Once you cruise with Holland America Line (HAL), a World’s Finest Awards Corridor of Fame honoree, you possibly can count on unbelievable meals, thrilling locations (over 300 ports of name throughout all seven continents), and luxe service. This Journey + Leisure reader-favorite cruise line supplies a luxurious cruise ship expertise with out the posh price ticket.
Based mostly on my Holland America expertise, I can verify that the service is top-notch. I sailed on the Eurodam, and the primary eating room servers at all times greeted my sister and me by identify. Being handled like a good friend, not simply one other passenger, is a luxurious, particularly on such a big ship. (Every vessel accommodates between 1,432 and a couple of,668 passengers.) HAL “prides itself on its superbly appointed ships and gracious providers the place all of its visitors can count on to get pleasure from touches of luxurious all through the journey,” Holland America Line specialist and Marvelous Mouse Travels journey advisor Charlene Recio says.
Different options embrace the cruise line’s partnership with the Skilled Pickleball Affiliation — which outfits each ship with courts and complimentary classes — and complicated eating choices like the brand new World Recent Fish Program, which lets you get pleasure from over 80 forms of contemporary, domestically sourced regional seafood specialties, relying in your location. Assume yellowtail snapper whereas cruising the Caribbean, sardines within the Mediterranean, and halibut in Alaska.
Although all 11 ships have issues in frequent, it is important to know their nuances when selecting the best cruise for you. “The Pinnacle Class ships provide extra eating choices and leisure, however the smaller-sized ships, akin to these which can be a part of the R or Vista lessons, enable simpler entry to extra distinctive locations,” Recio explains. Right here, study every Holland America ship, together with important facilities and capacities, and make reserving your subsequent crusing a breeze.
Rotterdam
Inaugural Yr: 2021
Ship Class: PinnacleÂ
Capability: 2,668 passengersÂ
Holland America’s latest ship, Rotterdam, is extraordinarily spectacular. Count on unbelievable leisure, modern staterooms and suites, swanky public areas, and over 20 consuming and eating choices. Publish-dinner, you possibly can take a look at the on line casino, catch an out of doors film screening by the pool, or soak up a efficiency within the dazzling World Stage theater. For reside music, the “Music Stroll” space gives a number of choices, from pop hits at Billboard Onboard to soul at B.B. King’s Blues Membership.
Nieuw Statendam
Inaugural Yr: 2018
Ship Class: PinnacleÂ
Capability: 2,666 passengers  Â
Nieuw Statendam gives a standard cruising expertise (formal nights, afternoon tea) with modern aptitude. Music is an enormous theme on the ship — its distinctive design attracts inspiration from musical devices, and there is a music-themed artwork assortment on board. Extra highlights embrace an expanded Music Stroll space, the two-level World Stage theater, and top-notch specialty eating choices, together with Tamarind for Southeast Asian and Rudi’s Sel De Mer for haute French-inspired delicacies.
Koningsdam
Inaugural Yr: 2016
Ship Class: PinnacleÂ
Capability: 2,650 passengersÂ
Because of its clear traces, fashionable decor, and pure light-filled areas, Koningsdam has a brighter, airier aesthetic than Holland America’s different vessels. It was the primary ship within the line’s Pinnacle Class and is residence to reside music venues, out of doors film screenings by the pool, pickleball courts, and a full of life on line casino. For some well-deserved R&R, head to the spa or the adults-only Retreat space.
Nieuw Amsterdam
Inaugural Yr: 2010
Ship Class: Signature
Capability: 2,106 passengersÂ
As you may have the ability to guess by its identify, this refined ship pays homage to New York Metropolis. Design parts hammer the theme residence: There is a crystal chandelier formed just like the skyline, tons of photographs and work with motifs of “The Metropolis That By no means Sleeps,” and a full-size yellow cab within the youngsters membership.
