HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Holland America was founded in 1873 as the Dutch-America Steamship Company, a shipping and Passenger line. Because it was headquartered in Rotterdam and provided service to the Americas, it became known as Holland America Line (HAL).
Within 25 years, HAL owned a fleet of six cargo and passenger ships, and operated between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies via the newly constructed Suez Canal. The line was a principal carrier of immigrants from Europe to the United States until well after the turn of the century, carrying 850,000 to new lives in the New World.
Though transportation and shipping were the primary sources of revenue, in 1895 the company offered its first vacation cruise, its second leisure cruise, from New York to the Holy Land, was in 1910. In 1971, HAL suspended its transatlantic passenger trade and, in 1973, the company sold its cargo shipping division.
In 1989, HAL became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corp., the largest cruise company in the world. Today, the premium cruise leader operates 13 ships to seven continents and carries nearly 700,000 cruise passengers a year.

Contents

History

Current

Notable Dates/Events In Holland America Line History

Fleet

S-Class:

R-Class

Vista Class

Signature Class

"The Elegant Explorer"

Awards and Accolades

Gallery

External links

References

History

Holland America Line produced some noted ships from the 36,000 gross ton ''Nieuw Amsterdam'' of 1938, probably the only large passenger liner at the time that was not completed with any expectation of serving for the military, and the beautiful ''Rotterdam'' of 1959, one of the first ships on the North Atlantic to be equipped for two class transatlantic crossing and one class luxury cruising. By the late sixties, the golden era of profitable trans-Atlantic ships was over, and the remaining routes were siphoned off by the airlines. The early seventies saw the end of the trans-Atlantic service, leaving the North Atlantic for Cunard's ''Queen Elizabeth 2''.
In 1971, Holland America abandoned its passenger transportation service and switched to running cruise ships full time. Since then, the company has become known for wide variety of destinations it sails to. After obtaining government approval to visit Antarctica in the 1980s, the line now visits all seven continents. Its ms ''Prinsendam'' makes annual "Grand Voyages" that usually last more than 60 days. These explore and circle more exotic destinations such as South America and Africa. Due to the increasing popularity of the exotic and rarely-visited ports of call featured on Grand World Voyages, the ms ''Amsterdam'' will offer the Grand World Voyage in addition to the Prinsendam's Grand Voyages in 2007 and 2008. 2008 is also the 50th anniversary of Holland America Line's Grand World Voyage and will feature a true circumnavigation of the globe. In 2009, the sister-ship to the ms Amsterdam, ms Rotterdam will complete the Grand World Voyage.

Current

As of 2006, the line operates thirteen ships, ranging from the smaller and older S-Class vessels; the mid-range R-Class; the line's newest and largest vessels, the Vista-Class; and the small 793-passenger ''Prinsendam'' (originally the ''Royal Viking Sun'', then ''Seabourn Sun'' until HAL's purchase of the vessel in 2002). The line has also announced that work has begun on its new line of vessels, the Signature-Class, with one firm order for a ship named the ''Eurodam'' to be delivered in mid-2008, and an option for an additional as of yet un-named vessel to be delivered in 2010. Like most of HAL's recent ships, the new Signature-Class will be built at the Fincantieri shipyards outside Venice. All HAL ships have a dark blue hull with white superstructure, with the line's logo featured prominently on the functional smoke stacks.
In addition to its fleet of cruise ships, Holland America also owns the Westmark hotel chain which operates in Alaska and the Yukon, the bus companies Gray Line of Seattle and Gray Line of Alaska, and Worldwide Shore Services, which provides warehouse and logistical support for the company. HAL shares its headquarters in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne district with the above mentioned subsidiaries. Finally, HAL owns "Half Moon Cay" (its own private island in the Caribbean, officially known as Little San Salvador Island); nearly all of the line's cruises through the region spend at least a day there.

