I have just returned from a Holland America 14-day cruise around Iceland and Norway, and if you’re interested in cruising to Northern Europe in 2026, this is the one to do. This breathtaking voyage combines the dramatic fjords of Norway with Iceland’s volcanic wonders and the mystical Scottish Isles, all aboard Holland America’s beautiful ships. I went on the Nieuw Statendam, roundtrip Rotterdam.
I’ve curated this ultimate guide to Holland America 14-day Iceland and Norway cruise itinerary to help you plan the perfect escape. Cruise ports in Iceland and Norway are right in town, making it easy to get on and off the ship. If you do need port assistance, request it ahead of time at the reception desk on the ship.
Why Choose Holland America’s 14 Day Cruise to Iceland, Norway and Scotland in 2026?
Holland America Line (HAL) shines for cruises to Iceland and Norway and Scotland, with ships designed for comfort and accessibility. Founded in The Netherlands in the early 1900’s, it maintains its strong Dutch heritage, reflected in their beautiful ships. Rotterdam is Holland’s home port and it is easy to get from the train station or a hotel. You might want to stay a night and explore the city before embarkation.
The city was heavily bombed during World War II and doesn’t have many historical sites, but you can take a short day trip to Delft, a charming town where the famous blue and white pottery is made.
The average HAL passenger age is 55–75, and with very few children onboard, the atmosphere is calmed and relaxed. Just perfect for me, when I’m onboard a cruise for the ship and the itinerary.
HAL offers senior perks like reduced single supplements (25–50% off) and many onboard daily programs like yoga, pickleball courts and enrichment lectures to keep you busy on sea days.
Embarkation Day:
I arrived in Rotterdam by train from Paris the night before the cruise. Rotterdam Centraal is the main railway station of the city. It’s a nice, wide open station. I knew my hotel wasn’t very far but I decided to take a taxi to get there, just for convenience. Unfortunately, it seems that these taxi drivers are not vetted. I felt something was off when after ten minutes in the car we still hadn’t reached the hotel. I let the driver know that he was just letting the meter run and he was became quite nasty. Thankfully he dropped me off soon after that. Just a word of warning to solo travelers (especially women) to take an extra minute when getting into a cab.
I always recommend arriving a day early, that gives me time to explore the city and get a good nights rest before embarking on the ship. The cruise terminal is only 15-20 minutes from Rotterdam Centraal and the city center. You can use the RET Metro line D or E, or by uber.
Embarkation was fast and soon I was settled into my cabin and exploring the ship.
The Ports
Alesund, Norway
After spending a day at sea, we arrived in Alesund, Norway. This enchanting town was rebuilt in the art nouveau architecture style after a devastating fire in 1904. Surrounded by breathtaking fjords, this town has many things to see. There are many charming cafes where you can stop for coffee before or after your excursion. Stroll down Brosundet Canal, or checkout the local fish market to try the fresh catch of the day.
I booked my shore excursions on Shore Excursions Group. I use this independent operator frequently for my cruise excursions. Very professional and trustworthy, their prices are much lower than the cruise lines’ offers and they also have a return to ship guarantee.
If you can only do one thing in Alesund, try to go to Mount Aksla. The tour bus took us up the mountain, stopping for photos and to take in the amazing views.. You’ll be able to see the picture perfect town of Alesund from above. If you decide to walk, let me just tell you there are 418 steps to the top. So basically, I walked down the 418 steps! So happy I did that! So much easier than walking up the steps!
The views of the city and surrounding islands and fjords are just breathtaking! The views are just gorgeous, everything you think Norway would look like. Totally worth the effort, bad knees and all, I made it and was so proud of myself!
We took the bus that takes you half way up the mountain, you have to walk the rest of the way up. Stop along the way to admire the view and take a few pictures. It is mostly a paved road so be careful of incoming cars.
As the heart of Norway’s most important fishing region, Alesund is famous for its dried and salted cod. If you have time for lunch, stop by one of the many restaurants serving the fresh catch of the day.
Akureyri, Iceland
After a day at sea, we arrived at Akureyri. Iceland’s “Northern Capital”. I was excited to see the Eyjafjorour fjord and feast my eyes on the breathtaking views of the Godafoss Waterfall and experience more of Iceland’s natural wonders. This excursion did not disappoint, just a wonderful experience overall. Nature seems to nurture my soul so much.
This 2.5 hr. short day tour with Shore Excursions Group makes it ideal for cruisers who want several excursions in one day.
The Heinaberg Glacier Lagoon is a long drive from Akureyri, but it is so worth the trip. It is located within the Vatnajokyll National Park, west of the town of Hofn. The bus was very comfortable and the guide kept us entertained with his knowledge of the region. Just the drive is worth the time, as you drive past the Eastfjords and witness the amazing scenery. Sandwhiches and beverages are offered along the way.
Pro tip: Book your excursions as soon as you can, they sell out fast, especially the most popular ones.
