Holland America Line

The main Koningsdam cabins to avoid fall into four groups: Deck 4 “VH” verandahs, where lifeboats block part of the view; Deck 1 cabins beneath the Music Walk entertainment area; Deck 8 rooms directly under the Lido pool and Lido Market; and cabins at the far forward end of the higher decks if you get seasick. For the quietest, smoothest stay, choose a midship verandah on Decks 5, 6 or 7 with cabins above and below you.

Koningsdam was Holland America Line’s first Pinnacle-class ship. She launched in 2016 with 1,331 staterooms and more verandah cabins than any earlier HAL ship. Her sisters are Nieuw Statendam (2018) and Rotterdam (2021). In March 2026 she spent two weeks in dry dock in the Bahamas. The refit added five new ocean-view cabins, put sofa beds in 22 Vista Suites, replaced the carpets and reworked the area between Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge. Your cabin choice still makes a bigger difference to your trip than any of those updates. This guide covers which areas to skip, which categories are good value and how to check a cabin number before you pay a deposit.

Koningsdam Cabins to Avoid at a Glance

Use this table as a quick filter. Then check the exact cabin number on Holland America’s current deck plan, because layouts can change after a refit.

Obstructed View Cabins on Koningsdam (Deck 4 VH)

Holland America sells some Deck 4 (Beethoven Deck) verandahs as category VH, partially obstructed verandah. The lifeboats hang along the Deck 3 promenade. From these balconies you look over or into the tops of them, so you can see water but part of the view is blocked. How much is blocked depends on the cabin. In some rooms, standing at the railing gives you a decent view. In others, the boat fills most of the frame.

VH cabins can be good value if you mostly want fresh air and a private outdoor space. They’re a poor choice for an Alaska Inside Passage or Glacier Bay cruise, where sitting on your balcony watching scenery is much of the point. Before you book one:

• Search the specific cabin number on Cruise Critic, Reddit or YouTube for photos taken from that balcony.
• Compare the VH fare with the cheapest standard verandah on Deck 5 or 6. If the difference is small, book the unobstructed cabin.
• Remember that a VH is still a verandah inside. HAL’s verandah cabins run from about 228 to 405 square feet, with the same bed, bathroom and amenities.

Several accessible cabins also sit on Deck 4, including 4096, 4107, 4146 and 4167. If you need an accessible layout, put the roll-in shower and turning space first and treat the view as a second priority.

Watch for steel railings too. Some Koningsdam verandahs have a solid steel lower railing instead of clear glass. Standing up, you won’t notice much difference. Sitting down, the steel blocks the water closest to the ship. Deck plans don’t always show the railing type, so ask your travel advisor or HAL before you commit.

Noisy Koningsdam Cabins: Music Walk, World Stage and the Lido

Deck 1 below Music Walk

Koningsdam’s live music is grouped along Music Walk on Deck 2. It includes Billboard Onboard (dueling pianos playing chart hits), B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Lounge, which Holland America previously called the Rolling Stone Rock Room. The March 2026 refit added seating and a new lounge area between Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge. More seating usually means more people and more music late at night. Deck 1 cabins directly underneath can pick up bass and vibration until the bands finish. Check the deck plan and avoid any Deck 1 cabin directly under these venues.

Deck 4 above the World Stage and casino

The two-level World Stage theater fills the forward end of Decks 2 and 3, with a wraparound LED screen. The forward cabins on Deck 4 are directly above it, so show nights, sound checks and rehearsals can carry through the ceiling. Further aft, the Deck 3 casino (enlarged during the 2026 refit) and the upper level of B.B. King’s are also below Deck 4. If you’re a light sleeper, Deck 5 adds one more deck of cabins between you and the entertainment decks.

Deck 8 below the Lido pool and Lido Market

Deck 8 (Navigation Deck) is the top full cabin deck, and Deck 9 above it holds the Lido pool, the Lido Market buffet and the Greenhouse Spa. Cabins under the pool deck can hear loungers being moved and decks being cleaned, often around 6am. Cabins under the Lido Market can hear carts and kitchen traffic. Deck 8 isn’t bad everywhere. Some cabins sit under quieter areas, so check what’s directly above your cabin number. If in doubt, move down to Deck 7.

Decks 10 and 11

Cabins on the upper decks are close to the open sun decks, sports areas and the Club HAL kids and teen spaces on Deck 10. Some guests like the quick access to the pool. Others notice footsteps or noise from the sports court overhead. The far forward cabins up here also move the most in a swell.

Cabins to Avoid If You Get Seasick

On any ship, you feel motion most at the bow and on high decks. On Koningsdam, that means the forward cabins on Decks 10 and 11. Forum posters often ask about cabins such as 11003 and 11004, which are high and right at the bow. They have great views but are a poor pick for a rough Gulf of Alaska crossing or a Panama Canal repositioning cruise. Aft cabins on the lower decks can also feel some vibration from the propulsion system when the ship is maneuvering.

If you’re prone to seasickness, choose a low, midship cabin. Decks 4 to 6 near the center of the ship are the most stable. You’ll also be a short walk from the main dining room, the Lido elevators and the shore tender stations.

Koningsdam Best Cabins by Category

Koningsdam introduced several stateroom types that were new to the Holland America fleet when she launched. Here’s how the main categories compare and where the better picks are.

