Holland America Line has opened the books for its 2024-2025 Caribbean season, featuring three new longer voyages and the return of calls at Bermuda.

In addition to focusing on longer, more immersive cruise itineraries, the cruise line is also introducing Boston, Massachusetts as a Caribbean departure port, in addition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Caribbean cruises will sail from October 2024 through March 2025 and feature five- to 21-day options to the eastern, western and southern regions, including sailings that spend a day discovering the Panama Canal. Six Holland America ships will sail the Caribbean, including two Pinnacle Class ships, with the majority of itineraries sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Two itineraries will depart from Boston.

Nearly all itineraries will feature Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas. On select itineraries, evening departures from Puerto Rico, Curaçao, St. Maarten and Aruba will mean more time in port.

New Longer Cruises

New for the 2024-2025 season is a 21-day “Perfect Caribbean Escape” cruise sailing roundtrip from Boston aboard Zuiderdam. Departing Oct. 19, 2024, this extended adventure includes a partial Panama Canal transit and a call at Bermuda. Following Bermuda, the ship will make its way to Half Moon Cay; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Curaçao; Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Port Canaveral, Florida; and Bimini, Bahamas. 

Following the 21-day roundtrip Boston cruise, Zuideram will offer a new 14-day “Southern Caribbean” itinerary from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, departing Nov. 9 and including a call at Bermuda. The ship will then sail to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Curaçao and Half Moon Cay. The 21- and 14-day departures can be combined to form a 35-day Collectors’ Voyage.

Also new is a 21-day Caribbean exploration that will sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale aboard Volendam. Departing Jan. 4, 2025, this “Ultimate Caribbean” journey will call at Half Moon Cay; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tortola; St. Maarten; Antigua; Dominica; St. Lucia; Barbados; St. Vincent; Grenada; Bonaire; Aruba; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.

Western Caribbean

Holland’s America’s western Caribbean itineraries will include six-, seven- and 10-day options. The seven-day cruise will call at Cozumel, Half Moon Cay, Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman. The three 10-day itineraries will span the region and are a combination of ports that include Montego Bay or Falmouth, Jamaica; Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Grand Cayman; Cozumel; Half Moon Cay and Bimini.

Eastern Caribbean

The seven-day eastern Caribbean itinerary includes Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Juan and Half Moon Cay. A longer 11-day “Eastern Caribbean Wayfarer” itinerary calls at St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.

Southern Caribbean

In addition to the new Boston to Fort Lauderdale cruise, the southern Caribbean itineraries range from nine to 14 days. The nine-day cruise makes way to the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao before visiting Half Moon Cay, while the 10-day itinerary also adds Grand Turk and Amber Cove. The 14-day “Southern Caribbean Holiday” cruise departing Dec. 21, 2024, explores St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and Half Moon Cay.

Tropical Caribbean

Guests looking for a shorter getaway can embark on the five-day itinerary that visits Half Moon Cay and Amber Cove. The popular seven-day Tropical Caribbean returns with calls at Grand Turk, Amber Cove and Half Moon Cay.

Partial Panama Canal

Guests looking to visit the Panama Canal without a coast-to-coast transit can embark on the 12-day “Panama Canal Sunfarer” itinerary. In addition to venturing around Panama Canal’s Gatun Lake and a partial transit, the itinerary includes Curaçao, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon,  and Half Moon Cay.

Collectors’ Voyages

Many of the cruises can be extended into Collectors’ Voyages to create the ultimate Caribbean exploration with more economical fares than booking the cruises individually. Ranging from 14 to 35 days, these longer journeys combine nonrepeating, back-to-back itineraries, enabling guests to span more than one Caribbean region and enjoy the ultimate island-hopping journey.

Early Booking Bonus

For a limited time, when guests book newly opening 2024-2025 Caribbean cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included, plus the added perk of free prepaid Crew Appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

Guests can also take advantage of Holland America’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to US$400 onboard credit per stateroom when select cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by June 27, 2023 to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.

Horseback riding at Half Moon Cay

Source: Travelweek