holland american cruise fleet

Holland America Line Ships by Size, Age and Class (2022)

Holland America Line has an active fleet of eleven ships currently. They have no current plans to extend their fleet.

In this guide, we will cover all the different ships in the Holland America fleet and how they compare to each other.

Introduction to Holland America Line

Holland America Line (or Holland America as it is sometimes more frequently referred to) was founded in 1873 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

All the way until 1989, it operated as a Dutch shipping line with passenger, cargo and cruise voyages between the Netherlands and North America (hence the name of the company!)

After 1989, it was acquired as a subsidiary of the Carnival Corporation but it is run as a separate brand and headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

They have a relatively small fleet of ships (eleven) compared to some of the bigger cruise line brands in the world, but all ships are under 2,700 passengers which makes them particularly attractive to people who don’t like a lot of people on their cruises!

In addition to this, the Holland America Culinary Council helps direct the quality of food and drink served across the line. Due to this, the dining experience onboard the ships is of a more premium nature than some of the more mass-market cruise lines.

Holland America Line Frequently Asked Questions

What is holland america line known for.

They are well-known for being specialists in cruising in Alaska. Spacious, mid-sized ships with luxury culinary experiences and exclusive onboard activities.

Is Holland America a Premium cruise line?

Yes. The line positions itself as a more premium cruise line than others, but not at the same cost as Seabourn or Silversea. Distinct differences to other lines are ships no bigger than 2,700 passengers, the Holland America Culinary Council and onboard experiences like classical music performances.

What cruise lines are associated with Holland America?

P&O Cruises , Princess Cruises , Cunard Line , Carnival Cruises are just four of the brands which are sisters to Holland America Line.

How many ships are in the Holland America fleet?

There are eleven ships in the Holland America Line fleet. The latest ship to be added was in 2021.

Is Holland America cruise line part of Carnival?

Yes, Holland America is part of the Carnival Corporation which also owns Cunard Line and P&O Cruises amongst others.

Why do people like Holland America?

Primarily because none of their ships carries more than 2,700 passengers and they offer a luxury feel at a much lower cost. Their attention to food and drink is very high due to the Holland America Line Culinary Council which was formed with distinctive top chefs to oversee the culinary options on each ship.

What is the average age on Holland America?

The average age is reportedly between 57 and 64 across the fleet. Attracting mainly couples and solo cruisers.

What is the largest ship in the Holland America Line?

The largest ship currently is the MS Rotterdam which joined the fleet in 2021 and can carry 2,650 passengers.

What is the smallest Holland America ship?

The smallest Holland America line ship is MS Volendam , which carries 1,432 passengers and is 237m in length.

Holland America Line Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)

What does ‘tonnage (grt)’ mean.

GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) is a term used to calculate the volume inside a ship. It is a measure of cubic capacity and is calculated by the total volume from inside the hull and decks of the ship. 1 GRT = 100 cubic feet of space. In essence, the bigger the GRT – the more ‘space’ the ship has for passengers, cargo, etc.

How are ‘Passengers (Max)’ calculated?

You’ll see multiple numbers for passengers on ships – this is because many ships include extra beds in cabins (such as the sofa/couch can convert to a pull-out bed) – but the majority of cabins usually have 2 people in them. the ‘Max’ number is if every cabin used their additional pull-out bed, etc. This number is unlikely to be reached very frequently.

Holland America Line Ships by Age (from newest to oldest)

Are all holland america line ships new builds.

Yes. All the current fleet of ships for Holland America Line are purpose-built specifically for the cruise line. Whilst some of their ships have been sold off or transferred to sister cruise lines in the past, every ship in the current fleet was designed for Holland America passengers from the beginning!

Holland America Line Ships by Class (from newest to oldest)

Final thoughts.

Holland America Line is a line that feels more like an exclusive club than your other large cruise lines. Whilst they do cater for families, they are firmly aimed at couples and solos who enjoy the finer things in life – from high-end food and drink to exclusive lectures and classic musical performances.

Ideal for travellers who wish for some luxury, but don’t want to go very high end like Seabourn or Silversea.

If you enjoyed this article you may also like our comparisons of MSC Cruises , P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean ships .

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Holland America fleet

Ms rotterdam, ms nieuw statendam, ms koningsdam, ms nieuw amsterdam, ms westerdam, ms oosterdam, ms zuiderdam, ms volendam, review of holland america.

HAL-Holland America Line (HollandAmerica.com) is a Seattle -based cruise shipping company owned by Carnival Corporation .

HAL's current President is Gustavo Antorcha (since July 2020) who was previously the COO/Chief Operating Officer of CCL-Carnival Cruise Line . HAL's current CEO/Chief Executive Officer is Stein Kruse. HAL's current CFO/Chief Financial Officer is Jeremy Schiller (former CCL employee). HAL's current CMO/Chief Marketing Officer is Kacy Cole (promoted in May 2023 from VP of Marketing & E-commerce).

Holland America Group's current President is Jan Swartz (since December 2020) who is the Group President of four of Carnival's brands/subsidiaries (Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Australia) plus HAP-Holland America Princess Alaska Tours. Jan Swartz also manages all inter-group operations.

Company History

Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch mail-, cargo- and passenger shipping company operating regularly scheduled Transatlantic crossings between Holland and North America (also between Europe and South America). HAL was founded in 1873 (as "Nederlandsch-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij"/Dutch-American Steamship Company) and is headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands .

On October 15, 1872, started the company's first cruise itinerary (15-day Transatlantic crossing from Rotterdam to NYC ).

In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for ~EUR 530 million.

On April 18, 2020, HAL celebrated its 147th anniversary. Nowadays, the company's main assets are the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon region), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses and logistics) and the Caribbean private island Little San Salvador Island (approx 160 km / 100 mi southeast of Nassau Bahamas). Widely known as Half Moon Cay , the island is an exclusive port destination for all Carnival Corporation-owned vessels.

Westmark hotels allow Holland America to dominate completely the Alaskan cruisetour market, offering the most diverse and cheap "land and sea" Alaska travel packages.

Being one of the cruise brands rated "best for couples", "best for adults" and "best and cheapest for Alaska", Holland America is a featured brand of Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner by tonnage and fleet capacity. One of the main operating companies in Carnival Group, HAL is also a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines Alliance (WLCLA) - together with the sister-brands CCL-Carnival , Cunard , Costa , Princess , P&O (UK and Australia) , Seabourn .

Holland America Line is also amongst the premium-deluxe and mainstream ship travel brands. HAL ships visit 300+ seaports in 100+ countries, with 500+ traditional and Transoceanic itineraries scheduled annually. Voyages' lengths range from 2-day to 110+ days ( World Cruises ), but the majority are 7-day roundtrips, and many are between 10-21 days (including B2Bs/back-to-back itineraries ). In 2023, voyages leaving from the USA (FL, CA, MA, WA) visited 225 ports in 91 countries.

The company has a fleet of specifically designed liners providing home-feel accommodations, first-class theater productions, professionally-served and well-equipped wellness facilities (fitness/sports, health/spa and beauty), complimentary onboard programming for adults University at Sea (enrichment) and children Club HAL (kids and teens).

In 2017, was celebrated the company's 70 years of Alaskan cruisetour operations. HAL's Alaska passenger shipping services started in 1947 with a spontaneous cruisetour in Fairbanks. The idea eventually evolved into the "Alaska Land+Sea Journeys" - HAL's itinerary program that combines sea voyages with land-based adventure tours to Denali NP and Yukon Canada.

Since April 21, 2021, HAL has offered the all-inclusive package (alcohol included) "Have It All". It includes beverages (also spirits/max 15 drinks per day, bar service included), specialty dining (1x dinner for all passengers in the stateroom), Wi-Fi package (1st and 2nd passengers in the stateroom), 1x shore excursion (max value $100). "Have It All" costs USD 99 per person per day and offers at least 50% savings (as included amenities) in comparison to purchasing them separately. On longer itineraries (10-20 days in length) the "Have It All" package additionally offers US$100 (tour credit) per passenger.

In 2022, HAL became the first cruise shipping company awarded with RFM (Responsible Fisheries Management) certification (for wild-capture fisheries). HAL's credential is for serving on all its Alaska-deployed boats (6x in 2022) Alaskan wild seafood that is certified, traceable and fresh-caught via sustainable fishing methods. RFM is aligned with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization's CCRF (Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries/1995-issued). Also in 2022, HAL partnered with ASMI (Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute/state's official seafood marketing arm) thus committing to serve onboard only sustainably sourced seafood.

In October 2022 HAL partnered with Pike Brewing Company (Seattle WA-based craft brewery) for "HAL Pils" (limited-edition Pilsner beer) available fleetwide (in all ship bars and lounges) since January 2023.

In December 2022, HAL became PPA's exclusive cruise line (Professional Pickleball Association). The company announced plans to add fleetwide pickleball courts (installed on every ship's top deck) by April 2023. Beginner lessons led by onboard instructors are offered complimentary. HAL also added Play Pickleball tutorial videos (on the interactive cabin TV programming) and started selling branded pickleball starter kits at the ships' retail shops.

In March-April 2023, HAL completed the expansion of its Onboard Enrichment Program (fleetwide) by adding to each liner new or expanded activity facilities (art studio, sports courts for playing basketball/volleyball/pickleball/tennis, and deckgames zones for playing ping-pong, cornhole, ladder ball, shuffleboard) and full-time specialists (art and crafts instructor, sports director). The new supervised Art Studios host classes like painting, drawing, coloring, crafting, needlework. In 2023-2024 were upgraded the entire fleet's libraries as well as the ships' card rooms (with new board games and jigsaw puzzles).

On April 27, 2023, the birthday of Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand (The Netherlands' King/1967-born), HAL debuted the company's new mascot "Lewie the Lion". The mascot honors Holland's King's Day (celebrated as a national holiday).

In September 2023 Michael Stendebach (HAL's VP of Food and Beverage) announced the Global Fresh Fish program. Through this initiative, HAL locally sources ~80 different types of fish (from ~60 different ports globally) which are served on the ship in less than 48 hours. The announcement also mentioned that Masaharu Morimoto (1955-born Japanese chef) was appointed as HAL's Fresh Fish Ambassador. Dishes made with fresh fish are also available in the MDRs/main dining rooms at no charge. However, Morimoto's signature dishes offered in the MDRs cost extra.

In January 2024, HAL launched its "fresh fish" program announced by Michael Stendebach (HAL's VP of Food & Beverage).. ~80 different fish types are locally sourced globally (from 60 ports). Fresh fish is served on the ship in less than 48 hours and at no extra charge in the MDRs/main dining rooms.

Dutch Royal Family members serving as HAL ship godparents

On October 17, 2021, HAL officially announced the name of the new Rotterdam ship 's godmother - HRH Princess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands (1943-born, from the house of Orange-Nassau/van Lippe-Biesterfeld). Princess Margriet is the 3rd daughter of Queen Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina (1909-2004) and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911-2004) and is an aunt of Holland's current monarch Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand (1967-born, King of the Netherlands since 2013).

HAL's connection to The House of Orange-Nassau (Huis van Oranje-Nassau/Dutch Royal Family) started in 1929 when Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1876-1934, Prince of the Netherlands/husband of Queen Wilhelmina between 1901-34) godfathered Statendam III (1927-built passenger liner). Next are listed the godmothers of HAL liners through the 20th-21st centuries.

Princess Margriet Francisca (1943-born) named 5x liners - Prinsendam I (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997), Oosterdam (2003), Rotterdam VII (2021).

Queen Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti (1971-born/spouse of King Willem-Alexander) named 2x liners - Nieuw Amsterdam (2010), Koningsdam (2016).

Princess Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (1938-born) named Statendam IV (1957) and/as Queen Beatrix (reign 1980-2013) named Eurodam (2008).

Queen Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina (1909-2004) named Rotterdam V (1958).

Queen Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria (1880-1962) named Nieuw Amsterdam II (1937).

HAL's newest vessels are from the PINNACLE class and named Koningsdam (2016), Nieuw Statendam (2018) and Rotterdam (2021). These are also the company's ever largest, with volume 99500 GT-tons and max passenger capacity 3200.

In late-January 2017, the shipowner/Carnival Corporation announced 2 more shipbuilding orders. The new liners were ordered for Princess (ROYAL-class) and HAL (PINNACLE-class). Carnival signed an MoA (memorandum of agreement) with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct both units. They were delivered in 2021 ( Nieuw Rotterdam for HAL, at Marghera yard) and 2022 ( Discovery Princess , at Monfalcone yard). By the time when both contracts were finalized (February 2017), Carnival Corporation had a total of 19 new boats scheduled for deliveries between 2017-2022.

