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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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Debuted in October 2021, Rotterdam welcomes up to 2,668 guests. The name hearkens back to the line's founding in the late 19th century, when its first ship, Rotterdam, sailed from the Netherlands to New York. Though the ship's name is rooted in the cruise line's past, its amenities are anything but antiquated. 

Among Rotterdam's standout facilities is World Stage, a performance venue that features a two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screen that creates a panorama of light and sound for audience members. For more entertainment, passengers can catch a performance at any of the ship's numerous music venues, including the Rolling Stone Rock Room and B.B. King's Blues Club.

When travelers aren't grooving to live tunes, they can test their luck at the onboard casino or relax at the spa. Meanwhile, kids can play the day away at the Kids Club. Foodies will be pleased to hear the ship offers eight dining options, including Rudi's Sel de Mer, a French brasserie, and Tamarind, which highlights the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan.

Cabins range in size from 143 square feet to 1,290 square feet, with some of the luxury suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, whirlpool baths and verandas with hot tubs.

Sailings aboard Rotterdam depart from ports like Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and Amsterdam to destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and the Panama Canal.

U.S. News Insider Tip: The art collection aboard Rotterdam is valued at more than $4.1 million and has 2,645 pieces of diverse works ranging in value from $500 to $620,000. Take some time to walk around the ship to explore the collections. Each of the three stairwells has a theme that reaches from top to bottom: architecture, music or zoology. – Jill Schildhouse, Contributor

Launched in 2016, the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam is one of Holland America's newer ships and the first in the more contemporary Pinnacle Class. Passengers can participate in everything from cooking classes to duty-free shopping, or simply relax by the pool or at the spa.

Holland America now features an exclusive amenities program, Club Orange. Members can receive benefits such as a complimentary stateroom upgrade, a dedicated concierge hotline and skip-the-line priority access.

Members of Club Orange will also receive additional benefits when onboard Koningsdam including a premium in-room breakfast menu and a private dining venue with an expanded menu.

Guests can spend their evenings playing casino games or watching stage shows and musical acts through a partnership with "Rolling Stone" magazine. While the ship does offer youth clubs for children ages 3 to 17, most of the entertainment and activities are geared toward adults.

When hunger strikes, passengers can choose between 11 dining venues, ranging from the casual New York Pizza & Deli to the more formal Pinnacle Grill steakhouse.

The ship's cabin categories are also diverse. Staterooms range from Interior and Ocean View cabins to Verandah rooms and three Suite categories.

Koningsdam departs from ports like San Diego , Seattle ,  Vancouver  and Anchorage , Alaska, for sailings through Mexico, Hawaii , Alaska and California. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: The three Pinnacle Class ships (Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam) have Single and Family Staterooms. Family Staterooms accommodate up to five guests and have two bathrooms, plus extra closet space. – Jill Schildhouse, Contributor

More colorful than most of Holland America's fleet, Oosterdam launched in 2003 and was last updated in 2016. The 1,964-passenger ship houses 812 crew members, making the passenger-to-crew ratio roughly 2-to-1.

The ship features six stateroom categories: Inside, Ocean View, Verandah, Signature Suite, Pinnacle Suite and Neptune Suite. All accommodations are outfitted with Sealy-Premium Euro-Top mattresses, flat-screen TVs and plenty of storage space.

Like other Vista-class ships, Oosterdam   is equipped with a large pool and a sizable spa and fitness area, along with BBC Earth Experiences and sports courts. While there are kids and teens clubs for younger passengers, most of the activities and entertainment on the ship are geared toward adults.

When it's time to dine, guests can enjoy varied dishes in the main dining room, Italian fare at Canaletto or other options ranging from casual to fine dining. 

Oosterdam departs from ports in  Fort Lauderdale , Buenos Aires , Rome , Athens and more. Itineraries include destinations in Europe, South America and Antarctica.

Originally launched in 2008 and updated in late 2015, Eurodam   carries up to 2,104 passengers and 876 crew members.

The ship’s 11 decks include multiple cabin categories: Interior staterooms, Ocean View and Verandah staterooms, Signature Suites and Neptune & Pinnacle Suites. All cabins come equipped with plush Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs. Suites received updates to the furniture, carpeting and bathrooms, as well as a USB outlet on the bed's headboard and a Bose Bluetooth speaker. 

Recent cruisers of Eurodam were pleased with the versatile selection of nine dining venues. Most notably, the ship offers Tamarind, which serves exotic fare from Southeast Asia, China and Japan. 

Daytime activities range from the Greenhouse Spa & Salon to the BBC Earth in Concert experience. More active pursuits include two swimming pools, pickleball courts and more. In the evenings, passengers can sip cocktails at one of the bars or lounges or take in a show at B.B. King's Blues Club.

Eurodam departs from Fort Lauderdale , San Diego , Seattle  and  Vancouver  for sailings in the Caribbean, Alaska, the Pacific Coast and the Panama Canal.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Make sure to attend a show or two – which feature comedy, dancing or singing – offered at the Main Stage. There are also piano duels in the lounge by the casino, and fantastic music at the B.B. King's Blues Club (which can be hard to get a seat at – get there early!). – Leilani Osmundson, Digital Producer

Nieuw Statendam

One of Holland America Line's newest cruise ships, Nieuw Statendam, launched in December 2018. This 2,666-passenger ship is the second in the line's contemporary Pinnacle Class collection. Like its sister ship, Koningsdam , this vessel places an emphasis on elegant, eye-catching design.

Along with its great aesthetics, Nieuw Statendam features a mix of engaging daytime and nighttime activities, as well as facilities designed to keep guests rested and relaxed. Passengers can unwind at the spa or pools, work up a sweat at the fitness center or pickleball court or participate in enriching activities like cooking demonstrations and wine-blending classes. At night, cruisers have several entertainment options, including the B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room or the World Stage for theatrical performances.

For dining, expect a mix of options, including a traditional dining room, casual spots and specialty restaurants that feature cuisines from Asia, France and – of course – Holland. Cabin categories are just as diverse: Accommodations range from Inside and Ocean View staterooms to Verandah staterooms to spacious suites with balconies and living areas. 

Holland America now features an exclusive amenities program, Club Orange. Members can receive benefits such as a complimentary stateroom upgrade, a dedicated concierge hotline and skip-the-line priority access.

Members of Club Orange will also receive additional benefits when onboard Nieuw Statendam including a premium in-room breakfast menu and a private dining venue with an expanded menu.

Nieuw Statendam departs from Fort Lauderdale  and European ports in  Rome , Barcelona and more. It sails to various destinations in the Caribbean and Europe. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're looking for a little outdoor privacy with pampering, book a cabana at The Retreat on one of the following ships: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Westerdam or Zuiderdam. The Retreat has double or family cabanas available to rent by the day or for the whole cruise, with an attendant for beverage and food service. – Jill Schildhouse, Contributor

Nieuw Amsterdam

Borrowing its name from the former city of New Amsterdam (now known as  New York City ), this 2,106-passenger member of the Holland America fleet launched in 2010 and is famous for its extensive art collection valued at more than $3 million. Guests can admire works from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein through a complimentary self-guided tour.

Passengers can also pass the time by the pool or in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, while more enriching programs include the BBC Earth in Concert and onboard movie screenings. While the ship offers youth clubs for kids ages 3 to 17, most activities are geared toward adults.

When it comes to dining, guests can choose from New York Pizza on the pool deck, Asian delicacies at Tamarind and more. Several casual eateries and the main dining rooms are included at no extra cost.

Meanwhile, staterooms range from Interior cabins to expansive Signature, Neptune and Pinnacle Suites, all of which are equipped with Sealy Premium Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs.

Holland America now features a new exclusive amenities program, Club Orange. Members can receive benefits such as a complimentary stateroom upgrade, a dedicated concierge hotline and skip-the-line priority access. 

Nieuw Amsterdam departs from ports across the United States and Canada for sailings in the Caribbean, Alaska, the Pacific Coast and the Panama Canal. 

Carrying up to 1,964 passengers and 810 crew members, Westerdam first debuted in 2004 and last received small updates in January 2023. 

Onboard facilities include the World Stage live music venue, as well as BBC Earth Experiences, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon and multiple swimming pools.

