Holland America Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest (2021-1999)
From its newest ship, the MS Rotterdam, which first set sail in 2021, to its oldest ship, the MS Volendam, built in the 1990s, Holland America Line is known for its adults-focused, mid-size ships and robust history.
Originally founded as a shipping company and transatlantic passenger service provider, in the 1800s, today, Holland America operates just 11 cruise ships.
Holland America’s ships are spread out over four classes: the Pinnacle, Signature, Vista and Rotterdam classes, with the Pinnacle class being the newest and the Rotterdam class being the oldest.
Here are all of the Holland America ships listed by age, newest to oldest, and everything you need to know about them as you plan your next cruise.
MS Rotterdam (2021)
While not exactly the newest cruise ship in the world, MS Rotterdam, which launched in 2021, is still relatively new within the industry, and it’s also the largest ship in the entire Holland America fleet. In fact, the Pinnacle-class ships are about 25% larger than the next-largest ships in the fleet.
That said, by modern cruise ship standards, MS Rotterdam is not very large. Weighing in at under 100,000 gross tonnage, this ship is well under half the size of major cruise ships from lines like Royal Caribbean.
While this means that guests will not find dozens of restaurants on the ship, or a massive waterpark, some cruisers do prefer this smaller style of cruise ship. With only a few thousand passengers aboard, you can avoid some of the crowding that comes on big cruise ships, and enjoy an overall more intimate vibe.
The ship is the third ship in the Pinnacle class and the seventh to bear its name. It currently serves as the line’s flagship as well.
Entered Service: 2021
Ship Class: Pinnacle
Gross Tonnage: 99,863
Passenger Capacity: 2,650
MS Nieuw Statendam (2018)
The MS Nieuw Statendam is the second Pinnacle-class ship, entering service in 2018. Like MS Rotterdam, the ship was named after multiple previous Holland America Line ships that also took this name throughout history.
The preceding Statendam was built in 1993 and operated until 2015, before being given to P&O Cruises Australia.
This ship is very similar to its sister ships, not just in size but also in amenities and offerings. It features the same dining venues as the MS Rotterdam, for example.
Entered Service: 2018
Ship Class: Pinnacle
Gross Tonnage: 99,863
Passenger Capacity: 2,650
MS Koningsdam (2016)
Debuting in 2016 as the first ship in the then-new Pinnacle class, MS Koningsdam was a landmark achievement for Holland America, as the largest and most modern of its ships to date and the first ship to debut for the line in more than half a decade.
If you’re looking for a more contemporary cruise ship, you’ll definitely want to book a cruise on one of the three Pinnacle-class ships. Not only are they the most luxurious and “new” feeling, but they also offer the most options. For example, MS Koningsdam offers more than a dozen dining options, while older ships like the Volendam come with just eight.
Entered Service: 2016
Ship Class: Pinnacle
Gross Tonnage: 99,863
Passenger Capacity: 2,650
MS Nieuw Amsterdam (2010)
Built in 2010, MS Nieuw Amsterdam is the fourth and final Signature-class vessel. While 2010 may not seem like all that long ago, this ship is now a teenager and, accordingly, Holland America Line refurbished the ship in 2023.
One cool feature that you’ll find on this ship that you won’t find on any other in the cruise line’s fleet? The Morimoto by Sea restaurant — and not just the pop-up dining event that you’ll find on some other ships, but the full, real deal restaurant made possible via a partnership with celebrity Chef Masahuru Morimoto.
Entered Service: 2010
Ship Class: Signature
Gross Tonnage: 86,273
Passenger Capacity: 2,106
MS Eurodam (2008)
Also in the Signature class, the MS Eurodam is very similar in size to its sister ship. MS Eurodam and MS Nieuw Amsterdam are actually the only two ships within their class. The Signature class was built based on the prior, older and larger Vista class ships’ designs, but just a little larger.
MS Eurodam was refurbished in 2018.
Entered Service: 2008
Ship Class: Signature
Gross Tonnage: 86,7273
Passenger Capacity: 2,104
MS Noordam (2006)
The newest Vista-class ship, the MS Noordam is smaller than any other ships on this list thus far. It only holds just under 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.
