Tag Archives: Pinnacle Class

Holland America Reveals Post-Evolution Deployment for Oosterdam

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Holland America Reveals Post-Evolution Deployment for Oosterdam

Holland America Line is now accepting bookings for the first post-refit season onboard the Oosterdam, the company said in a press release.

The Vista-class ship will be the first to undergo a major refurbishment as part of the Holland America Evolution, which is considered the largest fleet investment in the brand’s 153-year history.

After undergoing its drydock, the Oosterdam is set to offer eight itineraries and 15 departure dates across Europe, the Caribbean and North America starting in late 2027.

Holland America said that the sailings “give guests the earliest opportunity to experience Oosterdam’s onboard enhancements, paired with destination-rich itineraries.”

The company highlighted the multi-year refurbishment program, which was designed to modernize its fleet by bringing features from the newer Pinnacle Class to more ships.

Following the project, the Oosterdam will introduce new stateroom and suite categories, in addition to expanded access to signature venues.

“We’re excited about what Holland America Evolution represents for our fleet and for our guests,” said Michael Stendebach, senior vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line.

“We can’t wait to welcome guests aboard the elevated Oosterdam through these new voyages, where they’ll be among the first to experience what this transformation brings. From the first step on board, guests will feel a more refined and thoughtfully designed experience, with new spaces like the Grand Dutch Café providing a sense of comfort and welcome as their vacation begins,” he added.

Among the new features coming to the Oosterdam are Solo Verandah staterooms, which offer solo travelers a private balcony and dedicated workspace.

Guests seeking premium accommodations can also choose from newly introduced Bridgeview Suites that feature panoramic windows and living space, as well as Vista Suites, debuting on Oosterdam for the first time.

As part of its Evolution enhancements, the ship will also introduce the Grand Dutch Café, a European-inspired coffee shop that first debuted on Pinnacle class ships and builds on the company’s Dutch heritage.

Following its refurbishment, the Oosterdam will return to service in Europe in early December 2027, kicking off a seven-day itinerary in the Western Mediterranean.

The cruise features visits to destinations in Spain, Portugal and Morocco and will be followed by a 13-night trans-Atlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale.

The 2003-built vessel is then set to spend the 2027-28 season sailing from Port Everglades to the Caribbean, with 11- and 12-night itineraries that highlight destinations in the Southern Caribbean and the ABC Islands.

In spring 2028, the Oosterdam will transit the Panama Canal while repositioning north to the Pacific Coast.

Holland America said that the journey includes ports throughout Central America and Mexico, followed by scenic sailings along the U.S. West Coast before concluding in the Pacific Northwest.

New Rotterdam Completes First Year in Service

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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.

Holland America Line Announces Name For New Ship

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Holland America Line’s new Pinnacle Class ship, set to debut in February 2016, will be named ms Koningsdam.

ms Koningsdam, Dutch for king, pays tribute to the line’s proud, Dutch heritage and King Willem-Alexander, the first king of the Netherlands in over a century. The name not only continues the Holland America Line tradition of naming ships with the dam suffix, but is the first time in Holland America Line’s 141 year history a ship will sail under the Koningsdam name.

“In choosing the name Koningsdam, we are honoring our rich Dutch heritage while reflecting that we’re entering a new era as a company,” said Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of the Holland America Group. “This new Pinnacle Class ship will be our largest, most contemporary vessel, and it was only fitting to give it a name that embodies great achievement for the future, while embracing timeless tradition.”

Holland America Line has also released a rendering of ms Koningsdam, showcasing her exterior and general layout. At first glance, the ship appears to share similar traits with the earlier Vista Class ships with the exception of a single funnel versus a double. On the upper decks, the tops of cabanas can be seen just aft of the radar, confirming the presence of the Cabana Club. It would appear that Holland America Line’s signature teak promenade will also have a place aboard the new ship.

ms Koningsdam is currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard and is slated to debut with the line in February of 2016. The new 99,500 ton ship will launch a new class of ship for Holland America Line, introducing new dining experiences, entertainment, and other onboard venues. In addition to new venues and features, ms Koningsdam will also feature a more modern and contemporary interior design compared to her earlier fleetmates.