Notable Dates/Events In Holland America Line History

'April 18, 1873'
The official founding date of the Nederlandsch-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij (NASM) in Rotterdam in 1873. (The company was formed as a result of the reorganization of an earlier company, Plate, Reuchlin & Co.
The company's first ship was the original Rotterdam, which sailed its 15-day maiden voyage from the Netherlands to New York City on October 15, 1872.
'1882'
HAL begins operations from Hoboken, N.J.
'1883'
The "dam" suffix is adopted for the names of HAL passenger liners.
'1888'
HAL initiates a short-lived service from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires.
'1890'
HAL purchases its terminal in Hoboken, N.J.
'1895'
The 3,300-ton Rotterdam II sails the first Holland America Line cruise - a short summer voyage from Rotterdam to Copenhagen and back - through the Kieler Canal.
'June 15, 1896'
NASM officially becomes known as Holland Amerika Lijn.
'1898'
At its 25th anniversary, Holland America Line owns six ships and has carried 90,000 cabin passengers and 400,000 steerage passengers, along with 5 million tons of cargo, mostly flower bulbs, herring and gin.
'1880's-1920's'
The company is a major carrier of immigrants from Europe to the New World during the massive emigration which takes place from the 1880s to the 1920s. HAL carries more than 10 percent of all those traveling steerage to the New World. Because of its quality and the cleanliness of its ships, HAL becomes known as "The Spotless Fleet."
'1900'
The company adopts the "dijk", or "dyk", suffix for the names of its cargo ships.
'1908'
Rotterdam IV enters service as the company's flagship.
'1910'
The second HAL cruise departs from New York to the Mediterranean and the Holy Land on board the 10,500-ton Statendam I.
'1914-1918'
World War I sees the loss of six HAL ships and 13 employees. Statendam II is taken over in its Belfast building dock by the British for use as the troopship Justicia, which was torpedoed and sunk in 1918. The company resumed business after the war with 10 ships.
'1921'
HAL builds four passenger/cargo ships - Edam IV, Leerdam II, Maasdam III and Spaarndam II - for service to Cuba.
'1921-1924'
U.S. governmental restrictions reduce immigration to a trickle, adversely affecting all the transatlantic steamship companies. Though the European liners benefit from Prohibition, since U.S. liners were "dry."
'1926'
The 14,450-ton Veendam II sails HAL's first Caribbean cruise. Rijndam I makes the company's first round-the-world voyage as a floating university. HAL starts to use containers for shipping furniture and other "non-bulk" cargo.
'1930'
HAL battened down the hatches to weather the Great Depression. Between 1931 and 1933, 12 ships were sold for scrap. HAL offices throughout Europe, Canada and the U.S. are either closed or consolidated with other Dutch shipping companies. Staff is reduced 34% - from 3,944 to 2,595 - with those remaining taking a 9-10% cut in salary.
'1938'
HAL's profits began to increase again. Transatlantic business grows once more and 36 vacation cruises sailed. The elegant Nieuw Amsterdam II is built as the company's new flagship.
'1939-1945'
At the start of World War II, HAL had 25 ships; nine remained at war's end. 264 employees lost their lives. At the beginning of the war, the Westernland, berthed at Falmouth, England, becomes the seat of the Netherlands government. The Nieuw Amsterdam sails half a million miles transporting 400,000 military personnel.
'1951'
HAL introduces dove gray livery to the hulls of its passenger vessels. The Ryndam II and the Maasdam III - the "Economy Twins" - are the first ships to allow tourist class passengers run of the ship and restrict one upper deck to first class guests only.
'1958'
The 24,294-ton ss Statendam IV departs Hoboken, N.J., terminal on the company's first Grand World Voyage.
'1959'
The grand new ss Rotterdam V enters service as the company's new flagship.
'1950's-1960's'
HAL's advertising slogan is: "It's good to be on a well-run ship."
'1963'
HAL ships begin operating from the company's new terminal at Pier 40 in New York.
'1963-66'
HAL first operates the Seven Seas - owned by HAL's German subsidiary, Europa Canada Line - and then the Ryndam II, on world-wide cruises for students by the California-based "University of the Seven Seas."
'1964'
HAL ships made a record 50 voyages to New York, 11 to Montreal, Quebec.
'1966'
Statendam IV turns to cruising full-time.
'MID-1960's'
Freighters undergo a transition from traditional breakbulk to containerization. HAL sells most of its fleet of WWII-era freighters and, with several other lines, organizes Atlantic Container Line.
'1967-1971'
The Ryndam II continues world-wide student cruises with Chapman College of Orange, CA, until the ship is sold in 1971.
'1968'
Nieuw Amsterdam II and Rotterdam V join Statendam IV in cruising nearly full-time. HAL is the first line to implement the hotel management system on board all ships. Also this year, HAL was the first line to adopt the Lido dining concept with a wide variety of dining selections.
'LATE 1960's'
Holland America Line's crews become increasingly international.
'1969'
