Best and Worst Holland America Cruise Ships (2025 Ranking)

Hollam America is just not among the many largest cruise strains on this planet, but it surely nonetheless has a really massive variety of ships carrying tons of of 1000’s of individuals annually.

As of 2025, the road has 11 cruise ships, with capacities starting from round 1,400 to about 2,600 passengers.

Beneath, you could find the up to date rating from the lowest-rated to the top-rated by way of total expertise, based mostly on a mix of knowledgeable evaluations and passenger critiques.

Components embody ship options, eating, service, itineraries, leisure, and the overall onboard ambiance.

Earlier than we transfer on with the rankings, it’s vital to notice that every one HAL ships earn constructive critiques; even the “worst” ship remains to be well-regarded (the unfold between lowest and highest scores is sort of small).

11. MS Noordam

MS Noordam is the final of the Vista-class ships (2006), and it gives a mid-sized, traditional cruising expertise.

Friends love its balanced dimension: spacious sufficient for facilities but nonetheless not too massive, with crew recognized for his or her customized, high-standard service.

The ship is persistently praised for cleanliness and a well-kept really feel regardless of its age. On the draw back, Noordam’s daytime ambiance will be quiet with restricted actions, and nighttime leisure is extra low-key, missing the flashy productions discovered on bigger cruise strains.

As well as, a number of friends talked about that some décor exhibits its age, however total this ship delivers conventional Holland America consolation and heat.

10. MS Westerdam

Westerdam debuted in 2004 and has been thoughtfully up to date through the years.

Renovations added HAL’s common Music Stroll venues (like reside blues and rock lounges), giving the ship a recent vitality within the evenings.

Typically, Westerdam blends a comfy, traditional ambiance with fashionable touches. Components of its decor mirror conventional class, whereas upgrades hold it feeling clear and comfy.

Passengers persistently commend the pleasant, attentive service onboard. Eating high quality is usually glorious, although a number of critiques notice inconsistent service velocity within the eating places.

As with many HAL ships, on Westerdam, daytime actions are calm and youngsters’ amenities are modest, so the ship caters extra to adults in search of leisure.

9. MS Nieuw Amsterdam

A sister ship to Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam is a barely smaller Signature-class vessel launched in 2010 (but it surely’s vital to say that it was extensively refurbished in 2017).

It gives lots of HAL’s signature facilities: a sublime two-deck eating room, the specialty Tamarind restaurant for pan-Asian delicacies, and a number of reside music venues (Billboard Onboard piano bar, Rolling Stone Lounge, and so forth.).

Opinions spotlight the ship’s elegant décor and spotless situation. As you may count on, it tends to draw a extra mature crowd, so late-night motion is proscribed, and the vibe is extra refined than high-energy.

As well as, a number of friends talked about that common areas (just like the Lido buffet or pool) can get barely crowded regardless of the mid-size ship house.

8. MS Oosterdam

Oosterdam is one in every of 4 Vista-class ships (named after compass instructions, with “Oost” that means East) launched in 2003.

Just like the opposite ships within the class, it gives a mix of classical cruising attraction and up to date upgrades.

The ship options HAL’s Music Stroll leisure, together with reside blues, rock, and classical performances, which enliven the evenings.

By day, Oosterdam’s ambiance is peaceable, actions are on the sober facet, which some friends admire as an opportunity to unwind, although these craving enjoyable may really feel bored.

Because of refurbishments, many public areas really feel fashionable, however a number of spots (similar to components of the pool space or older décor parts) can appear a bit dated.

7. MS Volendam

Volendam is HAL’s oldest lively ship, launched in 1999.

As an R-class ship, it’s about 25–38% smaller than HAL’s newer ships, which creates a extra intimate, cozy really feel.

Nevertheless, it lacks a few of the venues discovered on bigger ships. There are fewer leisure choices and never as many balcony cabins, and its format is easy and straightforward to navigate.

What Volendam excels at is conventional cruising: friends report distinctive service from a crew that rapidly will get to know you, a pleasant ambiance, and an emphasis on fundamental comforts.

