en.Wedoany.com Reported - Holland America Line announced on June 18, 2026, that its flagship, Rotterdam, will operate a series of itineraries in the Mediterranean for the first time, with bookings now open for fall 2027. A total of five voyages are offered, spanning the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, providing guests with an opportunity to explore the region from a late-season perspective. The Mediterranean cruises range from 10 to 11 days, with port calls including diverse destinations such as Lisbon, Naples, Kotor, Rhodes, and Alexandria. Some itineraries feature scenic cruising through the Strait of Messina and past Stromboli, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Guests can combine multiple segments into longer journeys to cover a broader area of the Mediterranean. The season concludes with a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale.

Paul Grigsby, Vice President of Revenue Planning at Holland America Line, stated that guests love the experience aboard Rotterdam and that demand for Mediterranean cruises remains strong. The company is excited to deploy its flagship for the first time to iconic ports such as Bilbao, Naples, and Rhodes, and looks forward to sharing this moment with guests. In addition to the premium onboard experience, travelers can explore the Mediterranean in depth through shore excursions at each port, such as visiting the ancient ruins of Ephesus from Kusadasi, Turkey, touring Pompeii in Italy from Naples, or strolling the medieval streets of Kotor's Old Town in Montenegro. Options range from guided city tours to more immersive experiences, designed to foster meaningful connections with the destinations.

The addition of Rotterdam is part of Holland America Line's long-term commitment to European cruising, further expanding the company's broader deployment in the Mediterranean from fall 2027 through winter 2028. During this period, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Oosterdam, and Zuiderdam will collectively offer over 20 itineraries. The itineraries are designed to provide more time ashore, blending iconic ports with less-visited destinations and including extended stays to support in-depth exploration. This move reflects sustained demand for European travel beyond the traditional summer months, as guests seek more port time and richer experiences.

Highlights of select itineraries include: A 10-day Iberian Peninsula (Spain & Portugal) voyage departing October 17, 2027, from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to Barcelona, Spain, calling at Portsmouth, England; Le Verdon-sur-Mer (Bordeaux), France; Bilbao, Cartagena, and Valencia, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. An 11-day Mediterranean Glories (Spain, Italy & Greece) voyage departing October 27, 2027, from Barcelona to Athens, Greece, calling at Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille, France; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Naples (Pompeii), Italy; Corfu, Greece; and Kotor. A 10-day Greek Isles (with Istanbul overnight & Mykonos and Rhodes) voyage departing November 7, 2027, round-trip from Athens, calling at Mykonos and Rhodes, Greece; and Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul (overnight), Turkey. An 11-day Greek Isles (Egypt & Holy Land) voyage departing November 17, 2027, round-trip from Athens, calling at Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt; Limassol, Cyprus; Antalya and Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; and Haifa (Tel Aviv), Israel (overnight). A 10-day Mediterranean Glories (Italy with Rome evening stay) voyage departing November 28, 2027, from Athens to Barcelona, calling at Kotor; Valletta, Malta; Messina, Sicily; Naples; Civitavecchia (Rome); and Livorno (Florence/Pisa), including scenic cruising through the Strait of Messina and past Stromboli. A 14-day Spain & Morocco Cultural Crossing departing December 8, 2027, from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, calling at Valencia, Alicante, and Málaga, Spain; and Tangier, Morocco.

For more information on shore excursions or to book a cruise, guests can consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425), or visit hollandamerica.com. Holland America Line has been exploring the world for over 150 years, offering carefully crafted itineraries, service, and authentic connections to destinations. Its fleet of 11 ships provides a mid-sized cruise experience, visiting nearly 400 ports in 114 countries worldwide, and has operated Alaska cruises for more than 75 years, longer than any other cruise line. The Global Fresh Fish Program is a signature feature of Holland America Line in the premium cruising segment. Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation, whose portfolio of cruise brands operates across more than 800 ports and destinations globally (NYSE: CCL).

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