Only 13 trans-Atlantic sailings depart. The company re-names its passenger business "Holland America Cruises." The company begins recruiting dining room staff in Indonesia, later setting up a training program at a school in Bandung using actual Holland America Line dining settings.
'1970'
The first Indonesian stewards were welcomed on board the Ryndam.
'1971'
HAL replaces the original house flag of "NASM" on the green-and-white stripped Rotterdam city flag with an orange flag inset with three swaths of aqua, white and aqua again.
'February 1971'
HAL buys 1 million shares and controlling interest of the Alaska tour company Westours, paying $1.25 per share.
'September 1971'
The grand ss Nieuw Amsterdam of 1938, the "Darling of the Dutch," closes out the company's 98 years of trans-Atlantic service and is re-deployed on 10- and 11-day cruises to the West Indies from Port Everglades, FL.
'1972'
HAL enters into a freight service partnership called Combi Line. HAL introduces the current midnight blue livery to the hulls of its passenger ships. Passenger ships' registration changes to Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.
'1973'
Holland America Line purchases the Brasil and Argentina from Moore McCormack and renames them the Volendam (II) and Veendam (III). By this centennial year, HAL has transported 76 million tons of freight between Europe and North America and 4.5 million passengers. During the international oil crisis, the price of marine fuel nearly triples, resulting in the Veendam III and Volendam II being laid up for a time and then chartered to Monarch Cruise Lines of Miami.
'November 1973'
HAL's first purpose-built cruise liner, the 8,566-ton, 452-passenger ms Prinsendam, enters service, sailing Indonesian cruises from Singapore.
'December 1973'
The Nieuw Amsterdam II sails its last cruise; the ship is scrapped in March 1974.
'1975'
The Prinsendam conducts HAL' s first Alaska cruise on the Inside Passage itinerary. The ship sailed Alaska in the summer, Indonesia in the fall, winter and spring. Other HAL ships cruised to the Caribbean and Bermuda, with the Rotterdam also conducting an annual world cruise. HAL sells its Transport Division - and the last of its cargo vessels - to the Swedish Brostrom Group. In addition to its cruise business, HAL continues to have holdings in other marine businesses including steel cables, tarpaulins, navigational instruments and ship chandlery.
'1976'
HAL begins recruiting skilled personnel from the Philippines, first to work in the deck and engine department, then in the kitchens and bars/lounges and the on-board maintenance shops.
'1977'
HAL buys out the minority shareholders in Westours and takes the company private. Prinsendam is joined by Veendam for the Alaska season.
'1978'
Holland America Line completes the move of its headquarters office from Rotterdam to Stamford, CT.
'1980's'
HAL introduces another new house flag of orange - the Dutch royalty color - and the blue Holland America Half Moon logo in the center.
'October 1980'
As it repositions from Alaska to Indonesia, a fire breaks out in the Prinsendam's engine room. All aboard are evacuated safely. The ship sinks under tow in the Pacific Ocean west of Sitka.
'1981'
HAL's service staff training school, "ss Jakarta," is established in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is later expanded and renamed "ms Nieuw Jakarta" in 1983.
'1983'
Volendam II and Veendam III are sold while the 1,214-passenger ms Nieuw Amsterdam III joins the fleet.
'Fall 1983'
To save money, Holland America moves west to Seattle to consolidate operations with Westours and becomes known as Holland America Line-Westours Inc. Kirk Lanterman, previously president of Westours, takes the helm.
'1984'
The ms Noordam III, sister ship to the Nieuw Amsterdam III, enters service and joins the ss Rotterdam V cruising Alaska in the summer.
'1987'
The first Filipino stewardesses join the fleet with six sailing on the ss Rotterdam for the World Cruise.
'1988'
HAL purchases Windstar Sail Cruises. Windstar's three, four-masted 148-passenger computer-directed luxury sailing ships operate in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and French Polynesia.
Holland America Line purchases Home Lines' mv Homeric and mv Atlantic. The Homeric is renamed ms Westerdam II; the Atlantic is sold. At the Westerdam's introductory events in November 1988, HAL Chairman Nico van der Vorm is approached by Ted Arison, chairman of Carnival Cruise Lines, about selling Holland America Line-Westours Inc. to Carnival.
'January 17, 1989'
Carnival purchases Holland America Line-Westours Inc.
'January 1989'
Kirk Lanterman becomes CEO.
'Summer 1989'
The addition of the Westerdam (1,000 passengers; expanded to 1,494 in the winter of 1989 - 1990) brings HAL's Alaska fleet to four luxury liners.
'1990'
Holland America Line announces a new building program, ordering three (later expanded to four) 1,266-passenger sister ships from Fincantieri shipyards in Italy.
'January 1993'
The new ms Statendam V enters service and that summer conducts HAL's first European cruise season in approximately 20 years.
'December 1993'
The new ms Maasdam IV enters service.
'Summer 1994'
Holland America Line's Alaska fleet grows to five ships, with the new 1,266-passenger Maasdam.
'October 1994'
ms Ryndam III delivered.
'May 1996'
The new ms Veendam IV enters service. HAL's fleet numbers eight ships.
