Holland America to the Caribbean

Beautiful clear blue waters that shimmer like glass. Pure white soft sands that beckon you to relax on the beach. And a unique culture, history, and style of architecture in each port that can only be explored in intimate detail on board a Holland America cruise.

When it comes to exploring the Caribbean, Holland America takes perspective and magnifies it. It’s not a voyage of sun-drenched spots and lounging by the water. Mid-sized, elegant ships visit more ports to give you a detailed view. On sea, spacious, comfortable accommodations and attentive service ensure you relax in luxury. In port, choose from a wide range of itineraries to get to know each island or location.

Getting There

Multiple Holland America ships depart from either Tampa or Ft. Lauderdale to sail to three possible itineraries in the Caribbean. These include:

All trips last at least seven nights at sea, depending upon where you travel.

Itineraries

As is the case with all cruise lines, Holland America tours the Caribbean’s three major regions:

Eastern: Looking for a beautiful, close-to-home climate to relax by the ocean? Eastern Caribbean cruises through Holland America present the perfect combination. Once the ship departs Florida and makes a stop in Key West, explore the landscapes and cultures of the Virgin Islands and neighboring countries. You’ll stop in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, and its own Half-Moon Cay.

What options are there in port? Spend your time on the beaches swimming and snorkeling, or exploring the beautiful coral reefs underwater. Or, as these islands often have a European-meets-Caribbean character, venture into town for some duty-free shopping or to explore fortresses and other historical sites.

Western: Climb up or explore underwater in any of the ports on a Western Caribbean cruise. The white sands and blue water remains a constant, but as the ships take you to the eastern coast of Central America, you’ll have the opportunity to explore ancient Mayan ruins and exotic wildlife. Stops include Belize, Mexico, Honduras, the Yucatan Peninsula, and Grand Cayman.

Southern: Learn about the culture of the sea’s southernmost islands, many of which are close to South America’s northern coast. A strong Dutch influence emerges in the Lesser Antilles. Depending on itinerary, you’ll visit Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Lucia, Costa Rica, and the Panama Canal. While staying by the aqua-blue waters and exploring the culture and architecture, take some time to visit the area’s active volcanoes and Pitons Peaks.

Collectors’ Voyage: Why only see one area of the Caribbean? Schedule a longer cruise to explore two or more regions: Western and Eastern or Southern and Eastern.

There’s so much to see in each of the Caribbean’s regions, so why only take a cursory look? Get an in-depth perspective on your vacation with Holland America. Start planning and finding discounts today with Direct Line Cruises.