Morocco Joins Tunisia, Italy, France, Greece, Egypt, Denmark and More as Holland America Line Launches Epic European Cruises for 2027–2028 Offering Festive Markets, Mediterranean Splendor, Lapland Magic, and Iconic Ports

Written By: Manab Baidya

Manab Baidya

I am currently studying for MA in English while also currently pursuing Journalism at Dibrugarh University. Passionate about storytelling, media, communication, and creative expression through words. Working as a Content Writer in the travel and tourism industry, where I transform destinations, experiences, and cultures into engaging stories. Constantly learning, exploring new ideas, and building a journey driven by creativity, curiosity, and meaningful content. Believer in growth, good vibes, and the power of words to connect people across the world.

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May 29, 2026 10:05 PM

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Morocco Joins Tunisia, Italy, France, Greece, Egypt, Denmark and More as Holland America Line Launches Epic European Cruises for 2027–2028, offering travelers a unique opportunity to experience festive Christmas markets, Mediterranean coastal splendor, Lapland’s Arctic charm, and iconic historic ports all in one journey. By combining overnight stays, scenic cruising, and immersive cultural experiences, these year-round sailings allow passengers to explore Europe’s diverse destinations in both winter and spring, revealing quieter cities, authentic traditions, and seasonal highlights while connecting multiple countries in a single, luxurious cruise adventure.

Holland America Line’s 2027–2028 European cruise schedule has been expanded to provide travelers with a year-round exploration of Europe, offering a variety of itineraries across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. For the first time, the Nieuw Statendam will remain in European waters through the winter season, providing passengers with the opportunity to experience Europe in its quieter, festive, and immersive months. The expansion includes more than 70 additional port days, a wide range of holiday-themed sailings, and culturally rich Mediterranean voyages, elevating Europe as a premium travel destination throughout the year.

The expanded deployment also includes a second ship, Zuiderdam, which will operate two additional voyages as part of the winter and spring schedules. These additions are aimed at offering travelers more flexible options to explore Europe’s iconic destinations, holiday festivities, and scenic landscapes.

Northern Europe Christmas Markets and Lapland Excursions

During the winter season, Baltic and Scandinavian cruises have been structured to highlight the festive charm of European cities. Travelers can embark on a 13-day journey from Rotterdam or Dover, visiting Kiel as the gateway to Hamburg’s renowned Christmas markets, followed by stops in Tallinn, Helsinki, and Copenhagen. Overnight stays in Helsinki and Stockholm are incorporated to allow exploration of city centers after dark, enhancing the authentic winter travel experience.

The itinerary provides access to Lapland in Finland, a destination globally associated with Santa Claus, offering a unique opportunity to experience Arctic culture during the holiday season. Another 15-day holiday cruise extends the festive period with overnights in Hamburg and Copenhagen, scenic cruising along the Elbe River, and additional calls to Aarhus, Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger in southern Norway. Passengers are afforded ample time to enjoy fjord views, cultural landmarks, and winter festivities, making the Northern Europe sailings ideal for travelers seeking holiday immersion and scenic beauty.

Mediterranean Cruises at a Leisurely Pace

Beyond the holiday period, the Nieuw Statendam transitions to the Mediterranean region, offering sailings that span Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and the Canary Islands, with select itineraries visiting Morocco, Tunisia, and Malta. Itineraries range from seven to 14 days, with longer Collectors’ Voyages of up to 24 days available. Travelers can also combine back-to-back cruises for extended exploration.

Ports of call across the Western and Eastern Mediterranean include Valencia, Marseille, Livorno, Naples, Pompeii, Mykonos, Rhodes, Istanbul, and Kusadasi. Several itineraries provide overnight port calls, allowing passengers more time ashore to explore historic streets, local cuisine, and cultural landmarks. Additional Mediterranean highlights feature scenic cruising in the Strait of Messina and connections to ancient cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites, offering a blend of relaxation, cultural discovery, and luxury travel.

Winter and spring sailings also include Canary Islands itineraries with stops in Casablanca, Agadir, Puerto Rosario, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de La Palma, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, often combined with Spain’s Andalusian coast, including Cadiz and Malaga. These sailings provide a sun-soaked winter escape for travelers seeking a milder climate and scenic coastal landscapes.

