In a recent article in World of Cruising, Captain Timmers — the first master of our new Rotterdam — shared how different Holland America Line ships have sentimental value for very different reasons. Much like our guests who often cruise on a particular ships, Captain Timmers has his favorites in our fleet. Read on to see which ships are special ...

Holland America Line has named Werner Timmers, a captain with nearly 40 years sailing for the cruise line, to take the helm of Rotterdam when the ship enters service in July 2021. Captain Timmers joined Holland America Line in 1984 and has worked on all classes of ship within the brand, most recently as master of Koningsdam. Captain Timmers will ...

I know this island well, one might say ‘intimately’, for not only did I call here on the ‘Mail’ run, but I also spent over a week here, after abandoning my ship, along with 83 others, we were brought back here by the tanker which sighted our lifeboats and rescued us. Having nothing but a rather dirty-white uniform to my ...

On Oct. 26, Rotterdam sailed into New York City near the end of its 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The voyage was the start of Holland America Line’s yearlong celebration of its founding 150 years ago on April 18, 1873. The crossing, which departed Oct. 15, left exactly 150 years to the day that the cruise line’s ...

Holland America Line’s favorite four-legged friend, Joska the service dog, reached a milestone achievement of 700 cruise days on Rotterdam’s current 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing, making her eligible to receive the Platinum Medallion, the highest past-guest award for cruising days. Joska, a 10-year-old black Labrador retriever, is the ultimate globetrotter and spends most of her days cruising on Holland America ...

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam VII departed the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, today on its historic 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing. The 15-day journey recreates Holland America Line’s maiden voyage of Rotterdam I that departed the city 150 years ago today. The crossing follows the path of that first sailing to New York, with calls at Le Havre, France, and Plymouth, ...

A middle school project to deliver books to a library halfway around the world is almost complete, thanks to some good timing and an alert travel advisor. Students from Odyssey Middle School in Bainbridge, Washington, brought over 400 books to Holland America Line’s ship Westerdam on Sunday for delivery to a new literacy library in Papua New Guinea. Students at ...

Two-and-a-half years after the cruise industry pause, Holland America Line’s Volendam returned to cruising today at Trieste (Venice), Italy. The ship embarked guests for a 14-day Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms Explorer itinerary. To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the terminal to open embarkation, attended by the ship’s captain and senior officers, with flag-waving ...

Holland America Line’s Volendam departed Rotterdam today, completing a charter with the city and the government of the Netherlands that began in April. For the past six months, the ship has been home to families from Ukraine who fled the war there. Over the past several weeks, the families have been resettling with relatives or moving to more permanent accommodations ...

Today is International Book Lovers day, and while a cruise is the perfect vacation to catch up on a good book lounging on deck overlooking the sea, it's also the ideal way to explore the homes, birthplaces and locales of your favorite author or book. From Prince Edward Island and the home of Anne of Green Gables to Isla Robinson ...

Our fleet is complete! Westerdam returned to service Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Port of Seattle in Washington, marking the last ship in the fleet to resume operations. To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a ceremony in the terminal attended by the ship’s captain and senior officers, with flag-waving fanfare from team members lined up to greet guests ...

Today is World Oceans Day, and as a cruise line that explores the world by traveling the sea, we take pride in offering our guests the most incredible tours that allow them to become fully immersed in the vast underwater ecosystem. From swimming with sea turtles and scuba diving among the coral reefs to learning more about humpback whales, we ...

It's official! While Rotterdam has been cruising since the fall, today in the city of Rotterdam we formally welcomed her as the flagship of our fleet in an affair fit for a royal! Following a tradition that started in the 1920s, Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands christened the ship in a ceremony attended by local dignitaries and ...

It's been a busy and exciting week for Holland America Line. Two more ships are back in service, with Oosterdam restarting in Trieste (Venice), Italy, and Zaandam setting sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To commemorate both occasions, Holland America Line held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the terminal to open embarkation, attended by the ship’s captain and senior ...

TODAY celebrated deserving mothers this Friday, May 6 ahead of Mother’s Day, with an extra special surprise from Holland America Line. During the 8 a.m. hour, one of America’s favorite morning shows invited 20 amazing women to its iconic plaza at 30 Rockefeller to highlight and reward their many accomplishments. We’re surprising all the moms on our Plaza with a ...

After more than two years since the industrywide pause began due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holland America Line’s Noordam returned to service Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship embarked guests for a 21-day Panama Canal transit to Vancouver, Canada, that will position it in Alaska through September. To commemorate the occasion, Holland America ...