Still, despite its small size, this ship offers up all the basic amenities you’d want in a cruise ship. There are six dining options, five bars and lounges, six entertainment options, a kids club, casino and pickleball facilities.
On that note, did you know that Holland America Line is the official cruise line of the Professional Pickleball Association? As such, you’ll find pickleball offered on all its ships.
MS Noordam was refurbished in 2019.
Entered Service: 2006
Ship Class: Vista
Gross Tonnage: 82,318
Passenger Capacity: 1,972
MS Westerdam (2004)
Now more than two decades old, MS Westerdam, though in the same Vista class as MS Noordam, is just slightly smaller than its newer sister ship — though not to any degree that the average cruisers would probably recognize it.
For example, MS Westerdam actually has more dining options than MS Noordam, despite the size difference, as well as more bars and lounges.
MS Westerdam has the Tamarind Asian restaurant and Morimoto by Sea pop-up experience, whereas MS Noordam does not, and MS Westerdam has one extra bar: the Gallery Bar.
Entered Service: 2004
Ship Class: Vista
Gross Tonnage: 82,305
Passenger Capacity: 1,916
MS Oosterdam (2003)
Refurbished in 2018 to the tune of $300 million, MS Oosterdam is very similar to MS Westerdam. The two are identical in gross tonnage and passenger capacity at double capacity.
However, MS Oosterdam does not feature the Tamarind Asian restaurant that can be found on MS Westerdam. Additionally, MS Oosterdam features the High Score! family game room that’s not on MS Westerdam. Most other amenities and venues are the same, though.
Entered Service: 2003
Ship Class: Vista
Gross Tonnage: 82,305
Passenger Capacity: 1,916
MS Zuiderdam (2002)
The very first Vista-class ship, MS Zuiderdam was refurbished in 2017. At the time of launch, the ship and the overall Vista class received attention for its extensive use of glass throughout.
Expect lots of ocean-view rooms — about 85% of cabins are ocean view or balcony staterooms ), as well as its extensive art collections on each ship (a feature you’ll see throughout the broader Holland America fleet.
Entered Service: 2002
Ship Class: Vista
Gross Tonnage: 82,305
Passenger Capacity: 1,916
MS Zaandam (2000)
Two year earlier, MS Zaandam entered service as a member of the Rotterdam class, or R-class. Not only is it now one of the two oldest ships in the entire Holland America Line fleet, but it’s also one of the two smallest. This ship fits fewer than 1,500 passengers at double occupancy.
Originally, the Rotterdam class had two other ships, named Rotterdam and Amsterdam, but these ships have since been retired by Holland America Line.
Rotterdam was sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines in 2020 and now operates as MS Bolette. Amsterdam was sold to Fred Olsen Cruises in the same 2020 deal and now operates as the Borealis.
Entered Service: 2000
Ship Class: Rotterdam
Gross Tonnage: 61,396
Passenger Capacity: 1,432
MS Volendam (1999)
Lastly, MS Volendam is officially both Holland America Line’s oldest and smallest cruise ship. Though it can hold the same number of passengers as sister ship MS Zaandam, it’s just slightly smaller in terms of gross tonnage. If you’re comparing MS Volendam to the brand-new Rotterdam, the size difference is a near 40%.
The ship offers eight dining options, five bars and lounges, three entertainment options, and amenities such as a casino, kids club, pickleball facilities, pool, shopping, fitness center, and spa.
Entered Service: 1999
Ship Class: Rotterdam
Gross Tonnage: 61,214
Passenger Capacity: 1,432
Does Holland America Have Any New Ships on the Way?
No, as of the summer of 2025, Holland America Line has not announced any new ships coming down the pipeline.
Read Also: Princess Cruise Ships By Age – Newest to Oldest
Instead, recent developments from the line, which is owned by Carnival Corporation, have included offering new itineraries to destinations such as the Arctic Circle and Northern Europe, as well as planning 2027 solar eclipse cruises.