Holland America Line is marking a century of Caribbean cruising with a promotional offer for travelers booking select sailings this month.
The milestone dates back to February 1926 when the company's Veendam II departed from New York, making Holland America Line among the first cruise lines to offer regularly scheduled Caribbean vacations. To commemorate the centennial, the cruise line is offering a $100 onboard credit for parties of two.
From Feb. 3-9, guests booking select Caribbean cruises departing through April 30 can receive up to 50% off fares and a $50 per guest onboard credit. The promotion also includes free fares for passengers 18 and under on select sailings.
"Our first Caribbean voyage in 1926 marked a defining moment for Holland America Line and for the evolution of modern cruise travel," said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. "As we celebrate 100 years, we wanted to offer something both meaningful and memorable — $100 for 100 years, with added ways for guests to save. It's our way of honoring the milestone while inviting travelers to experience what sets us apart in the Caribbean: perfectly sized ships designed for guests to relax and connect, a premium onboard experience and time onshore at our private island RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay."
The company's inaugural Caribbean cruise was a 26-day itinerary departing New York on Feb. 18, 1926, visiting Havana, Cuba; Kingston, Jamaica; Colon/Cristobal, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Bermuda prior to returning to New York.
Holland America Line introduced Caribbean voyages during the North Atlantic off-season, with the sailings gaining popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. The company expanded its Caribbean operations with multiple ships including Veendam, Statendam and Volendam.
The cruise line achieved several industry milestones in the region, including first calls at Willemstad, Curacao, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1927; first dedicated cruise call to Cristobal/Colon, Panama in 1938; first calls at Aruba in 1959; and first calls at St. Maarten in 1964. In 1997, Holland America Line opened Half Moon Cay, its private island in the Bahamas, with Ryndam III making the inaugural call.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Holland America Line. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
