I Wish I Knew This Before Booking Holland America!
Go Travel Life
83,408 views
WE HAVE UPDATED THIS VIDEO- Please see the "new" version, released in June 2026: The Holland America Updates Most Cruisers ...
Planning your first Holland America cruise—or still figuring out how things work after a couple sailings? This 2025 guide is packed with fresh, first-hand tips to help you cruise smarter. From specialty dining secrets and drink package hacks to laundry logistics and hidden food gems, I’m sharing everything I wish I’d known before boarding.
Whether you’re sailing on Westerdam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam or another Holland America ship, this video will help you set better expectations, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy every moment onboard.
Link to EARLY BOOKING BONUS CRUISES: www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/have-it-all-early-booking-bonus
Link to Transcript of this Video: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k...
🎥 Topics covered:
• What’s Important to know while you BOOK your cruise
• Drink package vs. free cocktail events
• Hidden food specials and special Events
• Laundry options and stateroom perks
• Entertainment tips and where to find Those Tulips!
• Internet upgrades and streaming/sharing Options
Drop your own tips or questions in the comments—I love hearing from fellow cruisers! What did I miss Holland America seasoned people??
Subscribe for more travel-smart content, cruise hacks, and destination deep dives.
0:00 - Introduction
0:39 – Before Booking the Cruise
3:51 – All About Drinks
8:18 – Dining
11:44 – Laundry
13:37 – Entertainment
18:22 – On Board Credit (OBC)
19:27 – Miscellaneous
Corrections:
03:59 Price included is now $12 and $16 Feb 2026
07:09 Some ships don’t allow use of your own cups
07:10 You may or may not have a kettle based on where you are sailing
18:29 Your mileage may vary on casino cash out, Cruise lines are cracking down on this practice 
#hollandamerica #CruiseTips2025 #FirstTimeCruiser #CruiseAdvice #cruiseplanning
Planning a Holland America cruise? Get the latest Holland America tips from our 28-day Westerdam voyage to ensure a smooth, frustration-free vacation in 2025.
If you have cruised before or are preparing for your first trip, you might feel like you are missing key details. Many online guides are outdated or incomplete. In this video, I share the practical, real-world advice I gathered during our month-long sailing on the Westerdam. We cover the operational details and onboard habits that actually change your experience, rather than just general cruise advice.
This guide is designed for travelers who want to avoid common pitfalls on their Holland America cruise. By focusing on the specifics of the ship and the daily routine, you will learn how to navigate the onboard experience more efficiently. Whether you are looking for clarity on service, amenities, or general Holland America tips, this walkthrough provides the context you need to enjoy your time at sea.
Subscribe for weekly cruise tips and tricks to help you plan better vacations, and let me know in the comments: what is the one thing you are most worried about before your next cruise?
20 Comments
So grateful for your updated information!! Thank you!!
I Wish I Knew This Before Booking Holland America!
Go Travel Life
83,408 views
WE HAVE UPDATED THIS VIDEO- Please see the "new" version, released in June 2026: The Holland America Updates Most Cruisers ...
Planning your first Holland America cruise—or still figuring out how things work after a couple sailings? This 2025 guide is packed with fresh, first-hand tips to help you cruise smarter. From specialty dining secrets and drink package hacks to laundry logistics and hidden food gems, I’m sharing everything I wish I’d known before boarding.
Whether you’re sailing on Westerdam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam or another Holland America ship, this video will help you set better expectations, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy every moment onboard.
Link to EARLY BOOKING BONUS CRUISES: www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/have-it-all-early-booking-bonus
Link to Transcript of this Video: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k...
🎥 Topics covered:
• What’s Important to know while you BOOK your cruise
• Drink package vs. free cocktail events
• Hidden food specials and special Events
• Laundry options and stateroom perks
• Entertainment tips and where to find Those Tulips!
• Internet upgrades and streaming/sharing Options
Drop your own tips or questions in the comments—I love hearing from fellow cruisers! What did I miss Holland America seasoned people??
Subscribe for more travel-smart content, cruise hacks, and destination deep dives.
0:00 - Introduction
0:39 – Before Booking the Cruise
3:51 – All About Drinks
8:18 – Dining
11:44 – Laundry
13:37 – Entertainment
18:22 – On Board Credit (OBC)
19:27 – Miscellaneous
Corrections:
03:59 Price included is now $12 and $16 Feb 2026
07:09 Some ships don’t allow use of your own cups
07:10 You may or may not have a kettle based on where you are sailing
18:29 Your mileage may vary on casino cash out, Cruise lines are cracking down on this practice 
#hollandamerica #CruiseTips2025 #FirstTimeCruiser #CruiseAdvice #cruiseplanning
Planning a Holland America cruise? Get the latest Holland America tips from our 28-day Westerdam voyage to ensure a smooth, frustration-free vacation in 2025.
If you have cruised before or are preparing for your first trip, you might feel like you are missing key details. Many online guides are outdated or incomplete. In this video, I share the practical, real-world advice I gathered during our month-long sailing on the Westerdam. We cover the operational details and onboard habits that actually change your experience, rather than just general cruise advice.
This guide is designed for travelers who want to avoid common pitfalls on their Holland America cruise. By focusing on the specifics of the ship and the daily routine, you will learn how to navigate the onboard experience more efficiently. Whether you are looking for clarity on service, amenities, or general Holland America tips, this walkthrough provides the context you need to enjoy your time at sea.
Subscribe for weekly cruise tips and tricks to help you plan better vacations, and let me know in the comments: what is the one thing you are most worried about before your next cruise?
Thanks for all the support and feedback on this video. We did this in our early days of the channel.
There is a major VOLUME INCREASE at 16:26 so please be aware and ready to turn the sound down. Thanks to those of you who let us know about this! We have new software now and are using other tools to manage sound. Thanks for your understanding.