Guide to Holland America Line's 11 Ships

When you sail with Holland America Line (HAL), a World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame winner, you can expect incredible cuisine, exciting destinations (more than 300 ports of call on all seven continents) and luxurious service. Travel + Leisure Readers’ favorite cruise line offers a luxury cruise experience without the luxury price tag.

From my experience with Holland America, I can confirm that the service is top notch. I have sailed on the Eurodamand the servers in the main dining room always greeted my sister and me by name. Being treated like a friend, not just a passenger, is a luxury, especially on a ship this large. (Each ship can accommodate between 1,432 and 2,668 passengers.) HAL “prides itself on beautifully appointed ships and gracious service where all guests can expect luxurious touches throughout the voyage,” says Charlene Recio, Holland America Line specialist and travel advisor with Marvelous Mouse Travels.

Other cruise features include the cruise line’s partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association (which equips every ship with complimentary courts and lessons) and sophisticated dining options like the new Global Fresh Fish program, which lets you enjoy more than 80 varieties of fresh, locally sourced seafood regional specialties, depending on your location. Think yellowtail snapper on a Caribbean cruise, sardines in the Mediterranean and halibut in Alaska.

While all 11 ships have some commonalities, understanding their nuances is key to choosing the right cruise for you. “Pinnacle-class ships offer more dining and entertainment options, but smaller ships, like those in the R or Vista classes, offer easier access to more unique destinations,” says Recio. Learn more about each Holland America ship here, including essential amenities and capabilities, and make booking your next cruise a breeze.

Rotterdam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2021

Ship class: Pinnacle

Ability: 2,668 passengers

Holland America’s newest ship, Rotterdamis extremely impressive. Expect incredible entertainment, contemporary staterooms and suites, chic public spaces, and more than 20 dining and beverage options. After dinner, you can visit the casino, catch an outdoor movie screening by the pool, or catch a show at the dazzling World Stage theater. For live music, the “Music Walk” area offers a variety of options, from pop hits at Billboard Onboard to soul at BB King’s Blues Club.

New Statendam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2018

Ship class: Pinnacle

Ability: 2,666 passengers

New Statendam The ship offers a traditional cruise experience (formal evenings, afternoon tea) with a contemporary twist. Music is a major theme on board the ship: its unique design is inspired by musical instruments and a music-themed art collection is featured on board. Other highlights include an expanded Music Walk area, the two-level World Stage theatre and high-end specialty restaurants including Tamarind for Southeast Asian and Rudi’s Sel De Mer for French-inspired haute cuisine.

The King’s Dam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2016

Ship class: Pinnacle

Ability: 2,650 passengers

Thanks to its clean lines, modern decoration and spaces bathed in natural light, The King’s Dam has a brighter, airier aesthetic than other Holland America ships. This is the first ship in the company’s Pinnacle class and features concert halls, outdoor poolside movie screenings, pickleball courts and a lively casino. For some well-deserved relaxation, head to the spa or the adults-only Retreat area.

The New Amsterdam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2010

Ship class: Signature

Ability: 2,106 passengers

As its name suggests, this sophisticated ship pays homage to New York City. Design elements hammer home the theme: there’s a skyline-shaped crystal chandelier, tons of photos and paintings with motifs of “The City That Never Sleeps,” and a life-size yellow cab in the kids’ club.

Stroll along the wraparound promenade, listen to live music at Billboard Onboard and rent a luxurious cabana at the chic, adults-only Retreat. Also, be sure to take advantage of the ship’s dining options: This is the only Holland America Line ship with a permanent Morimoto by Sea restaurant. Iron Chef Former chef Masaharu Morimoto, who was named the line’s fresh fish ambassador when the global fresh fish program launched, has designed Morimoto by Sea pop-up experiences on several HAL ships, but his pièce de résistance is the full-time standalone Morimoto restaurant exclusive to New Amsterdam.

Eurodam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2008

Ship class: Signature

Ability: 2,104 passengers

Holland America’s first Signature Class ship, Eurodam exudes elegance in every sense of the word, without any embarrassment. I sailed to Alaska on this ship in August 2022 and was particularly blown away by the live music at the Music Walk.

I also relaxed on a thermal lounger at the spa, enjoyed crispy fish and chips (made with Alaskan halibut, of course), lounged by the Lido pool—the retractable roof here comes in handy in bad weather—sipped iced lattes and hot chocolate, and kept an eye out for whales in the Explorer’s Lounge.

Northdam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2006

Ship class:View

Ability: 1,924 passengers

Northdam The ship has a gallery-worthy art collection and elegant staterooms. There are plenty of public spaces and activities, but don’t expect extravagant entertainment. Instead, you can play pickleball, sing along to live tunes in one of the Music Walk concert venues, relax with a good book in the library, unwind in the spa, or take a dip in one of the pools.

Westerdam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2004

Ship class:View

Ability: 1,916 passengers

Westerdam The ship celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, but it’s as contemporary as any ship, thanks to the addition of live music venues like Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge. It also hosts activities like wine tastings and bingo. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, check out the sports court to perfect your pickleball game with a free lesson.

Oosterdam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2003

Ship class:View

Ability: 1,964 passengers

Oosterdam — the fleet’s second Vista-class ship — is one of the company’s most family-friendly ships. Although all HAL ships have complimentary kids’ clubs for children aged 3 to 17, only a few (Oosterdam (included) offer High Score!, a games room where children and adults can play games like skeeball.

While the little ones play, adults can enjoy a massage at the spa or cocktails at a stylish bar or lounge like the Ocean Bar. Gather for dinner before heading to Billboard Onboard or Rolling Stone Lounge for a date night or trying your luck at the casino.

South Dam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2002

Ship class:View

Ability: 1,964 passengers

The 22-year-old South Dam is a Holland America fan favorite for its classic nautical design elements, modern bells and whistles and extensive dining options, including the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and Dive In, a casual poolside restaurant serving Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and fries.

The public spaces are equally impressive, including the cabana-lined, adults-only Retreat and the lively Rolling Stone Lounge. The ship will also host Holland America’s Grand World Voyage in 2025, a world cruise that crisscrosses six continents in 124 breathtaking days.

Zaandam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year: 2000

Ship class: To classify

Ability: 1,432 passengers

With its almost identical sister ship, the Volendam, Zaandam HAL is the smallest ship in the fleet. Designed to carry a minimum of 1,432 passengers while offering plenty of room to move around, the ship is ideal for a more personal and intimate cruising experience. The ship’s musically inspired décor includes guitars by Queen, The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.

Volendam

Courtesy of Holland America

Inaugural year:1999

Ship class: To classify

Ability: 1,432 passengers

Volendam is the company’s oldest operating ship, dating back 25 years. Despite its age, this small vessel delights with its elaborate public spaces, which feature elegant garden-inspired touches such as fresh flowers, floral fabrics and tapestries. Volendam is one of only two Holland America ships without a musical promenade, so expect a quieter, more subdued atmosphere on board.