Verandah cabins

Verandah cabins make up the majority of the ship’s 1,331 staterooms. The safest picks are mid-ship verandahs on Decks 5, 6 and 7, which have cabins above and below and no public venues nearby. Cruise Critic notes that some lower-deck verandahs have wider, squarer balconies, and some on Decks 5 to 8 have extra-long balconies. These can be good value if you find one at a standard verandah price.

Family ocean-view cabins

There are 32 family ocean-view cabins, about 222 to 231 square feet. They sleep up to five and have two bathrooms, which is unusual at this price level. They are on Deck 1, split between forward and aft. That puts them close to the gangway and away from the pool decks, but it also means some are near Music Walk on the deck above. Ask for one at the far end of the corridor, away from the venues. The March 2026 refit also added five new ocean-view cabins that sleep four, four of which connect. Ask HAL or your advisor where they are.

Single studio cabins

Twelve single ocean-view studios, about 127 to 172 square feet, were Holland America’s first rooms built for solo travelers. They’re forward on Deck 1, and a solo traveler pays a single fare for one instead of a double-occupancy fare with a single supplement. They’re small, and being low and forward means you may hear the anchor in ports where the ship anchors. Even so, they’re often the cheapest way to cruise alone on this ship.

Spa staterooms

Koningsdam groups its spa-category rooms (inside, ocean-view, verandah and two Neptune Spa Suites) on Deck 10, just above the Greenhouse Spa on Deck 9. Depending on the fare, perks typically include spa-themed amenities and access to the thermal suite, so check what’s included when you book. They’re well placed for spa regulars. The trade-off is that Deck 10 has more people passing through on the way to the upper sun decks.

Suites: Vista, Signature, Neptune and Pinnacle

• Vista Suites (104, about 260 to 356 sq ft) are essentially larger verandah cabins, and 22 now have sofa beds after the 2026 refit.
• Signature Suites (14, about 393 to 400 sq ft) add a whirlpool bath and more space at a lower price than a Neptune Suite.
• Neptune Suites (about 465 sq ft and up) include access to the Neptune Lounge and its concierge, and dining in Club Orange.
• The single Pinnacle Suite (about 1,290 sq ft) on Deck 7 has a separate living and dining room and a large whirlpool verandah.

If a Neptune Suite costs too much, a Signature Suite on Deck 7 gets you a quiet midship location and a bigger bathroom. For more on what’s included in a suite fare, see our guide to Holland America drink packages and whether they’re worth it, since some fares bundle drinks in.

Our Picks: The Best Cabins on Koningsdam

1. Best all-round: a standard verandah, midship on Deck 6 or 7, with a glass railing.
2. Best for Alaska scenery: any unobstructed verandah on Decks 5 to 7. Port or starboard matters less on a round-trip, because each side gets views on one leg of the voyage.
3. Best for families: a family ocean-view on Deck 1 at the far end of the corridor, or two connecting verandahs.
4. Best for solo travelers: a single ocean-view studio on Deck 1, or a guarantee verandah if single supplements are reduced on your sailing.
5. Best upgrade for the money: a Signature Suite on Deck 7.
6. Best for seasickness: a low, midship verandah on Deck 4 or 5. Avoid the VH category if the view matters to you.

Koningsdam spends her summers on seven-day round-trip Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver, so a balcony is well worth having. If you’re still choosing a cruise line, compare HAL with the alternatives in our guide to the best cruise line to Alaska for you. If you’re choosing between HAL ships, see how Koningsdam and her sisters compare in Holland America ships ranked by real customer reviews.

How to Check a Koningsdam Cabin Before You Book

Most cabin guides skip this step. It takes about five minutes and catches most problems.

1. Look up and down. Open the official deck plan on hollandamerica.com and find your cabin. Then look at the same position on the deck above and the deck below. If you see a venue, a galley, a pool or crew service doors instead of cabins, choose another cabin.
2. Check the corridor. Avoid cabins right next to elevator lobbies, laundry rooms and stairwells, where doors bang and people gather.
3. Check the code. VH means a partially obstructed view. A connecting-door symbol means you’ll share a wall door with the next cabin.
4. Be careful with guarantee fares. A guarantee (GTY) fare can be cheaper, but HAL picks the cabin, and you can end up in exactly the spots this guide warns about. If you need a specific view, quiet ceiling or layout, pay a little more to choose your own cabin.
5. Re-check after a refit. The 2026 dry dock changed some venue layouts and added new cabins, so older reviews and third-party deck plans may be out of date.

Watching for a good fare? See our roundup of cruise deals for 2027.

Koningsdam’s newer sister has a similar layout; see our guide to MS Rotterdam cabins to avoid if you are comparing the two.

If you lean towards Holland America, check whether the Holland America Have It All package makes sense for how you drink and explore before comparing total costs.

FAQs

Which verandah cabins on the Koningsdam are the best?

Mid-ship verandahs on Decks 5, 6 and 7 are generally the best. They have cabins above and below, no nearby entertainment venues and less motion. Choose a glass railing and avoid the Deck 4 VH category if the view matters to you.

Are Deck 4 obstructed view cabins on Koningsdam worth it?

They can be if the saving is significant and you mainly want fresh air. Lifeboats block part of the view, and how much varies by cabin. For Alaska, most people are happier in an unobstructed verandah on a higher deck.

Is Deck 1 on Koningsdam noisy?

Deck 1 cabins directly below Music Walk on Deck 2, where B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge are, can hear late-night music. Cabins at the far forward or aft ends of Deck 1 are usually much quieter.