In 2023, HAL conducted 5 wet-dock refurbishments to expand the casino space on its vessels in the PINNACLE-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam). Each of the enlarged gambling facilities now has 140 of the gaming industry's newest slot and video poker machines. In addition, a separate non-smoking area was added in the casinos of Nieuw Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.

HAL's 150th Anniversary (2023)

On April 18, 2023, the company celebrates its 150th Anniversary. In July 2022 were announced the special events and activities including on the two themed Transatlantic crossings (April 4th/16-day from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam, and October 15th/15-day from Rotterdam to Fort Lauderdale) on the fleet's newest member MS Rotterdam VII .

The planned commemorative onboard activities and amenities include expanded food and beverage menus, entertainment and enrichment programs (special guest speakers and artists).

More details are expected in the coming months.

HAL ships names

In the company's over 130 years of maritime history, there are some quite charmingly special traditions and truly unique practices. One of them is that all HAL ships go with the "dam" suffix. They usually bear names of famous Dutch landmarks, the 4 compass points, or some of the most prominent river dams or port cities in the Netherlands. And this special list of "Dutch landmarks" includes rivers, mountains, sea, city/town.

Some vessel names have been reused (some of them several times) with the old ship's retirement. This practice of renewing ship names allows the company to emotionally connect its glorious past with its amazing business growth in our times.

HAL ship classes (ordered high to low)

The fleet's newest and ever largest vessels are from the PINNACLE-class - Koningsdam (2016), Nieuw Statendam (2018) and Nieuw Rotterdam (2021).

SIGNATURE-class (enhanced Vista-class design) are Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Compared to Vista-ships, they have 1 additional deck (between Lido and Observation) allowing more staterooms (mostly spa cabins) and public venues ("Tamarind", "Silk Den").

VISTA-class are Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam.

SINGLE-class is Prinsendam (sold in 2018).

ROTTERDAM-class (R-class) are Rotterdam VI, Volendam, Zaandam and Amsterdam.

The fleet's oldest are from the STATENDAM-class (S-class). These are Statendam (now Vasco da Gama ), Maasdam (now CFC Renaissance ), Ryndam (now Celestyal Journey ) and Veendam (now Aegean Majesty) . They were the fleet's first to have an Atrium, a 2-deck dining room, a theater lounge, Lido Pool Deck (with a retractable glass roof).

In July 2018, MS Prinsendam was sold to Phoenix Reisen , starting operations for the German company (as MS Amera) on July 1, 2019. Prinsendam's schedule was assimilated by the fleetmates Rotterdam , Volendam and Veendam .

In July 2020 were sold 4 units - Amsterdam/Bolette and Rotterdam/Borealis (to Fred Olsen ), and Maasdam/Renaissance and Veendam/Aegean Majesty (to Seajets Greece). Their schedules were canceled or assumed by other HAL ships.

Holland America Line refurbishments

In 2003-2008, by the SOE (Signature of Excellence) program, HAL upgraded all older vessels, on which were also added new venues, stateroom categories, and amenities.

In November 2015, HAL announced a USD 300 million fleetwide drydock refurbishment program. The fleet renovation project included Suite improvements (new decors, furnishings, amenities and services upgrades) for all staterooms on Vista-Signature-R-Class boats. The first scheduled for drydocks were Oosterdam and Eurodam , followed by Westerdam , Nieuw Amsterdam , Noordam, Zuiderdam, Amsterdam , Rotterdam , Volendam , Zaandam .

All passenger Suites were upgraded with new sofas, chairs, headboards, carpets and wall coverings, privacy curtains, draperies, bed runners, bed skirts, quartz stone tops (on the vanity desks), vanity lighting, dressers, dressing tables, nightstands.

Other upgrades included a new USB outlet (on the headboard), bedside LED lights, upgraded electrical outlets, lighted closet rod, new interactive HDTV system (allowing complimentary movies-on-demand, access to the ship's daily scheduled activities program, ship information - restaurants, bars, spa services, checking onboard accounts, Internet). Suite bathrooms received a wall of designer glass tiles (backdrop to the new dressing area with modern taps, under-mount sink), new mirrors (with integrated LED lighting), stylish floor tiles, nightlight.

Since 2016, all Suites (fleetwide) received the following exclusive amenities - priority services (embarkation, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations), complimentary services (laundry, pressing, dry cleaning), exclusive access to Neptune Lounge, private breakfast service (at Pinnacle Grill). The list of new suite cabin amenities includes a premium duvet, luxury bathrobes, and slippers, luxury bath products (by Elemis). BOSE SoundDock (iPod docking station), umbrella, binoculars, complimentary mimosa cocktails (with in-cabin breakfast), Nespresso coffee machine.

In 2018, HAL contracted ABB Group (Swedish-Swiss corporation specializing in robotics, marine power, and propulsion equipment) for installing shore-power systems fleetwide. The technology allows docked ships to receive shoreside power supply (from the port city's grid) and turn off their diesel engines/generators, thus reducing to zero emissions and noise. ABB installed its shore-power equipment on 11x HAL liners. Switchover (ship-to-shore power) at seaports takes ~20 min.

HAL's Club Orange

"Club Orange" program provides exclusive amenities to HAL's Suite passengers booked in cabin categories Neptune and Pinnacle. The bonus perks by this program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations, hotline)
• exclusive dining venue (serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes)
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon with eggs Benedict, steak and eggs), sparkling wine (welcome glass, at embarkation day)
• Club Orange tote bag (welcome gift)
• premium bathrobes (in-cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing)

Club Orange is also available for a limited number of non-suite staterooms per voyage. The program was launched in December 2018 (on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam) and available fleetwide since 2019. On other HAL ships, Club Orange Restaurant is designed as a dedicated section in MDRs (Main Dining Rooms) opened for breakfast and dinner. On Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, "Culinary Arts Center" was renamed "Club Orange Restaurant".

In October 2019, HAL implemented fleetwide new Club Orange amenities, including cabin upgrades (within the booked category) and the "Captain's Choice" event.

• HAL customers purchasing the "Club Orange" package receive a cabin upgrade to the best available (within the booked category) stateroom (based on availability at the time of the package purchase).
• The "Captain's Choice" is during the voyage and offered as an exclusive event for Club Orange passengers only. It could be one of several pre-scheduled experiences - like exclusive pre-opening shopping access, behind-the-scenes hotel department tour, private coffee chat with Music Walk musicians, etc.

The Club Orange package costs USD 35 per person per day (on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam) and USD 25 pp per day on all other HAL cruise liners. The stateroom's first and second passengers are both required to buy the package. Stateroom's 3rd and 4th passengers are not charged. Club Orange must be purchased prior departure (not available for onboard purchasing).

(NEW 2019) Holland America Line's coffee brand "Rotterdam 1873"

Since February 2019, passengers on all HAL ships (fleetwide) can enjoy the new specialty coffee "Rotterdam 1873". The new brand was created exclusively for Holland America Line via partnership with Beukenhorst Coffee USA Inc (Dutch coffee house in West Palm Beach, Florida ).

"Rotterdam 1873" is a small-batch roasted coffee blend named after the port city Rotterdam and the year in which Holland America Line was established. The new coffee blend consists of the best Indonesian and Central-South American Arabica coffee beans. It is available for purchasing (by the cup) in all shipboard beverage venues. As a souvenir (at ship's Grand Dutch Cafe, and Explorations Cafe) is available for purchasing regular and decaffeinated 12-oz bag (Rotterdam 1873 beans).

The new coffee blend is roasted fresh in batches (by Beukenhorst Coffee USA) then supplied to the liners. Since 1989, HAL offered as an alternative (at extra cost) the Netherlands-imported "Beukenhorst Koffie" in Main Dining Rooms, Lido Market (buffet restaurants) and other onboard venues serving complimentary coffee.

(NEW) HAL cruise gratuities (2024)

Prior to December 2018, HAL's daily gratuities per person/pp were USD 13,50 (interior-oceanview-balcony staterooms, applied to both adults and kids) and USD 15 (suites).

On HAL cruises after December 1st (2018), daily gratuities were increased to US$15,50 pp per day (non-suite passengers) and US$17 pp per day (for suite passengers).

On February 1st, 2023, HAL's daily gratuities were increased to US$16 pp per day (non-suites) and US$17,50 pp per day (suites).

Starting February 1st, 2024, HAL's daily gratuities are increased by 9% - to US$17 pp per day (non-suites) and US$19 pp per day (suites).

Daily gratuity is an automatic service charge (applied to both adults and kids) that is added to the passenger's onboard account each day. Passengers can prepay cruise gratuities. The amount of gratuities is split between the ship's staff (dining, housekeeping, cabin stewards).

However, the charge can be removed/its amount adjusted at any time during the voyage up until the onboard account is settled before debarkation.

Note: On May 1, 2017, Holland America Line raised daily gratuities from USD 12,50 to 13,50 pp (non-suite pax).

Holland America fly-cruise deals

In August 2015, Holland America added enhanced features to its flight booking program "Flight Ease". HAL's website allows travelers to choose flights (departure and return) separately, also to compare real-time airfares, plus detailed schedules. HAL also allows adding of stopover flight segments.

Flight Ease's improved functionality includes:

• calendar for flight cruise planning based on the cruise itinerary's departure and arrival dates
• independent selection of departing/return flights
• improved website navigation - you can move across fly bookings, including search, select, summary, pay
• improved search box filters to select best flights as preferred airlines, number of stops, ticket price, departure time, flight duration
• easy airfare comparison for the same flight
• flight schedules with detailed info on aircraft types, flight connections, layover times.

HAL's "Flight Ease" air booking program offers up-to-the-minute flight schedules and selection of 2 competitive pricing on flights with arrival/departure dates same as the booked cruise itinerary. All flight cruise deals booked through HAL's Flight Ease program feature 24-hour assistance and "Next Port Protection". The latter guarantees that in case of flight delays or cancelations, Holland America Line takes care of the flight changes in order to join the cruise ship at the next port of call along the booked itinerary.

Airfare payments are due with HAL cruise's final payment. Restricted Fares include cancelation fees and require full payment for the flight reservation at booking time.

(NEW) HAL cruise shore excursions "Best Price Guarantee"

Since November 2017, HAL offers a "best price guarantee" for customers with pre-booked shore excursions (land tours). The new program is available fleetwide and on all cruise itineraries, excluding only voyages in Asia. By the program, any booked passenger who finds a comparable excursion/tour deal (offering same amenities, including date, duration, transfers, transportation, meals) elsewhere at a lower price will receive an OBC ("onboard credit") of 110% of the price difference.

The request must be submitted online up to 7 days prior cruise ship departure. Booked passengers are notified within 2 days of submission if the tour/excursion meets the "Best Price Guarantee" requirements. If eligible, booked passengers receive a non-refundable OBC to be used during the voyage.

Best Price Guarantee applies only to publicly available and advertised with pricing tour deals. Passengers canceling their HAL tour on the ship are not eligible for "Best Price Guarantee" OBC. The new program further guarantees HAL tour deals' exceptional value, competitive pricing, and best quality. As of 2018, through HAL can be purchased over 4100 tours/excursions in around 550 cruise ports.

Holland America smoking policy

Implemented in January 2017, Holland America Line has a new cruise ship smoking policy banning smoking on all cabin balconies. As previously, in-cabin smoking is also not allowed. Smoking E-cigarettes and vaping devices is permitted in designated areas, as well as inside passenger staterooms (but not on cabin balconies).

Passengers who violate the company's ship' smoking policy will be fined a cleaning fee USD 250 per day.

There are smoking-allowed areas for active slot machine players located in all HAL cruise ship casinos - excepting on MS Oosterdam and MS Eurodam, which casinos are entirely smoke-free. Follows the list of Holland America ships' designated smoking-allowed areas:

• MS Maasdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Veendam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Volendam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Zaandam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Rotterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Amsterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side; Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow's Nest on the starboard side
• MS Noordam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side and the Oak Room
• MS Oosterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Eurodam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Zuiderdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Prinsendam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the port side
• MS Nieuw Amsterdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Westerdam - Seaview Bar/Pool on the starboard side
• MS Koningsdam and MS Nieuw Statendam - Seaview Bar/ Pool (aft portside on deck 9) and Sun Bar (aft starboard on deck 11).

For comparison, NCL Norwegian banned smoking in November 2014, Royal Caribbean - in 2011, Carnival Cruise Line - in July 2014.

Holland America Alaska cruisetours (land-and-sea packages)

The 7-day "Alaskan Explorer" (roundtrip from Seattle WA ) is the company's signature cruise tour itinerary for this unique destination.

The other itinerary (7-day "Inside Passage") is roundtrip from Vancouver Canada .

HAL liners in Alaska offer cruisetours with lengths 10-13-14-15 days. They are inclusive of 3-day cruising (between Vancouver-Juneau) plus scenic train travel (Juneau-Anchorage) on the White Pass-Yukon Route Railway.

