EMBRACE THE RHYTHM AS VACAYA RETURNS TO FABULOUS FORT LAUDERDALE IN 2026!
It’s Valentine’s Day 2026 and there’s NO BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE than with a picture-perfect and musically-inspired sailing from everyone’s favorite starting point – fabulous and super-LGBT-friendly Fort Lauderdale!
For nearly a decade, VACAYA has redefined the LGBT+ cruise experience, creating an inclusive haven where adventure, connection, and freedom converge to form unforgettable memories. As we embark on our 2026 Caribbean Cruise, we’re turning up the volume with a thrilling new twist where the beats guide the journey, every moment dances with possibility, and the sea becomes your stage for extraordinary discovery.
Welcome to The Rhythm of Freedom as we sail the beautiful 2,678-guest Nieuw Statendam from Holland America at our best South Florida rates in years! Over our seven nights together, we’ll visit Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and our own private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay. And to top off our island visits, we’ll have two glorious shenanigan-filled Sea Days under the warm Caribbean sun.
Whether at sea or on land, VACAYA blends fresh, exciting music genres with beloved beats that’ll make this voyage UNFORGETTABLE!
GREAT PRICING ON HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
As full-ship charter pricing continues to skyrocket, Holland America is one of the only companies keeping their rates somewhat reasonable on their newest ships. And we’re thrilled to be able to offer you this gorgeous ship (if you haven’t seen her pool deck, start there as you explore!) at a great price.
As you know, cruising takes the guess work out of travel. And with all the added VACAYA benefits – from signature entertainment and welcoming parties to endless social activities and non-stop fun – it’s also a great value. With so many inclusions, your precious vacation dollars have never been better spent.
It’s amazing what’s included:
- Seven Nights aboard Nieuw Statendam – an absolute star of Holland America’s newest class of ships!
- Onboard meals with flavors from around the world*
- Impeccable Daily Cabin Care
- In-Room Dining Service
- Fantastic Fitness Center
- All-Star VACAYA Entertainment
- Endless VACAYA social activities
- Warm, friendly parties with beats that connect us and music you love (and can even sing along to!)
- Party themes 120 days out
- Booking Numbers 45 days out
- Abundant, clear, and timely communication via email and our exclusive GET READY page
- VACAYA ReachOUT Philanthropic Service Opportunities
*Holland America’s specialty restaurants have a service charge, but complimentary dining options are abundant.
Edge media wrote that VACAYA entertainment is “packed with top-tier entertainers – a hallmark of the brand, which has quickly risen to best-in-class for queer travelers.” At VACAYA, we believe onboard entertainment should be plentiful, fresh, diverse, and unpredictable, surrounding you and delighting you with spaces and experiences never seen before!
With VACAYA, you’re in complete control of your own schedule. You can hop from one activity to the next or simply relax at the pool. Our activities include meetups, pool games, fitness classes, V-Dances (VACAYA’s twist on the classic T-Dance), welcoming evening parties, and so much more. Part of the fun of each and every VACAYA cruise vacation is our theme parties. And in one of the industry’s leading timelines, you’ll have your party themes 120 days out!
NIEUW STATENDAM – AT THE PINNACLE OF SHIP DESIGN
Holland America is known for redefining cruise luxury, and with Nieuw Statendam, they’ve hit a high note! We’re amped to bring you this cutting-edge Pinnacle Class ship, where modern elegance meets next-level excitement. Your VACAYA experience on Nieuw Statendam will be a mix of music festival and cutting-edge signature entertainment – all pulsing with the VACAYA DNA you know and love!
Designed with the sleek curves of musical instruments in mind, Nieuw Statendam is a floating masterpiece that feels simultaneously fresh, innovative, and classic – just like the beats you’ll experience on board. From gourmet dining at Rudi’s Sel de Mer and Morimoto by Sea to the electric vibes of the Rolling Stone Lounge and the soulful energy of B.B. King’s Blues Club, every venue pulses with energy. And let’s not forget the show-stopping two-level World Stage, where epic VACAYA performances and immersive visuals will blow you away!
On board Nieuw Statendam, every detail is designed to ignite your senses. Whether you’re chilling in stylish staterooms, soaking up the sun on the open deck, or diving into VACAYA’s one-of-a-kind onboard experiences, this is your playground! With a crew ready to cater to your every whim, endless ocean views, and the perfect mix of relaxation and exhilaration, it’s time to embrace the freedom, the music, and the magic of this VACAYA adventure! Let us show you our favorite parts of the ship…
Ship Highlights
Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships redefine the modern cruise experience, offering a seamless blend of timeless elegance and cutting-edge innovation. This is a class of ship that doesn’t just take you to destinations – it transforms your time at sea into a destination of its own.
When you cruise on Nieuw Statendam with VACAYA, your time is your time to do as you please. Fill your sea days with onboard activities. Follow dinner with top-notch LGBT+ entertainment in the state-of-the-art World Stage and then dance under the stars at VACAYA’s theme parties. OR do nothing at all. The choice is entirely yours.