Where are the family cabins on Koningsdam?

The 32 family ocean-view cabins are on Deck 1, forward and aft. They sleep up to five and have two bathrooms. The 2026 refit also added five new ocean-view cabins that sleep four.

Which Koningsdam cabins are best for seasickness?

Low, midship cabins on Decks 4 to 6 move the least. Avoid the far forward cabins on Decks 10 and 11 if you’re prone to motion sickness.

The main Eurodam cabins to avoid are on Deck 8 directly under the Lido Market and pools, on Deck 1 near the World Stage and below the Deck 2 music venues, and the verandahs where a lifeboat or a solid steel wall gets in the way of the view, mainly forward on Deck 4 and midship on Deck 5. For a quiet, steady cabin, book midship on Decks 5 to 7 with cabins above and below you. If you want the best balcony at a good price, look at the aft-facing verandahs on Deck 4.

Eurodam is a Signature-class ship. She was built by Fincantieri in 2008, measures about 86,000 gross tons and carries around 2,100 guests at double occupancy. Her only sister is Nieuw Amsterdam (2010), which has an almost identical layout, so nearly everything below applies to both ships. Cabin numbers can shift slightly between the two, so always check the deck plan for the exact ship you are booking.

Eurodam at a glance: cabin types and decks

Eurodam has a little over 1,000 staterooms, and roughly two-thirds of them have a verandah. To make sense of the advice below, it helps to know how the decks are laid out. Holland America names its decks as well as numbering them:

• Deck 1 (Main): cabins, the atrium and the World Stage area forward.
• Deck 2 (Lower Promenade): casino, music venues and bars, plus the lower level of the dining room.
• Deck 3 (Promenade): shops, the upper dining room and the wraparound promenade with its lifeboats.
• Decks 4 to 8 (Upper Promenade, Verandah, Upper Verandah, Rotterdam, Navigation): mostly cabins. The Neptune Lounge for suite guests is on Deck 7.
• Deck 9 (Lido): Lido Market buffet, pools and spa.
• Decks 10 and 11 (Panorama and Observation): more cabins, including the spa cabins, plus Club HAL, sports courts and the Crow’s Nest.

The table below sums up the main categories, using approximate sizes from published deck plan data. Holland America sometimes renames or splits categories, so treat the letters as a guide and confirm them when you book.

Eurodam cabins to avoid (and why)

None of these cabins is bad as such. Each one has a specific drawback that matters a lot to some people and not at all to others. Here are the locations most worth checking before you pay a deposit.

1. Deck 8 cabins under the Lido Market and pools

Deck 9 is the Lido, home to the Lido Market buffet, the pools and the spa. Deck 8 cabins directly beneath the buffet are the ones most likely to hear early-morning set-up, sliding chairs and food-service carts, especially on sea days. If you sleep lightly, compare the Deck 8 and Deck 9 plans side by side and avoid any cabin with the buffet or pool deck directly above it. Many Deck 8 cabins are fine, but the ones under the Lido Market are the classic Eurodam noise complaint.

2. Deck 1 cabins near the World Stage and under the Deck 2 music venues

Holland America’s own deck plan puts Deck 1 next to the World Stage and directly below the Deck 2 entertainment area. Cabins forward on Deck 1, near the theater, can pick up rehearsals, show crowds and foot traffic. Cabins under the Lower Promenade music venues can hear bass and late-night noise. Cruise forum posters have pointed to Main deck cabins around C1056 to C1066, plus a few nearby inside cabins, as the ones most affected. They also say the starboard side tends to be quieter than port. The venue line-up on Deck 2 has changed over the years, so check what is currently above any Deck 1 cabin you are considering.

3. Forward Deck 4 verandahs with solid steel walls

On the Upper Promenade (Deck 4), the forward verandahs, roughly cabins 4001 to 4042, have solid steel balcony fronts rather than glass. When you sit down, the wall blocks most of the sea view, and you need to stand to see over it. Some people like the extra privacy and shelter from the wind, especially in Alaska. If you want to watch the scenery from a lounger, though, choose a cabin further aft. Be careful with “verandah guarantee” fares: they can put you in exactly this kind of cabin.

4. Lifeboat-view verandahs and obstructed ocean views

Eurodam’s bright orange lifeboats hang along the Promenade (Deck 3), just below the first cabin decks. The cabins this affects most are:

• Deck 4 corner “hump” verandahs near the lifeboats, which past guests identify as cabins 4053, 4054, 4129 and 4132.
• Midship Deck 5 verandahs, which sit above the lifeboats. The outward view is usually fine, but looking down you see lifeboat roofs instead of water.
• Obstructed-view ocean view cabins, which are sold at a discount because a lifeboat partly or mostly blocks the window. How much they are blocked varies from cabin to cabin.

Obstructed-view cabins can be good value if you mainly want natural light. Just book them knowing what you are getting.

5. Shallow or “Juliet” spa balconies (VQ and VT)

The spa cabins high up on Decks 10 and 11 put you close to the Greenhouse Spa. Their balconies are narrower than standard, though. VQ balconies are only about 4 feet deep, and the VT cabins on Deck 11 have Juliet-style balconies that are really only for standing. If a proper balcony with two chairs matters to you, these aren’t the cabins to book. Deck 11 cabins are also close to the sports courts.

