Cruise Frog guide
Holland America Line
Holland America Line is a premium cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation & plc and based in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in Rotterdam in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, ran passenger and cargo services across the Atlantic until 1971 and became part of Carnival in 1989.
Style
Premium
smaller crowds, better food and service than mainstream
Best for
- Couples
- History and culture
- Solo travelers
Fleet rating
No ships rated yet.
About Holland America Line
Its 11 ships are mid-sized by today's standards, from the R-class Volendam and Zaandam, with about 1,430 guests each, through the Vista and Signature classes to the three Pinnacle-class ships, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and the flagship Rotterdam, which carry about 2,650 to 2,670. Ship names reuse those of the line's ocean liners, and the current Rotterdam is the seventh. Four older ships, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Maasdam and Veendam, were sold in 2020. Holland America has said that P&O Cruises' Arcadia, originally ordered by the line, will join the fleet under a new name in 2029, and its Holland America Evolution program is updating six ships.
Alaska is the line's signature region: it pairs cruises with overland cruisetours and owns hotels and rail operations in the state. It also sails the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal, Canada and New England, Europe, South America and Antarctica, Asia and Australia, with an annual world cruise and other Grand Voyages. Cruises tend to be a week or longer, and life on board centers on dining, live music, enrichment and the spa rather than big-ship thrills.
What Holland America Line is known for
Holland America is regarded as a traditional premium line, with mid-sized ships, longer itineraries and a strong presence in Alaska, where its cruisetours add land travel to Denali and the Yukon. Its ships carry substantial art collections, and the Pinnacle-class Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam have won readers' and trade awards as mid-sized ships. The Mariner Society rewards loyalty by days sailed, which suits frequent cruisers and those who take long voyages. The trade-offs mirror those strengths: the ships focus on dining, music and enrichment rather than the water parks and thrill rides found on larger mainstream ships, and the R- and Vista-class ships date from 1999 to 2006, although the line has published plans to refresh several of them. Specialty restaurants and drinks cost extra, as on other Carnival brands, and the most generous Mariner perks take many sailings to reach.
Who it's for
Holland America suits couples and travelers who want a calmer, more traditional cruise on a mid-sized ship, with good dining and itineraries that spend real time in port. It is a strong choice for Alaska, especially for cruisetours that add Denali and the Yukon, and for longer trips: Grand Voyages, a world cruise and transatlantic crossings. Solo travelers will find single staterooms on the Pinnacle-class ships, and Oosterdam is adding Solo Verandah cabins. Families with young children, or groups looking for nightlife, water parks and short getaways, are usually better served by a mainstream line, and travelers who want most extras included in the fare should look at luxury lines.
- Couples
- romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
- History and culture
- port-intensive itineraries, lectures, included excursions
- Solo travelers
- studio cabins, low or no single supplement, easy to meet people
How it rates
None of Holland America Line's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.
Where Holland America Line sails
- Alaska6 ships
- Caribbean5 ships
- Panama Canal4 ships
- Transatlantic4 ships
- Northern Europe3 ships
- Mexican Riviera2 ships
- Canada and New England2 ships
- Pacific Coast2 ships
- South America2 ships
- Antarctica2 ships
- Asia2 ships
- Australia and New Zealand2 ships
- Mediterranean1 ship
- Norwegian Fjords1 ship
- Hawaii1 ship
- World cruises1 ship
Ships
Eurodam2008 · 86,273 GT · 2,104 guests · Alaska · CaribbeanEurodam is the first of Holland America's two Signature-class ships, an enlarged version of the Vista design, at about 86,300 gross tons with some 2,100 guests. She entered…
Koningsdam2016 · 99,863 GT · 2,650 guests · Alaska · HawaiiKoningsdam is the lead ship of Holland America's Pinnacle class and the first named for the Dutch king; Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is her godmother. Built by Fincantieri…
Nieuw Amsterdam2010 · 86,700 GT · 2,106 guests · Alaska · CaribbeanNieuw Amsterdam is the second Signature-class ship, the 81st ship in Holland America's history and the fourth to carry the name, in service since July 2010. She carries about…
Nieuw Statendam2018 · 99,902 GT · 2,666 guests · Northern Europe · CaribbeanNieuw Statendam is the second of Holland America's three Pinnacle-class ships, built by Fincantieri, delivered in November 2018 and in service from December 2018. Her name…
Noordam2006 · 82,318 GT · 1,916 guests · Alaska · AsiaNoordam is the fourth and last of Holland America's Vista-class ships and the fourth Holland America ship of the name, which joins the Dutch word for north with the fleet's -dam…
Oosterdam2003 · 82,305 GT · 1,964 guests · Mediterranean · South AmericaOosterdam is the second of Holland America's four Vista-class ships, launched in 2002 and in service since 2003; her name pairs the Dutch word for east with the fleet's -dam…
