Update on Nieuw Amsterdam Accident – March 24, 2024

SEATTLE, MARCH 24, 2024, 2:00PM PST – We regret to share that on Friday, March 22, while calling at Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas, there was an accidental steam release in an engineering space on board Nieuw Amsterdam, which sadly resulted in the death of two crew members. The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Dutch Safety Board are currently investigating. Safety is always our top priority, and we are working to understand what, if anything, can be learned from this tragic accident.

All systems on board Nieuw Amsterdam have since been reviewed and determined to be fully operable by independent surveyors of the Dutch government and confirmed by the US Coast Guard.  After returning to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, March 23, the ship embarked on its next voyage with the next call scheduled at Ocho Rios, Jamaica on March 26.

All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this event. We’ve been in contact with the families of both team members and are offering our support to them and to all of our crew at this difficult time. 

NOTE: Reports that these team members perished in a shipboard fire are not accurate.