I just spent 44 out of the last 60 days living on board Holland America ships, and I saw passengers making the same expensive mistakes over and over again. From missing out on the best food to overpaying for their cabins, most people aren't getting the full value of their cruise. In this video, I’m sharing the insider rules I live by to ensure every Holland America sailing is perfect—and easier on the wallet. For bonus & exclusive content (including videos, articles, eBooks and more) become a channel member or patron: --------------------------------------------------- * Patreon Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers * YouTube Channel Member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_qE-Obs2ocdmPXY0TIU-cw/join Check out my cruise-themed T-shirts and products: --------------------------------------------------- * TeePublic Store: https://tipsfortravellers.dashery.com * Teespring Store: https://tips-for-travellers-youtube.creator-spring.com * Fourthwall: https://gary-bembridge-1-shop.fourthwall.com Book Cruise Port Excursions * Venture Ashore: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/excursions * Shore Excursions Group: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/shoreexcursions My social media: --------------------------------------------------- * Blog: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com * Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge * Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers * Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bembridge ABOUT TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS: If you want to get cruising right, Tips For Travellers makes it easy to plan and have the incredible cruise experiences you dream of every time. All my Tips For Travellers advice, tips and tricks tips draw on everything that I have learnt on the 120 cruises I have done to date. #cruisetips #CruisingTips #cruisetipsandtricks 00:00 Start 00:24 Never Miss These Signatures 02:40 Never Miss These Specials 04:20 Never Miss This Culinary Feature 05:50 Never Book Unless... 10:14 Never Forget To Check This.. 12:00 Never Expect These I've just spent 44 days out of the last 60 onboard Holland America, where I saw way too many passenger mistakes. This video highlights various aspects of a Holland America cruise, offering valuable cruise tips and cruise travel tips to avoid common errors.
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My nephew is a captain with Holland America
Going to Alaska on HAL in 10 days. the Orange party is same day as my BDAY, Cant wait!
On HAL Volendam and pleased to say that classical music is back. “Vivace” is the new group. And it has been PACKED in the explorer’s lounge for these performances.
The Dutch Tea was one of the best sea day activities ever!
I booked a September 2026 cruise when the Black Friday Sale was on. I booked a single and chose my cabin. $99 deposit and Crew appreciation included. However, I checked for the same cruise this month (May 2026) and managed to SAVE over $1,000 . I was surprised and very happy. Always check the fares from time to time.
HAL is my fav! Orange party is the best but also Chocolate party is great too. Trivia is fun.
You've sold me. I'll be looking to book my 2027 cruise on Holland America real soon.
Great tips! HAL is our go to cruise line. Although it’s not the only line we cruise on, it is actually the best match for our interests. The orange party is not to be missed!
I’m hoping to go on Holland America to Alaska with my family next summer, but there have been lazy about booking. This is spurring me onto spur them on. Thanks for your upload as always.❤
I loved the two cruises I sailed on HAL. I sailed on the Nieuw Statendam and the Rotterdam. One of the best cruise food I've had was in the Tamarind specialty restaurants. I enjoyed the Orange party and the musical venues on their ships.
Recommend Orange Club. The service was incredible, feel very special. You get the best food and avoid the busy dining lounge.
I'm younger than the average HAL cruiser but i LOVE this line. It has everything I really want for a cruise. And if I do want to party, those Orange nights go on for a LONG time. I like that you can choose a different ship for a different vibe. If I want more downtime, go small. More excitement, go bigger. I love the Have it It All and the crew are so kind.
As a man in my 30s, I was a little nervous taking my first HAL cruise a few years ago; I needn't have been - the experience is excellent and I have been fortunate enough to take a second cruise since. Whilst the Club Orange package wasn't overly valuable to me personally, I agree with absolutely everything else (and find the Ultimate Laundry package to have been one of the best hidden secrets). If I may, three other events that I think are worthy of note: 1. The lovely carnival deck party. On my Panama canal cruise, this was in the evening and was super interactive, with sweet treats, popcorn and goodies and all the funfare games you could want (I note that you have some footage on the video); 2. The City on the Sea event (generally on the last day of the cruise) to celebrate the crew and 3. 'Origin Story' (and frankly their other immersive lectures). On Pinnacle Class ships, they are particularly impressive and feel like TED Talks. Final mini-recommendations are to definitely plan an evening at Billboard Onboard - the pianists are all super talented and for Pinnacle-class ships with a Tamirand bar, I found that to be the calmest venue for sunset drinks.
I went on Gary’s Holland America group cruise through the Panama Canal, which was fantastic! I had a lot of onboard credit, including AARP & Shareholder, and from m Travel Agent Sarah.
Great information. We booked a long relocation cruise next October, for the Hawaii itinerary, but now am looking forward to their special activities too.
Carnival does something pretty similar with the towel animals, on the last day of their cruises. I call it the towel animal takeover 🙂
We've sailed many times with HAL and I've never encountered the chocolate event, big towel animal display, or Cake Me Away. 🤷🏻♀️
I’d add to the section about dining to make sure to check out the cellar master dinner if it’s available on your cruise. It is an excellent experience where the kitchen goes all out on delicious courses that are paired with wine chosen by the onboard cellar master.
Holland America is my go-to cruise company choice. I've been on 4 cruisers with them and never been disappointed.
We've got $1, 300 on shipboard credits going from Boston to Boston 35 days we used everything we could get AARP military discounts stock $100 stock credit etc etc everything he's mentioned we've done