I’ve cruised with my kids in Alaska and Costa Rica, and while those were definitely memorable experiences, cruising kid-free with Holland America offered more opportunities to relax and explore the cruise ports differently. I booked a seven-day cruise with stops in Norway and the Shetland Islands, both places I’ve had on my must-visit list for a long time. In addition to traveling without my kids, I was traveling solo; a way to celebrate my recent 50th birthday.
The vacation before the cruise
I took the opportunity to extend my trip and add on a few days in Amsterdam before my cruise started. I took a food-and-canal tour that included pickled herring and poffertjes (the latter was definitely preferred), and I also took a fascinating tour of the red light district with ToursByLocals, led by Salomé, a local chocolate shop owner with a unique perspective on the ever-changing area. Traveling solo meant I could stop for a glass of sparkling wine when the urge hit me, and spend the afternoon exploring the vintage market without complaint.
When it was time to head to Rotterdam for embarkation, I hitched a ride from DayTrip that included a stop in the quaint town of Leiden. The beauty of this car service is that my driver waited for me with my luggage while I explored the Windmill Museum and enjoyed a limoncello spritz and truffle fries at a canal-side café.
I had almost a full day to explore Rotterdam, from the Cube Houses to the street art scene. I even came across people learning to surf (within the city!) as I walked to my hotel.
The Rotterdam to Norway and the Shetland Islands
The next day, I embarked on the Rotterdam and was off to explore Norway and the Shetland Islands. Here’s what made it so great as a solo traveler:
1. Holland America’s Rotterdam history
The city of Rotterdam has a long history with Holland America Line (HAL), as this is where the cruise line first started taking emigrants from Rotterdam to New York. Rotterdam served as the cruise line’s headquarters, and today, you can even book a stay aboard the decommissioned SS Rotterdam (HAL has had seven ships named after the port city) that’s permanently docked in the harbor.
2. Wellness Experiences
I knew I wanted to take advantage of the ship’s wellness offerings, since I typically skip them when traveling with my kids. After boarding, I beelined to the Greenhouse Spa and booked a massage with an add-on of the hydrotherapy suite, which I had access to all week. Booking early meant I got my choice of appointment times and also got a discount on my service. Access to the hydrotherapy suite was a highlight of the trip, especially after a day of hiking in port cities.
3. Entertainment
My son and I sailed with HAL to Alaska. While I was able to convince him to sit in on the discussion about the Iditarod, he wasn’t particularly keen to check out the entertainment offerings beyond that. Traveling solo meant I could pop into the mixology class or enjoy the port talks to learn about the towns we’d be visiting.
4. Shore excursions
I booked my shore excursions in advance so I could avoid them selling out (I highly recommend you do this). Traveling without a kid meant that when new excursions were added, I could switch on a dime without considering anyone else’s opinion. I also didn’t have to worry about age restrictions.
More adventurous options, like the RIB boat tour in Skjolden, were immediately added to my list. We zipped through the stunning fjords, and I didn’t have to worry about whether my kid was enjoying it (I definitely did!).
5. Upscale dining
While I love a good buffet or poolside pizza joint as much as anyone, I was really able to take advantage of all the upscale dining on my Holland America cruise. I dined on truffle-topped pasta at Caneletto, a delicious lobster dinner at Rudi’s Sel de Mer, and clothesline candied bacon at the Pinnacle Grill (don’t skip this!). While kids are welcome to dine in these spots, meals tend to last longer, which can be challenging for little ones.
6. Flexibility in the ports
One of my favorite activities in Norway was booking a sauna experience in the small town of Leirvik. When I first booked this Norway cruise, I hoped there would be a sauna excursion offered, as it’s a popular activity for locals. But when none was offered, I took matters into my own hands and booked a session at Sauna Stord. I invited a few new-to-me friends to join me, and we plunged into the icy water and then hopped into the cozy sauna. Weather-wise, it was a dreary day, so this activity was a great option.
When we visited the Shetland Islands, my shore excursion was a walking tour that took us through the narrow alleyways and to spots like Fort Charlotte. Afterward, I set out on my own to Fjarå Café Bar, which was featured in the Shetland series. I dined on hearty bread and cullen skink, a tasty fish soup loaded with smoked haddock and potatoes. I would have had to resort to some bribery if I’d had my kids along for the long walk there and back.
After my RIB boat excursion in Skjolden, I followed a bunch of fellow cruisers on a hike to the vista point that was recommended in the shore talk the day before. Talk about epic views (the first photo of the story is from this viewpoint). Then I meandered my way down, past llama farms and strawberry pastures. I’d seen Hauge gård café on the map, so I headed to this waterfront spot to enjoy strawberry mead and a perfect strawberry-topped pavlova.
A pep talk for any parent considering a solo trip
Would my kids have enjoyed this HAL Norway cruise? Of course. However, traveling alone let me experience the cruise line and port towns in a whole different way, which I highly recommend to any parent.
