Holland America Moves Oosterdam Refit Up by Five Weeks
The dry dock is planned for Marseille, with Oosterdam the first of six Vista and Signature Class ships in a program valued at more than $500 million.
Holland America Line has moved Oosterdam’s Evolution refurbishment forward by five weeks, allowing the ship to return to service on Oct. 31, 2027, and adding five post-renovation cruises. Several departures scheduled between Sept. 11 and Dec. 9, 2027, have been canceled. Holland America is contacting affected guests and travel advisors about rebooking options.
Oosterdam is the first of six Vista and Signature Class ships covered by Holland America’s more than $500 million Evolution program.
The dry dock will take place in Marseille, France. Holland America attributed the change to demand for cruises aboard the refurbished ship.
“Starting earlier allows us to create five additional cruises on the newly reimagined ship,” Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said.
Where Oosterdam sails after the refit
The inaugural post-transformation cruise will be a 10-day voyage from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, to Trieste. Its itinerary includes destinations in Italy, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia.
Oosterdam will then operate an 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Trieste to Piraeus, the port for Athens, departing Nov. 10. A seven-day sailing from Piraeus to Barcelona follows on Nov. 21.
The ship will leave Barcelona on Nov. 28 for a 13-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale. The final added itinerary is an 11-day Caribbean cruise sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 11.
Guests booked on the previously scheduled inaugural post-refit cruise and first transatlantic crossing in December will be offered transfers to the corresponding earlier voyages. Holland America has not detailed the rebooking terms for passengers on the other canceled departures.
Oosterdam’s planned changes
The 82,305-gross-ton Oosterdam was built in 2003, measures about 285 meters and accommodates roughly 1,900 passengers on an 11-deck layout.
Its refurbishment will add stateroom and suite categories, the Grand Dutch Cafe and a redesigned Ocean Bar. Plans for the Ocean Bar include a new performance stage, a relocated bar, updated seating and furnishings using fabrics with recycled content.
A permanent bandstand is also planned for the Lido Pool, where programming will range from solo performers to live bands and events associated with Holland America’s Orange Party. The pool area has a retractable glass roof.
Evolution covers the Vista Class ships Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam, as well as the Signature Class ships Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam. Zuiderdam is the second ship scheduled.
The five newly added Oosterdam cruises are scheduled to open for sale in early October.
See current Oosterdam fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.