When it’s time to dine, the ship's dining venues range from the casual poolside Dive-In grill to the upscale Pinnacle Grill. After dinner, guests can enjoy live music at the B.B. King’s Blues Club, take in a theatrical performance or try their luck in the casino.

Lodging options include Inside, Ocean View and Verandah cabins, as well as three Suite categories. Standard amenities include Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs.

Westerdam departs from  Hong Kong , Seattle , Vancouver ,  Singapore ,  Tokyo  and more for sailings across Alaska, Australia, the Pacific Coast and Asia. 

Launched in 2002 and last refurbished in 2017, Zuiderdam features BBC Earth in Concert and cooking demonstrations with Explorations Central. If you're looking to relax on your voyage, head to the line's signature Greenhouse Spa & Salon for a calming treatment. 

With room for 1,964 passengers and 817 crew members, the ship maintains a 1-to-2 staff-to-guest ratio. Recent passengers said everyone was friendly and attentive, from the bartenders to the room stewards.

Inside and Ocean View staterooms aboard Zuiderdam measure between 151 and 180 square feet. All cabins include sofas, coffee tables, chairs and vanities, in addition to a queen-sized bed (or two twin beds). Other amenities include Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs. Dining venues include the upscale Pinnacle Grill, traditional dining rooms and more. 

Zuiderdam   departs from ports around the world for sailings in Canada, the Caribbean and Europe, as well as world voyages. 

Launched in 2000, Zaandam attracts older, more sophisticated travelers, with onboard activities catering more to those in need of R&R than those seeking an adrenaline rush. The 1,432-passenger ship carries up to 604 crew members and was most recently updated in 2017. It is designed to cater to fewer guests while offering spacious common areas. 

While active pursuits include pickleball courts and a fitness center, the majority of onboard activities are geared toward enrichment. Examples include Explorations Central (EXC), Step One Dance Company and BBC Earth in Concert. The ship also offers kids clubs for passengers ages 3 to 17.

Most recent guests described the cabins as comfortable. Inside and Ocean View cabins measure between 182 and 319 square feet – large enough to fit a queen bed (or two twin beds), a sitting area and a vanity space. Travelers were also pleased with the multiple onboard restaurants, ranging from the casual Lido Market buffet to Canaletto, which serves Italian fare.  

Zaandam sails from Fort Lauderdale , Montreal , San Diego  and more for itineraries in Canada, New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, the Pacific Coast, the Panama Canal and South America. 

Volendam maintains an almost 2-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio, with 1,432 passengers and 604 crew members. Originally launched in 2000 and last updated in 2017, cabins come equipped with flat-panel TVs and 100% Egyptian cotton towels. Upgrade to a Neptune suite for a private balcony and access to the private Neptune Lounge.

The ship's other features are similar to the rest of Holland America's fleet. Cruisers can enjoy games at the casino, treatments at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon and drinks at the piano bar or catch a live show on the World Stage, a two-story with a 270-degree wraparound LED screen stage. While the ship does cater to more mature passengers, kids ages 3 to 17 can participate in Kids Club programs, and there are pickleball courts on board. Volendam houses multiple dining venues, including the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse. 

Volendam   departs from Fort Lauderdale , San Diego , Vancouver ,  Sydney and more for sailings in Alaska, the Caribbean, the Pacific Coast, Europe, the Panama Canal, Hawaii and Canada. 

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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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 and changes

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.

In May 2024 was introduced fleetwide the "Dutch Day" (complimentary experience) available on every voyage in Europe, Asia, Alaska, and the Caribbean. The focal point is the Dutch Dinner (Holland food-themed dinner served in the MDR/Main Dining Room) once per cruise. Most of the dishes (both classic and contemporary, including Stroopwafel Cheesecake) are also available in the buffet restaurant (Lido Market). The Orange Party is also held on Dutch Day and features live band performances, craft beers, classic cocktails, and Dutch-inspired appetizers. On Dutch Day in the Crow’s Nest Cafe are served fresh-baked poffertjes (traditional Dutch batter cakes resembling small pancakes).

Also in May 2024, HAL's shipboard beverage program was enhanced with itinerary/destination-inspired cocktails made by certified mixologists. The upgraded program is based on cocktail menus exclusive to the current itinerary/region. The drinks are created by the famous bartenders Sam Ross (Australian/Alaskan menu) and Tess Posthumus (Dutch./European menu).

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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• Cruise Knowledge

Holland America Line Ships by Age — Newest to Oldest

Doug Parker

• December 20, 2023

Holland America Line’s cruise ships stand out in the cruising world for its refined fleet that merges traditional nautical elegance with modern amenities.

As of 2024, Holland America Line operates a modest fleet consisting of eleven ships, most of which were constructed in the early to mid-2000s.

Holland America Line Ships Listed by Age

The table below shows the ship’s name, class, age, gross registered tonnage, and how many guests it carries at double occupancy.

Holland America Line’s fleet includes ships like the MS Rotterdam and its sister ship, the  MS Nieuw Statendam , boasting a gross tonnage of  99,863 . These ships balance grandeur and comfort, offering ample space for various  venues  and  amenities  while maintaining a cozier atmosphere compared to most of the industry’s larger vessels. 

Holland America Line typically attracts a mature demographic, with many passengers being retirees or adults over 50 who appreciate the line’s classic cruising experience and its Mariner Club.

In this article, we’ve compiled an overview of all ships in the Holland America Line fleet , organized from newest to oldest, along with some key features.

ms Rotterdam

The MS Rotterdam is the flagship of the Holland America Line and the latest in the Rotterdam Class, having taken its maiden voyage in 2021. 

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

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

ms Koningsdam

Koningsdam is the largest ship ever built by Holland America Line. Two other vessels followed in its class.

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

ms Nieuw Amsterdam

The Signature Class, consisting of the MS Eurodam and MS Nieuw Amsterdam, and the Vista Class — MS Oosterdam, MS Westerdam, Zuiderdam, and Noordam — are vital links between past and present.

Key Features: EXC Port to Table programming, Morimoto at Sea, 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

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

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

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

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

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

The MS Volendam and MS Zaandam are veteran vessels within the fleet, boasting distinctive themes and artwork. They are smaller and cozier compared to their newer counterparts.

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

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

READ MORE: Holland America Line Ships by Size

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Suites & Staterooms

Please select your stateroom or suite type and room category from the available options.

• Daily housekeeping
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Elemis Aromapure soap, lotion, shampoo
• Luxurious bathrobes
• Hair dryers, makeup mirrors
• Generous storage
• Fresh fruit upon request
• Ice service
• TV with On Demand movies, programming

Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms.

These expansive staterooms include include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads, a host of amenities and an ocean view.

Sliding glass doors (mirrored for privacy) open onto our Promenade deck from this comfortable stateroom, which includes two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and other amenities.

Vista Suite

• Whirlpool bath

With a verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable sitting area, these comfortable suites are filled with light. They include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, plus a whirlpool bath and shower, mini-bar and refrigerator.

Neptune Suite

• Premium bathrobes, slippers
• Fresh flowers
• One-Touch concierge service
• In-suite coffee, espresso
• Complimentary laundry
• Pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres served in suite
• Welcome glass of sparkling wine
• Priority boarding for tender ports, priority dining/seating requests, special disembarkation service
• High tea in suite on request
• Exclusive tote bag

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

Your Ship: Volendam

Volendam boasts regal spaces adorned with floral fabrics, botanical tapestries, and eye-catching flower arrangements. This refined ship is perfectly sized for creating an intimate atmosphere while bringing you closer to the wondrous land-, sea-, and cityscapes that await. Relax with a treatment at our award-winning Spa & Salon. Or dine in one of our fine restaurants.

• 1,432 Guests
• 781 ft. Length
• 105.8 ft. Width

Dining & Onboard Activities

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment and enriching activities

Pinnacle Grill

The ultimate steakhouse at sea, with an exceptional menu of Prime steaks, seafood and wine.

Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks — meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality — as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

*Meals at Pinnacle Grill are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Canaletto is a relaxed setting with authentic Italian cuisine that is best enjoyed when shared.

In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

Meals at Canaletto are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Lido Market

A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack.

