Holland America cruise ships from newest to oldest — a complete list
Editor's Note
What is the newest Holland America cruise ship? It's something you want to know if you're in the market for a Holland America cruise.
The newest Holland America ship is typically also the Holland America ship with the most up-to-date venues, including restaurants and bars, as well as the most up-to-date cabins and suites. It's what you want if you desire the very latest and greatest in a vessel for your Holland America cruise vacation.
The newest Holland America cruise ship currently is the 2,650-passenger Rotterdam, which also is the Holland America flagship. It debuted in October 2021.
Other relatively new Holland America ships include the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam and the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam, which are sister ships to Rotterdam. They both began sailing in the last eight years.
In all, Holland America operates 11 cruise vessels. On average, the line comes out with one new ship every two to three years, but the pace of its ship rollouts is lumpy. Between 2002 and 2004, it added a ship every year, but it also went six years without a new ship between 2010 and 2016.
Holland America also recently shrunk its fleet considerably with the retirement of four older vessels.
In general, Holland America's newest ships are bigger and more amenity-packed than the oldest Holland America ships, but they're not as big as the biggest ships operated by such competitors as Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises. Among the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is known for the smallest and most intimate vessels.
Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained
In some cases, Holland America's oldest cruise ships — those built in the late 1990s and early 2000s — are as much as 39% smaller than the line's newest vessels and have fewer venues on board.
Here, every Holland America cruise ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest.
1. Rotterdam
Maiden voyage: 2021
Size: 99,863 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,650
2. Nieuw Statendam
Maiden voyage: 2018
Size: 99,863 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,650
3. Koningsdam
Maiden voyage: 2016
Size: 99,863 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,650
4. Nieuw Amsterdam
Maiden voyage: 2010
Size: 86,700 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,106
5. Eurodam
Maiden voyage: 2008
Size: 86,273 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,104
6. Noordam
Maiden voyage: 2006
Size: 82,318 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,924
7. Westerdam
Maiden voyage: 2004
Size: 82,305 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,916
8. Oosterdam
Maiden voyage: 2003
Size: 82,305 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,916
9. Zuiderdam
Maiden voyage: 2002
Size: 82,305 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,916
10. Zaandam
Maiden voyage: 2000
Size: 61,396 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,432
11. Volendam
Maiden voyage: 1999
Size: 61,214 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,432
What is the newest Holland America cruise ship?
The newest Holland America cruise ship is the 2,650-passenger Rotterdam. As noted above, it debuted in October 2021, making it less than three years old.
Measuring 99,863 gross tons, Rotterdam is tied with two slightly older sister ships (Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam) as the biggest ship in the Holland America fleet. In addition to being the newest ships in the Holland America fleet, the three vessels, collectively known as the Pinnacle Class, have the most amenities of the ships in the Holland America fleet.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America ship
Notably, in addition to a main restaurant and a casual buffet, the three Pinnacle Class ships have five separate specialty dining venues — everything from a pan-Asian eatery and an Italian restaurant to a steakhouse. That's more than you'll find on other Holland America ships.
Pinnacle Class ships also have all of Holland America's signature entertainment venues — something that can't be said for the line's older vessels.
What is the oldest Holland America cruise ship?
The oldest Holland America cruise ship is the 1,432-passenger Volendam. Unveiled in 1999, it's not just the oldest Holland America ship but the smallest Holland America ship. Measuring just 61,214 gross tons, it's 39% smaller than Rotterdam and the two other Pinnacle Class vessels mentioned above.
Because of its smaller size, Volendam has fewer features and amenities than most other Holland America ships, particularly the ships of the newest Pinnacle Class and another recent group of vessels called the Signature Class.
In general, Volendam appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate cruise experience. It also draws cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.
What new Holland America cruise ships are coming?
Holland America currently does not have a single ship on order. The brand is owned by Carnival Corporation, which has not ordered new ships for the brand for several years as it focuses on paying down debt. Carnival Corporation took on an enormous amount of debt during the COVID-19 pandemic to stay in business.
What is the newest class of Holland America cruise ships?
The Pinnacle Class is the newest class of Holland America ships. It's made up of three vessels: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.
Each of the three ships measures 99,863 gross tons and carries 2,650 passengers at double occupancy. The vessels rolled out as a series between 2016 and 2021.
As mentioned above, Pinnacle Class ships have the most venues of any Holland America ship, including all of the line's signature entertainment venues.
Specifically, on Pinnacle Class ships, you'll find one of the line's signature entertainment areas with a B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock).
Related: Some of your favorite music venues are going away on this line's cruise ships
The Pinnacle Class ships also have spectacular state-of-the-art main theaters with push-out stages enveloped by two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screens. The theaters are home to all sorts of additional music, dance and comedy performances.
The top decks of the Pinnacle Class ships have main pool areas that can be covered by a retractable glass magrodome during inclement weather. This makes these ships a good choice when booking a cruise in a destination where the weather can be iffy.
What's the difference between newer and older Holland America ships?
Newer Holland America cruise ships generally are bigger than older Holland America ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels.
Holland America's older ships are as much as 39% smaller than the biggest Holland America ships and lack some features found on the bigger ships. They have a more intimate feel, and they hold fewer people. While Pinnacle Class ships can hold 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, the line's two oldest vessels (known as the R Class) are only designed to carry 1,432 passengers at double occupancy.
As a result, the oldest Holland America ships are a good choice for someone who wants to try Holland America but is looking to travel with a smaller crowd. The oldest ships in the Holland America fleet thus appeal to a subset of Holland America fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.
Related: Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program: Everything you need to know
Note that all Holland America ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Holland America cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.