• (Y5C) 10-Day Yukon+double Denali (Vancouver to Anchorage)
• (Y3C) 13-Day Yukon+triple Denali (Vancouver to Anchorage)
• (Y3L) 14-Day Yukon+triple Denali (Anchorage to Vancouver)
• (Y2l) 15-Day Yukon+triple Denali (Anchorage to Vancouver).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, HAL suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all 14 liners) canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 13, 2020, through June 30, 2021.

HAL's fleet was fully operational by June 12, 2022.

Next are listed HAL's first departures by ship (homeport/destination) in 2021-2022 : ROTTERDAM (October 20, 2021/ Maiden Voyage /Transatlantic from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale), NIEUW AMSTERDAM (July 24, 2021/Alaska from Seattle), NIEUW STATENDAM (Nov 21, 2021/Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale), KONINGSDAM (Oct 10, 2021/Mexico from San Diego California), EURODAM (Aug 15, 2021/Mediterranean from Piraeus-Athens), ZUIDERDAM (Dec 24, 2021/Mexico from San Diego California), NOORDAM (April 24, 2022/Fort Lauderdale to San Diego/Alaska from Vancouver), OOSTERDAM (May 8, 2022/Mediterranean from Civitavecchia-Rome), ZAANDAM (May 12, 2022/Fort Lauderdale to Montreal/Canada-New England), VOLENDAM (July 3, 2022/Norway from Rotterdam), WESTERDAM (June 12, 2022/Alaska from Seattle).

• All HAL Alaska cruises and Alaskan cruisetours (Land+Sea Journeys) in 2020-2021 were initially canceled, but in 2021 NIEUW AMSTERDAM was rescheduled for Alaskan roundtrips from Seattle (July 24 thru Oct 2).
• Due to Canada's extended (through 2022) ban on cruise ships, HAL's Canada and New England 2021 schedule was entirely canceled.
• VOLENDAM's "World Cruise 2022" from Fort Lauderdale (74-day "Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage 2022") was canceled.
• ZAANDAM's "World Cruise 2022" (129-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale/Jan 3-May 12) was canceled.
• All ship relocation itineraries (through November 1, 2021) visiting ports in the USA-Canada were canceled.
• NOORDAM's Asia 2021-2022 program (from Hong Kong-Singapore-Yokohama), OOSTERDAM's Australia-New Zealand 2021-2022 program (from Sydney and Auckland), WESTERDAM's South America 2021-2022 program, and ZUIDERDAM's Caribbean-Mediterranean 2021 programs (from Fort Lauderdale and Barcelona-Venice-Rome) were also canceled.
• HAL's Europe 2021 schedule (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam, Rotterdam) was canceled.
• ROTTERDAM's Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from August 1 to Sept 26 and finally Nov 3, despite the on-schedule delivery from Fincantieri (July 30).

To all affected bookings were offered 2 options. The first offer is rebooking with 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) plus USD 250 pp in OBC (onboard credit) on any itinerary through Dec. 31, 2022. The second offer is canceling with a full (100% monetary) refund including on prepurchased through HAL packages and services.

• HAL's cruise cancelation policy was expanded to allow penalty-free cancelation of cruises departing through December 31, 2020. Fully refunded (100%) were all prepurchased through HAL packages and services. HAL also reimbursed cancelation fees for flights and other travel arrangements to and from the ports of the canceled voyage.
• In July 2020, Carnival Corporation (via Holland America Line) sold 4 liners - MS Amsterdam and MS Rotterdam (to Fred Olsen ) and MS Maasdam and MS Veendam (to Seajets Greece). All scheduled for the 4 ships voyages were canceled or assumed by other HAL ships.

In 2021, HAL's Alaskan program (cruises and "Alaska Land+Sea Journeys" packages) was canceled entirely but (unlike in 2020) the Carnival Corporation-owned Alaskan businesses Gray Line Alaska (Westours Motor Coaches LLC), Princess Alaska Lodges (Princess Cruises) and Westmark Hotels (Holland America Line) remained operational offering travelers lodging and escorted land tours (fishing, flightseeing, wildlife viewing, river rafting, etc).

Itinerary of Holland America

The list of HAL-Holland America cruise destinations includes Alaska, Caribbean (also Panama Canal), Hawaii, Europe (mainly Mediterranean, but also Baltic, UK, Iceland, Greenland, Bermuda), Australia, Asia, Canada and New England USA, Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com), South America, Grand Voyages and Around The World voyages .

At CruiseMapper you can easily compare all HAL cruise itinerary changes per liner (now and in the coming two years) on a single page. The comparison of all HAL destinations by boat will give you all homeport and itinerary changes in the company's current program.

Note: Holland America Line is famous for having the most Glacier Bay NP permits (more than any other cruise company). HAL ships also visit College Fjord (Prince William Sound), Dawes Glacier (Endicott Arm Fjord), Hubbard Glacier (Wrangell–St Elias NP) and Tracy Arm Fjord (Twin Sawyer Glaciers/south of Juneau). In Alaska, HAL offers ~180 shore excursions/tours themed on wildlife viewing.

Pole-to-Pole World Cruise 2025 (Volendam & Zuiderdam)

In April 2023 HAL announced MS Volendam's "Pole-to-Pole World Voyage 2025" (133-day itinerary).

Curiously, this first for the brand pole-to-pole voyage runs simultaneously with MS Zuiderdam's "Grand World Voyage 2025" (124-day itinerary), both are roundtrips from Florida USA ( Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale ) and both depart in January 2025.

To book the unique itineraries customers were required to contact HAL's World Cruise Reservations Desk or a travel agent, starting from April 20th. Customers with a deposited Future Cruise Request get priority booking confirmation before these voyages officially open to the public on May 24th, 2023.

Volendam's 133-day "Pole-to-Pole Grand Voyage 2025" departs on January 25th (2025) and visits 68 ports (28 countries/5 continents). The south-north-south route features a Panama Canal transit, navigation along South America's west coast to Antarctica and the Falklands, then up and along South America's east coast (Argentina and Brazil/including cruising on Amazon River). Follows a Transatlantic crossing to Africa, northbound to Europe and up to Norway's Nordkapp/North Cape and the Norwegian Fjords, then westbound (crossing again the Atlantic Ocean) and via Iceland and Greenland back to North America/USA.

HAL's first "pole-to-pole cruise" also features 8 overnight ports (Fuerte Amador/Panama City, Callao-Lima, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona, Lisbon, Reykjavik).

Zuiderdam's 124-day "Grand World Voyage 2025" departs on January 4th (2025) and visits 46 ports (32 countries/6 continents). The east-to-west route features a Panama Canal transit, Transpacific crossing (via Easter Island) to Australia, then up (via the Great Barrier Reef) to Asia (Indonesia, Sri Lanka), then southwards to South Africa, up to Seychelles and along Africa's east coast. Follows a Suez Canal transit to Europe/Mediterranean and a Transatlantic crossing back to the USA.

Zuiderdam's World Voyage 2025 also features 9 overnight ports (Callao-Lima/2 nights for a visit to Machu Picchu, Hanga Roa/Easter Island, Papeete Tahiti, Sydney NSW, Singapore, Cape Town South Africa, Mombasa Kenya, Safaga-Luxor Egypt, Barcelona) as well as 7 late-night departures (Manta Ecuador, Seychelles, Cape Town, Durban, Aqaba-Petra Jordan, Civitavecchia-Rome, Gibraltar UK).

Both HAL ships also are scheduled to meet in Barcelona on April 24th (2025), for a joint overnight port stay with planned festivities to mark the unique occasion.

HAL cruise itineraries 2024-2025-2026 review

San Diego is HAL's principal West Coast USA homeport since the 1990s. HAL's 2023-2024 schedule includes two "solar eclipse" voyages (ms Koningsdam and ms Zaandam) for total viewing during the eclipse over Mexico on April 8th (2024). Zaandam's 14-day Solar "Eclipse Cruise" (departure March 30th, 2024) visits Mazatlan on April 8th. Koningsdam's 22-day "Solar Eclipse Cruise" (San Diego to Vancouver relocation itinerary) departs on April 5th and will be at sea on April 8th.

Pacific Coast, Mexico, Hawaii, and Panama Canal sailings are operated by 6 ships (39 departures), and are either San Diego roundtrips or begin/end in the port.

(Volendam) 12-day "Historic Baja & Sea of Cortez" voyage departs on December 10th, 2023, and explores Baha Peninsula. The roundtrip from San Diego visits La Paz, Loreto, and Vallarta.

Highlights of HAL's MEXICO 2024 program (all roundtrips from San Diego) include:

• 3 ships (Koningsdam, Volendam, Zaandam)
• all 7-day "Mexican Riviera" voyages feature calls at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.
• all 10-, 11- and 12-day itineraries include the ports on the 7-day voyage, plus a combination of Guaymas , Loreto , Manzanillo , La Paz (Pichilingue) , Santa Rosalia , Topolobampo , Zihuatanejo .
• a 5-day trip calls at Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.

Highlights of HAL's HAWAII 2024 program include:

• 2 ships (Koningsdam, Volendam)
• the itineraries are roundtrip from San Diego CA/Vancouver BC, or between Vancouver-San Diego.
• "Circle Hawaii" voyages range between 16-18 days:

17-day roundtrip from Vancouver with calls at Lahaina , Hilo , Honolulu , Kailua-Kona , and Nawiliwili, Hawaii . The 17-day roundtrip from San Diego also includes Ensenada .

16-day with calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu, Kona, and Ensenada.

18-day with calls at Lahaina, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight), Nawiliwili, Kona, and Ensenada.

HAL's 2024 Pacific Northwest and West Coast USA program features:

• 6 ships (Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Volendam, Zaandam)
• Itineraries are roundtrip from San Diego CA, roundtrip from Vancouver, or between Vancouver-San Diego.
• 2 one-day "Pacific Northwest" getaways are offered in October 2023 & May 2024 between Vancouver-Seattle aboard ms Eurodam.
• "Pacific Coast" itineraries are 4- and 5-day. The 4-day offers a call at Avalon (Santa Catalina Island CA) , Astoria Oregon , or 3 days at sea. The 5-day visits are a combination of Monterey CA , Santa Barbara , San Francisco CA , and Victoria BC Canada .
• "Classic California Coast"/"Wine Country and Pacific Northwest" are 6- or 7-day. Ports of call include a combination of Ensenada, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Victoria BC.
• a special 5-day itinerary roundtrip from Vancouver BC on April 30th calls at Ketchikan AK and Prince Rupert, BC Canada .

HAL's Panama Canal 2024 transition program features:

• 4 Panama Canal transit ships (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, Zaandam)
• voyages sail between Vancouver BC/ Seattle WA /San Diego and Fort Lauderdale Florida .
• Transits range between 14-22 days and visit Aruba, California, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Grand Turk.

Most Panama Canal sailings visit Half Moon Cay Bahamas . Passengers enjoy a daylight canal transit, with commentary on the open decks.

HAL's South America 2024-2025 program (November through March) offers to visit Antarctica's glaciers and the Amazon's lush jungles with the ship Oosterdam . Itineraries (14 to 22 days in length) offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences like Machu Pichu's ruins (from Cusco ) and circumnavigating Cape Horn en route to the Antarctic Peninsula .

The 14-day "South America Passage" itinerary offers overnight stays in Buenos Aires , visits ports in Chile, Argentina, Falkland Islands UK, and Uruguay, and features scenic cruising through the Chilean Fjords , Strait of Magellan, Beagle and Cockburn Channels/Glacier Alley Patagonia , and rounding Cape Horn.

The 17-day "Panama Canal and Inca Discovery" connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with a full transit through Panama Canal 's lakes and locks. The itinerary visits Grand Cayman, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, with an overnight at Fuerte Amador (Panama City), and two nights at Callao-Lima (Peru), allowing extra time for guests to take a land tour to Machu Pichu.

The 22-day "South America and Antarctica" itinerary offers four memorable days exploring Antarctica and ports in Uruguay, Argentina, Falkland Islands UK, and Chile, with scenic cruising through the Chilean fjords, Drake Passage , and Beagle Channel/Glacier Alley Patagonia.

The 27-day "Amazon Explorer Cruise" (ship Zaandam ) visits 12 ports in the Caribbean and Brazil,. The itinerary includes an overnight at Manaus/Amazonas , several days cruising along the Amazon River and two equator crossings.

HAL's 2024-2025 West Coast cruise season includes sailings from San Diego, California , and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada . These cruises offer guests the opportunity to explore various destinations without the need for international air travel, making it convenient for North American travelers. The cruise itineraries range from four-day voyages along the Pacific Coast to 21-day transits of the Panama Canal , with options for roundtrip cruises from San Diego or Vancouver, or cruises that begin or end in either of these two ports.