Regulars know what to anticipate and are available for the traditional ambiance. The ship has been refurbished over time, however indicators of age (like worn-in decor) are noticeable in some locations.

This ship is ideal for cruisers who prioritize intimate ambiance and attention-grabbing itineraries over onboard events, and naturally in the event you don’t thoughts slightly classic.

If you happen to’re curious concerning the concept, take a look on the article with the ten the reason why small cruise ships are often higher than massive ones.

6. MS Zaandam

Zaandam is Volendam’s sister (R-class, launched 2000) and shares an analogous small-ship, personable character.

It has a music-themed decor and even a group of musical devices on show, giving it a novel persona. Like Volendam, Zaandam has comparatively few balcony cabins (so reserving a cabin with a balcony could possibly be significantly dearer) and fewer onboard venues.

However the trade-off is a extra cozy, intimate cruise with an uncrowded really feel. Passengers are inclined to know what they’re signing up for and love the ship’s straightforward navigation and relaxed ambiance.

The crew’s friendliness and a spotlight to element persistently earn reward. A number of critiques described it as a “residence away from residence”.

One other very constructive factor is that Zaandam’s small dimension means it usually undertakes unique itineraries (for instance, prolonged Asia or South Pacific voyages), interesting to destination-focused cruisers.

On the flip facet, leisure and actions are restricted. The night exhibits and music are nice however not as elaborate as on greater ships, and daytime leisure is pretty minimal.

If you’re on the lookout for enjoyable, perhaps Holland America is just not the only option. In that case I recommend you check out the rating of Carnival or Royal Caribbean ships.

5. MS Koningsdam

Koningsdam marked a brand new period for Holland America as the primary Pinnacle-class ship (launched 2016, after a six-year hole in new builds).

Bigger and extra fashionable than its predecessors, it launched beautiful modern interiors that introduced HAL’s type up-to-date, together with a high-tech two-level most important theater (the World Stage) and an elegant design influenced by music motifs.

Because of its dimension Koningsdam has loads of facilities: extra eating decisions (e.g. the French brasserie Rudi’s Sel de Mer and a farm-to-table venue), a full Music Stroll with venues like B.B. King’s Blues Membership (which her smaller sisters lack), and even solo traveler cabins.

Common HAL friends admire that regardless of the ship’s dimension ( about 2,650 passengers), it nonetheless feels elegant and never overly crowded. Nevertheless, some loyalists really feel that the larger Pinnacle ships “misplaced slightly of the HAL magic” by way of intimate attraction.

With extra passengers, service can sometimes really feel much less customized (a number of critiques point out crew stretched skinny) , although total service stays excellent.

Nicely, regardless of being bigger than the others, we’re nonetheless a good distance from the unimaginable numbers reached by the most important cruise ships on this planet.

4. MS Zuiderdam

Zuiderdam was the primary Vista-class ship (launched 2002) and has benefited from Holland America’s Signature of Excellence upgrades through the years.

It shares many traits with its Vista sisters (Oosterdam, Westerdam, Noordam): a mid-sized format (about 1,900 friends) with huge teak decks and a wrap-around promenade, a smooth profile, and a mixture of traditional and modern decor.

The ship’s refurbishments have added fashionable touches, although some décor stays a bit dated. Specifically, totally different critiques famous that the pool space exhibits its age.

Within the night, you possibly can benefit from the dufferent musical venues just like the Billboard Onboard piano bar and Lincoln Middle Stage, plus a theater for manufacturing exhibits (the Music Stroll choices are a spotlight).

Daytimes, nevertheless, are relaxed: you gained’t discover water slides or adrenaline parks, however you will see that enrichment lectures, cooking demonstrations, and a well-stocked library. In fact, these are features that attraction to HAL’s historically mature viewers.

Passengers describe the ship as unpretentious and comfy. It’s a ship the place you possibly can actually calm down and benefit from the journey, particularly fitted to cruisers preferring a peaceful ambiance and interesting locations over flashy onboard sights.