Explore a world of intriguing culinary possibilities in the Lido Market. Steps from the Lido pool, this modern marketplace includes a curated selection of delicious options that you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard, with freshly baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering a bountiful selection of hearty salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring global cuisine; Sweet Spot, for ice cream creations and desserts; Roasting Pan, hand-carved meats, fish and other hearty entrees; Perk, freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices; Quench, premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda available for purchase; Rise, savory quiches, croissants and sandwiches, and more.

This casual poolside grill serves up the best burgers at sea, Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dogs, golden French fries and more.

Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea.

24-Hour Room Service

Enjoy breakfast in bed or an early dinner on your verandah — entrées and more are available whenever you wish.

Sleep in and have breakfast delivered. Enjoy an early dinner on your verandah before an evening excursion. Order a salad, sandwich or entrée any time. Room Service is only a phone call away. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu.

Morimoto By Sea (Pop-Up)

Masaharu Morimoto, our Fresh Fish Ambassador brings his innovative style to Morimoto by Sea, a specialty restaurant on board Nieuw Amsterdam and a pop-up dining experience on the rest of the fleet.

Chef Masaharu Morimoto, our Global Fresh Fish Ambassador brings his innovative style to Morimoto by Sea, a pop-up dining experience that will take over Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill at least once per cruise. The pop-up’s menu features artfully presented dishes, exclusive alcoholic beverages, and tantalizing desserts. Nieuw Amsterdam offers our full Morimoto by Sea restaurant.

The Dining Room

Our flagship dining experience is a welcoming and sophisticated setting for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or superb multicourse dinner.

For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. 

Crow's Nest

BARS AND LOUNGES

Enjoy cocktails and sunsets in this lounge, featuring panoramic views.

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges onboard. The panoramic view takes center stage in The Crow's Nest at the top of the ship, where you can relax just about any time of day and enjoy your favorite drink.

Explorer's Lounge

Elegant and refined, stop by for a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail.

The Explorer’s Lounge is an elegant and refined space to enjoy a glass of wine, a cocktail, or your favorite liqueur.

Enjoy a mix of three specialty bars: Champagne, Martinis, Spirits and Ales.

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges and gathering places onboard. Explore Mix for Champagne, Martinis, and Spirits and Ales.

Enjoy cocktails and ocean views while listening to live music.

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges. This popular bar is at the top of the atrium and is the perfect locale for cocktails and dancing.

Sea View Bar

Enjoy your favorite poolside drink while soaking up the sun and taking in panoramic views from the comfort of our deck lounge chairs. 

World Stage

ENTERTAINMENT

World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display.

World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation Cantaré, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage.  Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam  and  Rotterdam  bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen.

Onboard Shopping

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping onboard.

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy.

Fitness Center

Take a class in our professionally staffed Fitness Center.

Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Center equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilates and more or work out at your own pace. You can also head out for fresh air and exercise on deck, where you'll find basketball and volleyball courts, and two refreshing pools (available on select ships). Some classes may have a nominal fee.

Holland America Line Navigator

Personalize your cruise experience with our free mobile-friendly tool.

Personalize your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with our free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more. 

Casino Action

The Casino offers games for all levels.

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Pickleball at Sea

Enjoy complimentary lessons, tournaments, and courts with amazing top-deck views.

Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Frequent pickler? Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Hesitant amateur? Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in our retail shops — purchase as gifts for avid players or as souvenirs, so that you can always look back on your pickleball cruise memories.

Kids ages 3 to 17 can enjoy an array of activities. Registration required for children under 13.

Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties. Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.

Recently Viewed

The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained

Editor's Note

In the wake of a major downsizing in 2020 , Holland America has a relatively simple fleet.

The storied, Seattle-based cruise line now operates 11 vessels that can be bunched into just four groups.

Each of these groups — known as "classes" in cruise industry lingo — is made of ships that were constructed around the same time and follow the same basic design. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

An introduction to Holland America ships

Holland America has downsized its fleet considerably over the past three years with the removal of four vessels. However, it's still one of the seven big lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans. Its 11 ships offer nearly 23,000 berths .

In general, Holland America operates big ships. However, they're not nearly as big as the vessels operated by the six other big lines that cater to North Americans. Indeed, in some cruising circles, Holland America's ships are referred to as "midsize" ships (as opposed to big ships).

Holland America's largest vessels measure about 100,000 tons, making them about 60% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean and 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Norwegian Cruise Line .

Some of Holland America's vessels are just 61,000 tons, which is as small as some of the vessels operated by much pricier, smaller lines such as Oceania Cruises or Azamara .

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

This means you'll be in for a more intimate cruise experience on the typical Holland America ship than on the ships of such rival lines as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises . There will be fewer people on board, and venues may be less crowded.

On the flip side, you'll generally find fewer venues and amenities on Holland America ships than on the ships of its competitors operating bigger vessels. If you're looking for a big, bustling megaship with every amusement known to humans , Holland America isn't your line.

Unlike some lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, Holland America doesn't drastically change the design of its ships from class to class.

Instead, Holland America usually takes an incremental approach to design changes for its new classes of ships. You'll find a lot in common between Holland America's Pinnacle Class and Signature Class of ships, for instance. And these two classes won't feel all that different from the earlier Vista Class.

Related: The ultimate guide to Holland America cabins and suites

In general, Holland America's biggest and most amenity-packed ships are its newest ships. If you're looking for a Holland America cruise experience with the most possible onboard activities and venues, you'll want to steer toward the vessels in its new Pinnacle Class.

If cruising in the most intimate environment possible is your goal, you'll want to look at the R Class, Holland America's oldest class of ships.

Pinnacle Class

Ships in class: Rotterdam (2021); Nieuw Statendam (2018); Koningsdam (2016)

Size: 99,500 to 99,863 tons

If you're in the "newer is better" camp when it comes to cruise ships, this is the Holland America ship class for you.

Holland America's Pinnacle Class just began rolling out in 2016, and the three vessels in the series are significantly younger than any other vessel in the Holland America fleet.

They're also bigger than any other vessel in the Holland America fleet and, as a result, boast more amenities.

Notably, in addition to a main restaurant and casual buffet, each of the three Pinnacle Class ships has five separate specialty dining venues. Options include 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.

Related: A first look at Holland's America's Rotterdam

Specifically, on Pinnacle Class ships, you'll find one of the line's signature live music 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).

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.

The top decks of the Pinnacle Class ships have main pool areas that can be covered by a retractable glass magrodome during inclement weather. This makes these ships a good choice when booking a cruise in a destination where the weather can be iffy. The pool areas also have a large screen to show movies, something unique to the ships of the Pinnacle Class.

Each of the Pinnacle Class ships also has a secondary SeaView Pool and lounge area at its back.

Additionally, each of the Pinnacle Class ships has a spa, a casino and an extra-fee outdoor lounge area called The Retreat — a feature that first debuted with the Pinnacle Class. Also new on the Pinnacle Class ships are Holland America's first ocean-view cabins for solo and family travelers.

Each of the Pinnacle Class ships is designed to carry 2,650 passengers at double occupancy.

Signature Class

Ships in class: Nieuw Amsterdam (2010); Eurodam (2008)

Size: 86,700 and 86,273 tons, respectively

At around 87,000 tons, the Signature Class vessels are about 15% smaller than the Pinnacle Class ships, and they have a somewhat more intimate feel.

They also have a tad fewer amenities.

Like the Pinnacle Class ships, both of the Signature Class vessels — Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam — have live music entertainment with a B.B. King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge (coming to these ships in December 2023), for instance.

And you'll find just three extra-charge restaurants on the ships: the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Canaletto for Italian and the pan-Asian Tamarind. Unlike the Pinnacle Class vessels, the Signature Class ships don't have Rudi's Sel De Mer, a brasserie created by top Holland America chef Rudi Sodamin. They also don't have a Grand Dutch Cafe.

Still, the Signature Class ships are similar in look and feel to the Pinnacle Class ships.

Like the Pinnacle Class ships, the Signature Class ships have main pool areas that can be covered by retractable glass magrodomes during inclement weather and secondary pool areas at their backs.

The ships are designed to carry about 2,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Vista Class

Ships in series: Noordam (2006); Westerdam (2004); Oosterdam (2003); Zuiderdam (2002)

Size: Between 82,305 and 82,348 tons

Comprising four vessels, this is the biggest group of Holland America ships. Thus, it's the class of Holland America ship on which you are most likely to sail.