The itineraries are thoughtfully curated to include both popular and lesser-visited ports, showcasing the natural beauty, cultural diversity, and rich history of each region. Holland America Line is also featuring more Panama Canal Collectors' Voyages this season, which combine multiple itineraries into longer journeys ranging from 14 to 31 days, allowing guests to visit multiple regions in one trip at more economical fares compared to booking individual cruises.

Highlights of the 2024-2025 Mexico cruise season include itineraries on two ships, Koningsdam and Zaandam , with roundtrip cruises from San Diego. There are seven-day "Mexican Riviera" cruises that visit Puerto Vallarta , Mazatlan , and Cabo San Lucas , as well as a seven-day "Baja Peninsula and Sea of Cortez" itinerary that includes La Paz , Loreto , and Cabo San Lucas. There are also 10-day and 11-day itineraries that combine the ports from the seven-day itineraries with additional stops in Manzanillo, Mexico .

For the 2024-2025 Hawaii cruise season, Holland America Line offers cruises to Hawaii on Koningsdam and Zaandam, with roundtrip itineraries from either San Diego or Vancouver. These itineraries range from 16 to 18 days and include visits to various Hawaiian ports such as Honolulu , Lahaina , Hilo , and Kona , as well as Ensenada, Mexico . The overnight call at Honolulu allows guests extra time to explore popular sites such as Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head State Monument, or enjoy an authentic luau.

The 2024-2025 Pacific Northwest and Coast cruise season features five ships, including Eurodam , Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam , Westerdam , and Zaandam, sailing along the West Coast of the United States. Itineraries include roundtrip cruises from San Diego or Vancouver or cruises between Vancouver and San Diego. There are four to seven-day itineraries that visit ports such as Avalon , Santa Barbara , San Francisco , Astoria , and Victoria, offering opportunities to explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest and California coast.

For the 2024-2025 Panama Canal cruise season, Holland America Line offers three ships, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zaandam, with itineraries that sail between Vancouver, Seattle, San Diego, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Guests can enjoy a daylight transit of the Panama Canal with commentary on the open decks, providing insights into this amazing man-made marvel. The itineraries range from 14 to 21 days and include calls at various destinations such as Aruba, California, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Turks and Caicos. Many Panama Canal cruises also include a call at Half Moon Cay , Holland America Line's private island in the Bahamas, known for its pristine beaches and natural beauty.

HAL's 2025-2026  Panama Canal  and Hawaii cruises depart from 5 North American homeports, featuring sailings on 5 distinct ships. The upcoming season introduces 6 diverse Panama Canal cruises, boasting several inaugural experiences. Notable additions include the inclusion of the  port of Acajutla, El Salvador , on most Panama Canal sailings. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to embark on the Pinnacle-Class ship  Koningsdam  for its maiden transit through the canal. Furthermore,  Zuiderdam offers new departures from  Miami  for those seeking to traverse the canal aboard this vessel. Spanning from 15 to 22 days, these voyages cater to travelers seeking varied vacation durations.

In Hawaii, the debut of  Nieuw Amsterdam  marks a significant addition, as it offers roundtrip itineraries from  San Diego, California . Joining Nieuw Amsterdam are Koningsdam and  Zaandam , embarking on island-hopping adventures that typically include an overnight stay in  Honolulu , Hawaii's captivating capital. These Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises are available from October 2025 through April 2026, with durations ranging from 15 to 22 days.

Highlights of the 2025-2026 Panama Canal Cruise Season:

• Cruises available aboard  Eurodam , Koningsdam, and Zuiderdam.
• Departures from  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ;  Seattle, Washington ; San Diego, California; or Miami or  Fort Lauderdale, Florida .
• Daylight transit of the Panama Canal with informative commentary on open decks.
• Itineraries include calls in Aruba, California, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Turks and Caicos.
• Select sailings offer multiple embarkation or disembarkation options, such as Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, Seattle, or Vancouver.
• Select cruises include a call at Acajutla, a new port for Holland America Line, offering excursions to well-preserved Mayan ruins, volcanoes, and cacao plantations, as well as opportunities to explore El Salvador further.
• Many itineraries feature a visit to  Half Moon Cay , Holland America Line's private island in the Bahamas.

Highlights of the 2025-2026 Hawaii Cruise Season:

• Cruises aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zaandam, with Nieuw Amsterdam making its Hawaii debut.
• Guests sailing on Nieuw Amsterdam can indulge in the culinary delights of the ship's newest restaurant, Morimoto by Sea. Guests on Koningsdam or Zaandam can enjoy the restaurant menu during special pop-up dinners.
• Itineraries range from roundtrip voyages from San Diego to Vancouver, or from Vancouver to San Diego.
• The 17-day "Circle Hawaii" itinerary from Vancouver to San Diego visits  Nawiliwili ,  Kahului ,  Hilo , Honolulu (overnight), and  Kona . The roundtrip from San Diego includes an overnight or late departure from Honolulu, a call to  Ensenada, Mexico , and additional Hawaiian ports.
• The 18-day "Circle Hawaii" itinerary, roundtrip from San Diego or Vancouver, includes stops at Kahului, Hilo, Honolulu (overnight), Nawiliwili, and Kona. The roundtrip from San Diego adds a call at Ensenada, while the roundtrip from Vancouver includes  Victoria, Canada .

HAL's Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons for 2025-2026 offer extended visits to distinctive ports such as  Loreto  and  Topolobampo  in Mexico, alongside a novel 7-day Great Bear Rainforest itinerary, a rarely explored route highlighting the natural beauty of British Columbia, Canada. These cruises operate from August 2025 to May 2026, ranging from single-day trips to 29-day Collectors' Voyages.

Known for its prominence in cruising in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Holland America Line introduces a 7-day "Great Bear Rainforest" itinerary, departing on October 5, 2025, and April 19, 2026, aboard  ms Noordam . This journey provides travelers seeking an intimate experience with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, nature, and unique wildlife of  Ketchikan, Alaska , and  Prince Rupert ,  Nanaimo , and  Victoria  in British Columbia. Departing from  Seattle, Washington , the roundtrip voyage includes stops in Ketchikan before venturing south to explore various ports in British Columbia, with an overnight stay in Prince Rupert. The ship then embarks on a scenic cruise through Greenville Channel, past Bella Bella's First Nations village, Johnstone Strait, and Seymour Narrows, offering guests a chance to observe wildlife such as whales, eagles, and the rare Kermode bear, known as the spirit bear. A maiden call at Nanaimo and visits to popular Victoria allow guests to immerse themselves in diverse communities in British Columbia.

Additional itineraries along the Pacific Coast showcase the region's stunning landscapes, sailing from  San Diego, California , to Seattle or  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada . These cruises include stops at popular ports like  Astoria, Oregon ,  Santa Barbara, California , and  Ensenada, Mexico , with select itineraries featuring overnight stays in  San Francisco, California .

For those seeking sunny escapes, Holland America Line's Mexico season offers roundtrip cruises from San Diego or between San Diego and Vancouver, stopping at iconic Mexican ports like  Cabo San Lucas  and  Puerto Vallarta , as well as lesser-known destinations such as  Guaymas  and  Santa Rosalia, Mexico . Late-night stops in  Loreto  and  Topolobampo  provide opportunities for exploration and scenic appreciation.

Highlights of the 2025-2026 Pacific Coast Season include a variety of itineraries on  Eurodam ,  Koningsdam ,  Nieuw Amsterdam , Noordam, and  Zaandam , ranging from one-day getaways to longer voyages. The Mexico Season, featuring Nieuw Amsterdam and Zaandam, offers 7-day "Mexican Riviera" and "Baja Peninsula" cruises, among others.

Alaska 2024-2025 voyages and cruisetours

A new 28-day Arctic Circle itinerary leads the 2024 Alaska season sailings. The cruise by ms Westerdam from Seattle WA departs on June 9th, 2024, in time for the summer solstice and features 12 Alaskan ports.

Two 14-day sailings from Vancouver BC Canada cover 8 ports in Alaska, with departures by ms Nieuw Amsterdam on May 5th and ms Noordam on September 15th.

The program also includes 117x 7-day voyages (ms Eurodam, ms Koningsdam, and ms Zaandam) between April-September 2024.

All HAL Alaskan voyages visit one or more of the glacier destinations: College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park , Hubbard Glacier , and Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm .

HAL's Alaska 2025 schedule (April thru October) was open for booking in July 2023. The program is based on 6 ships (Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, Zaandam) and roundtrip itineraries leaving from homeports Seattle WA and Vancouver BC Canada; or between Whittier/Anchorage AK and Vancouver BC.

Signature itineraries include 28-day “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice Cruise" (ship Westerdam/June 8, 2025), 14-day “Great Alaskan Explorer” (Vancouver roundtrip), 7-day "Glacier Discovery” (Northbound and Southbound itineraries between Whittier and Vancouver, ships Noordam, Nieuw Amsterdam). 7-day “Alaska Inside Passage Cruise” (Vancouver roundtrip, ships Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Zaandam), 7-day “Alaskan Explorer” (Seattle roundtrip, ships Eurodam, Westerdam).

HAL's Alaska Cruisetours 2024 program features the new "Klondike Gold Tour" (in Dawson City, Yukon Canada) and upgraded accommodations at McKinley Chalet Resort (in Denali NP). As part of the resort's enhancements, 28x river-view accommodations received step-out balconies, all (84x) Denali Suites were completely refurbished, and a new Deluxe Room category was introduced (45x non-balcony accommodations) offering suite amenities.

• HAL's "Klondike Gold Tour" is complimentary for all tourists booked on select "Alaska Denali and Yukon Cruisetours". The land tour offers exploration of the Discovery Claim National Historic Site (where the Klondike Gold Rush started in 1896) and the "Gold Dredge 4" along Bonanza Creek Road 13 (utilized for gold mining in the period 1913-1959).
• HAL also introduced Klondike Gold Rush-themed onboard activities and shore excursions in Skagway (visiting the Gold Rush Training Camp, engaging in gold panning, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad travel to Liarsville Gold Camp, exploring the Gold Rush Cemetery and Historic Skagway Inn/the city's largest brothel during that era).

HAL's Alaska 2024 Yukon and Denali Cruisetours have durations of 9 to 18 days and encompass either a 3- or 4-day "Inside Passage Cruise" (ships Koningsdam or Zaandam) or a 7-day "Glacier Discovery Cruise" (ships Nieuw Amsterdam or Noordam), along with a 2- or 3-night stay at Denali NP and additional city visits.

Canada and New England USA 2024-2025 program

HAL's 2024 Canada and New England program groups 29 voyages (ranging from 7-day getaways to longer itineraries) and is based on homeporting in Boston (Massachusetts USA) . An extended roundtrip-Boston itinerary visits destinations in Iceland and Greenland.

The season runs from April thru October (2024) and two ships ( Volendam and Zuiderdam ) sail on a series of mainly 7-day "Canada and New England Discovery" voyages. Volendam's longer (10- and 11-day) voyages visit Newfoundland, while a 24-day itinerary adds Greenland plus a circumnavigation of Iceland.

A 24-day voyage (departing on July 27th on Volendam) sails roundtrip from Boston and circumnavigates Iceland. The trip visits 6 ports in Iceland plus 10 others (in Maine USA, Canada's Nova Scotia, Labrador, Newfoundland, and Greenland).

Volendam is scheduled to sail between Boston and Montreal (Quebec Canada) in the summer and fall (2024) on a series of 7-day "Canada & New England Discovery" itineraries. With weekend departures, they visit Bar Harbor , Quebec City , Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) , Sydney NS , and Halifax .

Zuiderdam's 7-day "Canada and New England Discovery" itinerary is between Boston and Quebec City, with weekend departures from/overnight stay in Quebec City (at the beginning/end of the trip) and call ports Bar Harbor, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax.

Volendam's 7-day "Historic Coasts" roundtrip from Boston departs on July 20th and visits Portland, Bar Harbor, Saint John NB , Halifax, Sydney.

Volendam's longer "Newfoundland & New England Discovery" itineraries (between Boston and Montreal) are with lengths 10 days (Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Corner Brook, St. John's, Halifax, Portland) and 11-days (Portland, Saint John, Corner Brook, Charlottetown, Saguenay).

Holland America's Volendam and Zuiderdam ships are small enough to cruise the Saint Lawrence River and visit Quebec City and Montreal on nearly every voyage.

Volendam's 13- and 14-day relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) are along the Atlantic Coast and between Quebec Canada and Florida USA (Montreal to Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades ) in 2024 (April and October). Both sailings include an overnight in Quebec City.

Zuiderdam's 11-day Atlantic Coast repositioning (Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale) in October (2024) adds Charleston (South Carolina) .

HAL's 2025 Canada and New England Season offers longer voyages, maiden ports, and a 25-day "Legendary Voyage" to Greenland and Iceland. MS Zuiderdam and MS Volendam provide a range of cruises exploring Canada, New England, Greenland, and Iceland from May to October.

