Holland America to Deploy a Third Ship to Northern Europe
Confident in the allure of Northern Europe destinations, Holland America Line will expand its presence in the region by deploying three, rather than its usual two, cruise ships for the 2027 summer season.
With a wide array of itinerary options visiting ports in the British Isles, the Baltics, Scandinavia, Iceland, and Greenland, the premium line, a Carnival Corporation brand, hopes to fill all berths onboard Zuiderdam, Rotterdam, and Nieuw Statendam.
Typically the line sends Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam, each accommodating 2,600 guests, to the region, and in 2027 the 1,900-guest Zuiderdam will join them.
It’s a big change for Zuiderdam, which for the last few years has spent her summers sailing Canada/New England itineraries between Boston and Quebec City.
No word from the line yet about which ship, if any, will replace her on that routing during summer 2027, so stay tuned for that.
Zuiderdam will be primarily based in Amsterdam while Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will be homeported in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
However, some itineraries aboard Zuiderdam and Rotterdam will depart from Reykjavik, Iceland, and Nieuw Statendam will spend part of the season sailing roundtrip from Dover, England, a growing port just over an hour’s train ride from London.
The Dover departures represent an opportunity for the line to continue courting the British market, as Nieuw Statendam will split her time between Rotterdam and Dover in summer 2025 and 2026, as well as in 2027.
The ship’s 14-night Wild British Isles cruise departing April 30, 2027, for instance, calls at Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Portree, and Glasgow, Scotland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Dublin and Cork, Ireland.
“Northern Europe is extremely popular with our guests — for the ports of call and stunning scenery. As a cruise line rooted in European heritage, we’re uniquely positioned to offer them one-of-a-kind explorations with an onboard experience that matches the region,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and itinerary planning for Holland America Line.
“The destinations in the region are some of our highest-rated — from standout ports in Norway like Eidfjord and Bergen and scenic cruising in Eyjafjörður, Iceland, to the UK’s Liverpool and Ireland’s Killybegs — this season provides guests more chances to experience everything Northern Europe has to offer,” Grigsby added.
The cruise line’s decision to boost its capacity with a third ship stems partly from guest feedback derived from surveys. Almost half of those surveyed, which included current and potential guests, indicated that Northern Europe destinations are among the most desirable regions to visit.
The Northern Europe itineraries will feature local entertainment, and given Holland America’s ties to Holland, where it was founded in 1873, Dutch history will play a role in onboard activities, too. For instance, each ship will offer a “Dutch Day,” celebrating the food and culture of the Netherlands.
Oosterdam to Offer Mediterranean Voyages in 2027
Holland America Line will, of course, have a presence in the Mediterranean during summer 2027, with the deployment of the 1,960-guest Oosterdam. The ship will offer departures from Athens, Barcelona, and Rome, offering 7- to 28-day voyages.
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A 14-day Rivieras, Malta & Greek Isles from Rome to Athens on July 10, 2027 calls at ports including Barcelona; Gibraltar; Valletta, Malta; Portofino, Italy; and Crete and Santorini, Greece, for instance.
This particular voyage is one created in partnership with The History Channel, a series of cruises where the itineraries and shore tours are focused on historical elements of the region.
The summer 2027 roster of Europe cruises also includes two that will offer total solar eclipse viewings on August 2, 2027.
Nieuw Statendam’s 28-night itinerary sailing roundtrip from Rotterdam on July 27, 2027 will be positioned in the line of totality. Ditto for Oosterdam’s 14-night voyage from Athens departing on July 31, 2027.