Holland America Line vs Virgin Voyages

The core difference

Holland America Line and Virgin Voyages sit in the same premium price bracket but could not be more different in philosophy, atmosphere, or target audience. Comparing them is less like comparing two cruise lines and more like comparing a members’ club and a nightclub — both serve drinks, both have good music, but the experience of walking through the door is entirely different.

Holland America is a heritage cruise line — founded in 1873, steeped in Dutch maritime tradition, and built around the belief that a great cruise ship should offer variety, refinement, and a sense of occasion. Eleven ships across four distinct classes carry between 1,432 and 2,668 passengers, each with a casino, multiple live music venues, production shows, speciality restaurants, and a range of cabin types from inside staterooms to the 1,290-square-foot Pinnacle Suite. The fleet spans 27 years of shipbuilding, from the intimate Volendam (1999) to the LED-wrapped World Stage on Rotterdam (2021). Gala Nights create moments of elegance. Music Walk clubs create a lively evening circuit. The passenger base is predominantly couples aged 55 and over who value substance over spectacle.

Virgin Voyages is a modern disruptor — launched in 2021, backed by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, and built around the conviction that traditional cruising is broken. Four identical ships carry approximately 2,700 adults each. There is no main dining room. No buffet. No formal nights. No kids. No casino. No beverage packages. Instead, 20-plus dining venues are all included. A nightclub (The Manor) operates until the small hours. A tattoo parlour does steady business. Scarlet Night transforms the entire ship into a themed party. The aesthetic is Miami Beach meets boutique hotel — bold colours, house music, and a crowd that skews 30s to 50s. Virgin insists it is “not a cruise line,” and the onboard experience genuinely supports that claim.

For Australian travellers, Holland America has the more relevant local presence — Noordam and Westerdam deploy to Sydney with 26 itineraries for the 2026/27 season. Virgin’s Resilient Lady has visited Australian waters but without the same consistency or scale. The practical choice comes down to what kind of traveller you are: do you want B.B. King’s Blues Club and a Gala Night, or The Manor nightclub and a tattoo?

What is actually included

The inclusion models are fundamentally different and favour different spending habits — understanding this section is essential before comparing headline fares.

Virgin Voyages includes in every fare: all dining across 20-plus restaurants without surcharges; basic Wi-Fi; group fitness classes including yoga, cycling, and HIIT; all tips and gratuities (baked into the fare); and essential room service items. The dining inclusion is the standout — every restaurant, every night, no bill.

Virgin does not include: any alcoholic beverages (no packages available — every drink is purchased individually at approximately US$12–$18 per cocktail); premium Wi-Fi upgrades; shore excursions; spa treatments; the Redemption Spa thermal suite; and speciality wellness sessions.

Holland America includes in the base fare: stateroom accommodation; main Dining Room meals; Lido Market buffet; casual dining at Grand Dutch Cafe, Dive-In, and New York Pizza; afternoon tea; room service; fitness centre and pool access; World Stage productions; live music across Music Walk venues; America’s Test Kitchen cooking shows; EXC Talks and destination programming; and BBC Earth In Concert screenings.

Holland America does not include: gratuities (US$17 per person per day); all alcoholic beverages; speciality dining surcharges ($29–$55 plus 18 per cent service fee); Wi-Fi (from approximately US$18 per day); thermal suite access (approximately US$49 per day or US$149–$299 per voyage); and shore excursions.

Holland America’s Have It All Premium Package adds a Signature Beverage Package, one to three speciality dining evenings, Wi-Fi, and a shore excursion credit at approximately US$55 per person per day.

The critical difference: Virgin includes all dining but no drinks. Holland America includes basic dining but can bundle drinks through Have It All. A couple who love exploring different restaurants but drink moderately will find Virgin’s model more generous. A couple who drink regularly and are happy with the main dining room will find Holland America’s Have It All a better proposition. In my experience, the single factor that determines which inclusion model saves more money is alcohol consumption.

Dining and culinary experience

Dining is Virgin’s strongest competitive advantage against almost any line — and Holland America is one of the few competitors that can match it for culinary seriousness, albeit through a very different model.

