Before you travel with Holland America Line

Before you set sail on your Holland America Line ship, it's important you know everything you need to do before you depart. Below we have pulled together some useful information for you to read ahead of your trip to ensure you have a stress-free cruise holiday.

Each individual guest is required to complete an immigration questionnaire and check in online and once complete you will obtain your Express Docs. You will need to check in to your cruise 72 hours prior to your sail date and can do this by visiting the Holland America Line website, registering and signing in to your online account.

After you have completed the Online Check-in process, please print a Boarding Pass. Upon arrival at the pier, you will need to present your Boarding Pass, has your passport and applicable visas verified and your picture taken. Your stateroom keycard will be delivered to your stateroom. Click here to register/sign in now.

Personalise your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with the Holland America Line free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more. Click here to download the app before you go.

Passports are required for travel. Please check that your passport has at least 6 months validity from the return date of your trip. Proof of residency will be required for non UK Passport Holders. There are also new passport validity requirements for travelling to any EU destinations. You can use this handy passport checker on the Gov.uk website here.

Pre-embarkation testing varies by cruise line. Please make sure you check Holland America Line's website for the latest testing requirements for your cruise here so there are no delays when you come to board your ship.

Holland America Line has a number of health and safety measures that they have put in place to keep you and your party safe whilst travelling onboard one of their ships so it's worth learning about these so you are fully prepared before you travel with them. Click here to view their latest protocols

Have you sorted out your travel insurance yet? Cruise lines require passengers to have comprehensive travel insurance that includes specific cruise cover. Failure to obtain appropriate insurance will result in you being denied boarding by the cruise line. Here is a travel insurance provider that Seascanner highly recommends: https://www.seascanner.co.uk/travel-insurance.

Booking cruise transfers is optional, but if you prefer not to drive to your cruise departure port, or if driving is not an option, opting for a cruise transfer can offer various benefits and conveniences. This service takes you from a specific location, like your home, airport, hotel, train station, or another designated meeting point, directly to the cruise port where your ship is docked, or vice versa.

If you haven't arranged cruise transfers or are considering doing so, find out more about a provider that Seascanner highly recommends here: https://www.seascanner.co.uk/cruise-transfers