6. Far forward cabins if you get seasick

Cabins at the very front of the ship, and especially high up, feel the most pitching in a swell. Forum posters mention forward suites on Decks 5 and 10 in particular. This matters most on open-sea repositioning cruises and winter crossings. It matters much less on a calm Caribbean week or in Alaska’s Inside Passage.

7. Connecting cabins if you are not traveling as a group

Eurodam has a large number of connecting cabins, around 280 according to published ship data. The connecting doors are not as well soundproofed as solid walls, so you may hear the TV or conversation next door. Families should book them; couples who want quiet should avoid them. On the online deck plan, connecting cabins are usually marked with a small symbol between the two rooms.

Other small things to look for on the plan include laundry and service rooms, elevator lobbies and crew doors. Cabins next to them can hear doors and carts. These are minor issues, but worth a glance.

Eurodam best cabins to book

Now for the good news. Some Eurodam cabins are consistently well regarded, and several of them aren’t the most expensive on board.

Aft-facing verandahs on Deck 4

The aft-facing Upper Promenade verandahs, roughly cabins 4133 to 4179, have deeper balconies, around 7.5 feet compared with about 5.5 feet on a standard verandah. They also give you a view of the wake. Cabins 4166 and 4168 have extra-wide balconies. Because Deck 4 is lower down, these cabins feel less motion than aft cabins higher up. Many repeat Holland America guests rate them the best-value balconies on the ship. Aft cabins on higher decks can be even deeper, but the stern balconies on the upper decks are smaller than many people expect, so check each one.

Neptune Suites

Neptune Suites come with access to the Neptune Lounge on Deck 7 and concierge help, which makes a real difference on longer voyages. The balconies are also large, about 135 sq ft. The aft-facing Neptune Suites are the ones people tend to fight over. They are quiet, have wake views and cost much less than a Pinnacle Suite.

Pinnacle Suites

Eurodam has just two Pinnacle Suites, both on Deck 7. Each one is roughly 1,000 sq ft with a very large verandah, and they come with Neptune Lounge access and Holland America’s top suite perks. If they are in your budget, they are the best rooms on the ship, but they often sell out more than a year ahead.

Signature Suites

Signature Suites, mainly on Decks 5 and 6, give you a separate sitting area, a larger bathroom and a balcony of about 85 sq ft. They sit between the Verandah and Neptune categories and are a good upgrade if you want more space without paying for full suite perks. Choose midship or aft ones over far-forward ones if motion bothers you.

Midship verandahs on Decks 5 to 7

For most people, the safest choice is a standard verandah midship on Decks 5, 6 or 7. These cabins have other cabins above and below them, are close to the elevators, and are well away from the Lido and the Deck 2 venues. Pick one that is not directly above the Deck 3 lifeboats and you have a quiet, steady cabin with a clear view.

Large Deck 1 inside cabins

If you’re on a budget, the larger Main deck inside cabins (category J, around 225 sq ft according to past guests) are some of the roomiest interior cabins in Holland America’s fleet. Some of them can sleep four. Choose ones away from the forward theater area and from the cabins under the Deck 2 music venues mentioned above.

Best Eurodam cabins for seasickness

A ship moves least at its center, so for seasickness choose a midship cabin on a low deck. On Eurodam, the best options are midship cabins on Deck 1 (interior or ocean view) or midship verandahs on Deck 4 and Deck 5. Avoid the far forward cabins, and remember that higher decks feel more sway. An ocean view or balcony also helps, because being able to see the horizon reduces nausea for many people.

Where Eurodam is sailing matters too. According to published 2026-27 schedules, she spends the winter on Caribbean round trips from Fort Lauderdale. These include 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean loops calling at Half Moon Cay (now marketed as RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay), Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Cozumel and Grand Cayman, along with some longer 10- to 14-night voyages. In summer she moves to Seattle for 7-night Alaska round trips, with Panama Canal repositioning cruises between the two seasons. The Caribbean and the Inside Passage are usually fairly calm. The repositioning voyages and some open-ocean stretches can be rougher, so cabin location matters more on those. Schedules change, so check the current itinerary on Holland America’s Eurodam page.

Eurodam obstructed view cabins: are they worth it?

Obstructed-view cabins are some of the cheapest outside cabins on Eurodam. Whether they are worth it depends on what you want from a window. You get daylight and a sense of the time of day. You may not get a sea view at all if the cabin looks straight at a lifeboat. Two practical tips:

1. Look at the deck plan legend. Holland America marks obstructed and partially obstructed cabins on its deck plans. Partial obstructions are often barely noticeable, while full obstructions can mean a wall of orange.
2. Compare the price gap. If the difference between an obstructed ocean view and a standard interior is small, the window may be worth it. If the price is close to a midship verandah instead, the verandah is usually the better buy.

How to check a Eurodam cabin before you book

The thing most cabin guides skip is a simple routine for checking a specific cabin number. Here is a quick five-step check that works for any Eurodam (or Nieuw Amsterdam) cabin:

1. Look up. Open the deck plan for the deck above your cabin. If you see a buffet, pool, gym, galley or bar instead of more cabins, expect some noise.
2. Look down. Check the deck below for theaters, lounges or the casino, which matter most for Deck 1 and Deck 4 cabins.
3. Look outside. On Decks 4 and 5, check whether the lifeboats on Deck 3 sit below or beside your cabin. Forward on Deck 4, check whether the balcony has a steel front.
4. Look sideways. Look for connecting-door symbols, service rooms, laundry rooms and elevator banks next to the cabin.
5. Check the balcony depth. Spa cabins (VQ and VT) and some forward cabins have smaller balconies than the standard verandah.

