Holland America Line has been cruising guests across waters for the last 150 years, offering more than 500 sailings a year to all seven continents. Their fleet of 11 ships have cruised to both popular and less-traveled ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mexico, South America, the Panama Canal, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, as well as unique voyages to the Amazon and Antarctica.
But those craving a bit more of an adventure–and by that we mean those who thrive off of spontaneity–must check out their Standby List Program.
Holland America’s Standby List Program offers cruises for just $49 per person per day. The catch–you may only have 48 hours notice to pack your bags!
The cruise line’s Standby List Program, which was introduced last August, is a way to fill ship vacancies left open due to last minute cancellations which, according to Dan Rough, the VP of revenue management at Holland America, are “difficult to resell in the open market.”
The program is mostly aimed at those who live near departure ports–since, like stated, you may not know you’ll be cruising the seas until 48 hours before–who are looking to hop on a cruise for an incredibly low price.
An interested New Yorker would definitely have to do some traveling as the cruises only depart from Seattle + Vancouver, Whittier, Ft. Lauderdale, Boston, and Montreal + Quebec, but when the cruise itself is priced as low as it is it’s a bit easier to spend extra on the additional travel.
And just because the cruises are cheap doesn’t mean they’re not incredible!
Some itineraries are as long as 42 days, include destinations such as Alaska, Normandy, and Newfoundland, and some standby sailers have even been assigned ocean-view and veranda cabins (though the company states you should expect an inside cabin).
Plus, the price covers all meals and entertainment aboard the ship.
Those interested in hopping aboard simply must choose an itinerary from the standby list on the website and pay for the trip in advance by calling Holland America or booking through a travel agent. Available cruises are added on a rolling basis and itineraries are typically available within two to three months of departure.
You’ll find out if you’ve been accepted (or denied) anywhere from a week to two days before departure.
And while you won’t be refunded if you decide to back out, you will be if the cruise line can’t offer you a cabin.
Holland America doesn’t really promote their Standby List Program, though it has already attracted a following–understandable since you truly can’t beat the price of it! As of now, Holland America is the only cruise line offering this service.
You can learn more about the program and find all the available cruise offerings here.