In size, the vessels are just a tad smaller than the Signature Class ships — about 5% smaller, to be exact. However, they are designed to carry about 9% fewer people at double occupancy, meaning they offer a less crowded feel than the Signature Class vessels.

Their slightly smaller size means there are slightly fewer amenities, though.

For example, each of the four Vista Class vessels offers just two specialty restaurants: Holland America's signature Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and the Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Unlike the Signature Class, there is no pan-Asian dining venue.

The main entertainment offerings on the Vista Class vessels are identical to what's found on Signature Class ships: a live music entertainment area with a B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard venue.

Like the Pinnacle Class and Signature Class ships, the Vista Class ships have main pool areas that can be covered by retractable glass magrodomes during inclement weather and secondary pool areas at their backs.

Ships in series: Zaandam (2000); Volendam (1999)

Size: 61,396 and 61,214 tons, respectively

The R Class ships are about 25% to 38% smaller than the rest of the ships in the Holland America fleet and have a more cozy feel.

Because of their smaller size, they also have fewer features and amenities than the ships in the other Holland America classes — particularly the ships of the newer Pinnacle and Signature classes.

In general, R Class ships appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate cruise experience. They also draw cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

Along those lines, Holland America often deploys the R Class ships on its more far-flung, destination-rich itineraries, including lengthy around-the-world cruises.

For instance, in the fall of 2024, Zaandam is scheduled to sail a 51-day Tales of the South Pacific cruise round trip from San Diego, visiting 22 island ports from Hawaii to Fiji.

In early 2024, Volendam departs San Diego on a 94-day Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage that crosses the Pacific Ocean and circles the continent of Australia. In 2025, the ship will sail a 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole cruise out of Fort Lauderdale that is the first of its kind for the cruise line and explores both the North and South Pole.

Despite their smaller size, the R Class ships offer the same number of pool areas (two) as their bigger sister vessels, with one pool area covered by a retractable glass magrodome.

Each of the vessels has two specialty dining venues: Holland America's signature Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and the Italian restaurant Canaletto.

Entertainment options on the R Class ships include a main World Stage theater for shows, a piano bar and a string ensemble that performs onboard.

Bottom line

The Holland America fleet is relatively easy to understand. There are just four types of ships in the Holland America fleet, and — for the most part — they aren't too different from each other.

Holland America believes strongly in offering a consistent product from ship to ship, and it doesn't make revolutionary changes with each class of vessels it unveils.

The big difference between the line's four classes of ships is the size of the vessels in the classes. If you're a fan of bigger ships with more amenities, you'll probably gravitate to the new Pinnacle Class vessels. If you like your cruise ships more intimate, you'll probably want to stick with the R Class vessels.

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Holland America

All information about holland america. 2024, 2025 and 2026 itinerary of company's ships. technical data, rating and reviews of tourists. the actual location of the vessels..

Holland America is a premium cruise line offering an exceptional onboard cruise experience. The beautiful mid-sized cruise ships have nearly one crew member for every two guests providing the gracious attention that epitomizes classic cruising. Holland America’s award winning service is found throughout the ships including the staterooms, public areas, culinary department and the onboard amenities. The staterooms on all Holland America ships are spacious, elegant and feature amenities which create a sophisticated retreat for all guests. Some included desirable amenities are luxurious beds and linens, large and extra-fluffy Egyptian cotton towels, sumptuous bathrobes, massage showerheads, hair dryers, Elemis Aromapure ‘Time to Spa' bath amenities, televisions with DVD players, ample storage, complimentary fresh fruit, and complimentary 24-hour in-room dining. Accommodation choices on Holland America range from interior staterooms to suites. Dining on Holland America is an experience to be savored. Guests can choose either a traditional set dining time or for As You Wish® open dining. Holland America offers casual dining in the Lido restaurant, elegant dining in the main dining room, and specialty dining options in the Pinnacle Grill restaurant and others. Holland America’s chefs use only the freshest produce and the highest quality meats and seafood to create delicious and innovative menus pared with an extensive wine list. Life onboard Holland America cruises ships is filled with a grand assortment of entertainment, activities and enrichment programs. Their Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, offers demonstrations and seminars conducted by top chefs. The Digital Workshop offers free lessons on topics including digital photography, PC instruction and social media classes. All Holland America ships also feature pools, a theater and multiple show venues showcasing live performances, a fully equipped fitness center with classes for all levels and a luxurious spa — ideal for some extra self-care, along with other exciting offerings. Holland America's ships transport guests to more than 473 ports worldwide ranging from 1 to 128 days and include cruises to Alaska, the Amazon, Antarctica, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada & New England, Europe, Hawaii & Tahiti, the Panama Canal, South America and extended journeys with exceptional Grand Voyages.

Holland America ships

Year built: 2008

Length: 935 ft / 285 m

Passengers: 2104

Overall Rating: 3.18 (place: #150)

Year built: 2016

Length: 974 ft / 297 m

Passengers: 2650

Overall Rating: 3.01 (place: #188)

Year built: 2010

Passengers: 2106

Overall Rating: 2.91 (place: #197)

Year built: 2018

Passengers: 2666

Overall Rating: 3.15 (place: #165)

Year built: 2006

Passengers: 1972

Overall Rating: 2.76 (place: #215)

Year built: 2003

Passengers: 2024

Overall Rating: 2.63 (place: #237)

Year built: 2021

Passengers: 2668

Overall Rating: 3.56 (place: #91)

Year built: 1999

Length: 778 ft / 237 m

Passengers: 1432

Overall Rating: 2.52 (place: #245)

Year built: 2004

Length: 951 ft / 290 m

Passengers: 1968

Overall Rating: 2.69 (place: #226)

Year built: 2000

Length: 663 ft / 202 m

Overall Rating: 2.43 (place: #253)

Year built: 2002

Passengers: 1970

Overall Rating: 3.04 (place: #185)

Holland America in the News

• Jun 21, 2024 Ambassador Ambience is the longest ship at Port Aberdeen (Scotland) On June 14th, the Port of Aberdeen (Scotland) marked a historic milestone by welcoming the 245-me...
• May 16, 2024 Carnival Corporation's fleet achieves 100% Starlink satellite connectivity Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, has announced that its entire...
• May 16, 2024 HAL-Holland America Line’s Grand World Voyage 2026 (ship MS Volendam) opens for bookings HAL-Holland America Line has announced the opening of bookings for its 2026 Grand World Voyage. T...
• May 14, 2024 HAL-Holland America's ship MS Rotterdam tests biofuel for reduced emissions HAL-Holland America Line has initiated a long-term biofuel trial on its flagship, ms Rotterdam, e...
• May 8, 2024 Montreal's 2024 cruise season sets sail with HAL's ms Volendam The Port of Montreal (Quebec Canada) announced the commencement of the 2024 cruise season with th...
• May 5, 2024 HAL-Holland America Line introduces Glacier Guarantee for Alaska cruises HAL-Holland America Line has introduced a "Glacier Guarantee" to ensure guests have the opportuni...
• May 4, 2024 HAL-Holland America's ms Rotterdam sets sail with 100% biofuel for Norwegian Fjord cruises HAL-Holland America Line's flagship MS Rotterdam has embarked on a significant long-term trial ut...
• May 1, 2024 HAL-Holland America extends Nieuw Statendam ship's homeporting in Dover UK to 2026 HAL-Holland America Line has announced that its ship Nieuw Statendam will be homeported in Dover ...
• Apr 20, 2024 HAL-Holland America elevates Alaska cruising experience with 'Glacier Day' and enhanced programming As part of its "We Love Alaska" onboard experience, HAL-Holland America Line is unveiling "Glacie...
• Apr 15, 2024 Search underway for missing crew overboard from Holland America's cruise ship MS Rotterdam A maritime search operation has been initiated following reports of a crew member going overboard...
• Apr 12, 2024 HAL-Holland America Line achieves dual MSC&ASC certifications for Sustainable Seafood Sourcing HAL-Holland America Line has made maritime history by becoming the inaugural global cruise line t...
• Apr 6, 2024 HAL-Holland America unveils updated itinerary for 2025 Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam HAL-Holland America Line has announced a revised itinerary for its 2025 Grand World Voyage aboard...
• Mar 24, 2024 Tragic incident claims lives of 2 crew members on HAL's cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam An incident aboard a HAL-Holland America cruise ship resulted in the loss of two crew members' li...
• Mar 21, 2024 HAL-Holland America unveils 2025-2026 Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons HAL-Holland America Line has launched its Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons for 2025-2026, offerin...
• Mar 21, 2024 Celestyal Cruises unveils new voyage to Egypt (Celestyal Journey ship) Celestyal Cruises is set to embark on voyages to Egypt aboard its latest vessel - Celestyal Journ...