If you are choosing between Holland America ships, our guide to Holland America ships ranked by real customer reviews shows where Eurodam stands in the fleet. Once you have picked a cabin, it is also worth reading about whether Holland America drink packages are worth it before you finalize your booking. If you are comparing lines, our Celebrity Cruises cabins to avoid guide uses the same approach.

FAQs

What deck is best on the Eurodam?

For most people, Decks 5, 6 and 7 midship are the best, because they have cabins above and below them and sit away from the Lido and the Deck 2 entertainment venues. For the best balcony value, aft-facing cabins on Deck 4 are a popular choice.

Which Eurodam cabins have obstructed views?

Obstructed-view cabins are the ones that look onto the orange lifeboats along Deck 3. Some Deck 4 corner verandahs, such as 4053, 4054, 4129 and 4132, sit beside the lifeboats, and midship Deck 5 verandahs look down onto them. Forward Deck 4 verandahs (roughly 4001 to 4042) have solid steel balcony walls.

Are Deck 8 cabins on Eurodam noisy?

Deck 8 cabins directly below the Lido Market and pool area on Deck 9 can hear early-morning set-up and chair noise. Deck 8 cabins with other cabins above them are generally fine.

Is Nieuw Amsterdam the same as Eurodam?

Yes. Nieuw Amsterdam is Eurodam’s Signature-class sister and has a nearly identical layout, so the same cabins-to-avoid advice applies. Check exact cabin numbers on each ship’s own deck plan.

How many passengers are on the Eurodam?

Eurodam carries about 2,100 guests at double occupancy, and up to around 2,500 when third and fourth berths are filled. She has roughly 900 crew.

Quick answer: When Holland America ships are ranked by size, age, recent investment and what passengers say in public reviews, the three Pinnacle Class ships (Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam) usually come out on top. The two Signature Class ships come next. The four Vista Class ships and the two smaller R Class ships follow, though recent and planned refits are narrowing that gap. The right ship for you still depends on where you want to go and how long you want to be away.

This guide ranks all 11 ships in the current fleet. They are grouped by class below, with our overall rank next to each name. We have not collected our own review scores. The order below is our reading of public information: build year, size, refurbishment history, and the themes that keep coming up in published review roundups from Cruise Critic and Cruiseline.com. Ratings on those sites change all the time, and the gaps between ships are often very small, so treat any ranking (ours included) as a starting point rather than a verdict.

Holland America ships ranked: how we built this list

We weighted four things:

• Age and class. Newer ships have the latest venues, more suites and fewer signs of wear.
• Recent and planned refits. A fresh dry dock can lift an older ship a long way. A refit that is only scheduled counts for less.
• Public review themes. We looked at what reviewers praise and criticise in Cruise Critic’s member-review ranking (last updated January 2026) and Cruiseline.com’s “Best Holland America Line Ships of 2026” list. Both are based on passenger reviews, and both shift as new reviews arrive.
• Fit for purpose. A smaller, older ship can be the better choice for a long voyage or a port-heavy itinerary.

For context, Cruise Critic’s member-review ranking puts Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam at the top, with Volendam, Zuiderdam and Noordam at the bottom. It gives positions only, not scores. Cruiseline.com’s 2026 community list publishes scores, but they are packed tightly together: Koningsdam leads at 4.152 and Eurodam is ninth at 4.131. A gap that small means one good or bad sailing can reshuffle the order.

Holland America fleet at a glance

Guest numbers are lower-berth figures, rounded. Exact figures vary slightly by source.

Pinnacle Class: the best Holland America ships for most travellers

Koningsdam (2016): our #1

Koningsdam is the ship that most often tops passenger-review rankings, and it leads both the Cruise Critic and Cruiseline.com lists. Reviewers keep mentioning the Music Walk venues (B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room), the World Stage, and Club Orange’s private restaurant for suite-level guests. It is also a regular in Alaska, with 7-day Inside Passage sailings from Vancouver in the 2027 season. Its weak point is the one shared by all Pinnacle ships: at around 2,650 guests, it is busier than the older ships, especially around the Lido buffet on sea days.

Rotterdam (2021): our #2

Rotterdam is the newest ship in the fleet and is often described as the line’s flagship. Cruise Critic members praise its cleanliness, service, Club Orange dining and the live music. If you want the most up-to-date Holland America ship and don’t mind a larger vessel, this is the safest pick. Reviews do vary with itinerary and season, as they do on every ship.

Nieuw Statendam (2018): our #3

Nieuw Statendam is a near twin of Koningsdam, with the same entertainment line-up and a similar layout. Reviewers praise its live music, condition and value. Some longtime Holland America passengers have said dining across the fleet has slipped in recent years, but several Nieuw Statendam reviewers said the food on this ship had held up well.

Signature Class: Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam

Nieuw Amsterdam (2010): our #4

The two Signature ships sit in the middle on size, at around 2,100 guests. They are a little more traditional than Pinnacle ships, but still have the Music Walk concept and a good choice of restaurants. Nieuw Amsterdam is a mainstay in Alaska, sailing the one-way Glacier Discovery routes between Vancouver and Whittier (for Anchorage) that include Glacier Bay. Both Signature ships are part of Holland America Evolution, the more than US$500 million refurbishment programme announced in April 2026. Their exact refit dates had not been confirmed at the time of writing.