Virgin’s dining is all-included and deliberately non-traditional. Twenty-plus venues, no main dining room, no buffet. The Wake is an upscale steakhouse with ocean views. Gunbae serves Korean barbecue cooked communally at the table. Pink Agave delivers modern Mexican across multiple courses. Razzle Dazzle is a vegetarian-forward brunch destination. Extra Virgin serves Italian and Mediterranean. The Test Kitchen is an experimental multi-course experience. The Galley is a food-hall collection of stations offering casual grazing with made-to-order options. Every venue is included. The quality is consistently good, the variety is genuinely impressive, and the freedom to walk into any restaurant without checking prices changes the dining psychology entirely.

Holland America’s dining is more traditional but culinarily ambitious. The main Dining Room serves a rotating multi-course menu each evening — frequently praised as one of the best complimentary restaurants at sea, with Delft china, real silver, and genuine attention to presentation. The Culinary Council — led by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and including three-Michelin-star chef Jonnie Boer, sushi master Andy Matsuda, and chocolate master Jacques Torres — brings genuine celebrity-chef influence. Nami Sushi (US$55) serves exceptional Japanese omakase praised by Conde Nast Traveler. Rudi’s Sel de Mer (US$55) delivers Mediterranean bistro cuisine from Sodamin himself. Tamarind (US$35) covers pan-Asian cuisine. Canaletto (US$29) serves Italian trattoria fare. America’s Test Kitchen delivers live cooking shows and hands-on workshops fleet-wide — a unique enrichment offering that Virgin has no equivalent to.

The comparison is genuinely close but philosophically different. Virgin gives you 20-plus restaurants for free — extraordinary breadth and zero friction. Holland America charges for speciality venues but brings genuine Michelin-level influence and a main dining room that many guests consider the best in the premium segment. A food-motivated traveller who wants to try a different restaurant every night without ever seeing a bill should choose Virgin. A food-motivated traveller who values curated excellence and celebrity-chef ambition — and is willing to pay supplement for it — will find Holland America’s top venues more refined. Both are excellent for different reasons.

Suites and accommodation

The cabin philosophies reflect each brand’s identity — Holland America offers traditional choice and range; Virgin offers contemporary consistency and playful design.

Holland America’s stateroom range spans from inside cabins at 143 square feet to the Pinnacle Suite at 1,290 square feet. Inside staterooms provide the lowest entry price. Verandah staterooms (228–405 square feet) are the most popular category. The unique Lanai Staterooms on Pinnacle-class ships offer direct Promenade Deck access. Neptune Suites (465–502 square feet) include the Neptune Lounge with concierge service, complimentary Club Orange dining, priority embarkation, and complimentary laundry. The Pinnacle Suite features a large living room, dining area, dressing room, and private verandah with whirlpool. Cabin design is classic and warm — dark wood, neutral tones, traditional nautical touches.

Virgin’s cabin categories are simpler and more contemporary. The Sea Terrace (approximately 225 square feet plus balcony with hammock) is the standard balcony — and that rope hammock is a small detail guests consistently love. The Inside cabin (approximately 145 square feet) is the budget entry. Mega RockStar Suites are the top tier at up to approximately 2,150 square feet — flamboyant suites with hot tubs, guitars, vinyl record players, and access to Richard’s Rooftop, an exclusive sundeck with bar and DJ. Every cabin features tablet-controlled mood lighting and entertainment through the ship’s app.

The difference in design language is striking. Holland America’s cabins feel like a well-appointed hotel room — functional, comfortable, quietly elegant. Virgin’s cabins feel like a design-conscious apartment — contemporary furnishings, bold art, and technology integration that assumes you are comfortable controlling your environment through a screen. Neither is objectively better, but the aesthetic preference is usually immediate and strong.

Holland America’s Neptune Lounge creates a meaningful suite experience with concierge service and exclusive dining. Virgin’s RockStar Suites offer flair and exclusivity with Richard’s Rooftop, but the suite programme is less developed in terms of personalised service. For suite-focused travellers, Holland America provides a more traditional and comprehensive upgrade pathway.

Pricing and value

The pricing comparison requires careful analysis because the inclusion models are so different.

