Holland America Line announced on July 30, 2026, that bookings are now open for Zuiderdam’s first European cruises following a comprehensive transformation under the Holland America Evolution program, the largest fleet investment in the company’s 153-year history.
The upgraded Zuiderdam will return to service on April 2, 2028, with initial Mediterranean sailings. Afterward, the ship will spend summer 2028 cruising Northern Europe and Iceland from its homeport in Amsterdam.
European Itineraries Include Mediterranean, Atlantic Europe, Nordic Fjords and Iceland
Zuiderdam’s Mediterranean voyages will connect Rome, Barcelona, and Lisbon via open-jaw routes. Key Mediterranean ports include Livorno for Florence and Pisa, 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 along the Atlantic coastlines of Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
Summer Northern Europe cruises feature Norwegian Fjords destinations such as Bergen, Oslo, Skjolden, Ålesund, and Nordfjordeid, traversing fjords including Sognefjord, Nordfjord, and Hardangerfjord. Additional longer cruises include a 10-day Norwegian Fjords & Landscapes itinerary and an 11-day Wild British Isles voyage visiting ports in Ireland and Scotland.
Zuiderdam will also operate voyages between Amsterdam and Reykjavík, stopping at the Shetland Islands and Faroe Islands with Icelandic calls at Akureyri, Ísafjörður,
Seyðisfjörður, Grundarfjörður, and Heimaey, highlighting the region’s volcanic landscapes and maritime history. Greenland is also included in the broader European deployment.
Ship Enhancements Include New Suites and Dining Venues
The ship’s multiyear Holland America Evolution refurbishment integrates Pinnacle Class features such as new Solo Verandahs designed for single travelers, forward-facing Bridgeview Suites, Vista Suites, and an updated Pinnacle Suite. Accommodations throughout have been refreshed.
Zuiderdam now features the Grand Dutch Café, a new venue added as part of the upgrades. These improvements aim to elevate the onboard experience by combining Pinnacle Class elements with the ship’s existing design.
Official Statement Highlights Ship’s Heritage and European Connection
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 emphasized the continent’s diverse destinations, from Mediterranean history to Scandinavia’s fjords, and noted Zuiderdam’s summer homeport in the Netherlands aligns with the cruise line’s heritage.
Holland America Evolution Bolsters Fleet Capacity and Experience
Holland America Evolution is a multiyear modernization project designed to bring the best aspects of the fleet’s Pinnacle Class ships to other vessels including Zuiderdam. This initiative represents the company’s largest investment in its fleet since inception.
The program enhances guest amenities and accommodations,
reinforcing Holland America Line’s commitment to premium cruising and deepening its connection with established European markets.
Travelers can book European voyages on Zuiderdam now for sailings beginning April 2, 2028, gaining access to an array of Mediterranean, Northern European, and North Atlantic destinations aboard a ship featuring extensive upgrades.