Eurodam (2008): our #5

Eurodam ranks just behind its sister. Cruiseline.com placed it ninth in its 2026 community list and reported a refurbishment scheduled for 2026. In 2027 it sails 7-day Alaska Explorer cruises from Seattle that include Glacier Bay and Icy Strait Point. If you like the Signature size and feel, check the ship’s dry dock dates before you book, because a newly refreshed ship is a better buy.

Vista Class: older ships with big changes coming

The four Vista ships were built between 2002 and 2006 for about 1,900 guests. They are the ships most affected by the Evolution programme, which adds Pinnacle-style features such as the Grand Dutch Café, Vista Suites, forward-facing Bridgeview Suites and Solo Verandah cabins with balconies for single travellers.

Oosterdam (2003): our #6

Oosterdam had a refresh in 2025 that included a redesigned Crow’s Nest, casino and Greenhouse Spa, which helped lift it to third in Cruiseline.com’s 2026 list. It is also the first ship in Holland America Evolution. In September 2026 the line moved the work forward by five weeks. The refit takes place in Marseille, voyages from September 11 to December 9, 2027 were cancelled, and the ship returns on October 31, 2027 with a 10-day Rome (Civitavecchia) to Trieste cruise. The rebuilt Oosterdam gets 76 new staterooms and suites, including a 1,550 sq ft Pinnacle Suite, which Holland America says will be the largest on any Vista Class ship. If you are booking for late 2027 or after, Oosterdam could well be the best Vista ship to choose.

Westerdam (2004): our #7

Westerdam does well in community rankings for its classic layout and manageable size. In 2027 it sails Glacier Discovery routes in Alaska alongside Nieuw Amsterdam. It is also part of Evolution, so expect changes in the coming years.

Noordam (2006): our #9

Noordam is the most adventurous Vista ship on paper. Its 2027 Alaska programme includes a 28-day Arctic Circle voyage, a 14-day Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest sailings. Cruise Critic’s member reviews are less kind: they mention an ageing ship, thinner entertainment and slow buffet service. A December 2024 refurbishment may have helped with the ship’s appearance. Book Noordam for the route, not the ship.

Zuiderdam (2002): our #10

Zuiderdam is the oldest Vista ship. Cruise Critic reviewers have reported cabin noise, worn fittings and average dining, though some praised the Pinnacle Grill. It completed a dry dock recently, and Holland America plans to relaunch it after its Evolution work in April 2028 with 14 Vista Suites, 32 Solo Verandahs, two Bridgeview Suites and what the line calls the largest Grand Dutch Café in the programme. Its ranking is likely to rise once that work is done.

R Class: Zaandam and Volendam

Zaandam (2000): our #8

Zaandam and Volendam are the smallest ships in the fleet, at around 1,430 guests. Zaandam had a dry dock in 2025 that added a Greenhouse Spa and Salon and refreshed the Neptune Lounge, and it ranked second in Cruiseline.com’s 2026 community list. Its size suits long, port-heavy trips. In 2027 it sails 7-day Inside Passage cruises and 18-day Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer voyages from Vancouver, and in 2028 it sails the 90-day Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage.

Volendam (1999): our #11

Volendam is the oldest ship in the fleet and sits at the bottom of Cruise Critic’s member ranking. Reviewers mention a tired Lido buffet, slow drink service and maintenance problems, even after a winter 2024 dry dock upgraded cabins and public areas. Holland America still trusts it with its most prestigious itinerary: the 129-day 2028 Grand World Voyage from Fort Lauderdale, calling at 45 ports in 26 countries. Its loyal following values the quieter atmosphere, the small-ship feel and the long-voyage community over the latest venues.

Best Holland America ship for your trip

• Alaska: Six ships sail Alaska in 2027, the line’s 80th season there: Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam, Noordam and Zaandam. For the newest ship, pick Koningsdam from Vancouver. For a one-way Glacier Discovery cruise that pairs with a Denali land tour, pick Nieuw Amsterdam or Westerdam. For longer or more remote routes, look at Noordam or Zaandam. If you are still comparing lines, see our guide to choosing the best cruise line to Alaska.
• Europe: Deployments change from year to year, so check the current schedule. A Pinnacle ship gives the most modern experience, and a post-refit Oosterdam will be worth a look for Mediterranean sailings from late 2027.
• First-time Holland America cruisers: Koningsdam, Rotterdam or Nieuw Statendam. They show the line at its most current, with the full Music Walk, the most dining choice and the most cabin types.
• Longer voyages and Grand Voyages: Volendam and Zaandam. Smaller ships with a strong community feel are what many long-voyage regulars prefer, and they are the ships Holland America uses for its 2028 Grand Voyages.
• Solo travellers: Watch for ships coming out of Evolution, starting with Oosterdam in 2027 and Zuiderdam in 2028. Both are adding Solo Verandah cabins with balconies.

Whichever ship you pick, onboard extras make a real difference to the final cost. Our breakdown of whether Holland America drink packages are worth it can help you budget.