Holland America’s directional pricing for a seven-night cruise (per person, at time of writing): inside cabins from approximately US$100–$150 per night; verandah from approximately US$175–$230 per night. Add Have It All at US$55 per day. Add gratuities at US$17 per day. Total for a verandah with Have It All: approximately US$250–$300 per night.

Virgin’s directional pricing for a seven-night cruise (Sea Terrace balcony, per person, at time of writing): approximately US$200–$400 per night depending on season. This includes all dining and gratuities. Add drinks at approximately US$50–$100 per person per day for moderate consumption. Total: approximately US$250–$500 per night.

Holland America retains a clear entry-level advantage. An inside cabin on the base fare at US$100 per night has no Virgin equivalent — Virgin’s cheapest cabins start meaningfully higher. For longer voyages — Holland America’s 35-day Legendary Australia Circumnavigation or the 133-day Grand World Voyage — the lower per-diem rate compounds into substantial savings over weeks and months.

Where Virgin’s value strengthens is for travellers who would naturally eat at speciality restaurants every night. Holland America’s speciality surcharges of US$29–$55 per venue accumulate across a week — a couple dining at three speciality restaurants will spend US$175–$330 before service fees. On Virgin, that spending simply does not exist. The maths is personal and depends on your dining and drinking habits. At the time of writing, both lines run promotional pricing that can shift the comparison significantly.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer spa facilities, but the inclusion model and design ethos differ.

Holland America’s Greenhouse Spa & Salon is named for its natural, earth-inspired philosophy. The thermal suite includes a hydrotherapy pool, heated ceramic loungers, steam and aromatherapy rooms, dry sauna, and rain showers. It is a quality facility — but it is not included. Day passes cost approximately US$49; voyage passes run US$149–$299. The fitness centre and basic classes are complimentary.

Virgin’s Redemption Spa features a mud room, salt room, cold plunge pool, hydrotherapy pool, and ice room. Thermal access requires an additional charge. Where Virgin differentiates is the complimentary Athletic Club — boxing, yoga, cycling, HIIT classes, and outdoor training at no extra cost. The rooftop athletic area with outdoor workout equipment is a feature Holland America does not match.

For active, fitness-forward travellers, Virgin’s complimentary group classes and outdoor training are a genuine advantage. For spa-focused relaxation seekers, both lines charge for thermal access and treatments — neither has a clear edge. Holland America’s Spa Staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa include yoga mats and upgraded bath amenities for a wellness-focused cabin option.

Entertainment and enrichment

This is the most polarising section of the comparison — and the one that most clearly reveals which line is right for you.

Holland America delivers the best live music at sea. Music Walk on Pinnacle-class ships creates a lively evening circuit: B.B. King’s Blues Club with an eight-piece band performing authentic Memphis blues; Rolling Stone Rock Room with classic rock; and Billboard Onboard, an interactive piano bar. The World Stage hosts original productions and the BBC Earth In Concert programme on 270-degree LED screens. America’s Test Kitchen delivers cooking shows and hands-on workshops. EXC Talks provide destination enrichment. Lincoln Center Stage brings classical music. The evening builds from cocktail hour through dinner through late-night sets in the music clubs. The casino adds a social element. Gala Nights create moments of occasion with guests dressing up willingly.

Virgin delivers nightlife that no other cruise line attempts. The Manor is a genuine nightclub with a sprung dance floor, DJ booth, and late-night sets running past midnight. Scarlet Night transforms the entire ship into a coordinated party — the pool deck becomes a dance floor, performers appear throughout the vessel, lighting shifts ship-wide, and guests dress in theme. Duel Reality is an interactive gameshow. Shows at the Red Room are edgy, theatrical, and contemporary — circus acrobatics, immersive performances, and musical acts leaning toward pop and electronic. The energy is Saturday night out, not Wednesday at the theatre.

The enrichment gap favours Holland America. America’s Test Kitchen, EXC Talks, BBC Earth, and destination-specific programming provide structured daytime intellectual content. Virgin’s daytime programme is lighter — fitness classes, DJ pool sessions, group social events. Travellers seeking substance between ports will find more of it on Holland America.