MS Zuiderdam offers 7-day departures showcasing the Atlantic Coast's seafood, maritime history, charming towns, and natural beauty. Volendam's itineraries last ten to eleven days, emphasizing English and French influences at various ports, including fall foliage in September.

MS Volendam's 25-day "Canada, New England, Greenland, and Iceland" Legendary Voyage departs from Boston MA on July 12, featuring stops in Iceland, Greenland, Maine, and Canada, including a new port in Eastport, Maine .

Zuiderdam's 7-day itineraries include "Canada & New England: UNESCO Sites & Quebecois Nights" and "Canada & New England Circle: New Brunswick" between Boston and Quebec City , with late-night departures on select dates.

Volendam offers 10- and 11-day itineraries between Boston and Montreal during the summer and fall. An 11-day "Canada and New England Circle" itinerary is added, departing from Boston or Montreal and visiting various ports.

Repositioning cruises of 14 days are available between Montreal and Fort Lauderdale , including the maiden port of Yorktown (Williamsburg) . Zuiderdam offers a 15-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Quebec City in May, with late-night departures from Newport, Maine, and Charlottetown .

GRAND / COLLECTORS' VOYAGES 2024-2025 (Australia and New Zealand)

In Sept 2022 HAL announced the 94-day "Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage 2024" (San Diego roundtrip on MS Volendam ), leaving on January 3, 2024.

The 3-month-long Australian expedition features 43x total call ports, two Transpacific crossings (via Hawaii), visiting Indonesia's Komodo Island , cruising the Great Barrier Reef (2x days), 4x overnight port stays ( Fremantle-Perth , Sydney NSW , Auckland NZ , Papeete Tahiti ), cruising NZ's Fiordland NP (Milford Sound cruising).

GRAND VOYAGE 2024 includes two shorter itinerary segments - 58-day San Diego to Sydney NSW, and the return 36-day Sydney to San Diego.

The 14-day itineraries aboard  Noordam (November 2025 to March 2026) provide seamless travel between Australia and New Zealand, allowing guests to experience the best destinations in the region while enjoying Holland America Line's renowned service and authentic, localized programming. The introduction of New Collectors' Voyages combines a 2-week cruise with an epic Legendary Voyage to the South Pacific, extending vacation options up to 50 days across multiple cruising regions.

Departing from  Sydney, Australia , or sailing between Sydney and  Auckland, New Zealand , Holland America Line's Australia and New Zealand cruises offer a variety of highlights for guests to enjoy:

• All cruises are aboard Noordam.
• 14-day "Australia and New Zealand" itineraries between Sydney and Auckland, with departures in November, February, and March.
• 14-day "New Zealand Discovery" roundtrip from Sydney departing on December 7, 2025.
• 14-day "South Australia Discovery Holiday" roundtrip from Sydney departing on December 21, 2025.
• All itineraries featuring New Zealand include scenic cruising in the picturesque Milford Sound within  Fiordland National Park .

Guests can indulge in the Holland America Line's Global Fresh Fish Program, offering native fresh fish and local ingredients onboard, including New Zealand green-lipped mussels, Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, Sydney rock oysters, and Tasmanian meat pies.

Noordam is due to host 5 Collectors' Voyages, combining back-to-back, non-repeating itineraries for a seamless exploration of multiple areas:

• 41-day "South Pacific Crossing & New Zealand" Collectors' Voyage from  Seattle, Washington , to Auckland, departing on October 12, 2025.
• 28-day "New Zealand & South Australia Discovery" Collectors' Voyage roundtrip from Sydney, departing on December 7, 2025.
• 42-day "South Australia & South Pacific Islands" Collectors' Voyage from Sydney to Auckland, departing on December 21, 2025.
• 42-day "South Pacific Islands & New Zealand" Collectors' Voyage roundtrip from Sydney, departing on January 4, 2026.
• 50-day "New Zealand & South Pacific Crossing" Collectors' Voyage from Auckland to Seattle, departing on March 1, 2026.

EUROPE 2024-2025

HAL's Northern Europe 2024 schedule (April thru November) lists 4x boats (Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Zuiderdam) and 7- to 35-day itineraries.

The program is based on 11x departure ports (Amsterdam, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Civitavecchia-Rome, Trieste-Venice, Piraeus-Athens, Reykjavik, and the USA"s Fort Lauderdale FL and Boston MA) and 9x overnight ports (Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Marghera-Venice, Haifa, Istanbul, Reykjavik, Piraeus, Rhodes, Valletta) and 33 late-evening departure ports.

The destinations include Baltic-Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany), Iberia-Canary Islands, Mediterranean (also Holy Land/Israel), as well as Atlantic Europe (UK-British Isles, Iceland and Greenland). Mediterranean itineraries (7- to 14-day) visit ports and islands in Greece, Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Adriatic (Italy, Croatia, Montenegro), France, and Spain.

Two HAL liners in 2024 (Nieuw Statendam in April, and Zuiderdam in May) have scheduled Transatlantic crossings between Europe and North America (USA and Canada) along the way visiting North Atlantic destinations in Greenland and Iceland, Bermuda, the UK (England, Scotland, Ireland, Guernsey), Northern Ireland, France, Belgium, Norway.

HAL's 2025 European season has many longer (over 10 days) voyages, more sailings to Iceland, and a total of 62 overnight port calls or late-night departures. Europe 2025 schedule features Port Rotterdam as a homeport of 2 ships (ms Rotterdam, ms Nieuw Statendam) for roundtrips to Northern Europe/Baltic. The program also introduces itineraries to Holy Land , Iberia, Iceland and the UK. The 28-day Legendary Voyage "Arctic Circle Crossing" visits Greenland, Iceland, North Cape , and Scotland.

From April to November (2025), 3 ships (Oosterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam) have a full European season, while ms Zuiderdam sails the popular 35-day "Voyage of the Vikings". The itineraries range from 7 to 42 days, prioritizing destinations in Northern Europe/Baltic, British Isles, Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean.

Key highlights of HAL's 2025 Europe season include:

• 10x homeports/departure cities
• 11x overnight ports
• 32x late-night departures
• Northern Europe deployment - 2 ships (Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam)
• Mediterranean ship - Oosterdam
• Canary Islands ship - Nieuw Statendam (a 14-day voyage)
• Transatlantic "Voyage of the Vikings" (ship Zuiderdam, also offered in smaller segments)

Collectors' Voyages are B2Bs/combined itineraries allowing tourists to spend more time in Europe.

CARIBBEAN 2024-2025 itinerary program

HAL's Caribbean program is based mainly on ex-Florida roundtrips (7- to 21 days) and 6 ships - all leaving from homeport Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale Florida .

The program (running between October and April) features voyages that offer a day cruising in the Panama Canal's Gatun Lake . All the 6x HAL Caribbean ships (Nieuw Rotterdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam, Zaandam) visit the private island Half Moon Cay Bahamas.

• 3-4-5-day "Bahamas Sampler" itinerary to Half Moon Cay and Nassau (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" itinerary to Grand Turk, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI and Half Moon Cay (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 7-8-day "Western Caribbean" itinerary to Belize City, Falmouth Jamaica, Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, Cozumel Mexico, Half Moon Cay and Nassau (ships Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 7-9-10-11-14-day "Southern Caribbean" itinerary to Amber Cove Dominicana, Bridgetown Barbados, Oranjestad Aruba, Kralendijk Bonaire, Willemstad Curacao, Philipsburg St Maarten, Fort-de-France Martinique, Castries St Lucia, Basseterre St Kitts, Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe, St Georges Grenada, Port-of-Spain Trinidad, Half Moon Cay, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam)
• 6-7-day "Tropical Caribbean" itinerary to Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay (ships Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Rotterdam)
• 10-11-day "Partial Panama Canal" itinerary to Cartagena Colombia, Colon Panama, Puerto Limon Costa Rica, Oranjestad Aruba, Half Moon Cay, Panama Canal partial transit (ship Eurodam)

Many Caribbean itineraries can be extended/combined into B2Bs (Collectors Voyages) and booked as discount-priced B2Bs/back-to-backs ranging between 13-21 days.

7x HAL ships (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Zuiderdam, Zaandam) are deployed in the Caribbean in 2022-2023 offering 5- to 14-day roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale. Some of the island-hopping itineraries include a day of scenic cruising in Panama Canal's Gatun Lake ) and all call at Half Moon Cay.

Eastern Caribbean

• 7-day (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam, Zuiderdam, Rotterdam) with call ports Grand Turk, San Juan, St Thomas USVI, Half Moon Cay
• 5-day (Nieuw Amsterdam) with call ports Amber Cove, Half Moon Cay

Western Caribbean

• 7-day (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Zuiderdam, Rotterdam) with call ports Cozumel, Falmouth or Ocho Rios, George Town/Grand Cayman, Key West FL, Half Moon Cay

Southern Caribbean

• 7-day (Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Zuiderdam) with call ports Oranjestad Aruba, Willemstad Curacao, Half Moon Cay
• 9-10-11-14-day (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam, Zaandam, Rotterdam) visit the islands St Kitts, Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique, Bonaire, St Maarten, St Georges, Amber Cove Dominicana, Aruba, Curacao, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI

Tropical Caribbean

• 7-day (Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam) with call ports Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Key West

Longer Caribbean itineraries are scheduled for winter 2024-2025, including visits to Bermuda. The program is based on two homeports - Boston (Massachusetts) and Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale (Florida) , 5- to 21-day itineraries, and partial Panama Canal transits ( Gatun Lake ).

In the Caribbean (October 2024 thru March 2025), HAL has 6 ships (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Zuiderdam). Most roundtrips are from Florida (Fort Lauderdale), and two new itineraries are out of Boston. Most voyages visit Half Moon Cay Bahamas. Evening departures from Aruba, Curacao, Puerto Rico, and St Maarten are scheduled for selected/longer itineraries visiting more islands.

Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific 2024-2025 itinerary program

In the 2024-2025 season, HAL is offering 3 of its ships to explore the stunning landscapes and natural wonders of Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. MS Westerdam is stationed in the region, while ms Koningsdam and ms Zaandam embark on longer Legendary Voyages to the South Pacific and Hawaii.

Westerdam kicks off her journey with a westward South Pacific crossing in October 2024, followed by the iconic Australia Circumnavigation. From December 2024 to March 2025, the ship operates a series of 14-day departures from Sydney, Australia , or between Auckland, New Zealand , and Sydney. Zaandam's "Tales of the South Pacific" voyage in September 2024 takes passengers from Vancouver, Canada , to San Diego, California , or on a roundtrip from San Diego. Koningsdam's "Hawaii, Tahiti, and Marquesas" voyage in February 2025 is a roundtrip from San Diego.

Holland America Line's Legendary Voyages are extended journeys lasting from 25 to 59 days, combining the elegance of a Grand Voyage with itineraries that feature an extensive selection of ports to enhance the experience in each destination. Most of these Legendary Voyages sail roundtrip or to/from a North American homeport, allowing travelers the convenience of seeing the world from their doorstep with a domestic flight and easy embarkation.

The Australia and New Zealand 2024-2025 Season offers several exciting highlights, which include:

• A remarkable 35-day "Australia Circumnavigation" voyage departing on November 17, 2024. This roundtrip journey from Sydney aboard Westerdam takes guests to 16 ports around the continent of Australia, featuring scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef , Ribbon Reef, Far North Regions, and a visit to Komodo Island . Overnight stays are enjoyed at Fremantle (Perth), Australia , and Hobart, Tasmania , with a late-night departure from Adelaide.
• From January to March 2025, Westerdam presents 14-day "Australia and New Zealand" cruises between Auckland and Sydney. These sailings encompass six ports in New Zealand and include a call at Hobart. All itineraries offer scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park , while select dates also feature an exploration of Milford Sound.
• An exceptional 14-day "New Zealand Holiday" cruise, departing on December 22, 2024, is available as a roundtrip journey from Sydney. Guests have the opportunity to spend the holidays exploring 6 ports across New Zealand, including an overnight call at Wellington . The holiday itinerary also includes scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.