'Summer 1996'
Addition of the Veendam permits HAL to deploy the Westerdam nearly year-round in the Caribbean, also doing fall Canada and New England cruises. HAL's Alaska fleet grows to six ships: four ships on the Inside Passage itinerary; two on the Glacier Route. The Maasdam is deployed in Europe.
'March 1997'
Kirk Lanterman named Chairman and CEO of Holland America Line-Westours Inc.
'September 30, 1997'
The ss Rotterdam V retires.
'November 11, 1997'
The company's new flagship, ms Rotterdam VI, enters service. During inaugural activities of the Rotterdam, HAL introduces its award-winning private island, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. Purchased for $19.5 million, the private Caribbean island beach experience on 45 acres of a 2,450-acre island received rave reviews.
'1998'
Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam and Westerdam operate a record 120 cruises to Alaska. HAL also expands operations to include a longer European cruising season on board the ms Rotterdam VI and Explorer cruises on board the Nieuw Amsterdam in South America and Asia/South Pacific.
'August 1999'
HAL sells the Nieuw Amsterdam to American Classic Voyages for $114.5 million. The ship will be transferred in fall 2000.
'November 1999'
HAL signs a contract with Italian shipyard Fincantieri Cantieri Navali S.p.A. for the construction of two (later expanded to four) new Vista-class 81,769-ton vessels expected to enter service in the fall of 2002 and summer of 2003. The 1,848-passenger vessels, costing approximately $400 million each, mark the beginning of a new class of vessel to expand premium cruising.
'November 12, 1999'
The 63,000-gross-ton, 1,440-passenger ship, ms Volendam enters service.
'January 28, 2000'
The ms Rotterdam makes its first ever visit by HAL to Anarctica on Grand World Voyage.
'May 6, 2000'
The ms Zaandam, sister ship to the Volendam, enters service in the Caribbean.
'Summer 2000'
For the first time, HAL deploys three ships in Europe: the Noordam, Maasdam and Rotterdam.
'October 30, 2000'
The Amsterdam, sister ship to the Rotterdam, sails her maiden voyage. With the Amsterdam, HAL introduces its present house flag with three blue and white strips with the Holland America Half Moon logo.
'June 3, 2002'
The new ms Prinsendam, the "Elegant Explorer," joins the HAL fleet, now numbering 10.
'September 30, 2002'
Holland America Line-Westours officially changes its name to Holland America Line Inc.
'October 5, 2002'
The alternative restaurant concept, Pinnacle Grill, is introduced on the Statendam and Ryndam. The concept will be added to all Vista-class ships and other ships in the fleet by early 2004. The Pinnacle Grill features Pacific Northwest cuisine and style and includes fine wines and elegant presentation.
'December 14, 2002'
The First Vista-class ship, ms Zuiderdam, enters service. The 1,848 passenger, 81,769-ton ship is designed to provide HAL guests with a new standard of space, convenience and premium amenities.
'July 28-30, 2003'
HAL celebrates its 130th anniversary year in Rotterdam. The festivities include the launch and naming of the new Vista-class ms Oosterdam by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of The Netherlands. The Rotterdam joins the Oosterdam in the company's founding city of Rotterdam for events that include visits by past employees, a luncheon for World War II veterans, a royal maritime gala, a Mariner luncheon and tours for local dignitaries.
'August 3, 2003'
The Oosterdam sails on her maiden voyage in Europe.
'November 5, 2003'
Holland America Line appoints Stein Kruse as President and Chief Operating Officer.
'November 10, 2003'
HAL announces a $225 million Signature of Excellence® initiative to provide unparalleled product and service enhancements to its fleet of five-star ships. Signature of Excellence® raises the standard in premium cruising with enhancements such as plush Euro-top mattresses and large fluffy towels in cabins, a Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, and new dining and entertainment options to be completed by the end of 2006.
'April 25, 2004'
The Vista-class ms Westerdam embarks on her maiden voyage from Venice. The 81,769-ton, 1,848-passenger vessel is the third in Holland America Line's history to bear the Westerdam name.
'October 20, 2004'
ms Ryndam sails to Mexico as first ship with all Signature of Excellence® amenities and enhancements completed, including cabin soft goods, programming and the addition of the Neptune Lounge, Pinnacle Grill, Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, and Explorations Café powered by The New York Times.
'November 20, 2004'
ms Prinsendam cruises up the Amazon River on the first-ever cruise by HAL on the world's second longest river.
'December 1, 2004'
Stein Kruse named president and chief executive officer for Holland America Line. Kruse succeeds Kirk Lanterman, who, after 30 years at the helm, will continue to serve as chairman in a non-executive role.
'December 2, 2004'
ms Westerdam sails on her inaugural Caribbean cruise, a 3-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
'December 4, 2004'
Signature of Excellence® additions are completed on Half Moon Cay. Enhancements include a horseback riding and swimming tour, a stingray adventure program, an AquaTrax personal water craft course and a family aqua park. Nearly one million guests have visited Half Moon Cay, the industry's top private island experience.
