How To Change The Person On My Holland America Line: What Holland America Line Guests Should Know for 2026
This is one of the questions our advisors hear most often about changing the traveler on a booking on Holland America Line - here's what's actually true.
Swapping who's actually sailing on a booking runs into this rule: Changing the primary guest on a booking is generally treated as a cancellation and triggers the standard fee schedule; minor corrections are typically fine if made early.
Want changing the traveler on a booking double-checked against your specific reservation? Reach an advisor at +1-800-406-8495. Peak season sailings sometimes have tighter rules than the general policy, so it's worth asking if your dates fall into that window. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the person on my Holland America reservation?
Contact the cruise line or your travel advisor - substituting a secondary guest is usually possible for an administrative fee, though the primary guest on the booking often can't be swapped at all. It's generally faster to sort this out well before your final payment date than to wait until the week of departure. That's the short version, at least.
Is it easier to change a secondary guest than the primary guest?
Yes - secondary guest substitutions are commonly allowed (often for a fee), while the primary/lead guest is frequently locked to the original booking. If you booked as part of a larger group, some of these terms can apply differently to the group organizer than to individual cabins. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
What documentation is needed to swap a traveler?
Typically the new guest's full legal name as it appears on their passport or government ID, plus date of birth and citizenship information. This can shift a little depending on which travel agency or booking channel you used, so confirming with whoever holds your reservation is a good habit. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Is there a deadline for changing who's traveling?
Yes, usually tied to when final travel documents are issued - often 45-60 days before sailing - after which changes become much harder. Keeping a screenshot or PDF of your booking terms at the time you paid is a smart backup if a policy detail is ever disputed later. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Can I transfer my entire booking to someone else?
Full booking transfers to an unrelated traveler are uncommon on most lines and are typically treated as a cancellation and new booking instead. If your itinerary includes a charter or repositioning sailing, terms can differ from a standard published route, so it's worth asking specifically. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Who can help sort out a traveler change on my Holland America booking?
Call +1-800-406-8495 - our advisors handle these requests regularly. Peak season sailings sometimes have tighter rules than the general policy, so it's worth asking if your dates fall into that window. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Is changing the primary guest the same as changing a secondary guest?
No - changing the primary/lead guest is treated much more strictly (and is often not allowed at all) compared to substituting a secondary guest on the same booking, which is usually permitted for a fee. Keeping a screenshot or PDF of your booking terms at the time you paid is a smart backup if a policy detail is ever disputed later. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
How much does Holland America charge to substitute a traveler on a booking?
Fees for substituting a secondary guest commonly range from $100-150, though this varies by cruise line and how close to departure the change is requested. Since this can vary slightly by sailing date, it's worth a quick check against your specific departure before you make other plans around it. Worth keeping in mind either way.
What documentation is needed to change the person on a booking?
Typically the new traveler's full legal name matching their ID, along with any required travel documents, submitted before the cutoff for final travel documents. It's worth double-checking this against your own confirmation email, since promotions occasionally add extra flexibility beyond the standard rule. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Is there a deadline for changing the person on a reservation?
Yes, changes generally need to be made before final travel documents are issued, often 45-60 days before sailing, after which substitutions become much harder or impossible. Because these details get updated periodically, checking the current version on the cruise line's own site before you rely on it is always the safer move. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.