Holland America Line extends 2026 Europe season- hereโ€™s how to see the Northern Lights

  • Holland America Line has announced a six-week extension of its 2026 Europe season.
  • Theyโ€™ve opened bookings for four different cruises.
  • Destinations include the Mediterranean and the Arctic, with opportunities to see the Northern Lights at their most visible.

Holland America Line, known for their extensive itineraries and mid-sized ships, has announced a six-week extension of their 2026 Europe Season.

The expansion includes additional departures of four cruises, featuring journeys to the Arctic, the Mediterranean, Norway and England. Each of the newly-added cruises will sail aboard Nieuw Statendam, which can carry up to 2,666 passengers, roundtrip or one-way from Rotterdam.

The late-season addition of another Arctic cruise offers an exciting opportunity for travellers eager to witness the Northern Lights.


The Extended Cruises

14-day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights

The extra departure of the 14-day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights cruise is particularly exciting for cruisers who dream of seeing the Aurora Borealis. 2026 is predicted to be a highly active period for the stunning natural light display, making it the perfect time for eager travellers to spot the aurora- especially since sightings are not guaranteed.

Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment for Holland America Line said, โ€œWith 2026 projected to be a peak year for aurora activity, adding a Northern Lights cruise late in the year gives our guests a better opportunity to see this phenomenon with the aid of dark skies and little light pollution.โ€

This particular cruise departs from Rotterdam on 7 November, stopping in the quaint fishing town Alesund and Norwayโ€™s Viking capital, Trondheim. Guests will then cross the Arctic Circle, with plenty of opportunities to see polar bears, walruses, whales and more. Thereโ€™ll be a stop in Tromsรธ, a striking city tucked between fjords and mountains, before the ship spends an overnight in Alta- the worldโ€™s Northern Lights capital.


14-Day Mediterranean and Atlantic

If you want to avoid the freezing temperatures of Norway and the Arctic, the 14-Day Mediterranean and Atlantic Treasures: Lisbon Overnight is also available to book. The cruise explores ports in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar, and features a notable itinerary as Holland America Lineโ€™s first roundtrip Mediterranean voyage from Rotterdam in nearly a decade.

The itinerary also includes an overnight in Lisbon, Portugalโ€™s enchanting capital city. There will be plenty of opportunities for cultural shore excursions, as well as visits to the cityโ€™s two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Belรฉm Tower and the Jerรณnimos Monastery.

Departing on 21 November, this cruise offers a more peaceful experience thanks to it occurring in the Meditteraneanโ€™s off-season. The weather might be cooler, but youโ€™ll also be able to explore each port without the risk of busy crowds and stifling heat.

Colourful houses in Lisbon
The vibrant city of Lisbon (Image via Holland America Line)

7-Day Norway with Nordfjord

This cruise takes place from 31 October to 7 November and departs from Rotterdam. The trip will feature scenic cruising through Hardangerfjord and also the opportunity to disembark and check out the hiking trails, waterfalls and panoramic vistas. Youโ€™ll also get to see Bergen, Norwayโ€™s second-largest city, which is known for its medieval architecture, bustling market and wooden buildings.

Hardangerfjord norway
Hardangerfjord in Norway (Image via Holland America Line)

15-Day Cultural Crossing with England and Normandy

This longer cruise stops at many in-demand spots, including Paris, Normandy, Portsmouth and Falmouth. Discover Englandโ€™s best-kept secret, the southern coast of Cornwall, as well as cobblestone streets and stunning canals in Belgium.

This cruise is not a roundtrip and includes 9 days at sea, finishing up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

a cliff face in falmouth
Discover Englandโ€™s south coast (Image via Holland America Line)

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