The entertainment divide is fundamental and personal. Holland America attracts travellers who want live blues, rock, and classical music with a casino flutter. Virgin attracts travellers who want DJ sets, a nightclub, and a dance floor. Neither is wrong. But in my experience, this single preference is the most reliable predictor of which line a client will love or loathe.

Fleet and destination coverage

Holland America’s fleet advantage is substantial and matters for travellers with broad cruise ambitions.

Holland America operates 11 ships across four classes. Pinnacle-class flagships (Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam) are the newest at approximately 2,650 guests with Music Walk and the World Stage. The fleet sails the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South America, and extended world voyages of up to 133 days.

Virgin operates four ships — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady — each carrying approximately 2,700 guests. The fleet sails primarily the Caribbean and Mediterranean with seasonal Northern Europe and South Pacific deployments.

Alaska is Holland America’s crown jewel — over 75 years of sailings, up to six ships deployed each season, and Glacier Bay National Park permits. Virgin does not sail Alaska.

World cruises and extended voyages are a Holland America speciality — the 133-day Grand World Voyage and Legendary Voyages of 28 to 45 days have no Virgin equivalent. Virgin’s longest sailings are typically seven to nine nights.

Asia, South America, and the broader Pacific are available on Holland America but not Virgin. For Australian travellers who want to explore beyond the Caribbean and Mediterranean, Holland America offers dramatically more options.

The destination gap is the most consequential practical difference in this comparison. If your cruise ambitions extend to Alaska, Asia, world voyages, or longer Australian coastal itineraries, Holland America provides options that Virgin’s four-ship fleet simply cannot match.

Where each line excels

Holland America excels in:

• Live music and evening entertainment. B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard deliver live music quality that Virgin does not attempt. The World Stage productions and BBC Earth In Concert add variety.
• Alaska expertise. Over 75 years, up to six ships, Glacier Bay permits. No other premium line matches this depth.
• Extended voyages and world cruises. The 133-day Grand World Voyage, Legendary Voyages, and multi-month itineraries are Holland America specialities that Virgin cannot offer.
• Value entry point. Inside cabins from approximately US$100 per night provide a genuinely lower entry to premium cruising.
• Culinary Council and enrichment. Celebrity-chef influence, America’s Test Kitchen, and BBC Earth create structured daytime programming that Virgin lacks.
• Fleet breadth. Eleven ships sailing every major cruise region versus four ships in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
• Multigenerational travel. Club HAL for children aged 3 to 17 makes Holland America the only family-friendly option from this pairing.

Virgin excels in:

• All-inclusive dining. Twenty-plus restaurants, all included, no surcharges. The most generous dining inclusion in the premium segment.
• Nightlife and immersive entertainment. Scarlet Night, The Manor nightclub, and the overall party atmosphere are unique at sea.
• Total informality. No dress code, no formal nights, no main dining room, no buffet. The ship rejects every traditional cruise convention.
• Design and aesthetic. Bold, contemporary, Instagram-ready interiors that feel nothing like a traditional cruise ship.
• Adults-only guarantee. No children, no exceptions. The programming is designed entirely for adults.
• Gratuities included. No daily service charge on your account — tips are baked into the fare.
• Fitness programme. Complimentary group classes, boxing, outdoor training, and the Athletic Club exceed Holland America’s included fitness offering.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Holland America

35-Day Legendary Australia Circumnavigation (Noordam, departing November 2026). A full circumnavigation with four ports in Papua New Guinea, overnights in Fremantle and Hobart, and late-night stops in Adelaide, Phillip Island, and Melbourne. Holland America’s signature Australian offering.

14-Day Great Alaska Explorer (Noordam, roundtrip Seattle). An extended Alaska itinerary with deeper port calls — Holland America’s 75-year heritage, Glacier Bay permits, and six-ship deployment make this the gold standard. Fly-cruise packages are bookable through Holland America’s Australian office.

133-Day Grand World Voyage (Volendam, roundtrip Fort Lauderdale). Fifty-one ports in 23 countries across five continents. Bookable in segments for Australians who cannot commit to the full voyage.