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10 Best Holland America Ships

Holland America Line has consistently been a top choice for cruise lovers, striking the right balance between modern amenities and cherished cruise traditions. Ships like the Rotterdam are decked out with the latest features, and the exclusive Club Orange program adds a touch of luxury with benefits like stateroom upgrades and priority access. Whether you want to dive into cooking demonstrations, groove to live music, or just relax and enjoy the ship’s atmosphere, Holland America has something special in store for every traveler.

If you’re wondering which ship to hop on for your next vacation, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll rank the best Holland America ships, helping you find the perfect match for your cruise dreams.

Table of Contents

Best Holland America Ships

1. nieuw statendam — overall score: 9.7/10.

Launched in December 2018, the Nieuw Statendam quickly became a standout in the Holland America fleet. The ship’s design, inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments, is a visual treat for travelers. We really like its two-story World Stage, where you can enjoy a variety of performances. The Music Walk area offers a diverse range of live music, from classical tunes to rock beats.

For food enthusiasts, the Nieuw Statendam doesn’t disappoint. The Rudi’s Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie, and the Grand Dutch Cafe, which serves Dutch treats and European beer, are among the many dining experiences on board.

Whether you’re planning a family trip or a romantic escape, the Nieuw Statendam is likely to offer a memorable journey.

2. Koningsdam — Overall Score: 9.5/10

The Koningsdam, introduced in 2016, marked the beginning of a new Pinnacle Class of ships for Holland America. Its design is a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary elements. The ship’s central atrium is a sight to behold, spanning three decks and showcasing a stainless-steel sculpture. Music lovers will appreciate the Music Walk, featuring venues like the Lincoln Center Stage and B.B. King’s Blues Club.

Dining on the Koningsdam is an experience in itself. The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, offers interactive cooking demonstrations and classes. Meanwhile, the ship’s main dining room presents a mix of classics and regionally inspired cuisine. Since there are tons of entertainment options and culinary delights, the Koningsdam won’t let you down.

3. Rotterdam — Overall Score: 9.3/10

Rotterdam, the seventh ship to bear this iconic name, made its debut in 2021. It continues Holland America’s legacy of mid-sized ships that focus on classic design elements with modern touches. The ship’s layout emphasizes spaciousness, allowing you to move comfortably throughout. The Rolling Stone Rock Room is a favorite among guests, offering live rock music performances.

When it comes to dining, Rotterdam offers a plethora of options. The Pinnacle Grill stands out, providing you with a chance to savor Pacific Northwest-inspired dishes. Club Orange members get exclusive access to a private dining venue with an expanded menu. With its range of amenities and activities, Rotterdam is designed to cater to both seasoned cruisers and first-timers.

4. Eurodam — Overall Score: 9.1/10

Eurodam, part of the Signature Class, has been gracing the seas since 2008. Over the years, it has undergone significant refurbishments to keep up with modern traveler demands. The ship’s art collection is noteworthy, featuring pieces from classic to contemporary. The Mainstage, Eurodam’s primary theater, hosts a variety of shows, from comedians to live music.

Dining is a highlight on the Eurodam. Tamarind, which serves Pan-Asian cuisine, and Canaletto, an Italian restaurant, are among the top choices. The ship also offers BLEND, where you can blend your own wine. You can expect a well-rounded cruise experience with Eurodam’s mix of entertainment, art, and culinary experiences.

5. Nieuw Amsterdam — Overall Score: 8.9/10

Launched in 2010, Nieuw Amsterdam pays homage to New York City, formerly called Nieuw Amsterdam. The ship’s interiors reflect the glamour and vibrancy of the Big Apple. The B.B. King’s Blues Club is a major attraction, bringing Memphis music to the sea. The ship also features the Billboard Onboard, where live musicians perform chart-topping hits.

For those with a culinary inclination, the ship offers the Pinnacle Grill, known for its premium steaks and fresh seafood. Dive-In, a poolside grill, serves gourmet burgers and hotdogs. And thanks to its New York-inspired ambiance and a range of activities, you’ll have plenty of entertainment options at your disposal.

6. Zuiderdam — Overall Score: 8.5/10

Zuiderdam, the first of Holland America’s Vista Class ships, began its journey in 2002. Over the years, it has seen several updates to enhance your cruising experience. The ship’s art collection is vast and varied, with pieces ranging from watercolor paintings to contemporary sculptures. The Mainstage offers a mix of entertainment, from live music to magic shows, ensuring you’re never short of options.

On the culinary front, Zuiderdam offers a range of dining venues. Canaletto, serving Italian cuisine, and Tamarind, with its Pan-Asian offerings, are among the top picks. The ship’s Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times, is perfect if you’re looking to relax with a coffee and a good book. You’re promised balanced cruise experience on Zuiderdam.

7. Volendam — Overall Score: 8.3/10

Volendam, with its garden theme, has been a favorite since its launch in 1999. The ship’s décor features floral designs, and you’ll find beautiful art pieces throughout. The Frans Hals Show Lounge, spanning three decks, is the main entertainment venue, hosting a variety of shows to keep you engaged.

When hunger strikes, Volendam has you covered. The Dining Room offers a mix of classic favorites and regionally inspired dishes. For a more casual setting, the Lido Market provides a fresh, marketplace-style experience. If you’re in the mood for something special, the Pinnacle Grill offers an intimate dining experience with premium steak and seafood.

8. Oosterdam — Overall Score: 8.1/10

Launched in 2003, Oosterdam is one of the Vista Class ships that combines classic charm with modern enhancements. The ship’s interiors are adorned with a vast collection of art, from classic oil paintings to contemporary sculptures. If you’re keen on entertainment, the Mainstage offers a mix of live performances, from comedians to musicians, ensuring you’re entertained throughout your journey.

For dining, Oosterdam offers a plethora of options. The Dining Room serves up a mix of timeless favorites and innovative dishes. If you’re in the mood for Italian, Canaletto is the place to be. For those looking for a more laid-back setting, the Lido Market provides a diverse selection of fresh food. With its range of activities and dining venues, Oosterdam provides a well-rounded cruise experience tailored to your preferences.

9. Veendam — Overall Score: 7.8/10

Veendam, part of Holland America’s Statendam class, offers a more intimate cruising experience with its smaller size. This ship provides a unique charm, ensuring a cozy and personal journey. The ship’s art collection is a visual treat, featuring an array of pieces that range from classical to contemporary. If entertainment is what you’re after, the Showroom at Sea hosts a variety of acts, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.

Dining on Veendam is a delightful experience. The Rotterdam Dining Room serves up a mix of classic dishes and innovative culinary creations. For those wanting a taste of Italy, Canaletto offers a range of Italian specialties. And if you’re in the mood for a casual bite, the Lido Market has a diverse selection to satisfy any craving.

10. Maasdam — Overall Score: 7.6/10

Maasdam, known for its longer, exploratory voyages, offers a unique cruising experience that focuses on immersive travel. The ship’s size allows it to visit ports that larger ships can’t access, giving you the opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. Onboard, the Exploration Central (EXC) program provides in-depth information about the regions you’re visiting, ensuring you get the most out of each port of call.

Dining on Maasdam is a treat, with the main dining room serving a mix of classic favorites and regional dishes inspired by the ship’s itinerary. For a more casual dining experience, the Lido Market offers a variety of options, from fresh salads to hand-carved meats. The ship’s entertainment options, while more subdued compared to the larger ships, focus on enrichment and personal growth. Whether you’re attending a lecture, taking a digital workshop, or simply relaxing with a book from the extensive library, Maasdam ensures a fulfilling and enriching cruise experience.