'May 20, 2005'
HAL partners with Food & Wine magazine to launch an ambitious on-board culinary program. The multi-year partnership will provide HAL guests an opportunity to experience demonstrations and seminars conducted by top chefs, wine experts and leading cookbook authors provided by Food & Wine.
'June 2005'
HAL breaks ground in Denali to build a new 135 room lodge to service CruiseTour, Gray Line of Alaska guests and others. The property is scheduled to open in May 2006.
'November 2005'
Holland America Line is awarded "Best Overall Cruise Value" for record 14th year in a row by the prestigious World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society.
'December 14, 2005'
HAL announces a new building plan to deliver an 86,000-ton, 2,044-passenger ship in the summer of 2008. The ship is currently unnamed. An option for a second similar ship would deliver the vessel in spring of 2010.
'December 19, 2005'
ms Volendam becomes latest ship to receive Signature of Excellence® amenities and enhancements. Signature of Excellence® enhancements will be completed on 10 ships at the start of 2006 and all 13 ships by fall 2006.
'January 31, 2006'
The 81,769-ton, 1918-passenger ms Noordam, the fourth ship to bear the name in the line's history, is officially handed over from Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera, Italy, to Holland America Line.
'February 22, 2006'
Actress Marlee Matlin dedicates the new ms Noordam. It then sets sail on its maiden voyage roundtrip from homeport New York City to the Caribbean.
'March 22, 2006'
For the third time in its history, the ms Rotterdam is named Ship of the Year in the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society annual cruise ship survey by its members.
'April 1, 2006'
On Deck for the Cure - to raise money for breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Foundation - will officially begin rolling out across the entire Holland America Line fleet. Approximately 500 On Deck for the Cure walks around the ships' decks will take place each year on cruises worldwide.
'June 6, 2006'
The ms Noordam rescued 22 people from the Aegean Sea in waters between Turkey and Greece. The individuals, believed to be refugees from a number of countries, had been sailing on a boat which had capsized. One fast rescue boat and two tenders were lowered and the 22 people, all wearing life jackets, were brought aboard within two hours and 15 minutes. The efforts earned the crew recognition from the United Nations, United States Coast Guard, United States Navy and several international refugee organizations.
'June 6, 2006'
To assist in the recovery and ensure the safety of all whale species, Holland America Line, in cooperation with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Parks Service, developed and launched the comprehensive and interactive computer-based "Avoiding Whale Strikes" training program. All deck officers on Holland America Line vessels have taken the course, which received a Conservation Partnership Award from NOAA. The award-winning program is being shared with the cruise and maritime community.
'July 29, 2006'
Vista-class cruise ships ms Westerdam and ms Oosterdam have been retrofitted to use shore power at the Port of Seattle to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. The Holland America Line ships will buy and use electricity ("shore power") provided by Seattle City Light, instead of diesel fuel, for power while docked in Seattle. The ms Noordam has since also been retrofitted for shore power.
'July 30, 2006'
Fine art goes high tech on the high seas as Holland America Line debuts self-guided art tours using handheld iPod devices on ms Westerdam. Tours of the unique art and antique collections on each of the line's five-star ships - together valued at tens of millions of dollars - are to be available fleetwide by the end of 2006.
'October 12, 2006'
With the ms Oosterdam, the three-year $225 million Signature of Excellence® commitment to upgrade the fleet is completed.
'December 14, 2006'
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society members named Holland America Line as the Best Overall Cruise Value in the industry for the 15th year in a row.
'December 19, 2006'
Three Vista-class ships - ms Noordam, ms Westerdam and ms Oosterdam - have been honored with the 2006 Green Planet Award, bestowed by Kuoni Switzerland for outstanding environmental standards.
'February 22, 2007'
Carnival Corporation & plc announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Windstar Cruises brand to Ambassadors International Inc. Windstar Cruises, which operates three sailing vessels, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Holland America Line, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc.
'February 28, 2007'
Holland America Line opens a Rotterdam headquarters near the original line's headquarters on Wilhelmina Pier. The new 30-person office will house seagoing hiring, purchasing and sales and marketing divisions. Holland America Line plans to nurture the vast potential in the Dutch cruise market.
'HAL has carried more than 10 million passengers throughout its history.'

