Tag Archives: refit

Holland America Reveals Post-Evolution Deployment for Oosterdam

Posted on by
Reply

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.

AIDAbella Back at Sea Post-Modernization

Posted on by
Reply

AIDAbella Back at Sea Post-Modernization

The AIDAbella is resuming service in Palma de Mallorca on March 11 following its AIDA Evolution refurbishment.

The cruise ship had previously spent seven weeks in a shipyard in Marseille, where it underwent a comprehensive overhaul and modernization.

According to a statement from the company, the upgrade included new and additional restaurants, bars with enhanced service, new activity areas for families and a fresh look for the public areas.

In addition to redesigning guest cabins, new and additional suites were added, as well as exclusive areas such as the Sky Deck and the Rossini Lounge.

Furthermore, technical upgrades were made to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency.

Approximately 5,100 pieces of furniture were donated to social organizations and 18 tons of aluminum from sun loungers and chairs were recycled, demonstrating  circular economy in practice.

The company also refurbished approximately 45,000 m2 of carpets, 10,000 m2 of carpet underlay, 2,500 m2 of artificial turf and over 1,000 mattresses, giving them a new lease on life.

The crew and reception areas got a fully recyclable, allergy-friendly carpet made from Econyl yarn, produced from recycled carpets from the AIDAdiva and AIDAluna.

Thanks to a new reverse osmosis system, the AIDAbella can produce more fresh water from seawater using less energy, the company said.

The consistent use of LED lighting, further optimization of demand-based climate control, and modernized catering technology are meant to contribute to reducing energy and water consumption onboard.

Finally, a special biocide-free coating was added to reduce fouling on the hull, thus also reducing fuel consumption.

The ship’s first itinerary post-modernization is a seven-day roundtrip from Palma that includes stops in Civitavecchia (Rome), La Spezia, Marseille – with a special overnight stay – and Barcelona, before returning to Palma.

Cruise Lines Leverage Drydocks to Add Capacity to Existing Ships

Posted on by
Reply

Cruise Lines Leverage Drydocks to Add Capacity to Existing Ships

Cruise lines continue to add a significant number of staterooms to existing ships during routine drydocks, as highlighted in the new 2026 Drydock Report from Cruise Industry News.

The additional capacity generally fills in under utilized public areas, with revenue that flows right to the bottom line.

Among upcoming programs, the 2016-built Ovation of the Seas will see the addition of 40 new staterooms, which will take over space currently occupied by various public areas.

Also included in the company’s modernization effort, the Harmony of the Seas is set to enter drydock in April for a refit that will include the creation of 91 additional staterooms.

A third ship is also getting a significant capacity increase with 68 new staterooms: the Liberty of the Seas.

Silversea’s Silver Muse saw a seven percent increase in 2025.

After entering drydock in November, the 2017-built vessel returned to service with 18 smaller staterooms replacing its original larger suites.

Norwegian Cruise Line continued to expand its ships’ capacities in 2025 by adding 26 additional staterooms to the Norwegian Bliss. The increase followed similar projects carried out onboard the Norwegian Joy and the Norwegian Encore in 2024.

A second ship, the Pride of America, saw the addition of 26 new staterooms during a drydock on the West Coast in May.

Other key capacity addition projects:

  • Celestyal Discovery – 47 new staterooms
  • Carnival Miracle – 5 new staterooms
  • Holland America’s Zuiderdam – 11 new staterooms
  • Norwegian Epic – 8 new staterooms