The South Pacific 2024-2025 Season offers several exciting highlights, including:

• A remarkable voyage called "Tales of the South Pacific" aboard Zaandam is available as a 51-day or 56-day itinerary. The 51-day journey departs from San Diego on September 30, 2024, and returns to the same port. Alternatively, the 56-day cruise begins in Vancouver and concludes in San Diego, departing on September 25. This expedition takes passengers on a counterclockwise route around the South Pacific, featuring 20 stops at various destinations such as Hawaii, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Cook and Society Islands, Marquesas, and Tahiti. Guests have ample time to explore with overnight stays in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Papeete, Tahiti, as well as late-night departures from Honolulu and Suva, Fiji.
• Westerdam presents a 23-day "South Pacific Crossing" from Seattle, Washington , to Sydney, departing on October 24, 2024. This Pacific Ocean crossing encompasses seven ports in Hawaii, New Caledonia, Fiji, and American Samoa.
• Koningsdam offers a 35-day "Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas" journey departing on February 15, 2025, from San Diego and returning to the same port. This roundtrip expedition makes four stops in Hawaii and 6 additional island visits in the South Pacific. Noteworthy overnight stays include Honolulu , Raiatea , Moorea , and Papeete .
• Westerdam presents another remarkable option with a 29-day "South Pacific Crossing" from Sydney to Vancouver, departing on March 30, 2025. This itinerary showcases 12 ports in Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia. Guests enjoy an overnight stay in Honolulu and late-night departures from Lahaina and Kona in Hawaii, as well as Suva in Fiji and Noumea in New Caledonia.

The Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific Collectors' Voyages range from 43 to 58 days. These voyages offer a combination of back-to-back itineraries without repeating ports, providing guests with an extensive and varied journey. Additionally, these voyages offer exceptional value per day for guests.

Asia 2024-2025 itinerary program

HAL's 2024-2025 Asian season is based on homeporting in Hong Kong China , Yokohama-Tokyo Japan and Singapore .

MS Noordam sails 9 different 14-day itineraries around Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia. The voyages feature late-night departures and overnight ports allowing extra time for sampling the local culture, cuisine, and nightlife of the region.

MS Westerdam sails Asia on a 53-day Legendary Voyage ("Majestic Japan") roundtrip from Seattle WA . Travelers can visit the Far East with a North American flight, easy embarkation, and a jetlag-free journey spanning several time zones.

Longer Legendary Voyages on 2 ships:

• LEGENDARY VOYAGE: 53-/52-day "Majestic Japan" aboard ms Westerdam departing September 1 or 2, 2024, either roundtrip Seattle or between Vancouver BC Canada and Seattle. Featuring 21 ports, 13 calls throughout Japan, and overnights at Yokohama-Tokyo, Kobe, and Honolulu Hawaii .
• LEGENDARY VOYAGE: 28-day "Coral Triangle, Volcanoes and The Great Barrier Reef" departing January 5, 2025, roundtrip from Singapore aboard ms Noordam that explores 10 ports in 5 countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines, with scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef , Torres Strait, and past Kumba and Krakatau volcanoes.

Highlights of HAL's Asia 2024-2025 season include:

ms Noordam (deployment September 2024-April 2025) offers overnights in Yokohama, Kobe-Osaka, Laem Chabang-Bangkok, and Da Nang. The voyages visit 49 ports, including 24 in Japan.

• 13-day "North Pacific Crossing" from Vancouver to Yokohama (Sept 29, 2024)
• 14-day "Circle Japan" roundtrip from Yokohama (3 itineraries)
• 14-day "Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines" from Yokohama to Singapore
• 14-day "Far East Discovery" from Hong Kong to Singapore
• 14-day "Far East Discovery Holiday" roundtrip from Singapore
• 14-day "Indonesian Discovery"
• 14-day "Japan and Taiwan" roundtrip from Yokohama
• 14-day "Japan and South Korea Discovery" roundtrip from Yokohama.

Asia Collectors' Voyages offer an ideal option for enthusiastic adventurers who desire a more extensive cruise experience, ranging from 27 to 42 days. These voyages are tailored for guests who want to explore various destinations without repeating itineraries, providing excellent value per day.

HAL's extended Legendary Voyages (25 to 59 days) combine a Grand Voyage with carefully curated itineraries. Most of these Legendary Voyages are roundtrips with one-way routes to/from a North American homeport, allowing travelers to embark on a global adventure conveniently starting from their own doorstep, with the added convenience of domestic flights.

Panama Canal Sunfarer itinerary

HAL is among the few companies that offer partial Panama Canal cruises (ships Eurodam and Volendam) that combine popular Caribbean islands with Panama's Gatun Lake . The itinerary's "Panama Canal" segment features passing through the Gatun Locks and sailing in the Gatun Lake.

Next table shows the "Panama Canal Sunfarer" itinerary (11-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale ).

Prices vary between USD 750-1200 per person (with double occupancy) depending on ship and dates/season.

Holland America Line itinerary changes, ship deployments, homeports

IMPORTANT: In July 2020, MS Amsterdam (now Bolette) and ms Rotterdam (now Borealis) were sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines .

IMPORTANT: In July 2020, MS Maasdam (now CFC Renaissance) and MS Veendam (now Aegean Majesty) were sold to Seajets Greece.

Holland America Line's itineraries themed "Signature Experiences"

HAL's new culturally themed "Signature Experiences" are available on select voyages departing out of Montreal (Quebec Canada) and in Europe - from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Civitavecchia-Rome and Venice.

• These are pre-cruise packages created exclusively for HAL with included evening event (themed on culture or culinary), 2-night luxury hotel stay and bus transfers to the cruise ship. Guests booking a suite cabin on these eligible cruises receive the package complimentarily, but as space is limited reservations are required.
• The pre-cruise "Signature Experiences" tour packages for non-suite passengers as prices range between USD 700-1000 per person (double occupancy). Taxes and port fees are additional.
• "Taste of Montreal" pre-cruise tour package is on select Canada New England cruises from Montreal. The tour visits the city's most popular sights. The package also includes a 2-night hotel stay and complimentary ship transfers. HAL passengers visit Place Ville Marie and its observation deck (Au Sommet Place Ville Marie) for fabulous city views. The tour culminates with the Pointe-a-Calliere museum where a private party with appetizers and an open bar is held.
• Port of Amsterdam Holland - the pre-cruise tour package includes an evening at Rijksmuseum - after-hours private tour, cocktail reception with hors-d'oeuvres in the museum's foyer, Rijksmuseum Honor Gallery tour, followed by a 3-course dinner in its cafe.
• Port Barcelona Spain - the pre-cruise tour package includes an evening at Casa Batllo - private tour, followed by an informal dinner with tapas and drinks while enjoying flamenco music by Son de Cajon.
• Port Copenhagen Denmark - the pre-cruise tour package includes a night at Kronborg Castle (UNESCO Heritage Site) where guests are entertained by local actors providing a history of Shakespeare's Hamlet, then follow appetizers and beverages.
• Port Civitavecchia (Rome Italy) - the pre-cruise tour package "A Night Out in Ancient Rome" includes an evening at Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi. The formal dinner is on a terrace overlooking the Roman Forum. After in appetizers and prosecco, guests enjoy a private tour of the Colosseum lead by an expert guide.
• Port Venice Italy - the pre-cruise tour package "An Evening on the Grand Canal" includes an evening canal cruise to the entrance of a privately owned palace overlooking the Grand Canal. The guests enjoy a formal dinner with appetizers, drinks, and live music, all in the company of the countess or member of her noble family.

Signature Experiences" pre-cruise tour packages for departure ports in Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Asia will be added soon.

HAL's 2023 Grand World Voyage, 2023 Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage

HAL's world cruises (themed "2022 Grand Africa Voyage", "2023 Grand World Voyage" and "2023 Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage") range from 71 to 127 days and visit destinations across 6 continents. All itineraries are roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) .

Grand Africa Voyage 2022

• 71 days departing October 10, 2022, and sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale FL aboard ms Zaandam on clockwise navigation around the continent.
• 4 overnights: Aqaba-Petra, Cape Town (two nights), Zanzibar, and Victoria (Mahe Island)
• 25 ports in 21 different countries and territories
• daylight Suez Canal transit en route to Aqaba, Jordan
• safari and wildlife opportunities
• 2 days at Cape Town to explore Table Mountain, Kulala Desert Lodge, Chapman's Peak Drive, Nelson Mandela's prison cell.

Grand World Voyage 2023

• 127 days departing January 3, 2023, aboard ms Zaandam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale FL on an itinerary that circles the globe on a westwardly route.
• ms Zaandam crosses the South Pacific to Australia and New Zealand before sailing up Africa's west coast and heading to Northern Europe.
• 61 ports in 30 different countries and island nations
• 8 overnights: Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Papeete, Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Fremantle (Perth), Cape Town, and Amsterdam
• 20 calls around Africa with opportunities for safari experiences.

Grand South America and Antarctica 2023

• 74 days departing January 3, 2023, aboard ms Volendam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale FL on an itinerary circling the continent on a counterclockwise route.
• 34 ports in 16 different countries and island nations across 2 continents
• 5 overnights: Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Manaus and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Buenos Aires (2 nights); Callao (Lima, 2 nights)
• Daylight Panama Canal transit and opportunities to visit the Galapagos Islands , Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Iguazu Falls.
• 4 days of scenic cruising in Antarctica
• scenic cruising including the Chilean Fjords, Cape Horn, Amalia or Brujo Glacier, Strait of Magellan, Cockburn and Beagle channels.
• 12 calls in Brazil and Amazon River cruising (inland) to Manaus.

HAL cruises to Cuba

HAL scheduled cruises to Cuba leaving roundtrip from Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) on MS Veendam .

HAL's 7-11-12-days long Cuban itineraries also visited other Caribbean ports of call. Prices started at USD 900 per person with double occupancy (inside cabin rates).

Note: According to the current Cuban law, US citizens of Cuban origin (born in Cuba) are not allowed to visit the island country (including on cruise ships). Regardless of their US citizenship status, Cuba-born Americans were denied booking on cruise itineraries visiting ports in Cuba. However, the situation changed in April 2016, after Carnival Corporation negotiated with the Cuban government for allowing ships with Cuban-born passengers, as such US citizens are allowed to visit the country on USA-Cuba charter flights. The Carnival-fathom line started Miami to Cuba cruises in May 2016.

Alaska Airlines offers regular nonstop flights to Havana from Los Angeles (California USA). An 80-min ling JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Havana costs less than USD 100. Previously, air travel from the USA to Cuba was thought charter flights only.

On June 4, 2019, the US Government announced new regulations (economic sanctions) that ended group travel to Cuba, including via US-homeported cruise liners, effective immediately. The ban relates to "private and corporate aircraft, cruise ships, sailboats, fishing boats, and other similar aircraft and vessels". The US travel restrictions impacted hundreds of pre-scheduled cruise itineraries, which were adjusted to no longer stop in Cuban seaports.

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Home » Cruise » Holland America Line » Holland America Cruise Ships: Newest to Oldest

Holland America Cruise Ships: Newest to Oldest

For those considering a cruise with this historic brand, we have put together this guide to Holland America cruise ships: newest to oldest.

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Founded in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1873, Holland America Line was originally a Dutch shipping company that played a major role in transporting hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Europe to the United States in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries. 

Today, Holland America is a U.S.-based cruise line that sails to destinations worldwide, including Asia, Australia, and Alaska. Known for its comprehensive land-and-sea packages, Holland America is a cruise line that dedicates a lot of its focus to destination immersion and onboard cultural enrichment. With the line’s Grand Voyages and new Legendary Voyages, guests can “linger longer”. Holland America has also been sailing in Alaska for 75 years, which is more than any other cruise line.

As a nod to its heritage, the cruise line still maintains the practice of giving its ships Dutch names. Many of the names have been recycled in the company’s 150-year history and most derive from directional terms, cities, or landmarks. The line also incorporates touches of the Netherlands across its fleet, like at its traditional dining venue the Grand Dutch Café. 

For those considering a cruise with this historic brand, we have put together this guide to Holland America cruise ships from newest to oldest.

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Complete Guide to Holland America Cruise Ships

Who owns holland america line.

Holland America Line has been a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc since 1989 and is headquartered in Seattle. Sister companies include Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises , among others.

How many Holland America cruise ships are there?

Holland America Line currently operates a fleet of 11 ships built over the course of 22 years — between 1999 and 2021.

How big are Holland America ships?

Despite a slight increase in size with each new build, these ships remain squarely mid-sized by industry standards. They feature 10 to 12 decks each and an average capacity of just over 2,000 passengers. Holland America’s ships — most notably the line’s oldest vessels — and are known for their relatively intimate atmosphere. Still, the cruise line’s more modern Pinnacle-class ships are about 39 percent larger than its oldest and smallest R-Class vessels.

What is the average age of a Holland America cruise ship?

The average age of a Holland America ship is about 15 years old. While the line’s three Pinnacle-class ships were built between 2016 and 2021, nearly half of the fleet was originally built about 20 or more years ago.

Despite their age, Holland America ships have been thoroughly renovated over the decades to include new and updated spaces and amenities in addition to routine refurbishments to carpets, soft furnishings and other cosmetic features. For example, Volendam – the company’s oldest ship — was last refurbished in 2019 to include an expanded spa, a new bar complex called The Mix, and a series of Lanai Suites on the Promenade Deck.

Holland America makes a regular practice of selling off its oldest vessels to maintain a modern fleet. Most recently, the cruise line sold Maasdam (1993) to a Greek ferry operator in 2020.