Short whale watching excursions are also available for wild life lovers. And if you’d rather stay in town, quaint stores and restaurants are just steps away from the port.
Akureyri Town Center
Yarn store in Akureyri. For those of us who love to knit & crochet, I was in heaven! 🙂
If you stay in town, be sure to check out the Fairy Tale Garden. A private collection of folk artist Hreinn Halldorsson is open to the public, just a short 15 minute walk from town.
Isafjordur
Located on the Westfjords peninsula in northwest Iceland, Isafjordur is home to the impressive Dynjandi Waterfall and unspoiled landscape. I took a guided bus trip with Get your Guide, which turned out to be the best way to see as much of the stunning area as I could on a one-day excursion.
Most tours have English speaking guides which adds to the experience. This is an 8.5 hour long tour, so make sure you have plenty of time to get back to your ship. There are other shorter tours as well, on Viator or Get your Guide.
Reykjavik – A bucket list city for many, Reykjavik, capital of Iceland is definitely worth the trip. Affordable full day tours to the Golden Circle where you’ll experience the spectacular Geysir area and Pingvellir nation park.
Unfortunately, this is where I twisted my ankle and had to stay onboard the ship. I was thankful I purchased travel insurance that paid for the medical attention I needed. If you’re looking for travel insurance, I’ve put together a review of the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors here.
A special shout-out to my cabin stewart who kept me supplied with ice for my ankle throughout the cruise!
Heimaey Island
I spent the night icing my ankle and keeping it well wrapped. I was not about to miss out on my next excursions for a silly accident! Heimay Island did not disappoint. This is a tender port, meaning we had to take tender boats to land. The boat ride itself was great, we could see the dramatic sea cliffs and jagged rock formations characteristic of Heimaey’s coastal cliffs.
Spectacular views of the heavily eroded cliffs on Heimaey Island. Dramatic sea cliffs, home to puffin colonies and other wildlife. Just an amazing sight to see.
Once on land, I made my way to the bus for my excursion. Thankfully not much walking was involved as my ankle was still swollen. I did have to climb a few cliffs to see the puffins, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
The tour took us to the iconic Elephant Rock and the cliffs where the puffins flock to breed and raise their young. They burrow into the cliffs where they return year after year with their lifelong partners.
There were thousands of puffins flying around. Puffins are vulnerable during breeding season as predators circle above ready to pounce on the eggs, chicks (pufflings), and inexperienced babies that leave the burrows at night.
The Viking Wax Museum was super interesting. You can see the reconstructed Viking-era turf- roofed stone houses and read about the legend of Herjolfur Baroarson, the first settler of the Westman Islands around 900 AD.
Stornoway, Scotland
After a much needed rest day at sea, we arrived in Stornoway, Scotland. The largest of the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway is the capital of the Isle of Lewis and the Island of Lewis and Harris in Scotland. Although they are referred to as separate, it is actually one island (north and south). The town was founded by the Vikings in the early 9th century.
Easy disembarkation at the port gave me enough time to wander around the town, doing a little shopping for the famous scottish Harris Tweed. Harris Tweed is the only fabric in the world protected by an Act of Parliament. It must be handwoven in the homes across the Outer Hebrides, using 100% pure new wool and finished entirely in the islands. Of course I had to purchase the “Princess Diana” memorial scarf.
After spending the day shopping and exploring the charming town of Stornoway, we went back to the ship to begin our journey to the Isle of Skye. I went in August. The weather was a little chilly, but not unbearable. Around the 50s- 60s. (Remember I live in Texas).
Portree, Isle of Skye
A short bus ride to my first excursion from Portree, Scotland to the Culnacnoc Waterfalls. Low tides around the coast reveal dinosaur footprints. Then on to The Old Man of Storr, a tall rocky formation said to be the thumb of a giant buried there, and other tall tales.
Portree, Scotland / photo by Evie
Iconic Black houses on the Isle of Lewis / photo by Evie
The tour took us through gorgeous countryside to the Skye Museum of island life. Beyond the grand castles and royal estates, most of the highlanders were crofters and lived in the “blackhouses”. These were thatched cottages where the islanders lived with their livestock until they were pushed off of the land.
Nearby, you can visit the grave of Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape.
Final Thoughts
I count this as one of my best cruise experiences overall. Not only was the ship outstanding, the service onboard was excellent and the port stops were incredible. The variety of scenery, history, towns was just wonderful. As I edit this post, I realized how much I left out and how much more there is to see! I highly recommend it if you have a cruise to Norway, Iceland and Scotland on your back burner.
If you’re interested in more, head over to How to Prepare for a 14 Day Cruise to Iceland and Norway in 2026.
Part of my journey before this cruise was London to Scotland by Train: A Magical Adventure Through The Cotswolds.
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Safe Travels ! Evie
About the Author: Evie is the founder of Wander With Evie, a travel blog for seniors focused on helping readers enjoy stress-free cruising and destination travel. I personally cruise and research itineraries across the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean to ensure every guide is practical, realistic and based on real travel experience.
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