The Quiet Overachiever
Holland America Line does not have Royal Caribbean's waterparks or Carnival's nonstop party energy. What it does have is consistently excellent dining, well-maintained mid-size ships, fascinating itineraries, and one of the best all-inclusive bundle deals in the industry. A 7-night Caribbean sailing starts at $699 to $999 per person for a verandah stateroom, placing Holland America in the premium-accessible tier alongside Celebrity and Princess.
The line's "Have It All" package at $60 per person per day bundles drinks, WiFi, specialty dining, and shore excursion credit into a single add-on that undercuts nearly every competitor's equivalent bundle. For travelers over 50 who value dining quality and destination immersion over onboard thrill rides, Holland America is the best-kept value secret in the cruise industry.
Have It All: $60/Day for the Full Package
The Have It All package includes an unlimited drink package (Signature Beverage Package covering cocktails, beer, wine, and specialty coffees), WiFi for one device, a specialty dining experience, and a shore excursion credit. At $60 per person per day, it is significantly cheaper than equivalent bundles on Norwegian ($70+ after gratuities), Celebrity ($89.99 for Elevate), and Royal Caribbean ($78 for drinks alone).
Purchased separately, the Signature Beverage Package costs $60 to $75 per day, WiFi runs $15 to $20 per day, one specialty dinner is worth $40 to $60, and excursion credit is worth $50. That is $165 to $205 in a la carte value for $60 per day bundled. Have It All is unambiguously the best bundle deal in mainstream cruising and should be the default choice for any Holland America passenger who drinks.
Gratuities and Base Fare Value
Holland America charges $17 per person per day in crew gratuities for standard staterooms, competitive with Carnival and below Norwegian and Celebrity. For two adults over seven nights, gratuities total $238. The 18% bar service charge applies to individual purchases but is factored into the Have It All bundle.
The base fare on Holland America includes what many consider the best complimentary dining in the cruise industry. The main Dining Room serves multi-course meals with table service, and the Lido Market buffet is a cut above the typical cruise buffet. The Dive-In poolside burger bar, New York Deli, and several other casual venues are all included. Holland America passengers tend to spend less on specialty dining because the included options are genuinely excellent.
Specialty Dining and Onboard Extras
Holland America's specialty restaurants include Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Tamarind Asian, Canaletto Italian, and Rudi's Sel de Mer French brasserie. Prices range from $39 to $69 per person. The Have It All package includes one specialty dinner, and additional visits are available at menu price. Most Holland America cruisers visit two to three specialty restaurants per sailing.
Shore excursions through Holland America average $90 to $150 per person per port and lean toward cultural experiences: guided historical tours, culinary walks, and small-group adventures. Photography packages, spa treatments, and the Explorations Central enrichment programs follow standard premium-line pricing. The line's partnership with BBC Earth for onboard programming and O magazine for spa wellness adds unique value not found on other lines.
The Real Cost and Who Should Book Holland America
For two adults on a 7-night cruise, a base fare without Have It All plus individual add-ons costs $2,800 to $4,000. With Have It All, the all-in cost drops to $2,400 to $3,600 because the bundle undercuts a la carte pricing so dramatically. A premium experience with Have It All, additional specialty dining, and excursions at every port runs $3,500 to $5,200.
Holland America is ideal for travelers who prioritize dining quality, destination enrichment, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere over waterparks and late-night parties. The demographic skews older, but younger couples who value food and culture over frenetic activity will find exceptional value here. Compare Holland America's Have It All pricing against Celebrity Always Included and Princess Plus using CruiseKit's True Cost Calculator.