Let’s start with the fact that Nieuw Statendam’s award-winning crew is trained to the highest service standards. They’re outgoing, engaging, and committed to ensuring you have a fabulous time. And they’re extremely LGBT+ friendly. By the end of our cruise, we have no doubt you’ll love each and every officer and crew member!
Two big pools? You betcha! The Lido Pool is where VACAYA roars to life, with our ever-changing pool gaymes, V-Dances, and signature parties. If you’re looking to relax, the aft facing Sea View Pool is the perfect place to hang.
The biggest names in LGBT+ and straight allied entertainment will appear in this fantastic venue, which features a stunning wrap-around LED screen.
In the mood to move and groove? Holland America enhances the cruise experience with innovative live music venues like B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, and the Rolling Stone Lounge, offering live performances that celebrate diverse genres and iconic hits. Here, we’ll mix VACAYA artists with Holland America’s entertainers to get you on your feet.
We invite you to explore the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, a serene escape where the soothing sounds of tranquility complement luxurious treatments, calming thermal suites, and a rejuvenating hydrotherapy pool. It’s your oasis for renewal, perfectly in tune with the rhythm of relaxation. At every turn of your sailing, you’ll find ways to fully restore yourself. Emerge renewed, relaxed, and rejuvenated from each spa experience.
Whether a suite, a verandah stateroom, or an interior oasis, Nieuw Statendam has a stateroom to suit every Vacayan’s needs. Staterooms are built for feel-good comfort, with everything you need within easy reach. After a busy day of sightseeing or activities, there’s no place like your Nieuw Statendam home-away-from-home to recharge.
Guests will have an option to join Club Orange* to experience a new level of Holland America luxury and feel like a VIP with an array of thoughtful amenities and insider privileges. A special package of benefits is being curated for VACAYA and we’ll communicate details at a later date.
*Extra charge.
DINING… AN ADVENTURE IN EVERY BITE
Discover culinary highlights from all over the world and let yourself be inspired by varied and high-quality cuisine aboard Nieuw Statendam. With no set meal times and no seating arrangements (other than for the ship’s award-winning fine dining restaurants), you’re free to eat whenever and with whomever you’d like as you explore new culinary territory and experience exclusive gourmet moments.
One of the things we absolutely love about Holland America (along with nearly all cruise lines today) is their goal of eliminating food waste altogether – a mighty task if ever there was. To accomplish this goal, portion sizes have decreased. But no worries… you can always order another portion. To help Holland America meet their objectives, no matter where you dine, we just ask that you eat what you take.
For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch, or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. Behind the scenes, Holland America’s Culinary Ambassadors, a group of world world-renowned chefs, along with Holland America’s talented onboard executive chefs, have worked to bring each dish to perfection. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. Enrich your journey with an extensive selection of wines, carefully selected by our Wine Curator. Complimentary for all.
Explore a world of intriguing culinary possibilities in the Lido Market. Steps from the Lido Pool, this modern marketplace includes a curated selection of delicious options you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard, with freshly baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering a bountiful selection of hearty salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring global cuisine; Sweet Spot, for ice cream creations and desserts; Roasting Pan, hand-carved meats, fish, and other hearty entrees; Perk, freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices; Quench, premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda available for purchase; Rise, savory quiches, croissants, and sandwiches, and more. Complimentary for all.
Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with Holland America’s trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portobello mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea. Truly. Complimentary for all.
At New York Deli & Pizza, choose from a variety of scrumptious, 9-inch, thin-crust pies. Named for New York’s famed five boroughs, our signature pizzas are made to order and topped with only the finest ingredients. Culinary Council member Ethan Stowell has also contributed signature pizza recipes to the menu. Enjoy your pizza or made-to-order deli sandwiches overlooking the Lido Pool. Complimentary for all.
Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of the finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks – meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality – as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated, and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor. Extra charge.
Hands down our FAVORITE specialty dining restaurant onboard. Praised by Condé Nast Traveler for cuisine “that rivals the top restaurants on land,” Tamarind is the perfect place to explore the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China, and Japan. The menu, which honors the elements of water, wood, fire, and earth, features such exotic fare as wok-seared lobster, barramundi (Asian sea bass) in banana leaf and sushi, accompanied by chilled or heated sake. Extra charge.
Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, brings his innovative style to Morimoto by Sea, an Asian specialty restaurant onboard. With a focus on fresh fish and seafood, this new restaurant features a menu of artfully presented dishes and exclusive alcoholic beverages. Extra charge.
Put your feet up and relax and enjoy a cappuccino, toast with a freshly tapped beer, marvel at the diverse cocktail menu, or enjoy a small aperitif with a view of the sea. Nieuw Statendam awaits you and your companions in a wide array of bars and lounges. If you want to feel good, you shouldn’t constantly think about your travel budget. Especially not when it comes to your own personal enjoyment. So… as VACAYA has done since DAY ONE, all of Holland America’s beverage packages will be available for purchase both in advance and on board.
