Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s fleet of 10 premium, perfectly-sized ships annually offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports of call in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. From seven night cruises to once-in-a-lifetime Grand World Voyages of more than 100 days, the line visits all seven continents to call at a variety of exotic, tropical, historical, cultural and adventure-filled destinations. Brand new ship Koningsdam, first in a new Pinnacle-class, debuted in April 2016, and will be joined by a sister ship Nieuw Statendam in December 2018.

Onboard a Holland America Line ship guests will find classic elegance with a modern twist, stylish lounges adorned with fine art and antiques alongside some surprising new innovations which will enhance the onboard and worldwide destination experience for discerning guests. 

Online Destination Guides, in partnership with AFAR offer the most immersive knowledge of more than 400 destinations, with personalised recommendations for the most authentic attractions, restaurants and shopping experiences. 

Through BBC Earth’s innovative programming, guests are taken nearer to the natural world through groundbreaking concerts, films and kids activities, as well as special themed cruises.

Entertainment ranges from high tech shows through to BB Kings All Star Blues band and the classical arrangements of the Lincoln Centre Stage; while new suite upgrades feature thoughtful touches like lighted wardrobe rails, USB ports on headboards and night lights in bathrooms. 

A partnership with the Rijksmuseum features reproductions of some of the museum’s most famous art, plus cultural activities led by Rijksmuseum personnel.

Celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2013, Holland America Line has carried more than 11 million passengers from Europe to the New World and to holiday destinations across the globe since its founding. Today, it carries more than 800,000 cruise guests a year. The company started in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, a shipping and passenger line. It became known as Holland America Line because it was headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and provided service to the Americas. The company's first ocean liner was Rotterdam, which sailed its maiden 15-day voyage from Rotterdam to New York City on Oct. 15, 1872. 

We are proud to share some of the organizations and publications which have honored us with awards and accolades.

#1 Preferred Cruise Line
Portrait of Affluent Travelers™ survey: Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell

Consistently Among the Highest-rated Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards

Highest-rated Premium Cruise Line
Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards

International Five Star Diamond Award
The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences

High Deluxe Five-Star-Plus Rating
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society

Best Overall Cruise Value (21 consecutive years)
World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, Ocean & Cruise News

Best Private Island — Half Moon Cay (13 years), Best Private Island Cabana — Half Moon Cay, Best Alaska Itineraries, Best Central America Itineraries, Best Canada/New England Itineraries, Best Shore Excursions, Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers
2013 Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers' Choice Awards

Best Cruise Line Chef: Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, Best Onboard Art Collection
Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Award

Best Dining Experience, Master Chef’s Table
2014 Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Award

Best Shore Excursions, 2011
Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards (US)

Best Overall, Mid-Sized Ship for ms Noordam; #1 Best for Fitness, Mid-Sized Ship for ms Westerdam; #1 Best Shore Excursions, Mid-Sized Ship for ms Westerdam; #1 Best Cruise to Alaska for ms Volendam; #1 Best Cruise from the West Coast for ms Westerdam
2013 Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice Awards (US)

#1 Best Alaska Cruises, #1 Best Cruises from West Coast, #1 Best Cabins for ms Amsterdam; #1 Best Embarkation for ms Ryndam (mid-sized ships)
2012 Cruise CriticCruiser's Choice Awards (US)

Best Cabins
Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards (UK)

#1 Fitness for Volendam; (mid-sized ships)
2012 Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice Awards (UK)

Among the Best Cruise Ship Spas
2013 SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards

Green Planet Award
Kuoni Switzerland for outstanding environmental standards

Gold Medal: Eco-Friendly "Green" Cruise Ship, Best Premium Ship: ms Eurodam
Silver Medal: Dancing with the Stars: At Sea for Entertainment, Taste of De Librije for Restaurant Design, Pinnacle Suite for Suite Design
Travel Weekly, Magellan Awards

Responsible Tourism Award, 2008
Virgin Holidays

Marine Environmental Business of the Year, 2010, 2014
Port of Seattle

Best Cruise Operator, International
Australian Federation of Travel Agents

Best Cruise Line
Zoover Holiday Reviews

Gold Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award, 2012, 2010
US Coast Guard

