Cruise travel in North America is experiencing a vibrant new wave, and it’s reshaping how U.S. and Canadian tourists plan their next great escape. Holland America Line is now part of a powerful collective movement alongside American Cruise Lines, Carnival, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Margaritaville at Sea—each unveiling fresh, innovative tours that offer more immersive and personalized experiences than ever before.

From serene river journeys through American heartlands to themed mega-ship voyages packed with entertainment, these cruise lines are capturing the imagination of modern travelers seeking connection, comfort, and discovery.

Whether you dream of gliding past Alaska’s glaciers, exploring the charm of New York’s Hudson River towns, or indulging in pet-friendly island getaways, this new era of cruising speaks directly to evolving tastes. As borders reopen and curiosity returns stronger than ever, these next-generation tours are not just trips—they’re tailor-made stories waiting to unfold. This is your invitation to set sail, differently.

A Rare Glimpse Behind the Curtain Returns to Cruising

After a five-year pause, Holland America Line has officially brought back one of its most unique and immersive guest experiences—behind-the-scenes ship tours. Once sidelined due to health restrictions in early 2020, these fascinating explorations have now made their long-awaited return, offering cruise guests something truly rare: access to the inner workings of their floating resort.

This isn’t just a tour. It’s a journey deep into the operational heart of a cruise ship—where technology, coordination, and hospitality merge into seamless magic. And now, guests can once again walk those hidden corridors, meet key crew, and see how thousands of details come together to create a flawless cruise experience.

Cruise Passengers Step Into the Heart of the Ship

These nearly three-hour behind-the-scenes experiences allow guests to explore areas that are typically off-limits. From the ship’s navigational bridge to the bustling galley and the powerful engine control room, the tour pulls back the curtain on daily operations that most travelers never get to witness.

Each stop is led by a dedicated shipboard team member who explains how their department functions and contributes to the overall voyage. Guests visit the main laundry, where thousands of linens are cleaned daily; the recycling center, where sustainability efforts come to life; and even the World Stage dressing rooms, where performers prepare behind the scenes.

It’s a full backstage pass to the cruise ship experience—and one that redefines what it means to “know your ship.”

Personal Connections and Priceless Souvenirs

Beyond the machinery and logistics, these tours offer something even more meaningful: real human connections. Guests meet senior officers and hardworking crew members who power the ship behind closed doors. These moments inspire deep respect and admiration, turning an ordinary vacation into something unforgettable.

Each participant also receives a collection of unique keepsakes, including a ship-specific lanyard, a souvenir photo, and a commemorative certificate to mark the rare experience. For many travelers, these tokens become cherished memories of a deeper cruise connection.

At a current cost of $179 per person, this experience is more than just a tour—it’s an exclusive journey into the ship’s core, reserved for those who want to go beyond the surface.

Fleetwide Rollout Underway by End of the Month

Although currently available on select ships, Holland America Line has confirmed that these behind-the-scenes tours will be rolled out fleetwide by the end of the month. This expansion reflects strong guest demand and a broader return to onboard enrichment experiences across the cruise industry.

With travel returning in full force and cruisers craving deeper, more meaningful journeys, this initiative arrives at the perfect moment. Guests are no longer content with surface-level luxury—they want engagement, education, and connection.

This trend aligns with broader movements in travel, where immersive and hands-on experiences now top the priority list. From culinary lessons to cultural excursions and now ship operations, travelers are hungry for moments that add value and story to their journeys.

Cruising America’s Coasts and Rivers in 2025: The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to the Most Exciting New Cruise Experiences

From iconic rivers to Caribbean waters, cruise lines across the United States are rewriting the rulebook in 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned ocean explorer or a curious newcomer seeking something more intimate, this year’s line-up of new itineraries and ship experiences is designed to surprise and inspire. What’s emerging is not only a deeper, more personalized kind of cruising—but a reimagined way to experience America’s coasts and waterways.

Here’s your definitive guide to the most captivating, innovative, and traveler-savvy cruise experiences happening right now in the U.S.

Rediscovering America’s Waterways with American Cruise Lines

There’s a quiet revolution underway on the rivers of the U.S., and it’s being led by American Cruise Lines. Known for its small-ship experiences, ACL is doubling down in 2025 with a landmark expansion of its domestic itineraries.

For the first time ever, travelers can enjoy Hudson River Summer Classics, a full-season extension beyond the traditional fall foliage cruises. These week-long trips take guests from New York City to Troy, stopping at cultural touchpoints like Albany, West Point, and Sleepy Hollow. It’s a deep dive into the heart of Americana, perfect for travelers looking for beauty, history, and intimacy in one seamless journey.

