Discover the world from Dover

Whether you want to explore the Canary Islands, a clutch of eight colourful Spanish islands off the Moroccan coast, discover the pristine natural beauty of Norway, or embark on an Icelandic adventure, a no-fly cruise with Holland America Line (HAL) from the south-coast city of Dover is – pardon the pun – plain sailing.

You’ll be able to step straight out of your car onto Nieuw Statendam, a Pinnacle Class ship, – and into your holiday before you’ve even left UK shores. And with air fares struck out of the budget, a no-fly cruise from Dover onboard Nieuw Statendam represents better value, too.

Like its siblings, Koningsdam and Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam is the perfect mid-sized ship. With capacity for 2,666 passengers, Nieuw Statendam never feels crowded – even on sea days – and can access boutique ports that larger competitors can’t, meaning you'll be able to see more of your chosen destinations.

Life onboard is an elegant and sophisticated affair. Adam D. Tihany – who has created interiors for some of the world’s most glamorous hotels including the Cipriani in Venice and The Beverly Hills Hotel in LA, as well as restaurants for chefs such as Daniel Boulud – is the man behind the interiors that burst with art.

Much of the art is inspired by music most notably Harps, a spectacular 15,000-pound stainless steel sculpture that takes its inspiration from the eponymous instrument.

The music theme continues in Music Walk, an area with adjacent venues – including ​​BB King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, and the Rolling Stone Rock Room – where talented performers play everything from pop to rock, country, and classical music. And best of all, entertainment is included in your cruise fare.

Food is another highlight and a voyage from Dover onboard Nieuw Statendam is sure to delight your taste buds. The main dining room is a stunning – chandeliers are made from strings of tri-colour, hand-blown glass bulbs – two-deck space where menus, utilising local ingredients, change daily and are inspired by the destination the ship visits on each sailing.

So where can Nieuw Statendam take you? Holland America Line – who have been introducing passengers to new places and cultures for over 150 years – is set to operate 17 round-trip European cruises from Dover onboard the Pinnacle-class ship throughout 2025.

You’ll be able to discover the delights of destinations as diverse as the Mediterranean, Norway, and Iceland – without needing to fold yourself into an aeroplane – on itineraries that range from 14 to 28 days in length.

Attempting to pick the standout itineraries is like asking a mother to select her favourite child – nigh on impossible – but, since you ask here are three that caught our eye…

THREE TO TRY

14-day Canary Island Enchantment
Departing on April 19, 2025 from the channel port of Dover, this fortnight long cruise calls at Rotterdam (Netherlands), Casablanca (Morocco), Agadir (Morocco), Arrecife (Lanzarote), Sant Cruz (Tenerife), Funchal (Madeira), and Leixoes (Portugal) before returning to Dover. Evening departures from Casablanca and Funchal offer the chance to immerse yourself even further in two charismatic cities.
Fares from £3,089 per person. Price includes Have it All Early Booking Bonus plus up to an additional $500 onboard credit.

14-day Wild British Isles & Ireland’s West Coast
Setting sail from Dover on July 26, 2025 this cruise onboard Nieuw Statendam features stops at Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stornoway (Isle of Lewis, Scotland), Killybegs (Donegal, Ireland), Galway (Ireland), Cobh (Cork, Ireland), Dun Laoghaire (Dublin, Ireland), Liverpool, Portree (Isle of Skye), Invergordon (Scotland), Newhaven (Edinburgh) – where you’ll have longer time to explore ashore – before disembarking in Dover.
Fares from £3,239 per person. Price includes Have it All Early Booking Bonus plus up to an additional $500 onboard credit.

28-day Arctic Circle Crossing: Greenland & Iceland
This new ‘Legendary Voyage’ certainly lives up to its name: departing from Dover on June 28, 2025, guests can look forward to 15 ports of call in Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Scotland and England; a passage through the Arctic Circle to the North Cape; scenic cruising through Icelands fjords; and four maiden calls in Greenland: Ittoqqortoormiit, Sisimiut, Ilulissat and Nuuk.
Fares from £6,529 per person. Includes Have it All Early Booking Bonus plus up to an additional $500 onboard credit.

Bottom line: whether you dream of sunning yourself on a brilliant beach in the Canary Islands, are after a cruise in search of the spectacular Northern Lights, or want a city break close to home, Nieuw Statendam has a holiday – departing from Dover – to suit.

Rest assured you will return having made both new friends and memories that will last a lifetime

Book a 2025 Dover roundtrip sailing by June 30, 2024 and enjoy HAL’s Have it All Early Booking Bonus which includes shore excursions, elite drinks package, specialty dining, premium Wi-fi and pre-paid crew appreciation. In addition, if you book by May 31, 2024, you’ll also receive up to USD $500 onboard credit