North Star Award for Excellence in Tourism
Governor of Alaska

Most Ethical Companies List 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

World's Leading Green Cruise Line, 2010
World Travel Awards

Blue Circle Award, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
Port of Vancouver

Green Gateway Award — Silver Level, 2016
Green Gateway Award — Silver Level, 2015
Green Gateway Award — Platinum Level, 2014
Green Gateway Award — Platinum Level, 2012
Green Gateway Award — Silver Level, 2011
Port of Seattle

Sustainable Tourism Award, January 2013
Hsmai and National Geographic Traveler

Ocean Stewardship and Sustainability Award, 2013
Alaska SeaLife Center

Favorite Cruise Experience, 2013
National Tour Association

Wave Award for Best Shore Excursion (Ocean-going), 2013
Travel Age West

Best Food Cruise Lines, 2012/2013
Prow's Edge

Best Cruise Lines for Single Cruisers, 2012/2013
Prow's Edge

A new ship - Koningsdam

The beautiful new 2,658-guest Koningsdam arrived in April, and is already getting some fantastic reviews from our guests. The first in a new, but still perfectly-sized Pinnacle class, Koningsdam’s blends a fresh, contemporary styling in harmony with Holland America Line’s classic elegance. Interiors by Adam D. Tihany, one of the world’s pre-eminent hospitality designers are inspired by the “architecture of music” – focusing on fluid curves, graceful lines and light-filled places.

The ship features exciting public spaces, venues and innovative new features.

More Culinary Delights

Already known for a wide range of superb cuisine ranging from regional specialties and itinerary-based dishes to traditional favourites, HAL has taken this to the next level with new dining choices and venues for guests to enjoy

In the elegant Main Dining Room, which offers set and “as you wish” dining, guests will find classic favourites and vegetarian choices as well as regionally inspired cuisine prepared by chefs who have been inducted into the prestigious Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs.

In the intimate Pinnacle Grill, (available on all ships) where tables are set with crisp linens and dazzling stemware, dishes are inspired by America’s Pacific Northwest, such as king salmon from Alaska and responsibly raised beef from Washington state’s Double R Ranch.

The Pan-Asian Tamarind, onboard Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Koningsdam offers exotic menus that evoke the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan, with dishes that honour the elements of water, wood, fire and earth. A new partnership with Top Sushi Chef, Andy Matsuda of the Los Angeles Sushi institute, sees his signature sushi rolls being introduced for guests to enjoy at Tamarind.

A partnership with Master Mixologist Dale “King Cocktail” DeGroff, means that guests can enjoy signature cocktails before or during their meals.

For casual alfresco dining by the pool, Dive-In includes gourmet burgers plus lighter fare, like a grilled chicken breast sandwich and vegetarian-friendly Portabella mushroom stack. Plus crisp Italian salads and made to order thin-crusted pizzas.

A feature on all ships is the Culinary Arts Centre, an innovative show kitchen where guests can enjoy hands on cooking classes and culinary demonstrations featuring regional recipes from our own and guest chefs.

Exclusively on Koningsdam, guests may indulge in dinner in the Culinary Arts Centre, By day a dramatic show kitchen with individual cooking stations, by evening this venue transforms into an immersive farm-to-table experience where chefs prepare artisanal dishes in the show kitchen and guests enjoy each course as it’s freshly prepared with micro-greens cut from the innovative onboard Koppert Cress growing area, a first in the cruise industry.

Exclusive to Koningsdam

Also onboard ms Koningsdam is Sel de Mer , an intimate seafood brasserie offering a contemporary twist on French seafood classics, with à la carte dishes ranging from fresh oysters to salt-crusted whole fish to bouillabaisse. At BLEND, guests will be able to blend their own wine to enjoy at dinner. BLEND is a collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State’s oldest and most acclaimed winery, and will be the only purpose-built wine-blending venue at sea.

Inspired by the company’s Dutch heritage and complemented with blue and- white Delftware, the Grand Dutch Cafe is the perfect place to enjoy a draught lager or an espresso, along with a traditional savory Dutch snack.

With a beautiful new ship, incredible worldwide itineraries and a host of new enhancements, now is the time to cruise with Holland America Line

Reasons add