Christmas markets draw river cruise guests to Europe in droves each year, but Holland America Line will offer a new take on the holiday itineraries.Show Caption
Christmas markets draw river cruise guests to Europe in droves each year, but Holland America Line will offer passengers a different take on the holiday itineraries.The cruise line will operate two Christmas market sailings in 2027 as part of an expansion of its presence in Europe, with the company offering cruises there year-round. The itineraries aboard the line’s nearly 2,700-guest Nieuw Statendam ship will incorporate the festive stops into ocean voyages.“There’s something special about experiencing Europe’s Christmas markets on an ocean cruise because of the range it gives you,” Paul Grigsby, the cruise line’s vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, told USA TODAY. “Instead of focusing on a single country or small region, an ocean voyage lets you connect multiple countries and traditions in one seamless journey. That broader reach means guests aren’t just seeing one style of market or one interpretation of the holidays.”When are Holland America’s Christmas market cruises?A 13-Day Baltic & Scandinavian Christmas Markets voyage will depart on Dec. 5, 2027, followed by a longer 15-Day Baltic & Scandinavian Christmas Market Holiday cruise on Dec. 18, both round-trip from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Each cruise includes the option to sail round-trip from Dover, England, instead.Where will Holland America’s Christmas market cruises go?Stops on the 13-day itinerary include Kiel, Germany, which offers access to Hamburg’s Christmas markets, along with Tallinn in Estonia and Copenhagen. Guests will stay overnight in Stockholm and Helsinki."We can include a place like Helsinki – a port accessible only by ocean, where you have a fantastic Christmas market right in Senate Square, and then work with our shore excursions team to create something even more memorable – in this case, visiting Lapland, known to many as the home of Santa Claus," Grigsby added. "That’s where an ocean itinerary really stands apart."The 15-day option, meanwhile, will spend the night in Hamburg and Copenhagen, with a visit to Aarhus, Denmark, and multiple Norway stops, including Oslo, Kristiansand and Stavanger. “Extended time in Bergen allows guests to venture beyond the city to experience the surrounding winter landscapes, from fjords to mountain villages,” the cruise line said in a news release.Plus, the trip will take place over both Christmas and New Year’s.How much do Holland America’s Christmas market cruises cost?The 13-day itinerary starts at $2,544 per person based on double occupancy, including fees and taxes, while the 15-day cruise starts at $2,974. Holland America fares include accommodations, many meals on board, entertainment and more.This story was updated to refresh headlines.Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