14-Day Australia and New Zealand (Noordam or Westerdam, Sydney to Auckland or roundtrip Sydney, 2026/27 season). The core Australian programme with two ships deployed for the first time, doubling departure flexibility.

28-Day Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice (Noordam, roundtrip Seattle). Thirteen ports across Alaska and British Columbia including Nome and Dutch Harbor. An extraordinary extended Alaska experience.

Virgin

South Pacific from Sydney (Resilient Lady, when deployed). Virgin’s Australian deployment offers South Pacific island-hopping — Noumea, Mystery Island, Port Vila — experienced through an adults-only, nightlife-forward lens. Watch for deployment announcements.

7-Night Mediterranean from Barcelona (Valiant Lady). Western Mediterranean with Ibiza, Toulon, Ajaccio, and Palma de Mallorca. The combination of Mediterranean port towns and Virgin’s evening atmosphere is well matched. Accessible from Australia via direct flights to Barcelona.

8-Night Greek Island Glow (Brilliant Lady, from Athens). Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Bodrum on Virgin’s newest ship. Greek island nightlife pairs naturally with Virgin’s onboard energy.

Dominican Daze (Scarlet Lady, from Miami). A shorter Caribbean sailing including the Beach Club at Bimini — Virgin’s private beach club in the Bahamas with DJ sets, cabanas, and included dining.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Holland America

Rotterdam — The best introduction to Holland America. The newest Pinnacle-class ship (2021) delivers the full Music Walk experience, the World Stage with 270-degree LED screens, and the most refined public spaces in the fleet. If comparing Holland America to Virgin, sail Rotterdam for the fairest assessment.

Koningsdam or Nieuw Statendam — The other Pinnacle-class ships with identical amenities. Top-rated across review platforms for service, food, and entertainment.

Noordam — The primary Australian ship. Vista-class (2006) and showing age in some finishes, but the itineraries from Sydney are the draw.

Westerdam — Joining the Australian deployment for 2026/27, doubling regional capacity with 13 to 28-day sailings from Sydney and Singapore.

Avoid Volendam or Zaandam as your first Holland America experience. At 25-plus years old, these R-class ships do not represent the line at its best when compared to Virgin’s brand-new fleet.

Virgin

Brilliant Lady — The newest ship and the most refined iteration of Virgin’s design. If you want the freshest hardware, Brilliant Lady is the choice.

Resilient Lady — The ship most likely to appear in Australian waters. Watch for deployment announcements if you want to sail Virgin without flying internationally.

Scarlet Lady — The original, based year-round in Miami. Includes access to the Beach Club at Bimini.

Valiant Lady — The Mediterranean specialist, primarily from Barcelona. The strongest choice for European itineraries.

Because Virgin builds identical ships, the experience across the fleet is consistent — book based on itinerary and departure port rather than ship preference.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian relevance gap between these two lines is significant and favours Holland America.

Holland America’s Australian presence is established and expanding. Noordam has sailed from Sydney for multiple seasons. For 2026/27, Noordam and Westerdam together deliver 26 itineraries ranging from 13 to 35 days. The 35-day Legendary Australia Circumnavigation is a standout. Holland America’s Sydney office under the Carnival Australia umbrella handles bookings, fly-cruise packages, and agent support. The POLAR Online booking engine is well-regarded by Australian travel agents. Itineraries range from 13-day Australia and New Zealand voyages to 42-day South Pacific explorations.

Virgin’s Australian presence has been intermittent. Resilient Lady’s South Pacific deployment brought the brand to local waters, but with four ships covering Caribbean, Mediterranean, and seasonal global deployments, Australia competes for limited fleet capacity. The majority of Virgin sailings require Australians to fly to Miami, Barcelona, or Athens — adding significant cost and complexity. Virgin does not have a dedicated Australian office, AUD pricing website, or Australian frequent flyer partnership.

