Are you looking for the most activity-packed Holland America cruise ships at sea? If so, you’ll want to get on one of the biggest Holland America cruise ships.
The biggest Holland America cruise ships are, as you might expect, the Holland America ships with the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms, as well as the most choice in cabins and suites. They also have the biggest spas and casinos among ships in the Holland America fleet.
With 1,325 rooms and space for 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, the biggest Holland America ships are bigger than many resorts on land, though they aren’t as big as some of the truly giant cruise ships operated by such major lines as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line.
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Among the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is known for a focus on relatively smaller vessels.
Holland America operates 11 cruise ships in all. In addition to three vessels that hold 2,650 people at double occupany, the line has eight smaller ships — some significantly smaller. Holland America’s two smallest vessels are designed to carry just 1,432 passengers apiece.
Holland America’s smaller ships, notably, have less deck-top pool and lounge space and fewer interior venues than the biggest Holland America cruise ships.
The smallest Holland America cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience.
Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained
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To make sure that you end up on the right Holland America cruise ship for you, it pays to study which Holland America ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.
Here, every Holland America ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.
1. Rotterdam
Maiden voyage: 2021.
Size: 99,863 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,650.
1 (tied). Nieuw Statendam
Maiden voyage: 2018.
Size: 99,863 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,650.
1 (tied). Koningsdam
Maiden voyage: 2016.
Size: 99,863 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,650.
4. Nieuw Amsterdam
Maiden voyage: 2010.
Size: 86,700 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,106.
5. Eurodam
Maiden voyage: 2008.
Size: 86,273 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,104.
6. Noordam
Maiden voyage: 2006.
Size: 82,318 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,924.
7. Westerdam
Maiden voyage: 2004.
Size: 82,305 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,916.
7 (tied). Oosterdam
Maiden voyage: 2003.
Size: 82,305 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,916.
7 (tied). Zuiderdam
Maiden voyage: 2002.
Size: 82,305 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,916.
10. Zaandam
Maiden voyage: 2000.
Size: 61,396 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,432.
11. Volendam
Maiden voyage: 1999.
Size: 61,214 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,432.
What is the biggest Holland America cruise ship?
The biggest Holland America cruise ship is the recently unveiled 2,650-passenger Rotterdam and its two older sisters, the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam and the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam.
All three vessels are the exact same size: 99,863 gross tons. (Note that gross tons is a size measurement that takes into account the interior space of a ship and not its weight).
In addition to being the biggest ships in the Holland America fleet, the three vessels, collectively known as the Pinnacle class of ships, are the newest ships in the Holland America fleet and also have the most venues and amenities.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America cruise
Notably, in addition to a main restaurant and casual buffet, the three Pinnacle-class ships have five separate specialty dining venues — everything from a pan-Asian eatery and an Italian restaurant to a steakhouse. That’s more than you’ll find on other Holland America ships.
Pinnacle Class ships also have all of Holland America’s signature entertainment venues — something that can’t be said for the line’s older vessels.
Specifically, on Pinnacle-class ships, you’ll find one of the line’s signature Music Walk live entertainment areas with a B.B. King’s Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock).
Related: Holland America makes entertainment changes on some ships
The Pinnacle-class ships also have spectacular, state-of-the-art main theaters with push-out stages enveloped by two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screens. The theaters are home to all sorts of additional music, dance and comedy performances.
What is the smallest Holland America cruise ship?
The smallest Holland America cruise ship is the 1,432-passenger Volendam. Measuring just 61,214 gross tons, it’s 39% smaller than Rotterdam and the two other Pinnacle-class vessels mentioned above.
Because of its smaller size, Volendam has fewer features and amenities than most other Holland America ships — particularly the ships of the newest Pinnacle-class ships and another recent group of vessels called the Signature class.
In general, Volendam appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate cruise experience. It also draws cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.
Unveiled in 1999, Volundam is not just the smallest Holland America ship but the oldest Holland America ship.
Are bigger Holland America ships coming?
Not for now. Holland America currently does not have a single ship on order. The brand is owned by Carnival Corporation, which has not ordered new ships for the nine lines that it owns for several years as it focuses on paying down debt. The company took on a huge amount of debt during the COVID-19 pandemic to stay in business.
What’s the difference between bigger and smaller Holland America ships?
The biggest Holland America cruise ships have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the line’s older vessels. As a result, they are a good choice for vacationers looking who like a bigger resort experience with lots of options for restaurants, bars and entertainment.
Holland America’s smaller ships lack some of the features found on the bigger ships. In general, they have a more intimate feel, and they hold fewer people. While Holland America’s biggest Pinnacle-class ships can hold 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, as noted above, the line’s two oldest vessels (known as the R-class ships) are only designed to carry 1,432 passengers at double occupancy.
As a result, the smallest Holland America ships are a good choice for vacationers who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don’t mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.
Related: Don’t miss out on these Holland America loyalty perks
Note that all Holland America ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Holland America cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.
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