It's been more than two years since cruise ship visited Canada, and on Saturday, April 9, that all changed. Koningsdam called at the port of Victoria, marking a return to Canadian cruising! On Sunday, the ship ended it's seven-day cruise at Vancouver, and the celebrations continued as it became the first ship back in Vancouver in more than 800 days. ...

Holland America Line's Volendam will be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees as part of an agreement announced by Netherlands and City of Rotterdam government officials. The ship will dock in Rotterdam for three months to provide a temporary home for approximately 1,500 Ukrainians, part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 people who fled the war in ...

This International Women's Day, we invite you to meet some of the talented women who currently are on board our ships — touching all departments and leadership roles. Join us in celebrating the achievements of women around the world and help #breakthebias.

Holland America Line's Cruisetours combine an Alaska cruise with an overland to Denali National Park. Our extended Cruisetours also include a visit to the Yukon where guests can visit Whitehorse, northern Canada's largest city, and Dawson City where the frontier spirit is strong. In the Yukon, the region's Gold Rush history shines as bright as the treasure the Stampeders came ...

On Holland America Line cruises to Alaska, guests have an extended evening stay in Juneau to enjoy some of the adventures that are best experienced later in the day. The ships arrive at 1 p.m. and stay until 10 p.m. With the sun setting well into the evening, you can certainly pack your day full of amazing explorations that allow ...

No one knows the ins and outs of Alaska better than our guests who have been there, done that ... many more than once! As we look to celebrate our 75th year exploring Alaska in 2022, we have an exciting season of cruises and Cruisetours that take you to the must-see places and hidden gems of this most gorgeous region. ...

Today is National Happy Hour Day, and there's no better way to kick off the celebration than with a cocktail from our new Half Moon Bar, exclusively aboard Rotterdam. Our newest outlet is an immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail. Each cocktail comes with a fascinating tale of ...

Yesterday, our new Rotterdam departed on her maiden voyage! The ship's arrival has been long-awaited, and we are excited that she's finally underway! The milestone was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and fanfare at the terminal as guests embarked. Guests Rick Encarnacion and Ernest Schenk cut the ribbon to open boarding, surrounded by (from left) Entertainment Director Phillip Morgaman, Captain ...

On Sunday, Oct. 10, waving flags, cheering team members and a “Welcome Home” sign greeted guests as they joined Koningsdam at the Port of San Diego for our first West Coast departure since the start of the industry-wide pause. Koningsdam is the largest Holland America Line ship to be sailing from the West Coast, and she will spend the season ...

Are you looking to chart a course to Alaska in 2022? With our Alaska Exploration Sale there's no better time to Have It All! We're back with a full Alaska season and Cruisetours to Denali and the Yukon in 2022, and with this event you can splurge on the shore excursion of your dreams. Book a 2022 Alaska cruise or ...

Holland America Line takes you to some of the world’s most secluded waters — many protected in national marine sanctuaries or parks or as UNESCO World Heritage sites. These gorgeous bodies of water are perfect for watersports, including snorkeling. Snorkeling, an easy-to-learn water activity, is ideal for most ages. Simply don a snorkel, mask and fins and relax to explore ...

The first cruise aboard Eurodam departed yesterday for the Greek Isles and Montenegro. The ship set sail from from Piraeus, and many guests enjoyed Athens prior to boarding, including our Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne who did the Dinner in the Sky experience. Captain Smit and the ship's team were eager to welcome guests back on board after the long pause ...

Holland America Line took delivery of Rotterdam today, July 30, 2021, officially making it the 11th ship in the fleet. A handover ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy the evening of July 29. The ceremony was attended by the ship’s master, Captain Werner Timmers, and Cyril Tatar, Holland America Group’s vice president of newbuilding services. Giuseppe Bono, ...

This past weekend, after an 16-month pause of operations, Holland America Line returned to service! Nieuw Amsterdam arrived at Port of Seattle earlier in the week to get ready for a Saturday departure to Alaska. Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald and Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz all were on hand to mark ...

Holland America Line is lucky to have several company historians. Two notable figures are Captain Albert Schoonderbeek and Gerald Bernhoft, director Mariner Society. In anticipation of the launch of our new Rotterdam this month, the two brand experts sent in fun facts and information about the previous six Rotterdam ships that have carried the name for our company. Enjoy learning ...

In less than a month, Holland America Line will welcome Rotterdam to our fleet! Did you tune in to Holland America Line Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne’s “Ramping Up to Rotterdam” update this week on our Facebook page to see the progress of the ship? Once again he spoke with Stan Kuppens, new builds projects, hotel, who was live at the ...

