Here's how to win a 4-month cruise worth more than $44,000
In a holiday promotion to end them all, one cruise line is giving away a sailing that lasts more than 120 days and visits dozens of countries. If you've ever dreamed of setting sail on a world cruise, Holland America's latest contest, which kicks off in early December, is one you won't want to miss.
The "Great HALiday Giveaway" is the line's take on a 12 Days of Christmas promotion; each day between Dec. 6 and 17, 2024, a slew of prizes — more than 150 in total — will be up for grabs. Visitors to the cruise line's website will have a chance to instantly win freebies like Mediterranean cruises and Alaska cruisetours, among other big-ticket items. Those who don't win instantly can still reap the benefits of smaller prizes like onboard credit, shore excursion vouchers and free steakhouse dinners for use on new bookings.

But, the grand prize that all entrants will be eligible to win is a cruise for two on one of Holland America's epic Grand World Voyages. The winner can choose between the line's 2025 and 2026 sailings, both of which last more than four months.
The 2025 voyage is a 124-day round-trip sailing that departs from Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades on Jan. 4 aboard 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam. The itinerary features 34 countries, with overnight port stays in places like Tahiti in French Polynesia, Sydney, Easter Island and late-night calls in Ecuador, Seychelles and other locations.
The 2026 voyage is a 133-day round-trip sailing that departs Jan. 4 from Fort Lauderdale aboard 1,432-passenger Volendam. It features stops in 23 countries, including overnights in ports like Tokyo and Nagasaki, Japan, and Hong Kong, as well as late-night calls in Rio de Janeiro, Tahiti and Sydney.
The least expensive cabins on the shorter voyage start from more than $22,000 per person, meaning that the prize has a starting value of more than $44,000.
Travelers who are unable to travel for the full journey can opt for one of several shorter world cruise segments instead.
How can you enter? Head to Holland America's "Great HALiday Giveaway" website. Sign up now through Dec. 5, 2024, to receive an event reminder to check in daily on the site between Dec. 6 and 17, 2024, as well as onboard credit you can apply when you book a new sailing. Those who do not sign up in advance can still visit the website daily during the promotional period for a chance to win.
For more bargains and promotions, check out our list of current Black Friday and Cyber Monday cruise deals. To learn all about the best upcoming long voyages, peruse our story on world cruises.
Want to read more about Holland America? Check out these articles:
- Ultimate guide to Holland America
- Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program
- All about Holland America cabins and suites
- Holland America ship classes, explained
- Holland America drink packages
- The best places to visit on a Holland America ship
- Holland America ships, biggest to smallest
- Holland America ships, newest to oldest
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.