Holland America fleet news: Arcadia makes 12 ships in 2029

On October 6, 2026, Holland America announced that P&O Cruises’ Arcadia will transfer to the line in 2029, taking the fleet from 11 to 12 ships. Arcadia was built on the Vista Class platform, so it is a close relative of Oosterdam and its sisters, and it adds more than 2,000 berths. Holland America has said its venue plans are still to be decided, so it is too early to rank it. You can read more in our coverage of Holland America growing to 12 ships with Arcadia.

What reviewers say across the fleet

Some themes come up in reviews of almost every ship. Passengers consistently praise the live music, the crew and the line’s relaxed, unhurried style. Complaints tend to focus on Lido buffet quality and staffing, and on wear and tear on the older ships. A recent dry dock often makes more difference than a ship’s class, so before you book, check when the ship was last refurbished and read reviews posted since then. Read across several sites, too. Cruise Critic and Cruiseline.com draw on different reviewers and do not always agree, as the very different positions of Zaandam and Oosterdam on their lists show.

Still deciding on a cruise line? See how Holland America compares with Princess on fleets, food, entertainment and price.

If Eurodam is your pick, read our guide to Eurodam cabins to avoid and the best cabins to book.

Booking Koningsdam? Our guide to Koningsdam cabins to avoid flags the noisy spots and obstructed views.

FAQs

What is the best Holland America ship?

For most travellers it is a Pinnacle Class ship. Koningsdam currently leads both Cruise Critic’s member ranking and Cruiseline.com’s 2026 community list, with Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam close behind. Review rankings change, so check the latest before booking.

Which Holland America ships are the newest?

Rotterdam (2021) is the newest, followed by Nieuw Statendam (2018) and Koningsdam (2016). Volendam (1999) and Zaandam (2000) are the oldest.

What is the typical size range of Holland America ships?

From about 1,430 guests on the R Class ships to about 2,650 on the Pinnacle Class. That is mid-sized by modern cruise standards.

Which Holland America ship is best for Alaska?

Koningsdam is the newest ship sailing Alaska in 2027. Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam suit one-way cruises combined with a Denali land tour. Noordam and Zaandam offer the longest and most unusual Alaska routes.

Are Holland America cruise reviews good?

Generally yes. Reviewers praise the service, live music and calm atmosphere, while criticism centres on buffet food and the condition of older ships. Scores differ by ship and by review site, and they change over time.

Holland America is a former shipping company that switched to a full-time cruise company in 1989. Since then it has offered a sort of premium-mainstream brand of cruising – not quite luxury cruising, but a step up from some of the mainstream cruise lines that are pitched more at families.

The Holland America fleet currently stands at 11 ships, and has just as many former ships in its ranks, selling them to various other cruise lines.

The current fleet is split between four classes, and this seems to be the planned fleet for the foreseeable future – unlike most other cruise lines, Holland America doesn’t currently have a new ship on order.

So which ships are the biggest, the smallest, the newest and the oldest in the current fleet? Which ship should you be looking to book a cruise on if you want the most modern features? Let’s take a look.

Holland America ships ranked by age

Here’s a rundown of the Holland America cruise ships by age, including the last time they were refurbished, from the newest ship to the oldest.

Ship	Year Built	Refurbished	Class
MS Rotterdam	2021	–	Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Statendam	2018	–	Pinnacle
MS Koningsdam	2016	2018	Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Amsterdam	2010	2017	Signature
MS Eurodam	2008	2018	Signature
MS Noordam	2006	2019	VIsta/V-Class
MS Westerdam	2004	2020	VIsta/V-Class
MS Oosterdam	2003	2018	VIsta/V-Class
MS Zuiderdam	2002	2019	VIsta/V-Class
MS Zaandam	2000	2018	Rotterdam/R-Class
MS Volendam	1999	2019	Rotterdam/R-Class

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The newest ship

The newest ship in the Holland America fleet is MS Rotterdam. She launched in 2021 and was the third ship in the Pinnacle Class.

Originally planned to be named the Ryndam, she was renamed during construction to honour the cruise line’s history – becoming the sixth ship named Rotterdam to sail for HAL.

The fleet doesn’t have any new ships on order currently, so for now, the MS Rotterdam will remain the flagship in the fleet alongside the MS Nieuw Statendam and the MS Koningsdam, sister ships of the MS Rotterdam.

These three are the most recent additions to the fleet, with MS Koningsdam launching in 2016 and MS Nieuw Statendam launching in 2018. The MS Nieuw Statendam even received a refurbishment just two years after she launched, ensuring that she remains a true flagship alongside her sisters.

The newest ships have a capacity that’s around 25% more than the previous largest ships in the fleet, but they’re still a lot smaller than many other cruise line’s ships.

Read more: The Newest Holland America Ships (In Order)

The oldest ships

The MS Volendam and the MS Zaandam are the oldest ships in the Holland America fleet, with the Volendam being slightly older as she launched in 2009, with Zaandam following a year later. These ships are part of the Rotterdam Class, more commonly referred to as the R-Class.

There were two other ships in the R-Class for Holland America – the MS Rotterdam and the MS Amsterdam. The MS Rotterdam was the oldest ship in the fleet as she launched in 1997. But in 2020 the two ships were sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, sailing now as Borealis and Bolette respectively.

While some of the ships in the Holland America fleet are a little older now, none of them are ancient. Holland America has a policy of selling off its older ships on a relatively regular basis, maintaining a fleet that is modern and lives up to its premium standards.

And older ships also go through multiple refurbishments, so that no ship ever feels tired or boring. From adding new features to simply ensuring staterooms and public areas are properly maintained, Holland America is always looking to keep even its oldest ships looking their best.

