Holland America Line has opened bookings for the Zuiderdam’s first European voyages following the ship’s extensive transformation under the Holland America Evolution modernization program. This program marks the largest fleet investment in the company’s 153-year history, according to markets.ft.com.
Zuiderdam’s Transformation Debuts April 2028
The ship’s enhancements will be unveiled on April 2, 2028. Zuiderdam will restart service in the Mediterranean before moving to sail from Amsterdam for the summer 2028 season. These new itineraries span the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Iceland, and Greenland.
Mediterranean and Atlantic Europe Itineraries
The season opens in the Mediterranean with voyages linking ports such as Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, Livorno, Marseille, Valencia, Málaga, Cádiz, Gibraltar, and
Tangier. A 13-day Atlantic Europe itinerary will sail from Lisbon to Amsterdam, calling at Porto, Bilbao, Bordeaux, Paris, London, Cork, and Dublin, connecting Southern and Northern Europe.
Northern Europe and Iceland Voyages
From Amsterdam, Zuiderdam will traverse Northern Europe featuring Norwegian Fjords sailings that include stops at Bergen, Oslo, Skjolden, Ålesund, and Nordfjordeid. The fjords covered include Sognefjord, Nordfjord, and Hardangerfjord. Extended itineraries include a 10-day Norwegian Fjords & Landscapes voyage and an 11-day Wild British Isles sailing visiting multiple Irish and Scottish ports. Iceland itineraries run between Amsterdam and Reykjavík with ports such as Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Seyðisfjörður, Grundarfjörður, and Heimaey, along with sailings to
the Shetland and Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Ship Enhancements and Onboard Experience
Zuiderdam’s upgrades as part of the Evolution program feature new accommodations including Solo Verandahs targeted at solo travelers, forward-facing Bridgeview Suites, Vista Suites, and a redesigned Pinnacle Suite. The ship also welcomes the Grand Dutch Café, a venue introduced from Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships. Additional ship enhancements will be revealed in the coming months.
Official Statements and Traveler Opportunities
Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said, “There is something especially fitting about introducing a newly transformed Zuiderdam in Europe, a region we know exceptionally well and one that has been part of our story from the
very beginning.” She added that the season presents “remarkable diversity of the continent, from the energy and history of the Mediterranean to the fjords and waterways of Northern Europe.”
Travelers can now book the Zuiderdam’s inaugural European sailings with set itineraries and departure dates through official channels, enabling trips across a broad range of European destinations.
Holland America Line’s Heritage and Evolution Program
Holland America Line has operated for over 150 years, with a fleet of 11 ships visiting nearly 400 ports across 114 countries. The Evolution program aims to extend the signature Pinnacle Class features throughout the fleet, maintaining the company’s premium cruising standards and connection
to its Dutch origins.