Today is World Oceans Day, and the theme for 2021 is The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods. One way we can better understand the ocean is by experiencing it and understanding the life that lives below the surface. On a Holland America Line cruise, guests can take an immersive shore excursion that explores the world of ocean animals — from whale ...

It was smooth seas and fair winds for Holland America Line’s newest ship, Rotterdam, which returned in the evening of May 6 to Fincantieri’s Marghera (Venice) shipyard in Italy, after successfully completing two sets of sea trials off the country’s Adriatic coast. Rotterdam left Marghera April 25 and performed the preliminary sea trials over two days before going into dry ...

Last week Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne flew to Italy to visit Rotterdam at the Fincantieri shipyards in Marghera and Trieste. Seth was at Marghera before the ship left for sea trials and made way to Trieste for a quick dry dock before returning back to Marghera. Not only did he spend time on the ship, he also spent time under ...

April 27 is King’s Day in the Netherlands, a traditional holiday held each year to honor the birthday of the reigning Dutch monarch. At Holland America Line, we take great joy in celebrating King’s Day each year given our roots in the Netherlands and ties to its royal family. In recognition of this, King’s Day is celebrated across our fleet. ...

As Holland America Line moves closer to the 150th Anniversary of our founding in 2023, this past year has taught us the importance of celebrating the smallest of milestones. So, we’re proudly commemorating our 148th Anniversary Sunday, April 18, 2021. As one of the longest-serving and most experienced cruise lines in the world, Holland America Line has grown into an ...

Valentine's Day is the holiday for romance, and it goes hand-in-hand with the romance of cruising. To celebrate, we asked our Facebook fans to share some of their most romantic moments on a Holland America Line cruise, and we received some beautiful stories. From milestone celebrations to weddings to meeting the love of your life, all things are possible on ...

Holland America Line has a history that spans nearly 150 years, and with that comes a depth of talented crew who will be aboard Rotterdam when the ship is delivered in July. The cruise line has appointed Staff Captain Kevin Beirnaert, Hotel Director Wessel van Oorschot, Chief Engineer Peter Massolt, Staff Chief Engineer Wim Akkerman and Environmental Officer Michael Brown ...

Africa is a continent of riches, from the rolling grasslands of the savanna to the pristine beaches of the Seychelles. Travelers on the 2022 Grand Africa Voyage aboard Zaandam are in for an experience unlike any other, and with Holland America Line at the helm it will be a memorable journey. Overnight calls in port allow for extra time to ...

Did you tune in to Holland America Line Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne’s “Ramping Up to Rotterdam” update this week on our Facebook page? Once again he spoke with Stan Kuppens, new builds projects, hotel, who offered insight into where the ship is at in the building process. The yard was back in full swing on Jan. 11 after Three Kings ...

Holland America Line’s popular new Club Orange premium amenities program will be available on all ships in the fleet by October 2019. Currently on nine ships, Club Orange gives guests an additional level of luxury and service with priority access, exclusive amenities and special events. Club Orange is available to purchase for a limited number of non-suite staterooms on each ...

The Panama Canal is an incredible man-made marvel that can be uniquely experienced on a Holland America Line cruise. If it's not on your bucket list, it should be! There's an incredible wave of awe that comes over every cruiser transiting the lakes and locks of this spectacle that made the list of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. ...

Holland America Line cruises travel all over the world, and some of the most unique and exciting shore excursions are the many wildlife tours highlighting native species unique to an area. If you’re cruising to South America or Australia and New Zealand, keep your eyes peeled for an adorable little bird unique to the South Pole. With their tuxedo-like coloring, ...

Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford has spent his working life leading human resources teams for various companies, so it’s not surprising to hear him say, “People are our most important asset.” How Ashford intends to leverage employees’ strengths to propel Holland America Line into the future is the topic of an interview he conducted recently with Seatrade Cruise News. ...

Whether you’re opting for a romantic cruise in the Caribbean, a long-awaited Grand Voyage or a multigenerational family reunion, suite accommodations offer the highest level of comfort and relaxation. …

During a Holland America Line cruise to Alaska, the sights and sounds of the Frontier State are front and center during the seven-day voyage. …

Here are pictures of the latest addition to Eurodam's Crew Bar -- a new pool table! We received the final pieces upon our arrival to Madeira. The first game and table commissioning was hosted by Captain Jeroen van Donselaar and Assistant Culinary Operations Manager Paul Kerr. Since the commissioning it has been non-stop games! The movement of the ship has ...

Global Pilotage Most ports in the world require pilotage, the practice where a pilot comes on board near the entrance of the port and then assists the ship's captain with bringing the ship into port, and docking or anchoring in the designated anchorage. The pilot also helps provide safe passage when the ship departs. The role of a pilot is ...