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What is the newest Holland America cruise ship?

The newest Holland America cruise ship at publication is Rotterdam, launched in 2021. Rotterdam is also the fleet’s largest vessel. The long lineage of Holland America Line includes a handful of other vessels that have been named Rotterdam — the cruise line’s founding city and a main shipping hub — over the years.

There are currently no ships on order by Holland America, which means the timeline for another new ship joining the fleet is uncertain.

Holland America Cruise Ships By Age: Ranked Newest to Oldest

• Rotterdam —  2021  (99,863 GRT | 2,650 passengers)
• Nieuw Statendam —  2018  (99,863 GRT | 2,650 passengers)
• Koningsdam —  2016  (99,863 GRT | 2,650 passengers)
• Nieuw Amsterdam —  2010  (86,700 GRT | 2,106 passengers)
• Eurodam —  2008  (86,273 GRT | 2,104 passengers)
• Noordam –  2006  (82,318 GRT | 1,924 passengers)
• Westerdam —  2004  (82,305 GRT | 1,916 passengers)
• Oosterdam —  2003  (82,305 GRT | 1,916 passengers)
• Zuiderdam —  2002  (82,305 GRT | 1,916 passengers)
• Zaandam –  2000  (61,396 GRT | 1,432 passengers)
• Volendam —  1999  (61,214 GRT | 1,432 passengers)

Which ship classes does Holland America have?

Holland America Line’s fleet of 11 ships is divided into four ship classes.

Pinnacle Class

Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam

The ships of Holland America’s Pinnacle Class reflect the cruise line’s embrace of a more modern take on entertainment, dining, and nightlife. Beginning in 2016 with Koningsdam, this class of ship boasts more amenities, like a state-of-the-art theater encircled by 270-degree LED screens, across more square footage. All three ships in this class are identical in size and passenger capacity.

With the additional space across 13 decks, existing venues like Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant have been expanded. A standout for cruisers aboard these ships is the line’s now-signature Music Walk, featuring branded venues like B.B. King’s Blues Club and Billboard Onboard, as well as the Rolling Stone Rock Room. With nightly offerings of live rock and blues as well as dueling pianos, this hub of the ship comes alive by night as a great place to dance, unwind, or grab a drink.

Another feature that debuted with Pinnacle ships is more stateroom accommodations serving solo cruisers , including cabins with an ocean view. For fresh ocean air, Pinnacle-class cruisers can indulge in The Retreat, a private outdoor sun deck that comes with an entry fee.

Signature Class

Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam

Holland America’s Signature Class embodies the line’s two ships built in 2008 and 2010, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. In the years since construction, these 11-deck ships both received retrofits that have introduced music and entertainment venues found on the newer Pinnacle Class. This includes a recent fleetwide inclusion of pickleball courts . In that sense, they have a similar feel to the newer ships, despite being about 15 percent smaller.

Without the Grand Dutch Café or Rudi’s, Signature-class ships have just three specialty restaurants on offer: the Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse), Canaletto (Italian), and Tamarind (pan-Asian).

Eurodam draws upon the line’s European heritage for interior inspiration. While the Nieuw Amsterdam celebrates historic New York through its onboard art collection and design touches.

Vista Class

Noordam, Westerdam, Oosterdam, and Zuiderdam

The largest ship class in the Holland America fleet, Vista ships are well-liked for their space-to-passenger ratio. Despite being 20 percent smaller than the Pinnacle-class vessels, they also carry just 72 percent of those ships’ passengers.

Regardless of size, the Vista Class still offers its guests ample Holland America amenities. Some of these offerings include branded live music venues; two pools including a main pool covered by a retractable glass magrodrome; the Greenhouse Spa & Salon; and a fitness center.

The four ships in this class, built between 2002 and 2006, are lacking solo, family, or lanai staterooms as well as Tamarind restaurant.

Rotterdam Class (R Class)

Zaandam and Volendam

Making their debut in 1999 and 2000, the Volendam and Zaandam are the fleet’s coziest and oldest vessels. They are also the two remaining ships in the Rotterdam Class, which originally consisted of four.

Cruisers who choose the line’s R Class are likely more sold by the exotic itineraries than any flashy ship facilities. These are the vessels that primarily feature Holland America’s lengthy Grand Voyages as well as world cruises, ranging in length from about seven weeks to four-plus months.

While their size makes them ideal for managing remote locations and smaller harbors, the R Class ships still feature two pools; the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto; the World Stage main theater, live music and more.

Additionally, all Holland America Line ships feature casinos as well as a kids club for children ages 3 to 17. Yes, Holland America Line does appeal to cruisers of all demographics .

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How many of these Holland America cruise ships have you sailed? Do you prefer larger or smaller cruise ships? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences sailing on Holland America Line.

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Holland America Line Cruise Ships by Age: Newest to Oldest

Want to know which ship is the latest and greatest in Holland America Line’s fleet of cruise ships?  We have listed every ship currently operating by Holland America in order from newest to oldest.

Under each ship you will also see relevant information about the ship like its size in gross tonnage, passenger capacity, and how many decks each ship has.

Holland America Line cruise ships are known for their luxurious yet affordable cruising experiences. The cruise line has been around since 1873 and is still one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. The ships offer a variety of activities from traditional entertainment to specialty cuisine, fitness centers and spa services.

From the modestly sized ships to the largest in the fleet, this article will provide an extensive list of all cruise ships that are currently part of Holland America Line.

Scroll down more to see Holland America ships sorted by ship class.

This page will be updated as new cruise ships are added to Holland America’s fleet.

MS Rotterdam (2021)

Gross Tonnage:   99,863 Length: 984 feet Decks: 14 Double Capacity:  2,668

MS Rotterdam was originally named Ryndam in the beginning stages, but was renamed as a nod to Holland America’s past 6 ships that had the “Rotterdam” name. This is the 3rd Pinnacle-class ship with the line.

MS Nieuw Statendam (2018)

Gross Tonnage:   99,863 Length: 983 feet Decks: 14 Double Capacity: 2,666

The 2nd Pinnacle-class ship with Holland America, the “Nieuw” part of the ship’s name refers to the previous ships with the Statendam label.

MS Koningsdam (2016)

Gross Tonnage:   99,863 Length: 983 feet Decks: 14 Double Capacity:  2,650

Koningsdam was first Pinnacle-class ship with the fleet.

MS Nieuw Amsterdam (2010)

Gross Tonnage:   86,700 Length:   936 feet Decks: 11 Double Capacity:  2,106

This is the 2nd Signature-class vessel in the fleet and the 4th to have the same name with the company.

MS Eurodam (2008)

Gross Tonnage:   86,273 Length: 935 feet Decks: 11 Double Capacity:  2,104

Though built in 2008, this first Signature-class cruise ships underwent a dry-dock in 2015 before re-entering service. This is also the ship that set a record in the cruise industry for 11 consecutive perfect scores of 100 on U.S. Public Health inspections.

MS Noordam (2006)

Gross Tonnage:   82,500 Length: 936 feet Decks: 11 Double Capacity:  1,916

Noordam was the 4th and last of the Vista-class vessels with Holland America.

MS Westerdam (2004)

Gross Tonnage:   81,811 Length: 936 feet Decks: 11 Double Capacity:  1,964

Westerdam is the 3rd Vista-class vessel with the line.

MS Oosterdam (2003)

Gross Tonnage:   82,305 Length: 936 feet Decks: 11 Double Capacity:  1,964

This is the 2nd Vista-class cruise ship in the fleet.

MS Zuiderdam (2002)

Gross Tonnage:   81,769 Length: 954 feet Decks:  11 Double Capacity:  1,916

This is the first Vista-class ship with Holland America.  Each of the 4 vessels is named after the 4 directions on a compass which are derived from the Dutch language.  Zuiderdam for south, Noordam for north, Oosterdam for east, and Westerdam for west.

MS Zaandam (2000)

Gross Tonnage:   61,396 Length:  778 feet Decks: 10 Double Capacity:  1,432

Named after a city in the Netherlands, Zaandam is a Rotterdam-class vessel with the cruise line.

MS Volendam (1999)

Gross Tonnage:   60,906 Length:  777 feet Decks:  10 Double Capacity:  1,432

Volendam is the 3rd vessel to bear this name with Holland America and is a Rotterdam-class ship.

Holland America Line’s Ship Classes

• Pinnacle Class : This class includes the newest and largest ships in the Holland America Line fleet at over 99,000 in gross tonnage .  The ships include Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam. These ships feature innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and a wide range of dining, entertainment, and recreational options.
• Signature Class (Mid-size): Eurodam and the Nieuw Amsterdam are part of the Signature Class ( 86,000 Gross Tons ) and offer a more traditional cruise experience with a focus on comfort and relaxation. These ships have a smaller capacity and offer a variety of dining options, a spa, a fitness center, and a theater.
• Vista Class : The Vista Class includes Oosterdam, Westerdam, Noordam, and Zuiderdam. These ships are slightly smaller than the Signature Class ships at 82,000 in gross tonnage and offer a variety of amenities and activities, including multiple dining options, a spa, a fitness center, and a theater.
• Rotterdam Class : Zaandam and Volendam are part of the Rotterdam Class and offer a more intimate and refined cruise experience at 61,000 in gross tonnage. These ships have a smaller capacity and offer a variety of dining options, a spa, a fitness center, and a theater.

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February Update: Holland America Line Fleet Locations and Itineraries

• February 9, 2024

Holland America Line is offering a complete winter program with ships sailing in the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the West Coast, South America and more.

Here are the locations and itineraries of every ship in the company’s fleet as of February 9, 2024:

Rotterdam Year Built: 2021

Capacity: 2,660 guests Location: Southern Caribbean

Based in Fort Lauderdale for the winter, the Rotterdam is offering nine- to 12-night itineraries to the Caribbean and Central America. In addition to visits to several destinations in the region, some of the cruises also feature partial transits of the Panama Canal.

Nieuw Statendam Year Built: 2018 Capacity: 2,660 guests Location: Western Caribbean

The Nieuw Statendam is currently offering a seven-night cruise to the Western Caribbean. After sailing from Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 11, the itinerary includes visits to Cozumel, George Town, Ocho Rios and Half Moon Cay.

Koningsdam Year Built: 2016 Capacity: 2,660 guests Location: Hawaii

Based on the West Coast, the Koningsdam continues to offer a series of cruises to Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The 2016-built vessel is presently sailing an 18-night itinerary to Hawaii that departed from San Diego on Jan. 30 and features visits to Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kahului, Kailua Kona, Hilo and Ensenada.

Niuew Amsterdam Year Built: 2010 Capacity: 2,100 guests Location: Eastern Caribbean

Sailing from Fort Lauderdale every Saturday, the Nieuw Amsterdam is offering week-long cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The ship’s itineraries feature several destinations in the region, including Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, San Juan, and Costa Maya.

Eurodam Year Built: 2008 Capacity: 2,100 guests Location: Eastern Caribbean

The Eurodam is offering ten- and 11-night itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Sailing from Port Everglades, the ship’s itineraries feature many ports of call in the region, including Half Moon Cay, Belize City, St. Kitts and Falmouth.

Noordam Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 1,900 guests Location: Australia & New Zealand

The Noordam is spending the winter in the Australia & New Zealand region. Sailing between Auckland and Sydney, the 2006-built vessel is currently offering a one-way itinerary that includes stops at Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Hobart and Melbourne.

Westerdam Year Built: 2004 Capacity: 1,900 guests Location: Far East

After spending most of the winter season in Southeast Asia, the Westerdam is offering cruises to the Far East. Sailing between Yokohama and Hong Kong, the 14-night itineraries feature visits to Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Oosterdam Year Built: 2003 Capacity: 1,900 guests Location: South America

Oosterdam’s 2023-2024 winter program features a series of cruises to South America and Antarctica. The schedule includes different 14- to 22-night itineraries to destinations in Patagonia, Tierra del Fogo, the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Zuiderdam Year Built: 2002 Capacity: 1,900 guests Location: Pacific Ocean

After departing from Fort Lauderdale in early January , the Zuiderdam is offering Holland America Line’s 2024 Grand World Voyage. The 128-night itinerary features visits to 46 destinations.

Zaandam Year Built: 2000 Capacity: 1,440 guests Location: Southern Caribbean

The Zaandam is offering a 14-night cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Sailing roundtrip from Miami, the itinerary includes visits to Half Moon Cay, Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Thomas, Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Key West.

Volendam Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 1,440 guests Location: Pacific Ocean

The Volendam sailed from San Diego on Jan. 3 for Holland America Line’s Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage. The 94-night itinerary features several destinations in the South Pacific, including Fanning Island, the French Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand,and more.

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Holland America cruise ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list

Are you looking for the most activity-packed Holland America cruise ships at sea? If so, you'll want to get on one of the biggest Holland America cruise ships.

