If you cruise with Holland America Line (HAL), a World’s Finest Awards Corridor of Fame honoree, you possibly can anticipate 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 luxurious 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 all the time greeted my sister and me by identify. Being handled like a buddy, 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 friends can anticipate to take pleasure in 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 take pleasure in over 80 sorts of contemporary, regionally 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 grasp their nuances when choosing the proper cruise for you. “The Pinnacle Class ships supply extra eating choices and leisure, however the smaller-sized ships, corresponding to these which are a part of the R or Vista courses, 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: Pinnacle
Capability: 2,668 passengers
Holland America’s latest ship, Rotterdam, is extraordinarily spectacular. Count on unbelievable leisure, modern staterooms and suites, swanky public areas, and over 20 ingesting and eating choices. Put up-dinner, you possibly can try the on line casino, catch an outside film screening by the pool, or absorb a efficiency within the dazzling World Stage theater. For dwell music, the “Music Stroll” space affords 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: Pinnacle
Capability: 2,666 passengers
Nieuw Statendam affords a conventional 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. Further 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: Pinnacle
Capability: 2,650 passengers
Due to its clear strains, trendy 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 house to dwell music venues, outside 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 passengers
As you would possibly be capable to guess by its identify, this refined ship pays homage to New York Metropolis. Design parts hammer the theme house: There is a crystal chandelier formed just like the skyline, tons of pictures 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 dwell music at Billboard Onboard, and lease an opulent cabana on the swanky adults-only Retreat. Remember to 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 résistance is the full-time, standalone Morimoto eatery unique to Nieuw Amsterdam.
Eurodam
Inaugural Yr: 2008
Ship Class: Signature
Capability: 2,104 passengers
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 dwell 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 turns out to be useful in inclement climate — sipped iced lattes and sizzling cocoa, and stored an eye fixed out for whales within the Explorer’s Lounge.
Noordam
Inaugural Yr: 2006
Ship Class: Vista
Capability: 1,924 passengers
Noordam boasts a gallery-worthy artwork assortment and chic staterooms. There are ample public areas and actions, however don’t anticipate over-the-top leisure. As a substitute, you possibly can play pickleball, sing alongside to dwell tunes in one of many Music Stroll venues, cozy up with a great e-book within the library, loosen up on the spa, or take a dip in one of many swimming pools.
Westerdam
Inaugural Yr: 2004
Ship Class: Vista
Capability: 1,916 passengers
Westerdam celebrated its twentieth birthday this 12 months, nevertheless it feels as modern as any of the opposite vessels, because of the addition of music venues corresponding to Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge. It additionally hosts actions like wine tasting and bingo. When you’re a health lover, try the sports activities court docket to excellent your pickleball sport with a free lesson.
Oosterdam
Inaugural Yr: 2003
Ship Class: Vista
Capability: 1,964 passengers
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) supply Excessive Rating!, a sport room the place kids and adults can play video games like skeeball.
Whereas the little ones play, grown-ups can take pleasure in a therapeutic massage on the spa or cocktails at a classy 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: Vista
Capability: 1,964 passengers
The 22-year-old Zuiderdam is a Holland America fan favourite for its traditional nautical design parts, trendy 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 canine 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 be the 2025 house 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 Class
Capability: 1,432 passengers
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 good 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 Class
Capability: 1,432 passengers
Volendam is the road’s oldest working ship, relationship again 25 years. Regardless of its age, this small vessel delights with its elaborate public areas, which characteristic elegant garden-inspired touches like contemporary blooms, floral materials, and tapestries. Volendam is one among simply two Holland America ships with out a Music Stroll, so anticipate a quieter, extra low-key onboard ambiance.