Usually I’m a mountain girl, but when Holland America invited me on a seven-day press trip aboard the Nieuw Statendam, I knew that I had to make an exception for the wide-open ocean. In recent years, cruising has grown in appeal in the United States, with AAA expecting a record-breaking 21.7 million Americans to sail the open seas this year. I was eager to see what the fuss was all about since I’ve never been cruising before.
My Western Caribbean itinerary sailed from Fort Lauderdale through the Greater Antilles and into Mexico, delivering a perfect mix of relaxed sea days, exciting port adventures, and plenty of sunshine. If you’re dreaming of turquoise waters, powdery beaches, and a calm, upscale, non-party atmosphere, sailing with Holland America is exactly the retreat you might be looking for this year. Here’s how the journey went.
Disembarking from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Our trip began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where we departed from Port Everglades. I arrived the night before and stayed at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel for easy arrival. Since it’s just a short drive from the airport and minutes away from the port, we didn’t have to go that far to board. That said, the traffic into the port was terrible, since several cruise ships were welcoming guests at the same time. It was so bad that we almost walked to the port, but I’m glad we didn’t. As it turns out, you can only drive in.
Having your documents ready and printing out your bag tags ahead of time will be a game changer. Our group traveled pretty light with just a carry-on sized suitcase and backpack, so we actually opted to carry our suitcases in ourselves, which was okay since there was an elevator. Boarding was pretty similar to being at an airport. After going through security, we scanned in our tickets, and then were guided down a long hall and a walkway right into the ship. From there, the magic began.
The first thing we did was find our cabin, where we met our steward. All of the staff were so nice and friendly, and we soon settled in nicely. Keycards acquired, we then watched a safety video on our TV and found our muster station, which is where we were supposed to go in an emergency. This is standard for all cruise ships, similar to the safety briefing before takeoff. As a first-time cruiser, this whole process felt very safe and seamless.
Aboard Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam
The star of the show was our home for the week, the gorgeous Nieuw Statendam, was comfortable and chock-full of fun things to do during sea days. We stayed in a Vista suite, which had a gorgeous balcony view. As someone who has spent significant time in cramped RV spaces, I found the accommodations incredibly spacious and comfortable for a compact travel situation. With plenty of storage, we were able to completely unpack for the week and fully enjoy everything this ship had to offer.
One of the best parts about this voyage was the food, and it’s completely due to the care and effort of the staff on board, who all work hard to make the tastiest dishes imaginable from the freshest local ingredients. We mostly frequented the Lido Marketplace, which offered a buffet-style service with different cuisines from the countries we were visiting, and we enjoyed High Tea in the main dining room. However, since Holland America is a Dutch brand, we fell in love with the Grand Dutch Cafe, which served favorites like the chocolate-covered, cream-filled Bossche bol.
We also were able to visit a few of the specialty restaurants like Tamarind with its Asian-style flavors, and Rudi’s Sel de Mer, which is an intimate Mediterranean Bistro with authentic flavors from the region. Everyone looks forward to the Orange Party, where guests dress up in orange for a night of feasting and dancing. Cake lovers will adore their Cake Me Away event, which was a complementary desert extravaganza with all sorts of multi-layer cakes. Yes, I may have gone back for seconds. Or thirds.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Our first stop was Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. This was a tender port, so we planned for some extra time to ferry between the ship and the shore, especially since those who had excursions received top priority. Once we were on the island, though, it was certainly worth every minute.
Half Moon Cay is a postcard-perfect Caribbean scene, with its gorgeous stretch of baby-powder like sand and aqua waters. We opted for a chill beach day to bask in the sun, wading in the water and enjoying the sand. For those who wanted a bit of exercise, there were several ball courts for basketball and pickleball. There were also a few shops for souvenirs and a small church with a view of the ocean. To make things even better, a beautiful lunch was provided on the island, full of local flavors, fruits, and sweets.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
When we arrived in Jamaica, Ocho Rios was still recovering from hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in October, 2025. Despite that, the locals greeted us with cheerful resilience as we explored the island. There were plenty of excursion opportunities, including climbing Dunn’s River Falls and zip lining through the jungle, or even exploring some of the local shops for crafts and jewelry. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with jerk chicken or fish at one of the many restaurants.
We wanted to do something a little more adventurous, so we booked a horseback riding expedition that turned out to be a true once in a lifetime moment. After saddling our horses up and giving us a few safety tips, our guides led us along a scenic trail on horseback. This adventure was definitely not for beginners, but having a little bit of experience in the saddle, we had a great time. The interesting part came once we got to the sea, when we dismounted, switched saddles, and then were allowed to ride our horses into the ocean. As our horses swam, we held on tightly.
Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman felt polished and welcoming, with Georgetown’s cute, colorful architecture and walkable streets. It’s actually one of the safest Caribbean islands, so we took advantage of the stress-free experience. This stop was perfect for shoppers looking for great duty-free deals on jewelry and other luxury items or for those looking to have a beach day along the Seven Mile Beach. Popular activities here include stingray encounters, snorkeling, and even a submarine tour, but it was a pretty rainy day, so we mostly focused on ship activities, like high tea. I particularly enjoyed the calligraphy classes, where I created some beautiful bookmarks and cards under the guidance of the arts and crafts teachers.
When we weren’t watching flying fish and other sea creatures from our balcony, we were up in the crow’s nest, where we enjoyed board games like Cribbage and completing jigsaw puzzles with other guests. We also enjoyed walking off our dinner on the outdoor decks or the fitness track. In terms of on-board activities, there was so much to do. From dancing lessons to interviews with crewmembers and scavenger hunts to full-on theatrical productions, there’s something for everyone aboard the Nieuw Statendam.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel wrapped up our port calls on a high note. This Mexican town is bursting with energy, excellent food, and activities for every interest. There’s a ton to do, from Mayan ruin tours to shopping at local crafts and food vendors to visiting the beach. Some of the tourists on our ship enjoyed activities like paddle boarding, snorkeling, and animal encounters like dolphins. The whole area was so festive, interspersed with historic fountains and Mayan artifacts.
We dove straight into culture and cuisine with a cooking class and tequila tasting excursion led by the incredibly charismatic Master Chef Angel. He kept the whole group laughing with jokes and stories while teaching us how to prepare three traditional Mexican dishes, including guacamole. The flavors were bright and bold, accompanied with an open bar that served classic cocktails like the traditional margarita, but also unique (and delicious!) ones like a sweet tamarind-flavored one. Though we made our fair share of mistakes, we learned a lot, including how to flambé. Out of all the excursions we took on this trip, Angel’s enthusiasm for cooking and teaching made this the best activity we did off-shore.
Sailing with Holland America
As a first-time cruiser, sailing with Holland America was a great way to get my feet wet. I’m a frequent flyer, so it was great to slow down the pace of travel and really enjoy the moment. But what made this trip special was the attention and care of the Nieuw Statendam staff, who went above and beyond to make sure that our experience went off without a hitch.
From excellent food, new once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and the comfort of excellent service, my week aboard the Nieuw Statendam was the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. If you’re looking for a great way to spend a holiday, I would definitely consider a trip with Holland America. Whether you’re after lazy beach days or a thrilling excursion, Holland America can certainly work some magic. Just make sure to check out our top cruise travel tips to make the whole trip go more smoothly.
For 2026 and 2027, Holland America is currently booking several exciting adventures across the world, including Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Japan, the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, South America, and even Antarctica. I truly look forward to the next time I am able to sail with them again.