Rotterdam2021 · 99,935 GT · 2,668 guests · Northern Europe · CaribbeanRotterdam is Holland America's flagship and the seventh ship to carry the line's best-known name. Planned as Ryndam, she was renamed during construction in July 2020 after the…
Volendam1999 · 61,214 GT · 1,432 guests · World cruises · Canada and New EnglandVolendam is one of Holland America's two remaining R-class ships, a smaller vessel of about 61,200 gross tons carrying some 1,430 guests. Delivered in October 1999 and the third…
Westerdam2004 · 81,811 GT · 1,964 guests · Alaska · AsiaWesterdam is the third of Holland America's Vista-class ships and the third ship of the name, in service since April 2004. At about 81,800 gross tons she carries some 1,960…
Zaandam2000 · 61,396 GT · 1,432 guests · Alaska · South AmericaZaandam is an R-class ship of about 61,400 gross tons carrying some 1,430 guests, built by Fincantieri at Marghera and delivered in 2000. Named for the Dutch town near Amsterdam…
Zuiderdam2002 · 81,769 GT · 1,916 guests · Caribbean · Norwegian FjordsZuiderdam, which began sailing in December 2002, was the first of Holland America's four Vista-class ships, a mid-sized design named for its generous use of glass; about 85…Coming soon
Former ships
Where to fly in
- Vancouver International (YVR)3 Holland America Line ships sail from Vancouver, British Columbia11 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)2 Holland America Line ships sail from Seattle, Washington11 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)1 Holland America Line ship sails from Rotterdam, Netherlands10 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)1 Holland America Line ship sails from Piraeus, Greece9 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)1 Holland America Line ship sails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida3 lounges on Lounge Frog
- London Heathrow (LHR)1 Holland America Line ship sails from Dover, England40 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Miami International (MIA)1 Holland America Line ship sails from Miami, Florida10 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Holland America Line known for?
Holland America is regarded as a traditional premium line, with mid-sized ships, longer itineraries and a strong presence in Alaska, where its cruisetours add land travel to Denali and the Yukon. Its ships carry substantial art collections, and the Pinnacle-class Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam have won readers' and trade awards as mid-sized ships. The Mariner Society rewards loyalty by days sailed, which suits frequent cruisers and those who take long voyages. The trade-offs mirror those strengths: the ships focus on dining, music and enrichment rather than the water parks and thrill rides found on larger mainstream ships, and the R- and Vista-class ships date from 1999 to 2006, although the line has published plans to refresh several of them. Specialty restaurants and drinks cost extra, as on other Carnival brands, and the most generous Mariner perks take many sailings to reach.
Who is Holland America Line best for?
Holland America suits couples and travelers who want a calmer, more traditional cruise on a mid-sized ship, with good dining and itineraries that spend real time in port. It is a strong choice for Alaska, especially for cruisetours that add Denali and the Yukon, and for longer trips: Grand Voyages, a world cruise and transatlantic crossings. Solo travelers will find single staterooms on the Pinnacle-class ships, and Oosterdam is adding Solo Verandah cabins. Families with young children, or groups looking for nightlife, water parks and short getaways, are usually better served by a mainstream line, and travelers who want most extras included in the fare should look at luxury lines.
Where does Holland America Line sail?
Holland America Line's ships in service sail Alaska (6 ships), Caribbean (5 ships), Panama Canal (4 ships), Transatlantic (4 ships), Northern Europe (3 ships), Mexican Riviera (2 ships), Canada and New England (2 ships), Pacific Coast (2 ships), South America (2 ships), Antarctica (2 ships), Asia (2 ships), Australia and New Zealand (2 ships), Mediterranean (1 ship), Norwegian Fjords (1 ship), Hawaii (1 ship) and World cruises (1 ship).
Does Holland America Line have new ships coming?
Yes: Holland America Line has 1 new ship on the way: Arcadia (debuts 2029).
How many ships does Holland America Line have?
Holland America Line has 11 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam and Volendam, and 3 more.
Who owns Holland America Line?
Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation & plc.
Where is Holland America Line based?
Holland America Line is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It has operated since 1873.
What is Holland America Line's loyalty program called?
Holland America Line's past-guest loyalty program is Mariner Society.
What is the largest Holland America Line ship?
Rotterdam is Holland America Line's largest ship at 99,935 gross tons, carrying 2,668 guests.
Cruising with children
Holland America offers supervised children’s activities alongside a cruise experience that families can share. Match the club with your child’s interests and the itinerary rather than comparing only ship size.
Read the Holland America Line family guide →News about Holland America Line and its ships
- Holland America's made-over Oosterdam returns Oct. 31, 2027, with solo cabins and new suites
Lounge FrogOosterdam
- Holland America's Pan Am cruise will bring back the Clipper Club, Pan Am's private airport lounges
Lounge FrogZuiderdam
- Cruise ship swap: Holland America takes P&O's Arcadia, and Cunard's Queen Anne goes to P&O
Lounge Frog