Stroll alongside the wraparound promenade, hearken to reside music at Billboard Onboard, and lease an opulent cabana on the swanky adults-only Retreat. You should definitely indulge within the ship’s eating choices, too — that is the one Holland America Line vessel with a everlasting Morimoto by Sea restaurant. Iron Chef alumnus Chef Masaharu Morimoto, who was named the road’s Recent Fish Ambassador when the World Recent Fish Program launched, designed Morimoto by Sea pop-up experiences on a number of HAL ships, however his pièce de rĂ©sistance is the full-time, standalone Morimoto eatery unique to Nieuw Amsterdam.
Eurodam
Inaugural Yr: 2008
Ship Class: Signature
Capability: 2,104 passengersÂ
The primary vessel in Holland America’s Signature Class, Eurodam exudes class in each sense, sans any stuffiness. I cruised to Alaska on this ship in August 2022 and was particularly blown away by the reside music at Music Stroll.
I additionally relaxed on a thermal lounger on the spa, tucked into crispy fish and chips (made with Alaskan halibut, after all), lounged by the Lido Pool — the retractable roof right here is useful in inclement climate — sipped iced lattes and sizzling cocoa, and saved a watch out for whales within the Explorer’s Lounge.
Noordam
Inaugural Yr: 2006
Ship Class: VistaÂ
Capability: 1,924 passengersÂ
Noordam boasts a gallery-worthy artwork assortment and stylish staterooms. There are ample public areas and actions, however don’t count on over-the-top leisure. As a substitute, you possibly can play pickleball, sing alongside to reside tunes in one of many Music Stroll venues, cozy up with an excellent e book within the library, chill out on the spa, or take a dip in one of many swimming pools.
Westerdam
Inaugural Yr: 2004
Ship Class: VistaÂ
Capability: 1,916 passengers
Westerdam celebrated its twentieth birthday this yr, but it surely feels as modern as any of the opposite vessels, because of the addition of music venues akin to Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge. It additionally hosts actions like wine tasting and bingo. For those who’re a health lover, take a look at the sports activities courtroom to good your pickleball recreation with a free lesson.
Oosterdam
Inaugural Yr: 2003
Ship Class: VistaÂ
Capability: 1,964 passengersÂ
Oosterdam — the second Vista Class ship within the fleet — is among the many line’s most family-friendly vessels. Though all HAL ships have complimentary youngsters golf equipment for kids ages three to 17, only some (Oosterdam included) provide Excessive Rating!, a recreation room the place kids and adults can play video games like skeeball.
Whereas the little ones play, grown-ups can get pleasure from a therapeutic massage on the spa or cocktails at a trendy bar or lounge like Ocean Bar. Regroup for dinner earlier than heading out to Billboard Onboard or Rolling Stone Lounge on a date evening or attempting your luck on the on line casino.
Zuiderdam
Inaugural Yr: 2002
Ship Class: VistaÂ
Capability: 1,964 passengersÂ
The 22-year-old Zuiderdam is a Holland America fan favourite for its basic nautical design parts, fashionable bells and whistles, and quite a few eating choices, together with the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and Dive In, an informal poolside eatery serving Nathan’s Well-known sizzling canines and fries.
The general public areas are equally spectacular, together with the luxury cabana-lined Retreat (completely reserved for adults) and the buzzy Rolling Stone Lounge. The ship can also be the 2025 residence of Holland America’s annual Grand World Voyage, a world cruise that sails to 6 continents over an eye-popping 124 days.
Zaandam
Inaugural Yr: 2000
Ship Class: R ClassÂ
Capability: 1,432 passengersÂ
Together with its near-identical sister ship the Volendam, Zaandam represents the small finish of HAL’s fleet. The vessel — designed to hold a line-minimum 1,432 passengers whereas providing loads of room to roam — is right for a extra private and intimate cruising expertise. The ship’s musical-inspired decor consists of signed guitars from Queen, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton.
Volendam
Inaugural Yr: 1999
Ship Class: R ClassÂ
Capability: 1,432 passengersÂ
Volendam is the road’s oldest working ship, courting again 25 years. Regardless of its age, this small vessel delights with its elaborate public areas, which function elegant garden-inspired touches like contemporary blooms, floral materials, and tapestries. Volendam is certainly one of simply two Holland America ships with no Music Stroll, so count on a quieter, extra low-key onboard ambiance.