The Lido Bar is located on the Lido Pool deck of the Holland America Nieuw Statendam cruise ship. The Lido Pool is a glass-enclosed pool with a retractable roof that allows for swimming and sunbathing year-round. The Lido Bar serves drinks and refreshments to the pool area.
Gather around and sing along as Holland America’s and VACAYA’s pianists play your favorites. Singing along isn’t just fun – it’s a chance to connect and create unforgettable moments with your VACAYA friends.
Raise a glass to breathtaking sunsets in this iconic lounge, where sweeping panoramic views meet the smooth sounds of ambient and chillwave music. Let the beats and the vistas create a vibe as unforgettable as the journey itself.
There are currently no extensions for this cruise.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Sailing Roundtrip from Queer-Friendly Fort Lauderdale
- Four Incredible Ports of Call
- The Romantic Sparkle of Valentine’s Day
- Over 2,600 Friends from around the World
- Savor every moment with a Beverage Package
We’re back, baby! And Fort Lauderdale has never looked better than it does on this love-filled Valentine’s Day! Get on board, get settled, and get ready for a fabulous mid-afternoon Sail Away Celebration on the upper decks. Then tonight, gear up for first party, which is all about love… THIS IS ME: VD EDITION! Wear a little somethin’ somethin’ that lets other Vacayans know who you are and where you’re from, but do it in RED, PINK, and WHITE!
Knowing Day 2 is a Sea Day, did we just dance all night long?!? We bet you did! So, today, sleep in, get up when you want, and then hit the pool decks. Both our Lido and Sea View Pools will be hopping today as Vacayans continue to get to know each other. If you’re looking for a good recovery option, The Spa is where you’ll want to be! This afternoon, we’ll also have our first session of bingo AND our first V-Dance. So, buckle up, Buttercup, and get ready for a day filled with shenanigans from start to finish!
Welcome to Grand Turk, the enchanting gem of the Turks and Caicos Islands! Prepare to immerse yourself in a paradise of stunning turquoise waters and pristine sandy beaches. This beautiful island is a haven for adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts alike. Snorkel in vibrant coral reefs, home to colorful marine life, or take a leisurely swim in the calm, crystal-clear sea. Explore the charming local culture at the National Museum, where you’ll discover the island’s rich history, or stroll through the picturesque streets lined with colorful colonial buildings. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor fresh seafood at beachside restaurants and sip on refreshing cocktails as you bask in the sun.
Start your afternoon exploring the historic and beautiful Old San Juan, where cobblestone streets lead you to vibrant plazas and colorful colonial buildings. Visit the iconic El Morro fortress for stunning ocean views and rich history. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local café, sampling traditional Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo or tostones. As evening falls, stroll along the waterfront at Paseo de la Princesa, soaking in the lively atmosphere. Dine at a seaside restaurant while savoring fresh seafood, then unwind with live music in a local bar. Experience the warm island spirit and vibrant nightlife in this captivating city – a VACAYA favorite!
Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas, is a gorgeous tropical destination renowned for its picturesque harbor and vibrant atmosphere. Explore the historic architecture and charming streets lined with boutiques, offering local crafts and duty-free treasures. Visit the famous Blackbeard’s Castle for a glimpse into piracy history, or relax on the beautiful beaches like Magens Bay, known for its soft white sand and crystal-clear waters and rated among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Adventure seekers can indulge in snorkeling or sailing to nearby cays. Charlotte Amalie is a delightful blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation.
Our second Sea Day is all about relaxing after three consecutive port days. So, find a lounger at the pool and relax before the evening fun begins. Or… check out The Spa and kick your relaxation up a notch (or five). There’s nothing better than a 90-minute deep tissue massage to get that blood pumping and ready for our biggest party of the week tonight!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an entire island to yourself (well… with 2,600 of your newest besties)? Today is the day as VACAYA hits beautiful Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island – the perfect final stop of our adventure together. This tropical paradise offers Vacayans a range of activities, from snorkeling and kayaking to relaxing in hammocks under swaying palm trees. Indulge in delicious barbecue at the beachside picnic area and enjoy a day of fun and relaxation in this serene oasis. After your day at the beach, we’ll return to the ship for our final signature V-Dance, SHE’S A MESS!
Is our cruise already over? Noooo. That can’t be. But in reality, our fun together has come to an end. Thankfully, it’s Saturday. So, we encourage you to stay at least one extra night in Fort Lauderdale and enjoy all this LGBT+ haven has to offer. For a look at hotels, restaurants, and fun things to do around the area, check out VISIT LAUDERDALE. We’ll see you at Rosie’s for brunch tomorrow!
Bookings for the Caribbean Cruise 2026 start at $1,347 for double occupancy Interior Staterooms to $3,864 per person for (3 Guests) Neptune Suites. Please contact us directly at [email protected] or (+1)713.661.2117 for real-time availability of spaces and for reservations.