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing launch is the 51-day U.S. river cruise, now the longest domestic itinerary on offer. It traverses the Mississippi and connects with the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers—an odyssey through 20+ states and countless small towns rarely seen by mass tourism. With a fleet of 21 U.S.-built riverboats and small ships, ACL gives guests space, heritage, and a front-row seat to American storytelling.

Carnival’s Innovation Itineraries: Where Fun Meets Forward-Thinking

Carnival Cruise Line is known for its festive atmosphere—but don’t mistake the fun for lack of strategy. In 2025, Carnival rolled out its “Innovation Itinerary” concept: a bold combination of fleet enhancements, new ports, and themed experiences tailored for today’s multi-generational traveler.

New ships like Carnival Firenze blend Italian elegance with the line’s signature energy, offering guests the option to explore routes from Long Beach to Baja California. Meanwhile, short cruises to the Bahamas and longer journeys to the Southern Caribbean are being refreshed with immersive shore excursions and pop-up onboard activations—think tequila tastings in Cozumel or art shows in Grand Turk.

Carnival is betting big on experience layering—the idea that travelers want to build custom journeys with entertainment, wellness, and dining choices designed around their personality. And it’s working. With strong forward bookings and growing appeal among Gen Z and Millennial families, Carnival’s evolution is one to watch.

Princess Cruises: Modern Luxury with Expansive Reach

Princess Cruises is keeping its loyal cruisers intrigued while attracting a new wave of experience-driven travelers. The line’s 2025–2026 season brings new routes across Japan, Alaska, and Europe, along with refined offerings out of West Coast ports.

New itineraries from Monterey, California, offer travelers front-row access to the Pacific coastline’s raw beauty. These routes are matched with enriched onboard programs, including local culinary experiences and guest speakers ranging from marine biologists to cultural historians.

Princess is also enhancing its OceanMedallion™ technology, allowing for seamless check-ins, custom concierge services, and even AI-powered recommendations onboard. The tech-meets-tranquility approach reflects a growing cruise trend: giving guests freedom and personalization without sacrificing relaxation.

Celebrity Cruises: Ocean Sophistication Meets River Expansion

One of the biggest headlines of 2025 is Celebrity Cruises’ announcement of its upcoming river cruise line, set to debut in 2027. While that’s a couple of years away, the buzz has already begun. The line will offer elegant, design-forward ships on rivers like the Rhine, Danube, and Seine—marking Celebrity’s bold entry into the luxury river market.

Back at sea, Celebrity continues to dazzle with the upcoming Celebrity Xcel, which will feature overnight port stays in over 25 cities starting in late 2025. Destinations like Ibiza, Istanbul, and Mykonos will become immersive hubs instead of quick pit stops, with passengers able to enjoy authentic nightlife, dining, and cultural moments that aren’t possible on daytime-only visits.

For travelers seeking style, slow luxury, and a global passport of destinations, Celebrity is the thinking traveler’s brand of choice.

Royal Caribbean & MSC: Bigger Ships, Bolder Experiences

Royal Caribbean is going big—literally—with the debut of Star of the Seas in August 2025. This floating city of 5,610 guests offers everything from the largest waterpark at sea to next-generation dining, rooftop bars, and a stunning Crown’s Edge skywalk. Departing from Port Canaveral, this ship is the centerpiece of Royal Caribbean’s evolution into full-blown vacation experiences at sea.

Not to be outdone, MSC Cruises introduces MSC World America in April 2025, sailing from PortMiami. It’s the first MSC ship tailored specifically for the American market, combining European service with uniquely U.S. tastes. Highlights include the only Eataly restaurant at sea, immersive art exhibits, and green energy systems that make this one of the most sustainable megaships afloat.

These lines are staking their claim in the “mega-leisure” segment, where ships are not just a mode of transportation—they’re the destination themselves.

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Cruise Landscape

Bringing back behind-the-scenes tours is also a smart competitive move. As cruise lines continue to expand offerings to attract discerning travelers, exclusive access experiences become a powerful differentiator. Holland America Line is strategically positioning itself as a brand that not only delivers refined luxury but also invites guests into the heart of the operation.

It’s a message of transparency, trust, and storytelling. And in a post-pandemic travel world, those values matter more than ever.

As the cruise industry surges forward into 2026 and beyond, initiatives like these aren’t just feel-good extras—they’re the future of high-impact travel.

A New Chapter of Cruise Discovery Begins

With its behind-the-scenes ship tours back in full swing, Holland America Line is once again showing why it remains one of the most trusted names in premium cruising. These tours transform every guest into a storyteller—someone who didn’t just sail, but saw, learned, and connected.

This is more than a return to normal—it’s a return to extraordinary.

Whether it’s walking the bridge, seeing the galley hustle, or learning how a floating city operates flawlessly, guests leave with a fresh appreciation for the people and systems behind their vacation.

In a world craving meaningful experiences, Holland America Line just reopened the door to one of its most unforgettable.