Related: Best Princess Cruise Ships

Best Holland America Ships Ranking Methodology

When ranking the best Holland America ships, we didn’t just go with our gut feeling. Instead, we took a systematic approach to ensure our list is as accurate and helpful as possible. Here’s a breakdown of our methodology:

• Aggregated Customer Reviews: We scoured multiple sources, including cruise forums, review sites, and direct feedback, to gather a wide range of opinions from past passengers. This helped us understand the real-world experiences of those who’ve sailed on these ships.
• Ship Amenities and Offerings: Different ships offer different amenities. We looked at dining options, entertainment, onboard activities, and special programs to gauge the overall experience a ship offers.
• Ship Age and Renovations: While older ships have their charm, recent renovations can significantly enhance the onboard experience. We considered the age of the ship and any recent upgrades it might have received.
• Itineraries and Destinations: The destinations a ship visits can greatly influence a cruiser’s experience. We took into account the variety and uniqueness of itineraries each ship offers.
• Personal Experience: While we’ve only been on a few Holland America ships, our firsthand experiences provided valuable insights. However, we ensured that personal biases didn’t overshadow the broader data.
• Safety and Maintenance Records: A ship’s safety record and maintenance history play a crucial role in our rankings. We believe that safety should never be compromised.

Our goal was to provide a comprehensive and unbiased ranking. While individual preferences may vary, we believe this list offers a solid starting point for anyone looking to experience the best of Holland America.

Choosing the Best Holland America Ship for You

Selecting the perfect Holland America ship for your cruise adventure can be a tad overwhelming, especially with so many fantastic options available. But don’t fret! Here are some considerations to help you make an informed choice:

• Your Travel Group: Are you traveling with family, as a couple, or solo? Some ships are more family-oriented with kid-friendly amenities, while others might cater more to couples with romantic dinners and adult-only zones.
• Duration of the Cruise: If you’re short on time, you might prefer a ship that offers shorter itineraries. Conversely, if you’re looking to truly unwind and explore, longer voyages on ships with expansive amenities might be more up your alley.
• Preferred Destinations: Each ship has its unique itinerary. If there’s a specific destination you’re itching to visit, make sure the ship you’re considering sails there.
• Onboard Activities: Are you a foodie eager to indulge in gourmet experiences? Or perhaps you’re keen on live entertainment or spa treatments? Choose a ship that aligns with your interests.
• Budget: Holland America offers a range of experiences across different price points. Determine your budget and find a ship that offers the best value for your money.
• Ship Size and Crowd: Some travelers prefer the intimacy of smaller ships, while others enjoy the buzz of larger vessels with more amenities and entertainment options.
• Recent Renovations: Newly refurbished ships often come with upgraded amenities and contemporary designs. If having the latest features is important to you, consider ships that have been recently renovated.

Remember, the best ship for you is the one that aligns with your personal preferences and expectations. Take the time to research, and you’re sure to find a Holland America ship that promises an unforgettable journey.

FAQs on the Best Holland America Ships

What is the best holland america ship for families.

The Nieuw Statendam is often recommended as one of the best Holland America ships for families. It offers a variety of family-friendly amenities, including Club HAL for kids, where children aged 3-17 can engage in age-appropriate activities. The ship also features family staterooms designed to accommodate larger groups comfortably. Additionally, the Lido Market offers a diverse range of dining options to cater to even the pickiest eaters. With its blend of entertainment options suitable for all age groups, from live music at Music Walk to interactive workshops and games, Nieuw Statendam ensures a memorable cruise experience for the entire family.

What is the largest Holland America ship?

The largest ship in the Holland America Line fleet is the Rotterdam . Spanning 984 feet in length, it boasts a tonnage of 99,935 GRT and can accommodate 2,668 passengers. Rotterdam is a hub of entertainment and relaxation. With multiple dining venues, expansive entertainment options, and a range of staterooms, it ensures a memorable journey for everyone on board.

Holland America Line stands out in the cruise industry, offering both classic charm and up-to-date features. Their fleet has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a cozy, smaller ship vibe or the buzz of a larger vessel. If you’re into great food, fun activities, or just exploring new places, Holland America has a ship ready for you. As you think about your next cruise, take a moment to see what each ship brings to the table and pick the one that fits your travel style best. Here’s to your next adventure on the seas!

Related: Best Norwegian Cruise Ships

Sheryll holds an MA in Journalism and English from NYU. With over 7 years of experience in the cruise industry, she brings a blend of insightful reporting and firsthand cruising knowledge.

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The Best Cruise Ships in the World: The Gold List 2024

By CNT Editors

Consider Gold List the answer to the question our editors get asked more than any other: What are your favorite places to stay? Our 30th annual iteration of the world’s greatest hotels and cruises captures nearly a year’s worth of work: This collection represents hundreds of hours of researching, scouting, and impassioned debating by our team of editors in seven cities across the globe. But more than that, it reflects our ongoing love affair with the places where we stay, which often become our gateways to entire destinations. Read on to inspire your next cruise.

See the full Gold List here .

Oceania Cruises' Marina is one of 12 ships chosen by our editors for 2024.

Celebrity Beyond Arrow

Cruise ships often get compared to floating hotels or resorts, but here’s one that feels like a floating Vegas show. Applause, please, for the glittering peacock made from Swarovski crystals and the Magic Carpet platform that shimmies up and down the ship, cantilevered over the water for some of the best seats in the house, while in the Martini Bar, a troupe of bartenders juggle shakers to the sound of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Beyond is one of the largest ships in Celebrity’s Edge class, and all that space is used to maximize the drama. A whole corridor is filled with a glowing installation of bronze sculptures reflected in infinity mirrors; a favorite anchorage was Eden, a beautiful, biophiliac bubble for hiding away in, watching the ship’s wake through triple-height windows and dawdling in swivel chairs that resemble green carnations. As for the cast, there are some stellar performers: Kelly Hoppen designed most of the interiors; Daniel Boulud’s debut signature restaurant at sea, Le Voyage, has an impeccable, globe-trotting menu alighting on Brazilian moqueca and tamarind prawns. But top of the bill is Captain Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a cruise ship. A captain hasn’t been this synonymous with their ship since the days of Merrill Stubing; follow her social media for a glimpse into the art of ship navigation. During our short, prelaunch cruise, we had an itinerary that involved looping round and round the Isle of Wight—a short trip, but one that was big on sheer spectacle. Three-night sailings from $300 per person. —Rick Jordan

Delfin II Arrow

The Amazon River has the opacity of chocolate milk and is almost deathlike in its stillness—which is wild when you consider how much life thrives there. It was on a nine-day journey through Peru with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic that I learned this, as we spent five of those days exploring the jungle by boat. Our chariot: the Delfin II , a Relais & Châteaux vessel with 14 thoughtfully appointed staterooms.

Most days began with a crack-of-dawn skiff ride soundtracked by the squall of jewel-winged, dusky-headed parakeets. The photographers pulled out their football lenses and the birders gasped from behind their binoculars as naturalists pointed out an elegant snowy egret picking its way through a mudbank, a neotropic cormorant spreading its gothy black wings like a vampire, and the somber Jabiru stork, the largest flying bird in South America, standing like a dour English butler on a naked tree limb. Also flagged were capuchin monkeys, giant river otters, flamboyant bromeliads, and—after dark—scores of caimans and capybaras.

We spent one muggy morning in a Kukama village, where indigenous women wove raffia bowls and cooked catfish, and another morning paddling the river—an outing which culminated with a pod of pink river dolphins leaping from the water mere feet from our kayaks. (Even our seen-it-all naturalist, Sandro, clapped like a schoolgirl.)

This deep in the Amazon jungle, there were no other tourists. When we did see signs of human life, they were usually fishermen or park rangers. And because there was no Wi-Fi on the Delfin II and a near total blackout on cell reception, downtime was spent attending lectures on Amazonian ecology, sampling native fruits (how the aptly named ice cream bean hasn’t been pitched on Shark Tank yet, I’ll never know), and buddying up to the ship bar, where I made fast friends of fellow guests. (Expedition cruises always draw a fascinating lot; my cohort included a microbiologist, metaphysical transcendentalist, and one of the earliest Apple employees.)

