Holland America Unveils $500M Six-Ship Renovation Plan

Updated May 27, 2026

Holland America Line is now accepting bookings for Oosterdam's first post-refit season, giving guests the first chance to reserve sailings aboard the ship after its Holland America Evolution refurbishment.

The post-refit program includes eight itineraries and 15 departure dates across Europe, the Caribbean and North America starting in late 2027. Oosterdam is the first ship scheduled for the multiyear, more than $500 million renovation program, which Holland America has described as the largest fleet investment in its 153-year history.

First post-refit sailings now on sale

After its drydock, Oosterdam returns to service in Europe in early December 2027 with a seven-day Western Mediterranean itinerary visiting destinations in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. A 13-night trans-Atlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale follows.

The ship is then scheduled to spend the 2027-28 season sailing from Port Everglades on 11- and 12-night Caribbean itineraries focused on the Southern Caribbean and the ABC Islands. In spring 2028, Oosterdam transits the Panama Canal while repositioning north toward the Pacific Coast, with calls in Central America and Mexico, scenic sailings along the U.S. West Coast, and an ending in the Pacific Northwest.

Michael Stendebach, senior vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line, said the new voyages will pair the ship's updated spaces with destination-focused itineraries. “We're excited about what Holland America Evolution represents for our fleet and for our guests,” Stendebach said. “We can't wait to welcome guests aboard the elevated Oosterdam through these new voyages, where they'll be among the first to experience what this transformation brings. From the first step on board, guests will feel a more refined and thoughtfully designed experience, with new spaces like the Grand Dutch Cafe providing a sense of comfort and welcome as their vacation begins.”

Six-ship renovation plan built around guest feedback

Holland America announced Holland America Evolution on April 14, 2026, in Seattle. The work will span four Vista Class ships, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Westerdam, and Noordam, as well as two Signature Class vessels, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam.

The line described the initiative as a ship-by-ship, bow-to-stern revitalization intended to expand onboard choice while maintaining the brand's emphasis on relatively spacious, mid-sized ships. The program is also designed to bring features from the newer Pinnacle Class to more ships in the fleet.

Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said the scope and priorities come from customer input. “Our guests have been very clear about what they love about our ships and what they want to see more of, and Holland America Evolution is our answer to that,” Bodensteiner said.

More than $500 million, with Fincantieri as a key partner

Holland America said the investment will support refreshed public areas, additional restaurant and bar options, and new stateroom and suite categories, including plans to add accommodation capacity within the six-ship group. The line is working with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, which built all 11 ships in Holland America's fleet.

New accommodations and added capacity on Oosterdam

Oosterdam will add 76 staterooms and introduce new categories alongside updated versions of existing top-tier suites. Holland America has not released a complete list of every change for Oosterdam, but it has confirmed several accommodation updates and a signature food-and-beverage venue.

• Solo Verandahs: Thirty balcony staterooms designed for solo travelers, each with a private verandah, a dedicated workspace, and refined amenities.
• Bridgeview Suites: Two new forward suites designed around panoramic ocean views, including 180-degree sightlines, each offering about 900 square feet with a wraparound balcony and separate living and sleeping areas.
• Reimagined Pinnacle Suite: A 1,550-square-foot suite that Holland America described as the largest it has introduced on a Vista Class ship, with an expanded layout that includes separate rooms, a powder room, and a walk-in closet.
• Vista Suites: Twenty-four Vista Suites, an accommodation type familiar from Pinnacle Class ships, added to Oosterdam for the first time.

“This investment allows us to introduce experiences and venues that are new to the fleet, add Pinnacle Class favorites like Grand Dutch Café, and create new stateroom categories designed for the way people travel today,” Bodensteiner said, adding that the line intends to preserve what she called the “perfectly sized ship experience” associated with the brand.

Grand Dutch Café expands beyond Pinnacle Class

One of the most prominent venue changes previewed for Oosterdam is the addition of the Grand Dutch Café. Holland America said it has been a guest favorite and, until now, has been offered only on the line's Pinnacle Class ships.

On Oosterdam, the café is planned for Deck 3 near the atrium. Holland America described it as an all-day gathering place inspired by European café culture and tied to the line's Dutch heritage, intended to work for quick stops or longer visits. The venue is expected to serve coffee, light bites, and Dutch heritage-inspired items throughout the day.

Design and sustainability priorities during the refit

Alongside the visible guest-facing updates, Holland America said sustainability will be a core consideration during the renovations. Plans include circular design principles aimed at reducing waste, including upcycling and reusing materials where possible, as well as interior refurbishments that prioritize waste reduction and lighter-weight materials.

The line also outlined technical work intended to improve efficiency, citing smarter power management and system-performance enhancements designed to reduce energy demand and lower operational carbon intensity over time.

What remains to be released

With Oosterdam's first post-refit season now open for booking, Holland America is continuing to release details for the broader six-ship program as plans develop. The company has also said additional project updates will be shared through a dedicated Holland America Evolution website.

“We're just getting started,” Bodensteiner said, adding that additional updates are planned for Oosterdam and the other ships in Holland America Evolution.