package allows full internet access, including video streaming and VPN use.
Internet package prices range from around $17 to $45 daily, with discounts available for full-cruise packages.
Crew Gratuities
Holland America automatically adds daily gratuities (“crew appreciation”) to your onboard account. These gratuities help compensate the hardworking staff who provide service throughout your cruise.
Crew Appreciation Pricing:
- $17 per passenger, per day for standard staterooms
- $19.00 per passenger, per day for suites
These fees go toward dining staff, housekeeping, and other crew members. You can prepay gratuities before your cruise or adjust them at Guest Services onboard.
Holland America’s Have It All Premium Package
Holland America’s Have It All package bundles four premium perks. Perks include shore excursion credit, a beverage package, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi.
Available on cruises for six days or longer, this package lets cruisers enjoy more experiences while saving money compared to purchasing these upgrades separately.
What’s Included in the Have It All Package?
Shore Excursion Credit
The longer you cruise, the more you can explore!
Cruise guests on 6- to 9-day cruises receive a $100 credit per person, those on 10- to 20-day cruises get $200 per person, and for 21+ day cruises, the credit increases to $300 per person.
This credit can be used toward various excursions, from cultural tours to adventurous experiences, making it easier for cruise passengers to immerse themselves in each destination.
Signature Beverage Package
Enjoy up to 15 drinks per day, including wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails (up to $11 per drink), plus non-alcoholic options like sodas and specialty coffees.
Even better, the service charges are included, so you won’t see extra fees on your bill.
Specialty Dining
The Have It All package lets guests enjoy Holland America’s award-winning specialty restaurants. The number of included dining experiences is increasing based on cruise length.
Those on 6- to 9-day cruises receive one specialty dining night, while 10- to 20-day cruises include two nights, and 21+ day cruises offer three specialty dining nights.
Cruisers can enjoy premium venues like Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse), Tamarind (Pan-Asian cuisine), and Canaletto (Italian), though restaurant availability may vary by ship.
Wi-Fi Surf Package
Stay connected with the Wi-Fi Surf Package, which allows you to browse the web, use social media, check emails, and message friends and family while onboard.
How Much Does It Cost?
The Have It All package is available for just $60 per person, per day, making it an excellent value for guests who plan to enjoy specialty dining, beverages, excursions, and Wi-Fi during their cruise.
If you’re looking for a more inclusive experience without worrying about extra costs, Have It All is a great way to enhance your Holland America cruise!
Related: Is Holland America Have it All Worth it?
Club Orange
Holland America’s Club Orange is a premium program that offers cruise passengers exclusive perks and benefits during their cruise. Available to suite guests (and for purchase on select sailings), Club Orange provides priority embarkation and debarkation, along with an exclusive restaurant or dedicated seating in the main dining room.
Club Orange guests can also enjoy a concierge service, special events, and upgraded stateroom amenities, making for a more elevated cruise experience.
Related: Is Holland America’s Club Orange Worth It? My Review and Experience
Tips For Getting The Best Value
Book your “Have It All” package when you reserve your cruise if you want a more “all-inclusive” experience. It’s cheaper than adding these options individually onboard.
For a 7-day cruise, you’ll save significantly on drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, and excursions compared to purchasing them separately.
Consider sailing to destinations like Alaska or the Panama Canal, where Holland America’s expertise shines. Their shore excursions in these regions are particularly well-planned and often sell out quickly.
Remember to watch Holland America’s website for special offers, especially on longer voyages or South American itineraries. Sometimes, you can snag extra perks or onboard credits that make your cruise an even better value.
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Final Thoughts on What’s Included on a Holland America Cruise
After exploring what’s included in a Holland America cruise, it’s clear why they’ve earned their reputation as a premium cruise line. The perfect mix of traditional cruising and modern amenities creates an experience that appeals to both first-timers and devoted sailors.
In 2025, HAL ships are heading to incredible destinations – from Alaska cruise tours showcasing the best of North America to exotic New Zealand voyages. The ships themselves strike a beautiful balance between spacious public areas and cozy corners for quiet moments.
What sets Holland America apart is their attention to detail and focus on enriching experiences. Whether you’re watching live performances under the stars, learning about your next port of call, or savoring a meal at their award-winning specialty restaurants, each day brings new discoveries.
When you factor in the convenience of the “Have It All” package and the value of included amenities, a Holland America cruise offers great value for your vacation budget. The hardest part really is choosing which amazing itinerary to book first!
Are you planning your first Holland America cruise? Please let me know in the comments below
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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