The biggest Holland America cruise ships are, as you might expect, the Holland America ships with the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms, as well as the most choice in cabins and suites. They also have the biggest spas and casinos among ships in the Holland America fleet.

With 1,325 rooms and space for 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, the biggest Holland America ships are bigger than many resorts on land, though they aren't as big as some of the truly giant cruise ships operated by such major lines as Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line .

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Among the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is known for a focus on relatively smaller vessels.

Holland America operates 11 cruise ships in all. In addition to three vessels that hold 2,650 people at double occupany, the line has eight smaller ships — some significantly smaller. Holland America's two smallest vessels are designed to carry just 1,432 passengers apiece.

Holland America's smaller ships, notably, have less deck-top pool and lounge space and fewer interior venues than the biggest Holland America cruise ships.

The smallest Holland America cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience.

Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained

To make sure that you end up on the right Holland America cruise ship for you, it pays to study which Holland America ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

Here, every Holland America ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.

1. Rotterdam

Maiden voyage: 2021. Size: 99,863 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,650.

1 (tied). Nieuw Statendam

Maiden voyage: 2018. Size: 99,863 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,650.

1 (tied). Koningsdam

Maiden voyage: 2016. Size: 99,863 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,650.

4. Nieuw Amsterdam

Maiden voyage: 2010. Size: 86,700 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,106.

Maiden voyage: 2008. Size: 86,273 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,104.

Maiden voyage: 2006. Size: 82,318 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 1,924.

7. Westerdam

Maiden voyage: 2004. Size: 82,305 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 1,916.

7 (tied). Oosterdam

Maiden voyage: 2003. Size: 82,305 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 1,916.

7 (tied). Zuiderdam

Maiden voyage: 2002. Size: 82,305 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 1,916.

10. Zaandam

Maiden voyage: 2000. Size: 61,396 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 1,432.

11. Volendam

Maiden voyage: 1999. Size: 61,214 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 1,432.

What is the biggest Holland America cruise ship?

The biggest Holland America cruise ship is the recently unveiled 2,650-passenger Rotterdam and its two older sisters, the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam and the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam.

All three vessels are the exact same size: 99,863 gross tons. (Note that gross tons is a size measurement that takes into account the interior space of a ship and not its weight).

In addition to being the biggest ships in the Holland America fleet, the three vessels, collectively known as the Pinnacle class of ships, are the newest ships in the Holland America fleet and also have the most venues and amenities.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America cruise

Notably, in addition to a main restaurant and casual buffet, the three Pinnacle-class ships have five separate specialty dining venues — everything from a pan-Asian eatery and an Italian restaurant to a steakhouse. That's more than you'll find on other Holland America ships.

Pinnacle Class ships also have all of Holland America's signature entertainment venues — something that can't be said for the line's older vessels.

Specifically, on Pinnacle-class ships, you'll find one of the line's signature Music Walk live entertainment areas with a B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock).

Related: Holland America makes entertainment changes on some ships

The Pinnacle-class ships also have spectacular, state-of-the-art main theaters with push-out stages enveloped by two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screens. The theaters are home to all sorts of additional music, dance and comedy performances.

What is the smallest Holland America cruise ship?

The smallest Holland America cruise ship is the 1,432-passenger Volendam. Measuring just 61,214 gross tons, it's 39% smaller than Rotterdam and the two other Pinnacle-class vessels mentioned above.

Because of its smaller size, Volendam has fewer features and amenities than most other Holland America ships — particularly the ships of the newest Pinnacle-class ships and another recent group of vessels called the Signature class.

In general, Volendam appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate cruise experience. It also draws cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

Unveiled in 1999, Volundam is not just the smallest Holland America ship but the oldest Holland America ship.

Are bigger Holland America ships coming?

Not for now. Holland America currently does not have a single ship on order. The brand is owned by Carnival Corporation, which has not ordered new ships for the nine lines that it owns for several years as it focuses on paying down debt . The company took on a huge amount of debt during the COVID-19 pandemic to stay in business.

What's the difference between bigger and smaller Holland America ships?

The biggest Holland America cruise ships have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels. As a result, they are a good choice for vacationers looking who like a bigger resort experience with lots of options for restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Holland America's smaller ships lack some of the features found on the bigger ships. In general, they have a more intimate feel, and they hold fewer people. While Holland America's biggest Pinnacle-class ships can hold 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, as noted above, the line's two oldest vessels (known as the R-class ships) are only designed to carry 1,432 passengers at double occupancy.

As a result, the smallest Holland America ships are a good choice for vacationers who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Holland America loyalty perks

Note that all Holland America ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Holland America cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

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Holland America Line Cruise Ships by Size

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• January 4, 2023

It can be difficult to keep track of all of Holland America’s current ships, mainly because the cruise line dates all the way back to 1873.

At the time of publishing, Holland America had 11 vessels in its fleet, ranging in size from 61,000 to nearly 100,000 gross tons.

In this article, we’ve organized all of the Holland America ships by size from smallest to largest and included statistics and highlights for each ship.

Holland America Ships By Size

1. ms volendam.

Key Features: BBC Earth in Concert, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian restaurant, EXC Port to Table programming, and Explorations Café

2. ms Zaandam

Key Features: BBC Earth in Concert, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian Restaurant, EXC Port to Table programming, and Explorations Café

3. ms Zuiderdam

Key Features: Tamarind Asian restaurant, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, BBC Earth in Concert, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Lincoln Center Stage music venue, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Club HAL kids’ clubs, and Billboard Onboard piano lounge

4. ms Oosterdam

Key Features: High Score! family game room, Dive-in poolside grill, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian Restaurant, BBC Earth in Concert, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, Billboard Onboard Piano Lounge, and Club HAL kids’ clubs

5. ms Westerdam

Key Features: Canaletto Italian Restaurant, B.B. King’s Blues Club, EXC Port to Table programming, BBC Earth in Concert, Tamarind Asian restaurant, Club HAL kids’ clubs, Lincoln Center Stage Music Venue, and Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse

6. ms Noordam

Key Features: Explorations Café, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Lincoln Center Stage music venue, BBC Earth in Concert, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Club HAL kids’ clubs, and Billboard Onboard piano lounge

MORE: Viking Ocean and Expedition Ships: 11 Similarities and Differences

7. ms Eurodam

Key Features: B.B. King’s Blues Club, Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, EXC Port to Table programming, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Nami Sushi, Club HAL kids’ clubs, Billboard Onboard piano lounge, Rudi’s Sel De Mer, and Tamarind Asian restaurant

8. ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Key Features: EXC Port to Table programming, Nami Sushi, BBC Earth in Concert, Club HAL kids’ clubs, New York Pizza, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Canaletto Italian restaurant, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, and Billboard Onboard piano lounge

9. ms Koningsdam

Key Features: Rolling Stone Rock Room, Rudi’s Sel De Mer, BBC Earth in Concert, New York Pizza, Nami Sushi, Club HAL Kids’ Clubs, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Pinnacle Grill restaurant, and Lincoln Center Stage music venue

10. ms Nieuw Statendam

Key Features: Rudi’s Sel De Mer, Club HAL Kids’ Clubs, Nami Sushi, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, BBC Earth in Concert, Canaletto Italian restaurant, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, and B.B. King’s Blues Club

11. ms Rotterdam

Key Features: Rudi’s Sel De Mer, Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Tamarind Asian Restaurant, BBC Earth in Concert, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Nami Sushi, Club HAL Kids’ Clubs, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse

RELATED: 9 Hits And Misses of Holland America’s Rotterdam

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2 crew members die on Holland America ship; fire breaks out on Carnival cruise

MIAMI — Two crew members died on board a Holland America cruise ship, and a fire broke out on a Carnival ship while both of the ships were in the Bahamas this weekend, officials said.

The two crew on the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam died Friday during an "accidental steam release" while it was calling at the private resort island Half Moon Cay, Holland America said in a statement on Sunday.

"There was an accidental steam release in an engineering space on board Nieuw Amsterdam, which sadly resulted in the death of two crew members," the cruise line said.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Dutch Safety Board were investigating the exact cause of the release, Holland America said.

A representative of the Bahama’s Coroner’s Court did not immediately respond to a request for information, such as the crew members’ identities and the cause and manner of death.

The cruise line said the conclusions of any investigation would be taken seriously. "Safety is always our top priority, and we are working to understand what, if anything, can be learned from this tragic accident," it said.

Passenger Laine Doss said she was on board when the captain announced the deaths on the vessel's P.A. system.

"We were celebrating the last day of the cruise," she said, when the mood changed "to something extremely somber."

The captain's voice broke, she said.

"He broke down crying," Doss said. "There was a moment of silence that the captain requested. And that entire scenario did affect the entire cruise. Things were canceled, joyous events were canceled, and we really just thought about mortality — the people who perished on the ship."

Crew members were being offered counseling, Holland America said.

Dutch government inspectors determined the vessel to be "fully operable," and this was "confirmed" by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cruise line said.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said she was looking into the statement and was unable to immediately confirm it.

The Nieuw Amsterdam returned Saturday to its home port of Fort Lauderdale, guests disembarked, and the vessel has embarked on a cruise with a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Monday, Holland America said.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this event," the cruise line said. "We’ve been in contact with the families of both team members and are offering our support to them and to all of our crew at this difficult time."  

The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

Fire on the port-side exhaust funnel of another Florida-based cruise ship in the Bahamas, the Carnival Freedom, rocked some passengers Saturday and took the ship out of commission for repairs, the cruise line said.

No injuries were reported.

In a statement Sunday, Carnival Cruises acknowledged witness reports of a lightning strike or the sound of thunder before the fire erupted.

Passenger Heath Barnes said the ship was on a detoured path, destined for an unscheduled stop in Freeport, as a result of stormy weather and high winds when fire started.

"I was shocked," he said. "I mean, I looked out there and you're not supposed to see black smoke and fire shooting out of the tail end of the cruise."

The blaze was preceded by "the loudest thunder-lightning clap that I've ever heard in my life," Barnes said.

Ship personnel extinguished the fire, Carnival Cruises said.

The cruise line said a technical team determined the ship sustained enough damage that it will need repairs before it can be returned to scheduled cruises. The funnel was stabilized, passengers were expected to be returned to Port Canaveral, and the ship will set off to Freeport for repairs, it said.

"The damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," Carnival Cruises said.

Passengers scheduled for those late-March cruises are being offered full refunds and credit that can be used for a future cruise, it said.

It was the second funnel fire on the Carnival Freedom since 2022.

Marissa Parra is a national correspondent for NBC News based in Miami, Florida.

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

2 Holland America crew members die after 'incident' on cruise ship in the Bahamas

• Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an "incident" in the engineering space.
• In a statement, the cruise line said it was "deeply saddened" by the incident.
• The Bahamas Maritime Authority is investigating the deaths.

Two crew members aboard a Holland America cruise ship died during an 'incident' in the ship's engineering space.

In a statement released by Holland America, the cruise line said the unnamed crew members had died Friday whilst the Nieuw Amsterdam liner was at the small island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members' families at this difficult time," the statement said.

"The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company's absolute priority."

Authorities were notified and the cause of the deaths is being investigated, the cruise line said. Crew members are also being offered counseling.

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Holland America later added that the Bahamas Maritime Authority was leading the investigation.

The ship, which can carry over 2,000 people, set sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 16 March for a seven-night cruise.

Cruise ships are an incredibly popular form of vacation. In 2019 alone, the global cruise industry welcomed more than 29 million passengers and in 2022, the global cruise market was valued at $7.67 billion.

Deaths on board cruise ships are rare, however.

According to reports, a total of 623 people died on cruise ships between 2000 and 2019. Of these fatalities, 66 were crew members, and 557 were passengers.

Eighty-seven percent of these deaths occurred while on the sea, while the other 13% occurred while the ships were docked. Statistics also show that 97 passengers and crew members died due to cardiac issues, 72 died due to accidentally falling overboard, and 60 died due to jumping overboard. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic there were numerous outbreaks on cruise ships.

The Ruby Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, became infamous in 2020 as the source of many of Australia's early cases when thousands of passengers were allowed to disembark in Sydney. There were 900 infections on the ship and 28 people died.

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

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Good Friday

2 crew members die during ‘incident’ on Holland America cruise ship

FILE - A Holland America cruise ship is shown in Victoria, Canada on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship’s engineering space, the cruise line said. The unidentified crew members died Friday, March 22, 2024, while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America said in a statement.(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship’s engineering space, the cruise line said.

The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America said in a statement.

Authorities were notified and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the cruise line said. Crew members were being offered counseling.

“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members’ families at this difficult time,” the statement said. “The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company’s absolute priority.”

The cruise line did not offer any further details about the crew members. It later said the Bahamas Maritime Authority was leading the investigation. The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.