Fleet

S-Class:

★ ms ''Statendam'' - 1993 - Signature of Excellence (SOE) upgrades occurred in May 2005

★ ms ''Maasdam'' - 1993 - SOE Upgrades occurred in April 2006

★ ms ''Ryndam'' - 1994 - SOE Upgrades occurred in October 2004

★ ms ''Veendam'' - 1996 - SOE Upgrades occurred in January 2006

R-Class

★ ms ''Rotterdam'' - 1997 - SOE Upgrades occurred in April 2005

★ ms ''Volendam'' - 1999 - SOE Upgrades occurred in December 2005

★ ms ''Zaandam'' - 2000 - SOE Upgrades occurred in January 2005

★ ms ''Amsterdam'' - 2000 - SOE Upgrades occurred in October 2005

Vista Class

★ ms ''Zuiderdam'' - 2002 - SOE Upgrades occurred in December 2005 - Aft expansion will take place in April 2008.

★ ms ''Oosterdam'' - 2003 - SOE Upgrades occurred in October 2006 - Aft expansion will take place in 2009.

★ ms ''Westerdam'' - 2004 - SOE Upgrades occurred in April 2005 - Aft expansion took place in May 2007.

★ ms ''Noordam'' - 2006 - Built with SOE standards already in place - Aft expansion on other Vista class ships is designed to mimic the Noordam.
In 2006, the Vista-Class cruise ships were awarded the 2006 Green Planet Award for outstanding environmental standards by Kuoni Switzerland. ^[1]

Signature Class

★ ms ''Eurodam'' - ''Under construction for delivery Summer 2008.''

★ A second Signature Class ship was announced on 6/11/07. Slated for a 2010 delivery.

"The Elegant Explorer"

★ ms ''Prinsendam'' - 1988 - Obtained by Holland America Line in 2002 - SOE Upgrades occurred in January 2005

Awards and Accolades

'Consistently Among the Highest-rated Cruise Lines'
''Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards,''
''Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards''
'Best Overall Cruise Value (15 consecutive years)'
''World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, Ocean & Cruise News''
'High Deluxe Five-Star-Plus Rating'
''World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society''
'International Five Star Diamond Award'
''The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences''
'Best Alaska Itineraries',
'Best Canada/New England Itineraries',
'Best Central America Itineraries',
'Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers',
'Best Medical Facilities',
'Best Art Auction Program',
'Best Eco-Friendly Cruise Line',
'Best Private Island'
''Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers' Choice Awards''
'Best Private Island in the Cruise Industry (five consecutive years)'
''Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Award''
'Green Planet Award'
''Kuoni Switzerland for outstanding environmental standards''
'Best Cruise Line, Alaska'
''Travel Weekly, Readers' Choice Awards''
'Top Five Cruise Lines'
''Celebrated Living magazine''
'Top Ten Cruise Lines'
''Departures Magazine''
'Best Honeymoon, Top Ten Cruise Lines'
''Modern Bride Magazine''
'World's Best Cruise Line'
''American Association of Travel Editors''
'Best Family-friendly Cruise ms Zuiderdam 7-Day Caribbean'
''Parents magazine''
'Best Cruise Ship Overall: ms Oosterdam'
''Cruise Critic''
'Best Medium-sized Ship: ms Oosterdam'
''Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards''

Gallery

External links

★ Official Holland America Line website

★ Unofficial Holland America Line website

★ Passenger Lists from the Holland America Line

References

1. Sailing the Sea's of Green