Holland America is known for its classic ships, strong itineraries, and service, but the final bill can climb quickly if you are not strategic. With a bit of planning before you book, and a few smart habits once you are on board, you can enjoy the same elegant experience for much less.
These ten money saving tactics focus specifically on Holland America policies, packages, and current offers, so you can stretch your cruise budget without feeling like you are cutting corners.
Understand Holland America Fares and Promotions Before You Book
The biggest savings on a Holland America cruise usually happen long before you step on board. Knowing how the line structures its fares and promotions helps you decide when to book, which offers to combine, and when a “deal” is not actually a bargain for your style of travel.
1. Compare Standard Fares With the “Have It All” Package
Holland America’s Have It All fare bundles popular extras like a beverage package, specialty dining, Wi Fi, and shore excursion credit into one higher upfront rate. The line frequently promotes this as offering meaningful savings compared with buying each amenity separately, particularly on longer sailings and port intensive itineraries.
To decide if it saves you money, first price your cruise with the Have It All fare, then note what is actually included on your specific sailing. Next, price the same cruise using the standard fare and add up what you would realistically spend on drinks, one or two specialty dinners, basic Wi Fi, and one or two ship excursions. If you do not drink much alcohol, are happy with included dining, or prefer booking independent tours, the standard fare plus selective add ons may be cheaper. If you routinely buy all those extras anyway, the bundled fare can deliver solid value.
2. Watch for Early Booking Bonuses and Major Sales
Holland America leans heavily on time limited promotions. These often include reduced deposits, onboard credit, prepaid crew appreciation, or upgrades when you book by a certain deadline. The line has historically run big seasonal events, such as wave season offers early in the year and periodic anniversary or themed sales that stack extras on top of sale fares.
Because these promotions change frequently, the smartest approach is to decide on your preferred itinerary and sailing window first, then monitor prices and inclusions over several weeks. Sign up for Holland America’s email list and check with a cruise focused travel advisor who can see unpublished agency incentives. When you see a promotion that combines a lower fare with extras you would actually use, that is often the time to book.
3. Use Price Drops and Repricing Policies to Your Advantage
Holland America, like many cruise lines, allows re pricing before final payment in many markets when a publicly available fare drops on the same sailing and category. Policies vary by country and by the specific promotion, but when permitted this can mean hundreds of dollars back in fare reductions or extra onboard credit.
Track your cruise price periodically between booking and final payment. A good travel advisor will do this monitoring for you and request adjustments when eligible. If you booked directly, you can call Holland America and ask whether your reservation qualifies for any new public offers. Be polite but persistent, and keep notes of dates, names, and offers in case you need to follow up.
Strategic Ways to Book and Pay Less Up Front
Beyond understanding fares, the way you book your Holland America cruise has a big impact on the base price you pay. These strategies focus on timing, flexibility, and using official tools that can quietly unlock lower rates or safer air deals.
4. Be Flexible With Dates, Ships, and Cabins
If you care more about the overall experience than a specific sailing date, flexibility is powerful. Shoulder season departures, repositioning cruises, and less obvious itineraries often carry lower base fares. On routes like Alaska or Europe, mid week departures or early and late season sailings can be noticeably cheaper yet still deliver beautiful scenery and good weather, especially if you are prepared for some variability.
Cabin choice also matters. Inside and ocean view staterooms on Holland America often include the same core experience as balconies, with identical access to dining, entertainment, and lounges. If you know you will spend much of your time around the ship or ashore, choosing a modest cabin and putting the savings toward excursions or a longer sailing can magnify your value.
5. Consider Holland America’s Standby and Last Minute Options
For travelers who can leave at short notice and are not particular about exact cabins, Holland America’s standby or close in offers can yield very low per night rates. These programs typically let you register interest on select sailings and confirm a booking only if space remains within days of departure, often at a significantly discounted fare.
The trade off is limited control. You may not get your preferred dining time or stateroom location, and you will need to have time off, flights, and any visas lined up in case the cruise clears. If you have flexible work and live near a departure port, however, standby deals can be among the cheapest ways to experience the line.
