Of all the major cruise brands, Holland America has the easiest fleet to understand.
The storied, Seattle-based cruise line operates 11 ships that can be grouped into just four groups.
Each of these groups—known in cruise industry lingo as “classes”—is made up of ships that were built at the same time and follow the same basic design. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.
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Introduction to Holland America ships
In general, Holland America operates larger ships. But they are not as large as the ships operated by the other six major lines that cater to North Americans. Indeed, in some cruising circles, Holland America’s ships are referred to as “midsize” ships (as opposed to large ships).
Holland America’s largest ships measure about 100,000 tons, making them about 60% smaller than the largest ships operated by Royal Caribbean and 40% smaller than the largest ships operated by Norwegian Cruise Line.
Some of Holland America’s ships are only 61,000 tons, which is as small as some ships operated by more expensive upscale lines like Oceania Cruises or Azamara.
RELATED: 5 Best Places You Can Visit on a Holland America Cruise
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This means you’ll be in for a more intimate cruise experience on a typical Holland America ship than on ships from rival lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. There will be fewer people on board, and less crowded places.
On the other hand, you’ll typically find fewer sights and amenities on Holland America’s ships than on its competitors’ larger cruise ships. If you’re looking for a big, bustling megaship with every amenity known to man, Holland America is not your line.
Unlike some lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, Holland America does not drastically change the design of its ships from class to class.
Instead, Holland America generally takes an incremental approach to design changes for its new class of ships. For example, you’ll find a lot of similarities between Holland America’s Pinnacle Class and Signature Class of ships. And these two classes will not feel different from the previous Vista classes.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Holland America Cabins and Suites
In general, Holland America’s largest and most feature-packed ships are its newest ships. If you’re looking for a Holland America cruise experience with the most onboard activities and sights possible, you’ll want to head to ships in its new Pinnacle Class.
If cruising in the most intimate atmosphere possible is your goal, you’ll want to check out the R Class, Holland America’s oldest class of ships.
Top class
Ships in class: Rotterdam (2021); Nieuw Statendam (2018); Koningsdam (2016)
Size: 99,500 to 99,863 tonnes
If you’re in the “newer is better” camp when it comes to cruise ships, this is the Holland America ship class for you.
Holland America’s Pinnacle class was just launched in 2016, and the three ships in the series are significantly smaller than any other ship in Holland America’s fleet.
They are larger than any other ship in Holland America’s fleet and, as a result, boast more amenities.
Notably, in addition to the main restaurant and casual buffet, each of the three Pinnacle Class ships has five different specialty dining venues. Options include everything from pan-Asian eateries and Italian restaurants to steakhouses. That’s more than you’ll find on other Holland America ships.
Pinnacle Class ships also feature all of Holland America’s signature entertainment venues – something that can’t be said for the line’s older ships.
Related: A first look at America’s Rotterdam from Holland
Specifically, on Pinnacle Class ships, you’ll find a billboard onboard music venue (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist), a Rolling Stone Lounge (for a live band playing classic rock) and an entertainment zone with BB Kings. Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues).
Pinnacle Class ships also feature stunning, state-of-the-art main theaters with push-out stages surrounded by two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screens. Theaters are home to all kinds of additional music, dance and comedy performances.
The top deck of the Pinnacle Class ships has main pool areas that can be covered by a retractable glass macrodome during inclement weather. This makes these ships a good choice when booking a cruise to a destination where the weather is strong. The pool areas also have large screens for showing movies, something unique for Pinnacle class ships.
Each Pinnacle Class ship also has a secondary sea view pool and lounge area aft.
In addition, each of the Pinnacle Class ships features a spa, a casino and an additional fee outdoor lounge area called The Retreat – a feature that first debuted with the Pinnacle Class. Pinnacle Class ships also feature the new Holland America’s first ocean-view cabins for solo and family travelers.
Each Pinnacle Class ship is designed to carry 2,650 passengers at double occupancy.
signature class
Ships in class: New Amsterdam (2010); Eurodom (2008)
Size: 86,700 and 86,273 tonnes respectively
At around 87,000 tons, Signature Class ships are about 15% smaller than Pinnacle Class ships, and have a somewhat more intimate feel.
They also have a few less features.
