Holland America Unveils Bar 1873 for Oosterdam Refurbishment

Holland America Line announced plans on Oct. 16, 2026, for Bar 1873, a two-level atrium lounge that will debut aboard Oosterdam during its Holland America Evolution refurbishment. The ship will also receive a redesigned Crow’s Nest with expanded live music and more flexible space for daytime activities and evening entertainment.

The bar concept will recur across the Evolution program, with each ship’s version drawing on a different episode or tradition from the company’s history. Holland America was founded in Rotterdam in 1873; Oosterdam’s edition will focus on ship christenings and the godmothers associated with them.

“One of the goals of Holland America Evolution is to celebrate the traditions that have always made us special while introducing fresh experiences for today’s guests,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line.

Music programming and a customizable cocktail

Bar 1873 will feature piano performances before dinner and into the evening, alongside occasional appearances by singers and the line’s Vivace musicians. Lounge seating will accommodate guests gathering for drinks and small-scale performances.

The signature cocktail, “May She Be Blessed,” shares its name with the venue’s theme and refers to the blessing given to a ship before service. Guests will be able to select an essence to customize the drink. The rest of the menu will combine updated versions of classic cocktails with original drinks connected to each ship’s interpretation of the bar.

At the Crow’s Nest, daytime activities and enrichment sessions will give way to music and entertainment in the evening. The expanded program will include opportunities for dancing, with performances drawing on songs from the 1970s to the present. The redesign retains the venue’s panoramic ocean views.

Atrium design draws on Rotterdam V

Oosterdam’s bar takes its principal inspiration from Queen Juliana of the Netherlands’ christening of Rotterdam V in 1958. That former Holland America flagship is now preserved in Rotterdam as a hotel and museum.

Developed with London design firm SMC, the venue will occupy the central atrium around Deck 2. Its focal point will be a three-meter illuminated tulip sculpture referencing the line’s orange tulip and Dutch heritage. Visible from several positions around the atrium, the sculpture will project patterns of light across the space.

More than 200 historical and repurposed objects will surround the installation, accompanied by commissioned artwork and a timeline of the company’s history. Vintage-style maps and other artwork will add references to Dutch culture and maritime exploration.

Other details draw on specific places and objects from Holland America’s past. A central rug takes its design cues from a clock in SS Rotterdam’s main dining room, while the fireplace draws on the company’s former headquarters, now Hotel New York in Rotterdam. The broader carpet design uses patterns inspired by light moving across the ocean.

Part of the wider Evolution refurbishment

Holland America describes Evolution as the largest fleet refurbishment in its 153-year history. The program covers its six Vista- and Signature-class ships, with work encompassing public areas, accommodations and additional onboard offerings. Selected features will draw on the line’s Pinnacle-class ships.

The announcement did not specify when Bar 1873 would open or give dates for Oosterdam’s refurbishment. Bookings are open for post-transformation cruises on Oosterdam and Zuiderdam, the first ships scheduled for the program. Evolution will also extend to P&O Cruises’ Arcadia, which is expected to join Holland America’s fleet in 2029 following refurbishment.

See current Oosterdam fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.