30 Holland America Line Tips & Tricks

Founded in the Netherlands in 1873, Holland America Line (HAL) has been sailing for more than 150 years.

You won’t find climbing walls, zip lines, or go-karts like on the new mega-ships. Holland America Line ships are large enough to offer a wide variety of dining options, activities, and entertainment, yet small enough that it doesn’t take days to learn your way around. With an atmosphere of timeless elegance, HAL delivers exceptional food and service, striking the perfect balance between quality and affordability.

The average age of Holland America passengers is about 55, slightly higher than on some other major cruise lines. However, the age range varies by itinerary and cruises during school holidays often attract more families. For those traveling with children, supervised activities and events are available for guests ages 3–17. The only limitation is that children won’t have access to certain family-friendly features found on other lines such as waterslides, FlowRiders, or mini golf.

Holland America Line also emphasizes regionally inspired cuisine, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You should find most dishes are “kicked up a notch” from your traditional cruise fare.

Let’s start off these Holland America Line tips & tricks from the basics and work up to more little known facts for those new to sailing with HAL.

Download the Holland America App –

Prior to cruising, download the Holland America Line Navigator mobile app to check-in and store your sailing e-docs, make shore and dining reservations and more. Once onboard, use the app to plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more.

You must be logged into the ship wifi network to access all the features while onboard

Have It All Package – 

Save up to 50% on our most popular amenities by pre-booking the HAVE IT ALL package! The package includes the Signature Drink Package, Specialty Dining, Wi-Fi Surf Package, and Shore Excursion credits. The number of specialty dining nights and the amount of shore excursion credit is based upon number of cruise days.

Upgrade to the Orange Club –

Club Orange adds even more convenience to a Holland America cruise with priority access, premium dining, exclusive amenities, and special events. For a small daily fee, this add-on offers benefits such as a complimentary stateroom upgrade, priority check-in and disembarkation, a dedicated concierge hotline, and more.

Check-in before your cruise –

Holland America recommends completing the online check-in process at least 30 days prior to your departure. Check-in will close 72 hours prior to sailing. You can check-in on the website or via the app. E-Docs (boarding pass) will be available after completing all required steps and the eDocs must be shown at the pier.

*View a video outlining the check-in process here.

Boarding Pass –

The Boarding Pass is available via Online Check In approximately 15 days prior to departure (after your final payment has been made). You can print the boarding pass or show digitally at the pier.

It’s recommended you do not print your boarding pass until 7-days prior to embarking on your cruise. This will allow time for the boarding barcode to be added to the left side of your boarding pass. You may also use the Holland America Line Navigator app to access your digital boarding pass once Online Check In has been completed.

Embarkation Time –

Boarding officially begins at 12:00pm. Although boarding may begin earlier if all departing passengers have cleared the ship. All guests must be checked in at the pier at least 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time. Watch for an email from Holland America approximately 1 week before the cruise with your boarding time which is based on your stateroom deck location.

Print Luggage Tags –

Luggage tags are available at the Online Check-in start page. Select the # of tags to be printed-up to 9. Don’t forget to attach these to your luggage AFTER any flights. Blank luggage tags will be available at the pier as well. I recommend purchasing luggage tag holders just to help ensure the paper doesn’t doesn’t rip off during transport onto the ship.

Find Your Sea Pass –

Your keycard will be placed outside your stateroom door. It will not be given to you during check-in at the pier.

When Will Staterooms Be Ready? –

Staterooms will be ready at approximately 1:00pm. Your baggage will arrive in your stateroom later in the afternoon.

Valid Passport/Identification Requirements –

U.S. citizens on cruises in the Western Hemisphere that originate and terminate in the same U.S. port are required to have proof of citizenship such as:

A Valid Passport

OR

Proof of Citizenship AND Government-issued photo ID. Information on acceptable documents can be found here.

A valid passport is required for all other sailings.

*I highly suggest a passport even if it’s not required for your sailing. If you have an emergency and need to get home from a foreign port, you’ll want a passport to facilitate these travel plans.

**Please ensure your passport is valid 6 months AFTER the date your cruise DISEMBARKS.

Pre-Book Specialty Dining –

Specialty restaurants such as Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, and Tamarind can be pre-booked starting 6-9 months in advance. Reservations are recommended, especially for popular times and can be made on the website or via the app. Reservations can also be made once onboard.

As You Wish Dining –

“As You Wish Dining” is when you can dine at anytime. You’re not restricted to choosing the early or late seating.  Already know when you want to dine each night? Once onboard, head to the dining room during maitre d office hours, which can be found in your newsletter or the app to make dining reservations.

Alternatively, simply show up at the time you’d like to dine and join the waitlist. If arriving between 5-6pm, you will usually have little to no wait.

Dining Dress Code –

Don’t get “dress coded” at dinner in the MDR and specialty restaurants. Holland America is strict about their evening dress code. A common mistake, even “nice” shorts aren’t allowed at dinner. You will be requested to return to your cabin to change.

