25-Day ~ Ultimate Knitting Cruise (Jun 2027)

25-Day Ultimate Knitting Cruise with Jennifer Daley
June 22 - July 17, 2027

We invite you to pack up your needles and join us on an extraordinary journey through the British Isles and Iceland aboard Holland America's Zuiderdam. This 25-day voyage takes you from the vibrant canals of Amsterdam through the dramatic landscapes of Ireland, Scotland, and Iceland-a knitter's dream destination known for its legendary wool traditions. Experience the raw beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, the ancient mysteries of the Scottish Highlands, and the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland where volcanic peaks meet glacial fjords. For a more immersive experience, participants can opt to extend their stay in Amsterdam.

Shop at renowned yarn shops featuring locally-sourced wool from Irish sheep, Harris Tweed from the Outer Hebrides, Fair Isle patterns from the Shetlands, and Iceland's famous Lopi yarn. Discover centuries-old knitting traditions in each port while creating your own masterpieces in our onboard classes.

Onboard, participants will enjoy knitting classes, social gatherings, and being pampered by Holland America's attentive staff. In port, shop for unique souvenirs and take excursions highlighting textile arts, culture, and history. Explore exotic places daily and return to familiar comforts, where you'll have time to rejuvenate before your next adventure.

Jennifer Daley's onboard classes include a variety of techniques spanning the textile traditions of the British Isles and Iceland. Jennifer looks forward to sharing her passion for knitting with everyone on this cruise. Topics include Irish Aran Islands cable knitting, Fair Isle stranded colorwork, Icelandic lopi wool knitting, Faroese lace knitting, Shetland Islands lace knitting, and color theory and color dominance in stranded colorwork. Each class also explores the textile history of its region.

This cruise is perfect for knitters of all skill levels who want to learn new techniques, connect with fellow fiber enthusiasts, and explore the rich textile heritage of the British Isles and Iceland while traveling in style and comfort.

25-Day Ultimate Knitting Cruise Highlights

• Depart from Amsterdam, the charming Dutch capital known for its picturesque canals, world-class museums, and exceptional yarn shops including Stephen & Penelope.


• Explore Stornoway in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, the home of authentic Harris Tweed, woven by islanders using traditional methods for over a century.


• Visit Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the Titanic was built and Irish linen traditions thrive. Explore the vibrant Cathedral Quarter and local craft shops.


• Take an optional excursion to Lisburn outside Belfast to visit the Irish Linen Centre and trace the history of linen production from the earliest to the present with the 'Flax to Fabric: the Story of Irish Linen' exhibit and see live spinning and weaving demonstrations.


• Discover Dun Laoghaire, gateway to Dublin, with its Georgian architecture, rich literary heritage, and wonderful yarn shops in the city center including This is Knit Yarn Shop, housed in a gorgeous 18th-century mansion in the heart of Dublin.


• Explore Greenock, gateway to Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands, home to tartan weaving and traditional crafts.


• Tour the New Lanark Mill and World Heritage Site, learn the town's history, see wool spun, shop for yarn, and have traditional high tea with a little free time to explore the grounds and shop.


• Visit Greencastle and Killybegs in County Donegal, Ireland's tweed country. Donegal is famous for its handwoven tweeds and traditional Irish knitting.


• Experience Galway, the cultural heart of the West of Ireland, known for Aran sweaters, traditional Irish music, and colorful streets. Nearby Inis Mór, is birthplace of the iconic Aran sweater.


• Discover Cobh, the historic port near Cork, and explore Ireland's colorful coastal towns with their rich maritime heritage.


• Shop for Hedgehog Fibres at their dyeing studio in Cork.


• Visit the Blarney Woollen Mills in Cork and shop for 100% made-in-Ireland Aran wool.


• Sail to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, where Viking heritage meets Scottish traditions. Local artisans craft unique woolens using traditional techniques.


• Explore Akureyri, Iceland's northern capital, gateway to geothermal wonders and home to traditional Icelandic wool shops.


• Visit Isafjordur in the remote Westfjords, where traditional Icelandic knitting patterns have been preserved for centuries. Shop for high quality wool at Klaedakot.


• Spend time in Reykjavik, Iceland's colorful capital, renowned for its vibrant arts scene, geothermal pools, and exceptional yarn shops featuring Lopi yarn and traditional Icelandic patterns.


• Enjoy our optional Wild & Wooly Tour tour, including stops at the Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir thermal area on the famed Golden Circle loop, as well as visits the Hespa Dye Studio, where you'll learn about dying yarn with natural colorants and the Handknitting Association of Iceland's outlet store to shop for Lopi yarn and Iceland's signature handknit sweaters.


• Shop at Storkurinn, in the heart of Reykjavik, and you'll quickly know why it is the most popular shop in Iceland.


• Visit Heimaey in the Westman Islands, a unique volcanic archipelago with dramatic cliffs and puffin colonies.


• Explore the Faroe Islands, a hidden gem between Iceland and Norway, known for extraordinary natural beauty and traditional woolcraft.


• Learn about the Faroe's history, traditions, and wool industry on a private tour to a local sheep farm hosted by the owner of Navia, the leading wool producer of Faroe, for an in-depth presentation on Faroese sheep and wool.


• Shop for yarn at Jamieson's of Shetland and Shetland Wool Brokers, Jamieson & Smith, where you will learn about the knitters, farmers, and designers who transform Shetland's wool into high-quality yarn, knitwear, and blankets.


• Visit the Shetland Museum to learn about the cultural heritage of the Shetland Islands, including their unique history, traditions, and way of life. The museum also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding harbor and islands.


• See demonstrations of traditional spinning and knitting given by the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers, Knitters, and Dyers at the Böd of Gremista and Shetland Textile Working Museum.