With the Nieuw Statendam from the cruise line Holland America Line, you can embark on a very special cruise in September 2025. The ship sails from Dover to Piraeus (near Athens). Along the way, it makes numerous stops—some of which are rarely featured on cruise itineraries, such as Alexandria and Cyprus. However, you shouldn’t wait too long, as only a few cabins remain available. An inside cabin for this 28-night journey can be booked starting at €1,619 per person.
Sadly, the advertised price is already sold out.
The cruise fare includes all meals in the main and buffet restaurants, as well as a wide range of onboard entertainment. You can also use most of the ship’s facilities without any extra charges.
To enter the United Kingdom, you’ll need a valid passport and an ETA (electronic travel authorisation), which can be applied for online for £16.
Holland America Line automatically charges a crew gratuity of US$17 (~€15) per person per day to your onboard account. If you disagree with this charge, you can request an adjustment or removal at the reception desk.
Included Services
With Holland America Line, the following services are standard and included in the fare:
- Full board with all meals in the main and buffet restaurants
- Tea, water, and coffee during meals
- Entertainment program and onboard events
- Gala night or special evening events
The Route
On this cruise, the ship docks in numerous ports and countries. The first stop is Amsterdam, where you can visit the Rijksmuseum, take a canal tour, or explore the Anne Frank House for a powerful historical experience. The ship then continues via Portland toward Spain, with stops in Bilbao and La Coruña, where you can enjoy a stunning view from the Tower of Hercules.
After further stops in Leixões and Lisbon, the ship sails through the famed Strait of Gibraltar and enters the Mediterranean. You’ll visit four popular Spanish port cities: Málaga, Alicante, Valencia, and Barcelona. Next is Valletta, Malta’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital.
Then comes a detour to Africa: the ship docks in Alexandria, where the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa—one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages—are worth a visit. To allow for more exploration, the ship stays overnight in port.
The journey continues via Rhodes and Bodrum, before reaching the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. Highlights include Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque. An overnight stay in Istanbul is also planned. To round off the trip, there’s one final sea day for relaxation before disembarking in Piraeus after 28 nights onboard.
Here’s the detailed itinerary:
| Date | Location | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 6 | Dover | 16:00 | |
| September 7 | Amsterdam | 07:00 | 17:00 |
| September 8 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| September 9 | Portland | 07:00 | 19:00 |
| September 10 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| September 11 | Bilbao | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| September 12 | La Coruña | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| September 13 | Leixões | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| September 14 | Lisbon | 07:00 | 17:00 |
| September 15 | Strait of Gibraltar | ||
| September 16 | Málaga | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| September 17 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| September 18 | Alicante | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| September 19 | Valencia | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| September 20 | Barcelona | 07:00 | 15:00 |
| September 21 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| September 22 | Valletta | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| September 23 – 24 | 2 days at sea 🌊 | ||
| September 25 | Alexandria | 05:00 | |
| September 26 | Alexandria | 17:00 | |
| September 27 | Limassol, Cyprus | 10:00 | 18:00 |
| September 28 | Rhodes | 11:00 | 20:00 |
| September 29 | Bodrum | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| September 30 | Dardanelles Strait | ||
| October 1 | Istanbul | 07:00 | |
| October 2 | Istanbul | 17:00 | |
| October 3 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| October 4 | Piraeus | 07:00 |
The Ship
The Nieuw Statendam is the second ship in Holland America Line’s Pinnacle Class and entered service in 2018. It’s nearly identical in design to its sister ships, Rotterdam and Koningsdam. It accommodates 2,150 passengers across 12 passenger decks.
At 300 meters long and 35 meters wide, it’s built to the maximum dimensions allowed by the new Panama Canal locks and can sail at up to 22 knots (though its standard cruising speed is around 18 knots).
The ship offers a total of 11 dining options, 4 of which are included in the cruise fare. As is typical with American cruise lines, water, tea, and coffee are complimentary. The recommended gratuity is $17 per person per night, and all purchases onboard are made in USD using your cruise card. The onboard language is English.
Holland America Line emphasises elegant dress and decorum at meals and events. The cruise experience is more traditional, with fewer modern gimmicks—but in exchange, you get excellent food, outstanding service, and an upscale ambience.
Cover Picture: @ Holland America