With the Koningsdam from Holland America Line, you can embark on a three-week Caribbean cruise in November 2025. The journey takes you from Fort Lauderdale and includes numerous stops in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, and many other islands. The current price of €79 per night is a true bargain for an inside cabin on such an extensive route.
You can currently book a 21-night cruise in an inside cabin from just €1,639 per person. However, the balcony cabins from €2,319 and oceanview cabins from €2,039 are significantly more appealing (prices per person based on double occupancy).
Do you have questions about the offer, need help, or are you looking for a cruise that suits you even better? Feel free to contact us via our inquiry form. We’re glad to help.
The cruise price includes full board in the main and buffet restaurants, as well as coffee, water, tea, and iced tea during the buffet’s opening hours. Most onboard facilities and activities (e.g., use of sun loungers and pools on the outer deck, shows in the theatre, gym, etc.) are also included in the package.
If you live in Europe, we recommend booking through Travel-Dealz, and if you live in the USA, book via CruiseDirect, as long as the price difference is not significant. If the difference is considerable, you can choose the cheaper option, but keep in mind that the consumer guarantees are different for Americans and Europeans.
Holland America Line adds an automatic crew gratuity of US$17 (~€15) per person, per day to your onboard account.
By the way, there are also other very cheap cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale, including a very similar one from Holland America Line for ~€500 less:
Route
Your cruise starts in Fort Lauderdale, a popular departure port for Caribbean cruises, known for its beautiful beaches and canal system. The first stop is Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America Line’s private island with long sandy beaches, offering a perfect start to your island-hopping adventure.
The journey continues to Grand Turk and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, then on to Curaçao. The ship docks in the island’s capital, Willemstad, where the colourful houses reflect both Dutch and Caribbean influences. The next stops are the other two ABC islands: Bonaire, known for its crystal-clear waters and lush underwater world, and Aruba, the smallest of the three, famous for Palm Beach and Wilhelmina Park. After these highlights, the ship returns to Fort Lauderdale for a one-day stop.
The second part of the trip takes you to other fantastic destinations. You’ll explore Philipsburg on Sint Maarten and enjoy the wonderful weather on one of Antigua’s many beaches. Next is Castries, the capital of St. Lucia, which serves as a gateway to the island’s natural wonders. The journey then continues to Roseau on Dominica, known for its extinct volcanoes, tropical forests with hot sulfur springs, and waterfalls.
Towards the end of the journey, the Koningsdam sails to Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis, which is characterized by British and French colonial influences. Further shore excursions take you to St. Thomas, followed by a final, relaxing visit to the private island of Half Moon Cay before the cruise concludes back in Fort Lauderdale after 21 nights.
| Date | Port | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat. Nov. 29 | Fort Lauderdale, USA | 16:00 | |
| Sun. Nov. 30 | Half Moon Cay, Bahamas | 09:00 | 16:00 |
| Mon. Dec. 1 | Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos | 11:30 | 19:30 |
| Tue. Dec. 2 | Amber Cove, Dominican Republic | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| Wed. Dec. 3 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Thu. Dec. 4 | Willemstad, Curaçao | 08:00 | 23:00 |
| Fri. Dec. 5 | Bonaire | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| Sat. Dec. 6 | Aruba | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| Dec. 7 – 8 | 2 days at sea 🌊 | ||
| Tue. Dec. 9 | Fort Lauderdale, USA | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| Dec. 10 – 11 | 2 days at sea 🌊 | ||
| Fri. Dec. 12 | Philipsburg, Sint Maarten | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| Sat. Dec. 13 | Antigua | 08:00 | 16:00 |
| Sun. Dec. 14 | Castries, St. Lucia | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| Mon. Dec. 15 | Roseau, Dominica | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| Tue. Dec. 16 | Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| Wed. Dec. 17 | St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands | 08:00 | 16:00 |
| Thu. Dec. 18 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| Fri. Dec. 19 | Half Moon Cay, Bahamas | 08:00 | 15:00 |
| Sat. Dec. 20 | Fort Lauderdale, USA | 07:00 |
Most Europeans need an electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA) to enter the USA for up to 90 days. This costs US$21 (~€19) and you should apply for it a couple of days before your trip, at the latest.
There are some cases where you cannot apply for an ESTA, e.g. if you’ve been to Cuba since 2021 or to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, or North Korea since March 2011. In those cases, you’ll need to get a visa from a US embassy or consulate, which can take multiple weeks.
The Ship
The Koningsdam was built in 2016. It is 297 meters long and 35 meters wide. The ship reaches a maximum speed of 22.2 knots and has capacity for up to 2,650 passengers and 1,036 crew members. The Koningsdam belongs to Holland America Line’s Pinnacle Class.
Entertainment is a priority on the Koningsdam. The Queens Lounge features a large dance floor for dancing the night away to live music, and the World Stage Theater offers impressive shows. For relaxation, guests can indulge in a massage at the Greenhouse Spa or enjoy the pools and sun loungers on the outer deck.
Onboard, guests will find numerous restaurants. In addition to the main restaurant and the buffet, these include the Tamarind with exotic menus from Southeast Asia, the Italian restaurant Canaletto, and the Sel de Mer, which serves refined seafood specialities. For a casual snack, the Grand Dutch Café offers delightful Dutch treats.
The ship’s onboard language is English, so a basic knowledge is recommended. The onboard currency is the US dollar, and you can conveniently settle your expenses during the cruise with all major credit cards. Cabins are equipped with a television, minibar, and refrigerator, and room service is available 24/7 upon request.
Below are some impressions of the ship as well as the cabins:
Getting There & Back
The cruise begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale. While the city has its own international airport (FLL), it is often more convenient and cheaper to fly into Miami (MIA), which has more connections from Europe and is only a short drive away.
Here are some of our current deals for flights to Miami:
Cover Picture: Photo by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash