While Holland America Line is a well-known mainstream cruise line that sails across the globe, they only operate a fleet of eleven ships, most of which were constructed in the early and mid-2000s.
The cruise line was founded in 1873 in Rotterdam, Netherlands as a shipping and passenger line. It would not be until 1989 that Holland America Line would be purchased by Carnival Corporation, making it a United States-owned cruise line.
Today, their ships range from a little over 60,000 gross registered tons to slightly below 100,000, meaning that they are not as large as other mega ships being produced by lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean.
They aim to provide a more upscale cruising experience; therefore, you will not find ships with water slides, go-karts, rollercoasters, and more. They often make more unique sailings, too. Have you ever wanted to go on a 14-night cruise around Japan? What about a 39-night cruise that sails to New Zealand & the South Pacific? While other lines might visit the same places, their itineraries tend to be shorter.
That doesn't mean you can't find 7-night cruises to the Caribbean, though! Since Holland America Line's target age is a little bit older, you won't find many spring breakers or families with young children onboard.
All ships are part of one four classes: Pinnacle, Signature, Vista, and Rotterdam. Other mainstream cruise lines, such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean, have more classes (and ships) currently at sea. These two lines have nine and six classes, respectively.
Here is a breakdown of Holland America's fleet by age — newest to oldest.
MS Rotterdam (2021)
MS Rotterdam is Holland America's newest ship, setting sail less than three years ago in 2021. She is the cruise line's third Pinnacle Class ship, with the first being MS Koningsdam.
During construction, she was named MS Ryndam; however, the ship's name was changed to MS Rotterdam to honor the presence of the name in the cruise line's history. She is the seventh vessel for Holland America to be named Rotterdam.
She is both Holland America Line's newest and largest ship at sea.
Gross tonnage: 99,935
Length: 984ft
Beam: 114.8ft
Read more: Rotterdam Live Blog 2021 – Cruise recap
MS Nieuw Statendam (2018)
Like with MS Rotterdam, MS Nieuw Statendam's name is a reference to the five previous ships in the cruise line's fleet to be name Statendam, with the first debuting in 1898. At the time, she was the line's first ship to measure more than 10,000 gross registered tons.
Onboard, guests will find over 1,920 works on art, with artists from 150 different countries being represented.
Gross tonnage: 99,902
Length: 975ft
Beam: 114.8ft
MS Koningsdam (2016)
MS Koningsdam was the first new ship to be launched for Holland America Line following MS Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010. She was also the first ship of their Pinnacle Class, and while this class of ships is similar to Signature Class vessels, it introduced a more modern take on decor, as well as new dining and entertainment options.
Gross tonnage: 99,863
Length: 975ft
Beam: 114.8ft
MS Nieuw Amsterdam (2010)
MS Nieuw Amsterdam was the last Signature Class ship built for Holland America Line. She is also the fourth ship to be named Nieuw Amsterdam in the cruise line's history, with the first launching in 1906.
In May 2019, she was involved in a collision with another Holland America ship, MS Oosterdam, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Gross tonnage: 86,273
Length: 936ft
Beam: 105.8ft
MS Eurodam (2008)
MS Eurodam is similar to Nieuw Amsterdam, another Signature Class vessel that was launched two years later.
In 2017, she broke an industry record by earning her 11th consecutive perfect score of 100 on a routine United States Public Health (USPH) inspection that was conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Gross tonnage: 86,273
Length: 936ft
Beam: 105.8ft
Read more: I tried a Holland America cruise to Alaska. Here's what it's like to sail on this cruise line
MS Noordam (2006)
MS Noordam is part of Holland America Line's Vista Class of ships. She, alone with the other three vessels -- MS Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam, represent the four directions of the compass in Dutch.
Originally, there was going to be a fifth ship in this class; however, Holland America Line sold the ship to Cunard Line. Shortly before she was set to begin sailing, the ship was transferred to P&O, where she has sailing as MV Arcadia since 2005.
Gross tonnage: 86,273
Length: 936ft
Beam: 105.8ft
MS Westerdam (2004)
This is the third ship to bear the name MS Westerdam. The first was launched in 1946 and sailed for the cruise line until 1965. While it was a cargo ship, it also operated as a passenger ship and had space for 143 first-class passengers.
It was supposed to launch sooner; however, it was sunk three times during construction as a result of the ongoing fighting during World War II.
The second MS Westerdam began sailing for Holland America Line in 1988. Her career initially began as MS Homeric for Home Lines, who was acquired by Holland America in 1988. In 2002, the cruise line sold the ship to Costa Cruises, where she sailed as Costa Europa before being leased to Thomson Cruises.
In 2017, Thomson Cruises was renamed to TUI Cruises; therefore, the ship received a new name, too: MS Marella Dream.
Gross tonnage: 81,769
Length: 936ft
Beam: 105.8ft
MS Oosterdam (2003)
When MS Oosterdam was launched, there was a three-day celebration in honor of Holland America Line's 130th anniversary in the cruise line's founding city of Rotterdam. MS Rotterdam, which sailed for Holland America Line from 1997 to 2020, was present to welcome the new ship.
In 2018, the ship received $300 million in renovations.
Gross tonnage: 81,769
Length: 936ft
Beam: 105.8ft
MS Zuiderdam (2002)
The first ship of the Vista Class, MS Zuiderdam, launched in 2002. More than 85% of staterooms onboard have ocean views, with 67% offering private verandahs.
Gross tonnage: 81,769
Length: 936ft
Beam: 105.8ft
MS Zaandam (2000)
MS Zaandam is one of the smallest ships operating for Holland America Line. She was named after the city of Zaandam, which is located less than 20 kilometers from Amsterdam.
Gross tonnage: 63,000
Length: 781ft
Beam: 105.8ft
MS Volendam (1999)
When launched, MS Volendam was the second Rotterdam Class ship to launch, following MS Rotterdam. She was different from the class' namesake due to the fact that there was only a single funnel onboard. Moreover, the aft pool was relocated to the Lido deck.
She is the third ship in Holland America Line's fleet to bear this time. The first sailed from 1922 to 1952, and the second sailed from 1972 to 1984.
Gross tonnage: 61,000
Length: 781ft
Beam: 105.8ft
Does Holland America Line have any new ships on order?
As of November 2023, Holland America Line does not have any new ships under construction or on order. Holland America Line is owned by Carnival Corporation, who stated that following the five new ships on schedule through 2025 (including Carnival Jubilee and two new ships for Princess Cruises), no new ships will be delivered in 2026.
Following 2026, President and CEO Josh Weinstein said that the company could begin ordering only one or two new ships per year. "[This] sets us up incredibly well to be able to generate free cash flow and pay down debt," he said.
Read more: Guide to Holland America Line Drink Packages
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
