By
Alex Smith |
Four ships, Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam and Veendam, are to leave Holland America Line’s fleet in 2020. They have been sold in pairs, with Maasdam and Veendam transferring to an undisclosed company in August, while Amsterdam and Rotterdam will move to Fred. Olsen’s fleet in the autumn.
“It’s always difficult to see any ship leave the fleet, especially those that have a long and storied history with our company,” said Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group and Carnival UK. “However, Holland America Line has a bright future ahead that includes recent Pinnacle-class additions, with a third sister ship next year that will continue to maintain our overall capacity in the marketplace.”
Maasdam joined the fleet in 1993, the second of four S-class ships. Veendam, the final ship in the class, was delivered in 1996. Rotterdam debuted in 1997 as the first in the R-class, while Amsterdam entered service in 2000.
“I recognise and appreciate the deep affection our guests have toward our company and the ships in our fleet,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “While streamlined, our diverse fleet continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers looking for a mid-sized ship experience to destinations all around the world. I look forward to carrying on those beloved shipboard offerings while cultivating new ideas to bring to our guests.”
Holland America Line will cancel cruises for the four ships’ deployments, with some select itineraries being assumed by other ships in the fleet. The 2021 ‘Grand World Voyage’ onboard Amsterdam will be postponed until 2022 and will now sail onboard Zaandam. The ‘Grand Africa Voyage’ departing on Rotterdam on 10 October 2021 will also now be sailed by Zaandam on the same dates.
Guests with bookings on future sailings will be notified that these cruises will be cancelled or changed, with the option to either book another cruise or obtain a refund.