Holland America Line is getting ready for its biggest glow up in company history.
“We’ll be investing in return-generating modernization programs across many of our cruise lines,” Carnival Corporation (Holland America’s parent company) CEO Josh Weinstein said on the company’s last earnings call before teasing that the next big program was soon to be announced.
Today is that day, as Holland America Line announces “Holland America Evolution,” the largest refurbishment program in the brand’s 153-year history.
The $500 million fleet makeover will touch six ships: four Vista Class ships (Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam) and two Signature Class ships (Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam), which were built between 2002 and 2010. The line’s oldest ships, Volendam and Zaandam, will not receive upgrades.
The full-ship modernization will bring fan-favorite attractions from Holland America’s newest Pinnnacle Class ships (including the 2021-debuted Rotterdam), additional suites and solo cabins, and enhanced public spaces to the older ships. Oosterdam is the first to go under the knife, and it will debut with shiny new public spaces and 76 extra cabins in fall 2027.
(Holland America Line)
Each of the six ships will receive upgrades one by one during this multiyear project, but Holland America has not revealed the schedule for the five other ships. The work will be done by Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilding company that built all of the line’s current ships.
“Our guests have been very clear about what they love about our ships and what they want to see more of, and Holland America Evolution is our answer to that,” Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said in a statement.
She emphasized that the program will maintain “the perfectly sized ship experience that defines Holland America” – code that these upgrades do not include lengthening the ship, as was done with Silversea’s Silver Spirit and Windstar’s Star Legend, Breeze and Pride when those older ships received massive upgrades.
(Holland America Line)
Oosterdam’s Upgrades to Focus on Suites and Dining
Holland America has not revealed all the enhancements it plans for Oosterdam, but what it has announced should excite fans.
Staterooms are a key focus, but the 76 new cabins will only add 122 berths because 30 of the new rooms will be Solo Verandahs, dedicated rooms for one with a balcony.
Two new 900-square-foot Bridgeview Suites will be added above the bridge at the front of the ship, with panoramic windows, a wraparound balcony, and separate living and sleeping areas. For even more luxury, the new Pinnacle Suite offers 1,550 square feet of space and will be the largest suite a Vista Class ship has ever offered.
(Holland America Line)
Oosterdam will also add 24 Vista Suites, currently only available on Pinnacle Class ships, with their oversized windows and private balcony. The remaining new cabin types have yet to be announced.
Beyond accommodations, Holland America will add new bars and restaurants and enhance public spaces. The line hasn’t shared all its plans but revealed that the fan-favorite Grand Dutch Cafe will be brought over from the Pinnacle Class ships to Oosterdam. It’s a European-style cafe that serves Dutch specialties such as poffertjes (mini pancakes), pea soup, and Dutch-style French fries. The cafe will be located on Deck 3 near the atrium.
The refurbishment project will prioritize sustainability, and the shipyard is tasked with reducing waste through upcycling and material reuse. Less-sexy enhancements include technical upgrades to increase energy efficiency and decrease the ship’s carbon footprint.
No New Holland America Ships
Parent company Carnival is committed to moderate capacity growth, so its limited number of new ships will go to its most popular brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line. While Holland America fans will appreciate upgrades that will bring more consistency to restaurants and attractions across the fleet, they shouldn’t expect new ships for the brand during the multiyear renovation project.
Holland America fans should be used to that, as the line has taken a slow approach to new-builds, with only three new ships launching since 2011.
If Weinstein is to be believed, “an 18-year-old ship can look and feel like a one-year-old ship.” A makeover that made me look 20 years younger would certainly be an exciting accomplishment.
Holland America is betting that its guests will have the same reaction when Oosterdam emerges from its refurb with the look and feel of a brand new ship.
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