6. Use FlightEase and Homeport Departures Thoughtfully
Holland America’s FlightEase program lets you book flights through the cruise line, sometimes with contract fares, flexible conditions, or late arrival protection. This can be cost effective on long haul routes or complex itineraries with open jaw flights, especially when airlines are volatile. Even when the airfare itself is similar to booking direct, having the cruise line responsible for rerouting you in case of disruptions can save you the cost of missed connections or last minute one way tickets.
On the other hand, if you live within driving distance of a Holland America homeport such as Seattle, San Diego, Boston, or Vancouver, skipping flights altogether is often the biggest transportation savings of all. Calculate fuel, parking, or a one way rental car versus airfare and transfers. For families or couples, driving to the pier can easily save hundreds of dollars and reduce travel stress.
Leverage Loyalty, Credit, and Gift Programs
Holland America offers several official channels to earn onboard credit and other perks, and there are reputable third party options that effectively give you a discount on your fare. Used smartly, these tools can fund a surprising amount of onboard spending.
7. Maximize Mariner Society Loyalty Benefits
Holland America’s Mariner Society is its loyalty program, and membership is automatic after your first cruise. As you accumulate days sailed and eligible onboard purchases, you move through tiers that can bring benefits such as welcome amenities, discounts, and occasional bonus offers. The line also periodically promotes Mariner Society early booking bonuses that add extra onboard credit when members reserve select new itineraries soon after they are released.
If you have cruised with Holland America before, log into your account before pricing new trips so that member only offers and loyalty credits are properly applied. When comparing itineraries, take note of any extra onboard credit, specialty dining, or laundry benefits tied to your tier, since those can offset spending you would otherwise pay for.
8. Look for Legitimate Discounted Gift Certificates and Reward Cards
Cruise focused credit cards and membership programs can effectively discount your cruise. Holland America co branded credit cards periodically offer statement credits or reward points that can be applied toward cruise purchases once you meet a minimum spend threshold. For frequent cruisers or those timing large purchases before a trip, these rewards can make a noticeable dent in the cost.
Some membership organizations occasionally sell discounted Holland America gift certificates, typically in fixed denominations at a modest percentage off. While terms change over time, when available these can stack with normal cruise discounts because the line treats them as payment rather than coupons. The key is to buy only from established, reputable programs, to track certificate numbers carefully, and to apply them well before your final payment date.
9. Book Future Cruises Onboard to Earn Extra Value
Holland America often runs onboard future cruise programs that reward you for placing a deposit on a later sailing while you are still on your current trip. In exchange, you may receive a combination of onboard credit for the present cruise, onboard credit for the new booking, or a reduced deposit for the future trip.
If you already know you will sail with the line again, visit the future cruise desk early in your voyage and ask what current onboard booking perks look like. Compare those benefits to what you see advertised on Holland America’s public site to ensure the onboard offer is clearly better or at least comparable with added convenience. Even modest onboard credit can cover gratuities, a specialty meal, or a few drinks on a later cruise.
Control Onboard Spending Without Feeling Deprived
Once you are on the ship, incidental spending can easily surpass your expectations. Holland America’s pricing is generally transparent, but extras like drinks, spa treatments, shore excursions, and photos add up quickly. A few simple habits can keep your account under control while still feeling indulgent.
10. Set a Daily Onboard Budget and Track It
Before embarkation, decide how much you are comfortable spending per day on extras such as drinks, specialty dining, spa visits, and souvenirs. Divide any pre purchased packages, like Have It All or a coffee card, across the number of days to understand your effective daily cost. Then agree as a couple, family, or group on a reasonable additional daily amount for spontaneous treats.
Once on board, check your account regularly through the ship’s app or guest services. If you over spend one day, consciously dial back the next. This small discipline helps you prioritize experiences that matter most, like a glacier helicopter tour or a memorable specialty dinner, instead of letting casual bar rounds and impulse purchases absorb your entire budget.
11. Use Included Beverages, Dining, and Activities First
Holland America includes more in the base fare than some travelers realize. Coffee, tea, iced tea, water, and basic juices are widely available at no extra charge in the buffet and main dining room. Main dining venues offer rotating menus with regional dishes and well prepared classics, and the buffet provides plenty of variety without paying for specialty restaurants.
