Olivia VOL. 55: The Anniversary Cruise 2028

Climate

Average year-round temperature is a perfect 82°F (28°C). High noon is a bit warmer and at night it can get breezy, but mostly you’ll be fine in shorts and a t-shirt. The islands are fairly dry, averaging a little over 1 inch (2.5 cm.) of rain per month. Check www.weather.com for the most current weather. 

Currency

U.S. Dollars are accepted at all ports-of-call.

Celebrations: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Honeymoons, and More

If you have any celebrations and birthdays during the trip that you have not already advised your travel consultant about, please let us know of this information as soon as possible, but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.

Register at Olivia Honeymoon Wishes for your honeymoon, anniversary, or other special celebration; browse through the selections and let your friends know just how easy it is for them to purchase a gift for you.

Connect with Other Guests: Join the Facebook Group

To meet some of the women who will be joining you on this trip, join the Olivia Vol. 55: The Anniversary Cruise 2028 Facebook group.

Holland America Cruises FAQs 

Click here to view some frequently asked questions about Holland America and what to expect on your cruise. 

Holland America Drink Packages Policy

Please note that Holland America requires both cabinmates (including solo travelers) to purchase the same drink package. This allows Holland America to keep track of the beverages consumed by cabin number, rather than guest name. The “Have it All” package is only available to purchase on standard retail cruises, not charters.

Host Hotel 

Olivia will offer a host hotel in Fort Lauderdale with a preferred group rate. More information will be available approximately 11 months prior to sailing.

Passport and Visa

All guests (including guests from countries other than the United States) will be required to have a passport. Passports must be valid for six months after your return date. US citizens do not need a visa for this trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check visa requirements with your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries you’ll be visiting.

Specific Needs: Dietary, Medical, Mobility and Other

If you have any medical, mobility, dietary, or other special requirements that you haven't yet shared, please reach out to [email protected] as soon as possible. To verify if we can accommodate your needs, kindly do so at least 90 days before your trip.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries you are visiting. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov. Click on the Travelers’ Health tab, then click on Destinations, and choose your destination from the “For Travelers” pull-down menu.

Air Travel

Airports: You will need to fly into and out of Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Florida (FLL). We encourage all guests to arrive a day early in Fort Lauderdale to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.

Airfare Discounts: Save up to 10% on your airfare through our partner, United Airlines. Airfare discount codes will be available approximately 11 months prior to the departure date. Check back here for details.

Flight Arrival and Departure Times

Arrival: All flights should be scheduled to arrive in Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Florida (FLL) at or before 12 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2028.  

Departure: Departures from Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Florida (FLL) on Saturday, February 5, 2028 should be scheduled to depart at 12 pm or later. 

Luggage Allowance: While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia

Getting to Your Ship: Airport transfers are not included. The airport is approximately 15 minutes from the Port Everglades Cruise Terminal. You can take a rideshare (such as Uber or Lyft) from the Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) to the Port Everglades Cruise Terminal for approximately $20, or a taxi for approximately $25-$30. The port address is: Port Everglades Cruise Terminal, 1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

You will be able to book a one-way airport to ship transfer through Holland America approximately 30 days prior to sailing. Stay tuned for more information.

Parking at the Fort Lauderdale Cruise Ship Terminal: Parking for cruise passengers is available at the Port Everglades Port Cruise Terminal parking facility. Please click here for rates and more information.

Check-In: Embarkation and check-in begins at 11:30 am and will be available until 2:30 pm with an all aboard at 3:30 pm for the ship safety drill. 

Alcohol Onboard

Guest are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use except as follows: 

Guests may bring wine and champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of $20 USD will be applied to each bottle. Limitations apply. Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the ship or security will be refused. Wine purchased during ship-sponsored shore excursions that visit local wineries are exempt from the on-board corkage fee (offer limited to one bottle of wine per person).  

Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. In an effort to protect our environment and reduce use of plastic, plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding.  

In addition to the wide selection of lounges where you can enjoy cocktails and sunsets, the ship offers a variety of beverage packages – from cocktails to wine to soda. You’ll be able to purchase beverage packages 30 days prior to your cruise.  

A 20% service charge is automatically applied to all beverage purchases, bar retail items, specialty restaurant cover charges and all for-purchase à la carte menu items.

Dining Experiences – Restaurants and Room Service 

If eating incredible meals is one of your favorite activities, rest assured that you will be more than satisfied. There are plenty of food and dining options available, and most are included in the cost of your cruise.  Please refer to the Ship Tab for more information.

Electricity

Cabins are equipped with one standard U.S. 110 and European 220-volt outlet.

Excursions

Exploring our ports of call will be the highlight of your cruise. Holland America takes pride in offering the best shore excursion options for our guests. We will notify you via email when excursions are available for online booking, approximately 90 days in advance of your cruise.

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maître d' and other-behind-the-scenes crew members. If you receive exceptional service and wish to tip a bit more, it is always appreciated.

Internet and Mobile Phones

You can purchase and connect to satellite internet 24 hours a day, either by accessing the ship’s wireless network with your mobile device (laptop, iPad or mobile phone). Internet packages/prices will be posted on board.

Through an agreement with the Wireless Maritime Service, the ship offers an advanced roaming network onboard allowing you to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages and access emails and surf the web while at sea using your mobile phone and telephone number. Phones must be activated for international calling with your home provider, and it’s important to check with your cell phone service provider to find out information about roaming fees.

Laundry Services

Laundry, pressing and dry-cleaning services are available onboard for an extra charge. Pricing is available on board.

Medical Services

There is an onboard infirmary. Medical services entail an additional fee.

Money for Onboard Purchases

On board, the currency is $USD. All purchases made on the ship will be charged to your onboard account, which you create during online check-in.

Phone
Each cabin has a phone which you may use to call cabin-to-cabin, and to the various onboard facilities. There is an additional fee to use this phone to call outside the ship; cost is available on board.

Ports of Call

The ship will be docked in Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Thomas. We will be at anchor in Half Moon Cay and will take tender boats ashore.  

Smoking Policy

Please take note of Holland America’s new smoking policy on board. All staterooms (cabins) including stateroom verandahs, showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. Smoking is permitted on certain designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas will be noted on board. Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices may only be used in designated smoking areas.

Spa Services

Enjoy the luxurious Greenhouse Spa complete with massage, facials and a myriad of other spa treatments. Massages and other services are available for an additional fee.

Disembarkation

Disembarkation will begin once the ship has cleared customs and can be as early as 7 am. You will receive colored luggage tags to designate the time you will be called to disembark the ship.

Transfers to the Airport

For those going directly to Fort Lauderdale Airport, you can take a rideshare from the port to the airport for approximately $20, or a taxi for approximately $25-$30. The airport is about 15 minutes away. Transfers will also be available to book via the Shore Excursion office on board.