Like the Pinnacle Class ships, both Signature Class ships – Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam – feature live music entertainment at the Billboard Onboard Music Venue and the Rolling Stone Lounge. But unlike Pinnacle Class ships, the ships lack BB King’s Blues Club. Instead, you’ll find live music at an additional venue called Third Avenue West.
You will also find only three to four additional chargeable restaurants on the ships. Each ship features Holland America’s signature outlets such as Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse, Canaletto for Italian and Pan-Asian cuisine serving tamarind. Unlike Pinnacle Class ships, Signature Class ships do not have Rudy’s Sal de Mer, a brasserie created by Holland America’s top chef Rudy Sodamin. They don’t even have a Grand Dutch Cafe.
That said, Nieuw Amsterdam is now home to a new restaurant created by celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto called Morimoto by Sea, and the Eurodom has a Morimoto by Sea pop-up restaurant. Both are open for dinner only.
Signature Class ships are similar in look and feel to Pinnacle Class ships, although there are some different dining and music venues.
Like Pinnacle Class ships, Signature Class ships have main pool areas that can be covered by retractable glass megadomes during inclement weather, and secondary pool areas at their rear.
The ships are designed to carry around 2,100 passengers at double occupancy.
Vista Class
Ships in range: Noordam (2006); Westerdam (2004); Oosterdam (2003); Zuiderdam (2002)
Size: Between 82,305 and 82,348 tonnes
Consisting of four ships, this is the largest fleet of Holland America ships. Thus, it is the class of Holland America ship that you can sail on the most.
In size, the ships are only slightly smaller than Signature class ships – about 5% smaller to be exact. However, they are designed to carry about 9% fewer people at double occupancy, meaning they offer a less crowded feeling than Signature Class ships.
Their slightly smaller size means there are slightly fewer features.
For example, each of the four Vista Class ships offers only two specialty restaurants: Holland America’s signature Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and the Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Unlike Signature Class, there is no Pan-Asian dining.
Three of the four ships — Oosterdam, Zuiderdam and Westerdam — also have a Morimoto by Sea pop-up eatery.
The main entertainment offerings on Vista Class ships are the same as those found on Signature Class ships: the Rolling Stone Lounge and live music entertainment area with Billboard onboard venue.
All ships also feature the Third Avenue West music venue.
Like Pinnacle Class and Signature Class ships, Vista Class ships have main pool areas that can be covered during inclement weather by retractable glass megadomes and secondary pool areas at their rear.
R class
Ships in range: Zaandam (2000); Volendum (1999)
Size: 61,396 and 61,214 tonnes respectively
R Class ships are approximately 25% to 38% smaller than the rest of Holland America’s fleet and are more comfortable.
Because of their smaller size, they have fewer amenities and facilities than Holland America’s other classes – especially the newer Pinnacle and Signature class ships.
In general, R Class ships appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate cruise experience. They also draw cruisers who care more about the places they visit on the cruise than the onboard attractions.
Along those lines, Holland America often deploys R Class ships on its more remote, destination-rich itineraries, including longer cruises around the world.
For instance, in the fall of 2025, Zaandam will sail an epic, 56-day South Pacific cruise out of Vancouver, BC, including visits to more than 20 island ports from Hawaii to Fiji.
Related: Holland America’s latest epic cruise is an island lover’s delight
Beginning in 2026, Volendum will embark on a 132-day globe-circling voyage that will include visits to all seven continents—a relative rarity for a world cruise. It will also include extensive time in South America and Northern Europe – logistically difficult to pull off on a round-the-world cruise.
Despite their smaller size, R Class ships offer the same pool areas (two) as their larger sister ships, with one pool area covered by a retractable glass megadome.
Each ship features two exclusive dining venues: Holland America’s signature Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse and Italian restaurant Canaletto. In addition, both offer Morimoto by Sea pop-up eateries.
Entertainment options on R Class ships include the main World Stage Theater for shows, a piano bar and a string ensemble performing onboard.
The bottom line
The Holland America fleet is relatively easy to understand. There are only four types of ships in Holland America’s fleet, and – for the most part – they are not very different from each other.
Holland America strongly believes in offering a consistent product from one ship to the next, and does not make revolutionary changes with each class of ship.
The major difference between the line’s four classes of ships is the size of the ships within the classes. If you’re a fan of larger ships with more features, you’ll probably be drawn to the new Pinnacle Class ships. If you like your cruise ships more intimate, you might want to stick with the R class ships.
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