Take advantage of these included options as your default, then add paid extras intentionally. For instance, have most breakfasts and lunches in included venues, save specialty dining for one or two special evenings, and attend the many no charge enrichment programs, music performances, and trivia sessions instead of fee based activities. This way, premium add ons feel like chosen splurges, not automatic expectations.
12. Decide Carefully on Beverage and Wi Fi Packages
On many Holland America sailings, you can buy beverage packages and upgraded Wi Fi plans separately from or in addition to any bundle fares. These packages can be excellent value for some travelers and unnecessary expense for others. The key is honest self assessment.
Estimate how many alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, and sodas you typically consume on vacation. Compare that with the per day cost of a beverage package and the average price of individual drinks. If you are not likely to reach the break even point most days, skip the package and pay as you go. The same applies to Wi Fi: if you can disconnect or use only occasional messaging, basic or pay as you go plans may be enough. Families with teens or remote workers might value the peace of mind of a higher tier package, but casual users can redirect that money to experiences in port.
Save on Shore Excursions and Port Days
Holland America’s itineraries are a major selling point, particularly in Alaska, Europe, and Asia. Shore days, however, can balloon your budget if you book every excursion through the ship. With a bit of research and flexibility, you can see the highlights more economically.
13. Mix Ship Excursions With Independent Exploration
Ship sponsored excursions provide convenience, curated experiences, and the reassurance that the ship will wait or arrange transport if the tour runs late. For complex activities or remote ports, paying a premium for that safety net can be worthwhile. But not every stop requires a formal tour.
On city focused itineraries, you can often walk, take local transport, or use hop on hop off buses to see the main sights at a fraction of the cost. In popular cruise ports, reputable local tour operators frequently offer small group excursions that mirror the ship’s offerings but at lower prices and with more flexibility. Read recent traveler reviews, confirm start and end times carefully, and build in buffer time to return to the ship.
14. Treat Some Ports as Low Spend or No Spend Days
Not every port needs to be a major sightseeing day. On longer itineraries, choose a few ports to be low cost days where you simply wander around town, visit a public beach, or stay aboard and enjoy a quieter ship. These days can be surprisingly relaxing, and they give your budget a chance to recover from big ticket tours.
On these low spend days, eat your meals on board, refill your reusable water bottle before you leave the ship where allowed, and limit purchases to a coffee, snack, or small souvenir. You still experience the flavor of the destination without committing to an expensive excursion every time.
15. Time Your Shopping for Real Value, Not Impulse Buys
Both onboard shops and port retailers frequently advertise sales, but discounts can be uneven. Instead of browsing aimlessly and buying on impulse, make a short list in advance of items you genuinely want, such as local crafts, a specific jewelry style, or a warm layer for Alaska. When you encounter those items, you can judge price and quality against a clear intention rather than momentary temptation.
Inside the ship, look for genuine clearance deals near the end of the cruise, when some logo wear and seasonal items are marked down. Avoid expensive branded trinkets that may end up forgotten at home. Ashore, try to buy goods that reflect the region’s culture or are genuinely useful back home, so your spending feels like an investment in memories rather than clutter.
Smart Ways to Handle Fees, Tipping, and Add Ons
Certain charges on a Holland America cruise are unavoidable, such as taxes, port fees, and basic gratuities. Others, like spa packages and paid entertainment, are entirely optional. Understanding which is which, and how to manage them, helps keep the final bill aligned with your expectations.
16. Budget for Gratuities and Use Onboard Credit Wisely
Holland America applies automatic daily crew appreciation charges, which many travelers treat as a non negotiable part of the cruise cost. It is prudent to factor these into your budget when comparing fares so they do not feel like a surprise. In some cases, onboard credit from promotions or loyalty programs can be used to offset these charges, effectively reducing your out of pocket cost.
When promotions, loyalty benefits, or credit cards give you onboard credit, deploy it strategically. Apply it toward expenses you cannot avoid, like gratuities or required shuttles in certain ports, before spending it on discretionary treats. This ensures that even if you get swept up in vacation mode, the essentials are covered.
