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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 gives a luxurious cruise ship expertise with out the posh price ticket.
Based mostly on my Holland America expertise, I can affirm that the service is top-notch. I sailed on the Eurodam, and the principle eating room servers at all times 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 fantastically appointed ships and gracious providers the place all of its friends can anticipate 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 embody 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 International Recent Fish Program, which lets you get pleasure from over 80 kinds of recent, 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 widespread, it is important to know their nuances when selecting the best cruise for you. “The Pinnacle Class ships supply extra eating choices and leisure, however the smaller-sized ships, resembling these which can be a part of the R or Vista courses, permit 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
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 2021
Ship Class: Pinnacle
Capability: 2,668 passengers
Holland America’s latest ship, Rotterdam, is extraordinarily spectacular. Anticipate unbelievable leisure, up to date staterooms and suites, swanky public areas, and over 20 consuming and eating choices. Publish-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 stay 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
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 2018
Ship Class: Pinnacle
Capability: 2,666 passengers
Nieuw Statendam gives a standard cruising expertise (formal nights, afternoon tea) with up to date aptitude. Music is a giant theme on the ship — its distinctive design attracts inspiration from musical devices, and there is a music-themed artwork assortment on board. Extra highlights embody 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
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 2016
Ship Class: Pinnacle
Capability: 2,650 passengers
Due to 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 house to stay music venues, outside film screenings by the pool, pickleball courts, and a vigorous on line casino. For some well-deserved R&R, head to the spa or the adults-only Retreat space.
Nieuw Amsterdam
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 2010
Ship Class: Signature
Capability: 2,106 passengers
As you would possibly be capable to guess by its identify, this subtle ship pays homage to New York Metropolis. Design components 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 stay music at Billboard Onboard, and hire an opulent cabana on the swanky adults-only Retreat. Be sure you 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 International 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
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 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 stay music at Music Stroll.
I additionally relaxed on a thermal lounger on the spa, tucked into crispy fish and chips (made with Alaskan halibut, in fact), lounged by the Lido Pool — the retractable roof right here is useful in inclement climate — sipped iced lattes and sizzling cocoa, and saved an eye fixed out for whales within the Explorer’s Lounge.
Noordam
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 2006
Ship Class: Vista
Capability: 1,924 passengers
Noordam boasts a gallery-worthy artwork assortment and stylish 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 stay tunes in one of many Music Stroll venues, cozy up with a great ebook within the library, chill out on the spa, or take a dip in one of many swimming pools.
Westerdam
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 2004
Ship Class: Vista
Capability: 1,916 passengers
Westerdam celebrated its twentieth birthday this yr, nevertheless it feels as up to date as any of the opposite vessels, due to the addition of music venues resembling Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge. It additionally hosts actions like wine tasting and bingo. Should you’re a health lover, try the sports activities court docket to excellent your pickleball recreation with a free lesson.
Oosterdam
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 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 youngsters ages three to 17, only some (Oosterdam included) supply Excessive Rating!, a recreation room the place youngsters 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 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 making an attempt your luck on the on line casino.
Zuiderdam
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 2002
Ship Class: Vista
Capability: 1,964 passengers
The 22-year-old Zuiderdam is a Holland America fan favourite for its traditional nautical design components, 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 canine and fries.
The general public areas are equally spectacular, together with the luxury cabana-lined Retreat (solely reserved for adults) and the buzzy Rolling Stone Lounge. The ship can also 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
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 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 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
Courtesy of Holland America
Inaugural 12 months: 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 function elegant garden-inspired touches like recent blooms, floral materials, and tapestries. Volendam is one among simply two Holland America ships with no Music Stroll, so anticipate a quieter, extra low-key onboard environment.