Expanded Cruise Schedule with Cultural Highlights

The 2027–2028 season opens on 20 November 2027 with a 15-day Western Mediterranean cruise from Rotterdam, including an overnight in Lisbon, along with visits to Cadiz, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Gibraltar, and Dover. Holiday-themed itineraries include:

• 5 December 2027: 13-day Baltic & Scandinavian Christmas Markets cruise, roundtrip from Rotterdam, with overnight stays in Helsinki and Stockholm, scenic cruising in the Stockholm Archipelago, and calls to Kiel, Tallinn, Copenhagen, and Dover.
• 18 December 2027: 15-day Baltic & Scandinavian Christmas Market Holiday cruise, roundtrip from Rotterdam, featuring scenic Elbe River cruising, overnight stays in Hamburg and Copenhagen, and ports in Aarhus, Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen, and Stavanger, including Hardangerfjord cruising.
• 2 January 2028: 14-day Canary Island Enchantment cruise from Rotterdam to Barcelona, calling at Casablanca, Agadir, Puerto Rosario, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cadiz, and Malaga.
• 16 January 2028: 10-day Mediterranean Splendor cruise from Barcelona to Athens, with calls at Valencia, Marseille, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, and Kotor, including Strait of Messina scenic cruising.
• 26 January 2028: 10-day Greek Isles cruise from Athens, featuring overnight in Istanbul and stops in Mykonos, Kusadasi, Kos, and Rhodes.
• 3 February 2028: 14-day Cultural Crossing cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona onboard Zuiderdam, calling at Tangier, Malaga, Cartagena, and Valencia.
• 5 February 2028: 7-day Greek Isles cruise roundtrip Athens, including Alexandria overnight, Souda, and Thira (Santorini).
• 12 February 2028: 7-day Mediterranean Splendor cruise from Athens to Rome, visiting Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Naples.
• 17 February 2028: 9-day Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Rome, including Valencia, Tangier, Cadiz, Malaga, Cagliari, and Naples.
• 19 February 2028: 7-day Western Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Barcelona, with calls at Livorno, Genoa, Marseille, and Gibraltar.
• 26 February 2028: 7-day Mediterranean Splendor cruise from Barcelona to Athens, including Alicante, La Goulette, Valletta, and Souda.
• 4 March 2028: 7-day Greek Isles cruise roundtrip Athens, featuring overnight in Athens, with stops in Thira, Bodrum, Rhodes, and Kusadasi.
• 11 March 2028: 10-day Mediterranean Splendor cruise from Athens to Lisbon onboard Nieuw Statendam.

Tourism and Travel Perspective

The expanded year-round deployment allows tourists to experience Europe in off-peak seasons, highlighting quieter destinations, authentic cultural encounters, and immersive seasonal festivities. Overnight stays in cities such as Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Istanbul enhance visitor engagement, allowing more time for sightseeing, shopping, and cultural exploration.

TTW Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan, shares: “Morocco Joins Tunisia, Italy, France, Greece, Egypt, Denmark and More as Holland America Line Launches Epic European Cruises for 2027–2028, offering travelers an unmatched opportunity to explore festive Christmas markets, Mediterranean splendor, Lapland magic, and iconic ports across Europe. This expansion reflects a growing trend for immersive, multi-country experiences that blend culture, seasonal festivities, and scenic cruising, setting a new benchmark for luxury travel in the region.”

Mediterranean itineraries provide diverse travel experiences, from historic Italian cities to Greek island escapes, scenic cruising, and North African cultural insights in Morocco and Tunisia. The inclusion of Malta, Tunisia, and Egypt further diversifies travel options for those seeking unique, culturally rich voyages beyond typical European ports.

Passengers are offered a combination of leisure, cultural discovery, and adventure, whether participating in Christmas markets in Northern Europe, experiencing the warmth of the Canary Islands, or exploring Mediterranean heritage sites. The itineraries cater to both shorter 7–10 day cruises and longer collectors’ voyages, allowing travelers to craft personalized travel experiences.

Morocco Joins Tunisia, Italy, France, Greece, Egypt, Denmark and More as Holland America Line expands its 2027–2028 European cruises, offering travelers festive markets, Mediterranean charm, and Lapland experiences for a truly immersive seasonal journey.

Holland America Line’s 2027–2028 year-round European cruises represent a significant enhancement in the tourism landscape, combining holiday magic, scenic fjords, cultural immersion, and Mediterranean luxury. Morocco joins Tunisia, Italy, France, Greece, Egypt, Denmark, and other destinations, providing travelers with diverse, immersive, and authentic experiences. The deployment emphasizes longer port stays, overnight explorations, and scenic cruising, ensuring passengers gain a full appreciation of Europe’s seasonal, historical, and coastal highlights.