– Shirts/cover-ups and footwear are always required indoors. During daytime, dress is casual.
– Most evenings smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, pool and beachwear, distressed jeans, and men’s tank tops are best left to the daytime and are not permitted in table service restaurants.
– Dressy Nights evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including our five-course gourmet dinner in the Main Dining Room. For gentlemen, collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants.

*See the dress code here.

Carry-on Alcoholic & Non-alcoholic Beverage Policy –

Holland America allows guests to bring wine and champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20 will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused. I recommend brining a travel corkscrew to make opening your wine in the cabin easier – unless it’s screw top, of course!

An allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will not be allowed onboard. Sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form.

Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call

*Ensure all beverages brought onboard are in carry-on luggage!

*See the beverage policy here.

Don’t Link Your Debit Card as a Method of Payment –

Paying your cruise folio with a debit card is an option if it makes sense for you, but a $30 per person per cruise day hold will be placed on your card once you board. The cruise line releases the hold after disembarkation.

The hold will be removed by your bank within a few days of disembarking but some banks may take longer (up to 30 days). A credit card will still receive the same hold, but it’s not like a debit card where your available cash is restricted.

You will, of course, be charged for any additional purchases made while cruising.

Turn off Cellular Data –

Ensure your cellphone and any devices with cellular data are in “Airplane Mode” or that the cellular data is turned off before you set sail. You could end up with hundreds of dollars in at sea roaming charges if your phone performs an automatic update or downloads new emails.

Mariner Society Rewards Program –

Guests will be automatically enrolled as Star Mariners once they make their first booking with Holland America Line. Members receive rewards such as discounts on cruise fares, merchandise, specialty dining, spa treatments and more depending upon their level. See more info on the Star levels here.

Great Line for Alaska Sailings –

Many of the Alaska sailings include Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve featuring National Park Service Rangers and Wildlife Experts.  helping your clients get the most out of their Alaska experience through workshops, wildlife-spotting, and more.

Find Lunch on Embarkation Day- 

The Lido Market buffet and the Pool Grill will open at 11:30am on embarkation day for lunch.

Sail Away –

Head to the Lido Deck or Aft Pool Deck for the Sail Away Party on embarkation day. If sailing a New England itinerary, you may get a tasty lobster roll to snack on too!

Orange Party – 

Holland America has an Orange Party so pack an orange outfit, if desired. Dressing for the theme is not required, however.

Enjoy High Tea –

Look for the complimentary Royal Dutch Tea in your cruise planner offered on sea days. Arrive early as it’s a popular event.

Cake Please – 

Dessert lovers may want to enjoy “Cake Me Away” at the Lido. The event offers a variety of whole gourmet cakes for guests to sample.

Upgrade to a Seafood Broil – 

Once during each cruise, you’ll see a notice for a $35 Seafood Boil at Lido. Some cruisers have reported enjoying the Seafood Broil while others state there isn’t enough crab in the broil and the chowder is mostly potatoes.

Excursion Tickets – 

Holland America Shore Excursion Tickets are now digital. Tickets can be found in the app. Check your stateroom TV for any changes in meeting time and locations.

Don’t Miss Happy Hour! – 

Save a little $ on your pre-dinner drink. Look for happy hour with drinks 50% off. These will usually happen at one or two bars around the ship between 4-5pm. Hint – you can ask for more than 1 beverage at a time if you’d like a cocktail as a pre dinner drink but want to take a glass of wine to dinner.

Informative Talks – 

Don’t miss the “On Location” program bringing ports of call and region experiences onto the ship. Check the Cruise Planner for a range of activities such as talks about the destination, local drinks and food events and local entertainment. The informative onboard talks allow guests to gain an insider’s perspective by hearing the sorts of tales only locals know. Onboard artists, performers, and lecturers sharing local history and traditions allow you to immerse yourselves in the destination.

Sommelier Suite Wine Packages – 

The Sommelier Suite Wine Packages may be ideal for cruisers that don’t want to purchase a beverage package, but want to try different wines onboard. Current rates can be found on Cruise Critic or check your online Cruise Planner for more information.

Don’t Pay for Mini Bar Items – 

You can request to have your room steward clear out all the beverages in the minibar leaving space for beverages you may have carried onboard. Minibar items are not included in the “Have it All” package nor Beverage packages, so it’s a great idea to have these items taken away to avoid accidental charges.

Entertainment Reservations Not Required – 

Unlike Mega ships, reservations are not needed for entertainment. Simply show up and enjoy the show.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance – 

Many cruisers don’t realize that their medical insurance often doesn’t cover them while at sea. In addition, most primary health insurance plans do not provide adequate coverage for medical evacuation, which can be extremely costly. Travel insurance is also important to protect your trip investment in case of last-minute cancellations.

I personally use Travel Insured and recommend it to all my clients. For example, my stepdad recently became ill on a cruise and needed to visit the ship’s medical center. The bill was over $600, but thanks to Travel Insured, he was reimbursed after filing a claim.

Whether you’re seeking refined dining, attentive service, or a more relaxed atmosphere at sea, Holland America Line offers a cruise experience that blends tradition with modern comfort. With thoughtfully designed ships, diverse itineraries, and a focus on quality over gimmicks, HAL remains an excellent choice for travelers who value elegance, enrichment, and exceptional value.