Great news for cruise lovers, especially those who enjoy less-crowded ports during off-season travel: Holland America has magnified its offerings with the introduction of year-round cruising in Europe for the 2027/2028 season, with a winter season focus on Mediterranean destinations.

Nieuw Statendam will remain available for excursions, including a range of new cruises in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, with bonus days in port.

“Europe continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for our guests, and as a cruise line with Dutch roots, it’s a region we know incredibly well,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, Holland America Line. “Expanding to year-round Europe allows us to showcase a completely different side of the destination — one that is quieter, more immersive and deeply seasonal. From the festive charm of Christmas markets to a cooler and more relaxed Mediterranean region, winter offers a more authentic way to experience Europe.”

Among the seasonal holiday sailings is the 13-day Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Markets: Stockholm cruise, roundtrip from either Rotterdam or Dover; plus a lineup of itineraries in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean taking in the Canary Islands and coastal ports in Spain, France, Italy and Greece.

Sample itineraries aboard Nieuw Statendam include:

• 20, 2027: 15–Day Western Mediterranean: Lisbon Overnight, roundtrip Rotterdam, with port calls at Lisbon (overnight), Cadiz, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena (Murcia), Gibraltar and Dover (London)
• 2, 2028: 14–Day Canary Island Enchantment with Morocco & Spain, Rotterdam to Barcelona (Dover option), with port calls at Casablanca, Agadir, Puerto Rosario (Fuerteventura), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Santa Cruz de La Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cadiz (Seville) and Malaga (Granada)
• 5, 2028: Seven–Day Greek Isles: Cairo Overnight with Crete & Santorini, roundtrip Athens with port calls at Alexandria (Cairo) (overnight), Souda (Crete/Chania) and Thira (Santorini)
• 17, 2028: Nine–Day Western Mediterranean: Spain, Morocco & Italy, Barcelona to Rome, with port calls at Valencia, Tangier (Tetouan), Cadiz (Seville), Malaga (Granada), Cagliari and Naples (Pompeii)
• 19, 2028: Seven–Day Western Mediterranean: Italy, France & Gibraltar, Rome to Barcelona, with port calls at Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Genoa, Marseille (Provence) and Gibraltar
• March 4, 2028: Seven–Day Greek Isles: Athens Overnight, roundtrip Athens, with port calls at Piraeus (Athens) (overnight), Thira (Santorini), Bodrum, Rhodes and Kusadasi (Ephesus)