The highlight of the trip, however, was hiking through the jungle with a local tracker who showed us a brown-throated three-toed sloth, Goliath bird-eating tarantula, junior anaconda, and a century-old strangler fig. When we finally emerged from the bush, we were treated to a spectacular tangerine-and-charcoal sunset punctured by bolts of lighting. It was surreal and intense, just like everything else in this untouched corner of the world. Eight-day sailings from $5,730 per person. —Ashlea Halpern

Ritz-Carlton Evrima Arrow

Ritz-Carlton’s first foray into cruising, the Evrima is a hotel-at-sea experience that might just be the antidote to all the big ship itineraries. Think ultra-small ship luxury (at half the capacity of the Seabourns and Regents) with plenty of scenery options to choose from—the European Mediterranean (routes from Turkey to the Canary Islands) from spring through fall, and the Caribbean (San Juan to St. Barts) in winter—and a younger crowd than most of the luxury cruise market; mostly culture lovers with a dearth of cruising experience who can't wait to get ashore to the Côte d’Azur village restaurants. The 624-foot ship is the first in a fleet of three emerging over the next few years, and it still feels spacious with 149 suites, two pools, a cigar humidor, six bars (the interior Living Room and top-floor Observation Lounge, The Bar, and bars located at the Marina Terrace, the Pool House, and Mistral), a beauty salon and spa deck, water-level marina terrace with water toys, and a fitness center. The 246 staff range from deck crew to your cabin’s personal concierge, all of whom are dubbed the ship’s Ladies and Gentlemen—but titles feel almost superfluous aboard Evrima , where everyone from the tender drivers to dining leads will pause to actually get to know you and recall your name and story (and even your drink order) to make the entire experience feel organic and warm. It’s almost like you’re spending the night in someone’s home, which just so happens to be a 624-foot mega-yacht. And the Evrima itinerary has plenty of free time and overnight ports of call in its sailings, so you can head ashore for a day, or even an entire evening late into the night—gallivanting, dining, and imbibing with the new friends you'll no doubt meet onboard. Seven-night sailings from $5,800 per person. —Shannon McMahon

Oceania Marina Arrow

Is there any Marina passenger who doesn’t wish—even for a second—to confine himself to his stateroom on debarkation day? Perhaps only the smarty pants who booked their next cruise before this one ends. Otherwise, how can an epicurean cruiser (that’s Marina ’s crowd) not pine for another shot at the new wine list starring 80 highly coveted, hard-to-snag labels, including swoon-worthy Super Tuscans? You’ll long for one more brag-worthy chance to sip The Mascot, a label from Harlan family pedigree (think cult fave Harlan Estate); the Polo Grill’s deft sommelier knows exactly which prime steak pairs best. Despite eight compelling complimentary restaurants (Red Ginger’s signature lobster pad thai is still a must-devour), Marina vibes far more than great meals. Work up a sweat storm playing pickleball on deck 16 or braving core conditioning in the gym. Melt into a marine detox wrap (I love the juniper and lemon scent) at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, then sink into the spa terrace’s bubbling hot tub. Get down and dirty in the artist loft by painting a Venetian mask and playing Impressionist. In the hands-on culinary center, learn to cure a fish or preserve a lemon. Come May 2024, Marina debuts a splashy redo. Fall in love again with revamped avocado toast—bravo to the taco-spiced shrimp topping—in the new wellness-driven Aquamar kitchen. Where you lie your head hardly matters. An entry 291-square-foot stateroom starring a four-pillow, soft-sheet bed feels mighty spacious and sports Bulgari shampoo. That said, the top-to-bottom penthouse suites’ glam reno is beyond covetable, from the expanded bath to a boatload of enviable perks. Ten-day sailings from $1,999 per person. —Janice Wald Henderson

Trollfjord Arrow

Who better to guide you through Norway’s most remote reaches—including the Svalbard archipelago, the northernmost inhabited islands on the planet—than a Norwegian cruise company that knows the area’s every crag and fjord? Hurtigruten is an Oslo-based line whose ships have traversed these waters since 1893, ferrying freight, mail, and passengers to the communities along the rugged coast. In 2023, to celebrate its 130th anniversary, the company’s flagship, the newly refurbished, 500-passenger MS Trollfjord (named for a fjord in the Vesterålen archipelago) began sailing two hybrids of its original 34-port Norwegian Coastal Express, calling at several of the towns and villages on the original route. From September through April, the North Cape Express (a 13-day, 16-port itinerary) sails from Oslo to the North Cape and then south to Bergen. In the summertime, the Svalbard Express’s eight-day journey begins in Bergen and progresses north, with extended port calls and excursions in seven towns before entering the Arctic Circle and pulling into Longyearbyen, a mining town on Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s main island. On both routes Trollfjord offers its (mostly European) passengers an uncommon way to explore the region, with uniquely Nordic cultural touches to connect them to the country. There’s a pre-boarding spread of Norwegian fare in the ship’s departure lounge, and Trollfjord ’s three restaurants prioritize Scandinavian cuisine (salmon, reindeer, and lingonberries, oh my!) and the food culture of the indigenous Sámi people. The ship’s 277 staterooms and 12 suites (with walk-in closets, corner bathtubs and floor-to-ceiling windows) offer a cozy retreat from the sometimes-harsh weather. And typically Nordic diversions such as aquavit tastings, oceanview saunas and polar plunges leave you in no doubt about where you are and who you’re sailing with. 10-day sailings from $3,082 per person. —Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

Seven Seas Navigator Arrow

Imagine the most luxurious hotel you’ve ever stayed in. That’s precisely what stepping onboard the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Navigator feels like. And while the opulence and grandeur shine through every square inch of space, it’s worth mentioning that the staff are what make the experience memorable, remembering your name, preferences, likes, and dislikes from the second you step afoot the eight-deck vessel.

The 248 ultraluxe all-suite accommodations feel like your home away from home—despite their capacious interiors—and your personalized steward makes sure of that with thoughtful touches from the moment you check in. Thanks to a revamp in 2019, the ship feels pristine with a new library—complete with a faux fireplace—and sleek state-of-the-art furnishings (including the cruise line’s bespoke mattresses and bed linens) in each of the rooms. However, what makes the Navigator stand out from its counterparts is its intimate size, as it’s the smallest in Regent’s fleet. Everything onboard feels just an arm’s reach away, and you’ll quickly bond with fellow passengers after spending the day together on one of the complimentary shore excursions, such as tours by local guides, cooking classes, and other intimate adventures.

During my Mediterranean voyage, days were spent immersing ourselves in new cities, whereas nights began with a freshly shaken ice-cold martini followed by an exuberant dinner, with a stop in the Seven Seas Lounge for whatever was on tap that night, ranging from cabaret to karaoke. At the end of the journey, I left wanting more and with a suitcase full of clean clothes, thanks to one of the many attentive touches onboard: the included laundry service. 10-night sailings from $3,360 per person. —Rachel Dube

Seabourn Ovation Arrow

“We are not the Rat Pack,” quips Andrew Pedder, the witty Yorkshire-born captain of Seabourn Ovation. He's referring to himself and the other senior officers, for any guests who may have wandered into their impromptu panel session instead of the musical show taking place later that evening. The Q&A—which covers everything from the prettiest ports to the number of Champagne bottles typically consumed during a seven-day voyage—is part of a last-minute program of activities arranged for an unexpected sea day when it’s too windy to dock in the South of France. This is mid-October, on one of the ship’s jaunts around the Mediterranean for the season, and no one seems to mind the change of plan (although when we do explore, all the islands we visit—Menorca, Corsica, Elba—are blissfully tourist-free). It simply means more time for spa treatments, soaks in the outdoor hot tubs, and afternoon tea in the observation bar. Even then, it only feels like there are 60 passengers onboard, rather than 600. The restaurants are excellent, from Sushi, where you can sit at the counter watching the Japanese chefs at work, to poolside Earth & Ocean for Tandoori-style rotisserie chicken and Madras-style white bean cassoulet. Suites are spacious, each one with a balcony. West End–standard entertainment includes a magician and a chart-topping classical singer. But what makes this ultraluxe ship really memorable is the relaxed, on-point service by staff who remember your name and coffee order, or even a familiar face from a sailing five years ago. Seven-day sailings from $2,649 per person. —Emma Love