The loyalty consideration: Holland America’s Mariner Society has five escalating tiers with genuine benefits — speciality dining discounts, complimentary laundry, thermal suite passes at the highest tier. Cruise day credits accumulate meaningfully for frequent travellers. Virgin’s Sailing Club offers perks including loyalty rates and onboard credits but stands alone with no cross-brand recognition. For long-term cruisers building loyalty over years, Holland America’s programme is more developed and more rewarding. Note that Carnival Corporation does not cross-recognise Mariner Society status across its other brands.

Gratuities: Holland America charges US$17 per person per day for non-suite guests. Virgin includes gratuities in the fare. For Australians uncomfortable with daily tipping charges, Virgin’s approach is cleaner.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmosphere divide between Holland America and Virgin is the widest of any premium-line comparison I make — and it is the single factor that should drive your decision.

Holland America’s atmosphere is classic, warm, and gently lively. The ships feel like refined ocean liners — teak promenades, art collections, fresh flowers, and public spaces that reward exploration. Music Walk creates genuine evening energy. B.B. King’s Blues Club generates the kind of spontaneous dancing that guests remember years later. Gala Nights create a sense of occasion — passengers dress up willingly, the Dining Room takes on a celebratory atmosphere. The casino adds a social element. The passenger demographic skews mature — approximately 75 per cent of guests are aged 55 and over — and conversations at dinner tend toward travel stories, cultural observations, and life experiences. Service is consistently praised, with Holland America winning Cruise Critic’s “Best Service” four consecutive years. The atmosphere is polished without being pretentious, social without being loud.

Virgin’s atmosphere is energetic, informal, and deliberately provocative. The ships feel like boutique hotels designed for Instagram — bold colours, contemporary art, house music at the pool, and a crowd that skews 30s to 50s. The dress code is whatever you want, and enforcing informality is part of the brand. Scarlet Night builds communal energy throughout the evening until the entire ship is participating in a themed event. The Manor nightclub operates past midnight. The tattoo parlour does steady business. Conversations at dinner might be about the DJ set later, the spin class that morning, or the shore excursion that afternoon. The absence of children and the absence of traditional cruise announcements create a space that feels like an adult resort. The energy can be exhilarating or exhausting depending on your preferences.

I recommend that uncertain clients consider a simple question: how do you typically spend a Saturday evening? If the answer involves live music in a comfortable bar, Holland America will feel like home. If the answer involves a restaurant followed by a club, Virgin will feel like a revelation. The two atmospheres are so different that booking the wrong one is the fastest path to a disappointing cruise.

The bottom line

Holland America and Virgin Voyages are both premium lines charging similar fares, but they are building experiences for completely different travellers — and getting this choice right matters more than in almost any other cruise comparison.

Choose Holland America when you want a classic premium cruise with the best live music at sea, structured enrichment, a genuine casino, and the flexibility of a la carte pricing at a lower entry point. Choose it for Alaska — where 75 years of heritage and up to six ships make it the undisputed specialist. Choose it for world cruises and extended voyages at lower per-diem rates. Choose it for multigenerational travel with Club HAL. Choose it for the Mariner Society loyalty programme. Choose it for Australia, where two ships and 26 itineraries from Sydney provide genuine local choice. Accept that add-ons accumulate, that the fleet spans 27 years and older ships show their age, that there are no new builds on order, and that the atmosphere is more conservative than Virgin’s.

Choose Virgin when you want all dining included across 20-plus restaurants, genuine nightlife with The Manor and Scarlet Night, zero dress code, and a ship that deliberately rejects every traditional cruise convention. Choose it if you have never cruised before and suspect you would hate a traditional cruise — Virgin is specifically designed for that scepticism. Choose it for adults-only energy, included gratuities, and an aesthetic that feels nothing like cruising. Accept that the four-ship fleet limits destinations, that drinks are not included and can add up rapidly, that daytime enrichment is lighter, that the Australian presence is inconsistent, and that the ship’s energy may feel relentless on longer sailings.

For Australian couples over 55 seeking a premium cruise with live music, enrichment, and broad destination choice, Holland America is the natural fit. For Australian couples in their 30s and 40s who want a modern, adults-only experience that breaks every cruise convention, Virgin is the disruptor that might convert them. Both are excellent lines. The question is which version of a holiday at sea speaks to you — because on this particular comparison, the answer is almost always immediately obvious.