3. MS Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the latest ship within the fleet and was launched in 2021.

As a Pinnacle-class vessel, she is the most important Holland America Line ship (about 100,000 tons) and brims with facilities.

A constructive level is Rotterdam’s design, which will be thought of refined and suave. Totally different critiques underlined the ship’s in depth artwork assortment and fashionable decor.

Not like the smaller ships, this one has a extra full of life ambiance. For instance, through the day, you possibly can take pleasure in a mixture of conventional cruise actions (dance lessons, health, video games) and new additions (like BBC Earth experiences).

I can’t cover the truth that the Rotterdam had a number of issues, particularly within the months instantly following its launch.

Some early reviewers identified gradual service in eating rooms and some inconsistencies in meals high quality or communication onboard.

As I’ve stated a number of occasions in my critiques, these are typical startup kinks and often enhance because the crew good points expertise with the ship.

Due to her greater dimension, the service isn’t fairly as private as on the road’s smaller ships, but it surely’s nonetheless very pleasant. Rotterdam maintains HAL’s signature hospitality and meals high quality.

To sum up, Rotterdam gives probably the most up-to-date Holland America expertise, excellent for many who desire a modern ship with heaps to do whereas nonetheless having fun with the cruise line’s famend delicacies, music, and well mannered service.

2. MS Eurodam

Eurodam is a fan-favorite and exemplifies every part Holland America does properly.

It was launched in 2008 as the primary Signature-class ship. It might probably carry about 2,100 friends and has been rigorously refurbished to maintain up with newer requirements.

Eurodam gives an excellent stability. Massive sufficient to supply a wide range of eating and leisure, but smaller than in the present day’s mega-ships, so it hardly ever feels overly crowded.

Actually, many friends’ critiques comment that the ship feels “completely sized” and gives loads to do with out overwhelming you.

The onboard ambiance is elegant however unpretentious, and the crew is thought to go above and past, and plenty of passengers report that workers make a particular effort to make them really feel at residence.

Eating receives excessive marks as properly, from the standard of the complimentary meals to the specialty choices.

Leisure can be well-reviewed. The ship gives every part from classical concert events to blues and rock, plus respectable manufacturing exhibits.

The primary negatives are minor: a few venues can get busy at peak occasions (particularly the Lido Market buffet and the favored spa), and the decor isn’t as ultra-modern because the Pinnacle class.

General, Eurodam is “an incredible ship for many who like their cruises elegant however inexpensive” as a passenger stated.

1. MS Nieuw Statendam

We’re lastly on the prime of the listing with Nieuw Statendam, a Pinnacle-class ship launched in 2018.

Because the second-newest ship, it incorporates Holland America’s newest design parts whereas retaining the road’s beloved traditions.

Nieuw Statendam is commonly praised for its magnificence. From the beautiful art work and fashionable structure onboard to the spacious, well-appointed cabins. It might probably host about 2,600 passengers, so it’s massive however nonetheless not overly massive

A particular function of this ship is the deal with music: Nieuw Statendam is actually a haven for music-lovers, that includes an array of venues showcasing rock, blues, chamber music, and extra. Even friends who usually skip ship leisure usually discover themselves having fun with the reside bands every evening.

The meals and repair onboard earned excessive reward. Many reviewers spotlight the persistently glorious eating (from the principle eating room to the poolside grill) and the pleasant, polished crew.

As you possibly can inform from its rating, in mixture passenger critiques, Nieuw Statendam edges out others because the top-rated Holland America ship total.

Minor critiques primarily deal with the type of the cruise. Passengers who’re used to different cruise strains could really feel that the every day leisure and actions can really feel a bit tame or quiet, particularly if in comparison with flashier opponents like Royal or Carnival.

For instance, you gained’t discover massive events, however you’ll nonetheless discover some attention-grabbing theme nights. However most see this as a constructive, appreciating the upscale, relaxed vibe.

Clearly, e-book your cruise with consciousness. If you happen to don’t wanna deal with a selected cruise line, it’s also possible to determine from the listing of the ten Finest Cruise Ships within the World.