17. Skip or Share High Markup Extras
Many of the priciest onboard extras are also the least essential. Professional photo packages, impulse spa treatments, and full laundry service can be nice to have, but they are rarely must haves. Bringing a small bottle of wrinkle release spray, packing mix and match outfits, and using the ship’s self service or per item laundry selectively can save a bundle.
When you do want an extra, see if you can share. Split a photo package with family or friends in your travel party, or book a shorter spa treatment instead of a multi hour package. Look for port day spa specials, when the ship is quieter and prices may be lower. Small choices like these trim your onboard bill without diminishing your overall enjoyment.
The Takeaway
Saving money on a Holland America cruise is less about sacrificing comfort and more about making deliberate choices. By understanding how fares and promotions work, using loyalty and payment tools to your advantage, and being mindful of onboard and shore day spending, you can enjoy the line’s thoughtful service and rich itineraries at a price that feels sustainable. Decide where you want to splurge, such as a signature excursion or a special dinner, and let everything else support those priorities. With these ten smart strategies, your next Holland America sailing can feel both indulgent and financially savvy.
FAQ
Q1. What is the best time to book a Holland America cruise for the lowest price?
There is no single guaranteed cheapest time, but many travelers find good value during wave season early in the year and when new itineraries are first released. The most important strategy is to know your target itinerary, track fares over several weeks, and book when a lower price combines with useful extras like onboard credit or reduced deposits.
Q2. Is the Have It All package really worth it on Holland America?
It depends on your habits. If you regularly buy alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, Wi Fi, specialty dining, and ship excursions, the bundled package can be good value. If you drink little, are happy with included dining, and prefer exploring independently, a standard fare with pay as you go extras is often cheaper.
Q3. Can I get a price adjustment if my Holland America cruise fare drops after I book?
Often you can before final payment, but it depends on the specific fare and promotion rules for your market. If you see a lower publicly available rate for the same sailing and cabin category, contact Holland America or your travel advisor and ask whether your booking qualifies for a reprice or extra onboard credit.
Q4. How can I save on flights for a Holland America cruise?
Compare booking flights yourself with using Holland America’s FlightEase program. Sometimes FlightEase offers competitive fares plus better protection if delays cause missed connections. If you live close to a homeport, consider driving instead of flying, which can save hundreds of dollars for couples and families.
Q5. What are the easiest onboard extras to cut without hurting my experience?
Common areas to cut are photo packages, impulse spa treatments, and frequent specialty dining. You can still enjoy the ship’s atmosphere through included restaurants, entertainment, and enrichment activities, and reserve premium experiences for one or two special occasions instead of every day.
Q6. Are Holland America’s shore excursions worth the higher price?
They are often worth it for complex or remote activities, or when timing is tight and you want the security of a ship sponsored tour. For simple sightseeing in walkable cities or popular ports, you can usually save money by exploring on your own or joining a well reviewed independent tour, as long as you allow extra time to return.
Q7. How can I use onboard credit most effectively on Holland America?
Treat onboard credit like cash and direct it first to unavoidable or high priority expenses such as gratuities, shuttles, or a standout excursion. After that, apply any remaining credit toward discretionary treats you value most, whether that is a specialty dinner, premium coffee, or a spa visit.
Q8. Does booking a future cruise while on board really save money?
Booking onboard can offer added value like extra onboard credit, reduced deposits, or flexible terms compared with booking at home. It is most worthwhile if you are confident you will sail with Holland America again and the offer clearly improves on what is publicly available for the same type of cruise.
Q9. What is a realistic daily budget for extras on a Holland America cruise?
Budgets vary widely, but many guests find that setting a target range based on their habits, such as a modest amount for drinks, one or two specialty meals per cruise, and a few carefully chosen excursions, keeps spending under control. Reviewing your onboard account every day or two helps you adjust in real time.
Q10. How can families keep Holland America cruise costs down?
Families can save by choosing shoulder season sailings, sharing staterooms where comfortable, driving to a homeport when possible, and emphasizing included dining and activities. Limiting paid excursions to a few standout ports and agreeing on a small daily treat budget for kids also helps keep the overall bill manageable.