This Cruise Line Just Expanded Its Travel Standby Program

Have you ever dreamed of cruising the open sea but just can’t get past the cost? As long as you’re willing to travel at the last minute, you can hop aboard one of Holland America’s ships for a fraction of the cost. The company’s newly expanded Standby Program costs travelers $99 per person, per day for an Inside or Oceanview stateroom, or $129 per person, per day for a Verandah.

The rate may cause some Holland America devotees to balk — after all, the program used to cost $49 a day. But, while the old $49 rate didn’t include taxes or fees, the new $99 or $129 rate does. The fine print now states that the advertised fares include taxes and fees.

Plus, the new standby price is still half the cost of most early bookings. For example, the famed 7-Day Alaskan Explorer, which provides more glacier and wildlife sightings than any other cruise line and can cost over $200 a day per person when booked in advance. Similarly, the 21-Day Eastern Caribbean Wayfarer cruise, which includes a full day on Holland America’s private island, can cost almost $230 per person, per day. The standby rate for both trips is half that — and then some.

Here’s the rub: you need to be ready to go at a moment’s notice, which means you should be within driving distance of the port or have the budget to book last-minute flights. Holland America will notify people on the standby list two to seven days before departure, so you’ll need to be prepared to pack your bags and get to the port in two days. In addition, you’ll be charged for the cost of the trip when you add your name to the standby list. If you’re not cleared off the list, you’ll be refunded in four to six weeks. 

If you’re a solo traveler, you can travel in your own room for $99 per day (Inside or Ocean View room) or $129 per day (Verandah room). If you’re planning to travel with a guest, you’ll both be charged the daily standby rate ($99 or $129 each). However, if there are three or four people in your party, the third and fourth guests travel for free — meaning the daily cost for a family to cruise with Holland America via the standby list can be as low as $200 per day.

The list of eligible Standby Program sailings currently includes trips as far out as April 2025 to destinations like Hawaii, Newfoundland, the Mexican Riviera, and the Caribbean.

To view a full list of Standby Program itineraries, visit hollandamerica.com. To join the Holland America standby list contact a travel advisor or call 877-724-5425.