Oosterdam Sets Sail for HAL’s Solar Eclipse Voyage

Posted on 11 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Oosterdam Sets Sail for HAL’s Solar Eclipse Voyage

The Oosterdam departed from Lisbon on Sunday to kick off Holland America Line’s “Mediterranean Solar Eclipse” cruise.

Sailing from Portugal to Greece, the 13-night voyage is scheduled to sail to six destinations in the region before ending in Piraeus later this month.

Guests will visit ports in Spain, France, Italy and Montenegro, including Alicante, Ajaccio, Civitavecchia, Bari and Kotor. The itinerary is also highlighted by an overnight visit to the port of Barcelona.

As part of the company’s lineup of themed eclipse cruises, the sailing will also feature special programming focused on the natural phenomenon.

The activities will be hosted by Professor Adam Burgasser, an award-winning professor of physics at the University of California.

Highlights of the enrichment program include talks on the latest astrophysics research, as well as the connections between astronomy and Mediterranean history.

Holland America said that guests will also have a rare opportunity to witness a sunset eclipse with the ship positioned off the Spanish coast on August 12, 2026.

The company will also offer themed lectures, Q&A sessions and tips on how to make the most of their eclipse viewing.

In addition to the Oosterdam, the Zuiderdam and the Nieuw Statendam are also offering special eclipse sailings.

The latter was the first to start its themed cruise, departing from the English port of Dover on June 24, 2026.

As part of a 28-day itinerary to Northern Europe and the Arctic, the vessel will be positioned off the coast of Iceland in the eclipse’s path of totality.

The Zuiderdam is also offering an eclipse cruise in Northern Europe after departing from Boston for a 35-night cruise on July 18, 2026.

Like its fleetmate, the 1,900-passenger ship will be positioned off the coast of Iceland for the phenomenon.

Holland America Line to cruise from Dover for the first time in 10 years

Posted on 24 August, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

Dover photoed from a leaving cruise line photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Holland America Line will sail a full season of round-trip itineraries from Dover for the first time in more than 10 years.

The line will base Pinnacle-class ship Nieuw Statendam out of the UK port for 10 departures in the summer of 2025.

From Dover, the vessel will sail itineraries ranging from 14 to 42 days to the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Iberia and the eastern Mediterranean.

In addition to Dover, HAL will depart from nine homeports throughout Europe, with an increase in cruises over 10 days, more sailings to Iceland and a combined 62 overnight calls or late-night departures in leading cities.

“We’re really excited about Nieuw Statendam homeporting in Dover for a whole season in 2025 and the additional opportunities this provides to the trade, as well as our guests,” said Karen Farndell, director of UK sales and marketing.

“The itineraries look incredible and varied, offering something for everyone – beyond Dover, our 10 homeports span Europe, and in 2025 we’re offering the most diverse range of itineraries that include everything from week-long holidays to the Med to month-long explorations to the Arctic.”
She praised the line’s travel agent partners for their continued support and commitment throughout the company’s milestone 150th year.

Other highlights of HAL’s 2025 Europe cruising season include seven-day Norway and Denmark and Norwegian Fjords itineraries onboard Rotterdam, while Oosterdam will sail its entire season in the Mediterranean on cruises from Piraeus, Barcelona, Civitavecchia and Trieste.

Nieuw Statendam visits the Canary Islands on a 14-day Canary Island Enchantment with Morocco and Portugal cruise departing on 20 April 2025, and the Voyage of the Vikings itinerary returns in 2025 onboard Zuiderdam.

New Rotterdam Completes First Year in Service

Posted on 20 October, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

The Rotterdam VII is completing its first year in service.

After being delivered a few months earlier, the new Holland America Line flagship welcomed its first guests on October 20, 2021.

On that day, the 2,650-guest vessel departed the Netherlands for a 14-day transatlantic to the United States.

Sailing from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale, the one-way voyage featured visits to five destinations, including the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago located in the middle of the Atlantic, and Brest, in France.

Upon arriving in North America in November, the Rotterdam began its inaugural season in the region, which included five- to 11-night itineraries to the Southern, Western and Eastern Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas.

During its first year in service, the vessel also sailed a summer program in Northern Europe – where it was christened by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands in May.

Currently sailing Holland America’s 150th-anniversary transatlantic crossing, the Rotterdam is now set to offer a second season of Caribbean and Bahamas cruises starting on October 30, 2022.

The program includes ten- and 11-night itineraries to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean departing from Fort Lauderdale to popular destinations such as Curaçao, Grand Turk and Martinique.

A sister to the 2016-built Koningsdam and 2018-built Nieuw Statendam, the new Rotterdam is part of Holland America’s Pinnacle class.

The seventh ship to carry the name of the company, it offers enhanced amenities and features, such as the Rolling Stone Rock Room, where guests are able to relive rock history with iconic hits performed by live bands.

The Rotterdam also offers 11 different dining experiences, including the Grand Dutch Café, a nod to Holland America Line’s heritage, as well as Italian, Asian and French speciality options.

Another highlight of the ship’s public areas is the theatre. Named World Stage, the showroom is equipped with a round stage and a two-story LED screen that creates a wraparound display.