Silver Endeavour Arrow

Silversea is defined by its far-flung itineraries and exceptional onboard service (think Moët Champagne as you take in an iceberg calving in Antarctica). But the 220-passenger Silver Endeavour, new to the fleet and already a classic, raises every bar. Rooms start at a spacious 356 square feet and have luxury perks like pillow menus and a personalized bar, making them the best in all of Silversea’s array of ships. As far as food goes, premium Ars Italica Osetra caviar is complimentary and around-the-clock, though the Dover sole paired with a label from the rare wine menu at La Dame would have you believing you were in Paris. And the signature Otium spa celebrates pampering as much as it does wellness—don’t skip on the oxygen-boosting Golden Radiance facial. You may find yourself at any given hour glimpsing ice walls through the Drake Passage and remembering that the best part about this ship is the awe-inspiring places it dares to take you. 10-day sailings from $13,150. —Janice Wald Henderson

Scarlet Lady Arrow

Although new to the cruise industry, Virgin Voyages has already begun to set itself apart from its predecessors. When first stepping on the Scarlet Lady, cruisers are met with a rousing, upbeat staff that serve as gurus around the ship and are experts on everything from beauty to juicing. While the Scarlet Lady takes you on a familiar route around the Caribbean, the on-shore excursions available are what make this sail memorable. Take a leap of faith on daring outings such as the Waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata, where guests make their way down seven of the 27 natural slides and waterfalls. After the exhilarating experience, travelers can sit down with locals and come together over Dominican staples such as pollo guisado, tostones, and mangú. You can always get local delicacies while docked, but while onboard, you must snag a reservation at the Test Kitchen. It’s an experimental dining experience where the menu always evolves. You go in only seeing a small card with ingredients listed for the night’s meal, but everything else is up to the imagination. One might find cucumbers puréed and frozen into ice cream as dessert, or beets formed and prepared like steak. While en route to the next port, the hard reset one does at the Redemption Spa leaves your body feeling anew; it’s impossible to come back from vacation feeling the same as when you departed. On any Virgin Voyages ship, you’ll love the indulgent atmosphere, whether you’re catering to your sweet tooth by narrowing down your favorite gelato of the day, grabbing a drink at one of the five bars that stake claim to having the largest tequila supply on the seven seas, or finally getting that tattoo you’ve been thinking about for ages after visiting the ship’s tattoo parlor, Squid Ink. Seven-day sailings from $2,100 per person. —Paris Wilson

Queen Mary 2 Arrow

Six days sailing from England to New York across the vast Atlantic had the potential to bore me to stupefaction, but it turned out I had nothing to fear. “The ship is the destination,” said an entertainment director for Queen Mary 2 , who oversees a program that makes this cruise liner the undisputed hub of creative and intellectual stimulation on the high seas. Where else can you attend the annual Literature Festival At Sea, meeting top fiction and nonfiction authors like the late PJ O’Rourke, Bernadine Evaristo, and Louis de Bernières? And where else can you visit a planetarium, watch a Royal Shakespeare theater production, or hear guest speakers discuss artwork investments and the history of airport drug mules?

In between spa massages and table tennis rallies, I nourished my mind in the mahogany library before nourishing my body at the Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants, scarfing dishes like croquette of suckling pig, paired with excellent vintages and followed by mango panna cotta. On the final stretch of the journey, as dolphins leapt over the horizon and the Statue of Liberty loomed into view, my heart sank a little—New York City awaited, yet I didn’t want to disembark. That’s quite an achievement. Seven-day sailings from $1,389 per person. —Noo Saro-Wiwa

World Navigator Arrow

During my first few hours aboard the Atlas Ocean Voyages World Navigator, I felt a bit like I had inadvertently crashed a family reunion: Seemingly everyone else aboard this Arctic expedition had just sailed to Antarctica on the Navigator six months before, so several crew members and guests spent much of embarkation day hugging and catching up. With a maximum occupancy of 196, it’s already an intimate ship, but the fact that the relatively young brand, which debuted in 2019, could develop such an impressive number of repeat travelers in such a short spell speaks volumes. Many told me they were drawn to Atlas because of its eco-friendly bona fides (the new-build ship makes use of hybrid engines from Rolls-Royce designed to leave minimal impact), but the creature comforts on board certainly help. While the star attraction of such an expedition voyage is what lies beyond the decks—access to remote Antarctic fjords that larger vessels can’t dream of traversing, or spotting polar bears loping along pearly glaciers in the Arctic—I made the most of my time in between Zodiac expeditions. The multi-jet shower in my stateroom was sublime after damp and rigorous treks, the heated massage beds in the only L’Occitane Spa at sea are a dream, and the Arctic summer’s 24 hours of sunshine made the Dome observation deck a prime perch to cozy up with a book at any time of day or night. There was neither internet nor cell phone connectivity during my entire eight-day journey sailing thanks to the remote latitudes (though Atlas guests now have access to full Starlink satellite coverage), which meant this was the longest I’d been offline since the 1990s—and yet somehow, drifting through the surreal landscape in this cosseting bubble, I didn’t miss scrolling or chatting with the outside world one bit. Seven-night sailings from $4,749 per person. —Sarah Khan

Westerdam Arrow

A passenger who is well below senior age dances the robot to classic rock, to R&B, to country music, and to disco hits as talented singers and a live band perform most nights in the Rolling Stone Lounge, on Holland America Line’s Westerdam . His mechanical movements are a source of amusement and encouragement; if he can take over the dance floor, so can we with our own moves. The 1,916-passenger Westerdam is beloved as a traditional cruise ship, with its smaller-than-mega-ship size, deep blue hull, wraparound outdoor promenade deck, and details such as fresh flowers all around, celebrating the 150-year-old cruise line’s Dutch roots. Tradition does not mean staid. There’s rock and roll. There’s a trendy top-of-ship pickleball court.

On an Alaska cruise, my husband and I start our days with a jolt of caffeine via the baristas at Explorations Central, the ship’s cushy, contemporary, forward-facing observation lounge, before heading off on adventures such as joining other passengers in synchronized paddling a large canoe to see the ancient yet diminishing ice of Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier. Back on the ship, we indulge in excellent burgers, topped with Gouda and applewood-smoked bacon and served in fast-food wrapping from a stand at the covered Lido pool. We enjoy sustainable Alaska seafood—grilled salmon, fennel-crusted halibut, fried cod—in between cocktails made with local gin, served on real glacial ice. From the veranda of our classic aft cabin, mesmerizing views of the ship’s wake, seemingly endless forest, and a distant, blue-tinged glacier clear our brain. We’re ready for more of the dancing man. Seven-day sailings from $379 per person. —Fran Golden

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Holland America Line Announces Partnership with Lindt

• June 20, 2024

Holland America Line announced a collaboration with Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) to create crafted experiences aboard, according to a press release. 

On Gala Night, guests can be greeted by the “Sweet Dreams” turndown service, featuring Lindt LINDOR milk chocolate truffles or Sea Salt milk chocolate truffles once per cruise. Lindt chocolate desserts, including a signature tulip-shaped Lindt chocolate mousse cake, will be available in venues across the fleet as of August 2024.

Starting from summer 2024, guests can indulge in a Lindt Sundae featuring vanilla ice cream drizzled with a specially crafted Lindt chocolate sauce. This treat, along with Lindt chocolate tulips, will be served one evening per cruise in the Dining Room as part of the Dutch Day dinner menu.

In July 2024, ahead of  World Chocolate Day, Holland America will unveil a Lindt Flourless Chocolate Cake created in partnership with Lindt’s Master Chocolatier, Ann Czaja. The cake will be available on the Dining Room menu for sailings over seven days and will be featured during its ‘Cake Me Away’ program.

“We’re thrilled to align ourselves with Lindt, a globally beloved brand and one of the world’s leading chocolatiers, to launch an initiative that represents our deep connection to Europe and elevates the culinary experience on board,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “We hope our guests take the opportunity to indulge in all the special moments this partnership offers.”

“Holland America Line’s dedication to extraordinary service mirrors the meticulous craftsmanship behind Lindt chocolate, where the fusion of the finest ingredients creates an unparalleled indulgent experience,” said Melissa Mendoza, vice president of marketing at Lindt & Sprüngli (USA). “The partnership between Holland America Line and Lindt presents a remarkable chance for the Lindt LINDOR brand to connect with travelers passionate about cuisine and attract a new generation of LINDOR fans with unforgettable brand moments.”

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The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — 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), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.