Holland America ships ranked by size

The table below lists the Holland America Line cruise ships by size, from largest to smallest. It also shows how many guests each ship can accommodate as well as the class of ship.

Ship	Gross Tonnage	Guest Capacity	Class
MS Rotterdam	99,863	2,650	Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Statendam	99,863	2,650	Pinnacle
MS Koningsdam	99,863	2,650	Pinnacle
MS Nieuw Amsterdam	86,700	2,106	Signature
MS Eurodam	86,273	2,104	Signature
MS Noordam	82,318	1,924	Vista/V-Class
MS Westerdam	82,305	1,916	Vista/V-Class
MS Oosterdam	82,305	1,916	Vista/V-Class
MS Zuiderdam	82,305	1,916	VIista/V-Class
MS Zaandam	61,396	1,432	Rotterdam/R-Class
MS Volendam	61,214	1,432	Rotterdam/R-Class

As you can see, most of the ships are very similar in size, while the oldest two ships are a little smaller. None of the Holland America ship sizes are troubling the lists for the biggest cruise ships in the world.

Holland America’s biggest ships aren’t huge…

The biggest ships in the Holland America Line fleet are the Pinnacle Class ships – the MS Rotterdam, the MS Nieuw Statendam, and the MS Koningsdam. They’re all the same size, and can accommodate 2,650 guests at double occupancy.

These ships all have 13 decks – numbered from 1 to 14, skipping the unlucky number 13, and they are all just over 980 feet in length.

Holland America’s biggest ships are nowhere near the same size as the biggest ships for other cruise lines. Compared to the biggest cruise ships in the world – the Oasis Class ships for Royal Caribbean – they can only hold around 46% of the maximum guests at double occupancy.

In terms of length, the difference is quite surprising – there’s only a 200-foot difference between the Holland America Pinnacle Class ships and the Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ships. But the width of the beam is notable. For the Pinnacle Class ships, it’s 114 feet, and for the Oasis Class ships, it’s 210 feet, making them almost twice as wide.

And this is important because Holland America Line has designed the Pinnacle Class ships to a very specific blueprint – they meet the New Panamax specification.

What this means is that they are designed to be able to sail through the newest set of locks in the Panama Canal, the ones that were opened in 2016. This opens up more cruising options for the ships as they can easily sail the Panama Canal if needed, allowing them to transition between the east and west of the Americas much faster.

Plus, sailings through the Panama Canal are fascinating – well worth a look if you want to see how a giant cruise ship can traverse man-made canals.

Holland America’s smallest ships

The two oldest ships in the Holland America fleet are also the smallest – the MS Zaandam and the MS Volendam. Both of these ships have a maximum guest capacity of 1,432, with the MS Volendam having a slightly lower gross tonnage (61,214 compared to MS Zaandam’s 61,396).

They aren’t really ‘small ships’  that you would consider as luxury ones limited to fewer than 1,000 passengers, but they’re definitely on the smaller side of the mid-sized ship range. All of Holland America’s ships are what you’d consider mid-sized compared to other cruise lines, but these two, in particular, are great if you want a quieter cruise.

It’s worth noting that MS Volendam was chartered in May 2022 by the actual city of Rotterdam, to be used as a refugee shelter for people who had escaped from Ukraine following the invasion by Russia. 

While the charter was originally scheduled for three months, it was then extended by a month to run until September. The ship was still manned by Holland America crew during this period.

Ship classes explained

There are currently four classes of ship in the Holland America fleet. The newest ships are the Pinnacle Class ships.

Before that, there was the slightly smaller Signature Class. Ships built in the early 2000s belong to the Vista Class and those pre-millennium are Rotterdam Class ships.

Pinnacle Class

The Pinnacle Class ships are:

• MS Rotterdam
• MS Nieuw Statendam
• MS Koningsdam

Size: 99,862 GT

Signature Class

The Signature Class ships are:

• MS Nieuw Amsterdam
• MS Eurodam

Size: 86,273 to 86,700 GT

Vista Class/V-Class

The Vista Class ships are:

• Ms Noordam
• MS Westerdam
• Ms Oosterdam
• MS Zuiderdam

Size: 82,305 to 82,318 GT

Rotterdam Class/R-Class

The Rotterdam Class ships are:

Size: 61,214 to 61,396 GT

Ah, but which ships are the best? It’s not clear-cut…

While Holland America has gone to great lengths to update its older ships, the best ships are definitely the newest Pinnacle Class ships. But thanks to those careful renovations, it’s not a huge gulf in difference.

With capacities ranging from around 1,500 to 2,600 guests, none of the ships in the Holland America fleet are massive, and they’re definitely aimed more at people who prefer a quieter cruise rather than one with 4,000+ people onboard.

That being said, the ships aren’t exactly sparse, and there is plenty to see and do on board. The newest ships do have some of the better features, including the widest selection of dining venues, ranging from the exclusive feel of the Pinnacle Grill and Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurants, to more casual venues like Dive-In, the poolside grill, and the poolside pizzeria.

If you’re looking to enjoy the newest ships with the most choice of bars and places to eat then I would definitely lean towards a Pinnacle-Class ship, but if you’re not as worried about that and one of the smaller ships has a better itinerary then that would be the way to go. 

The onboard experience won’t be radically different, unlike with some cruise lines where their biggest and smallest ships are a world apart.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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