Honest, First-Hand Holland America Line Cruise Reviews

If you are looking for honest, first-hand Holland America reviews, you have come to the right place. Known for classic mid-sized ships, legendary live music, and excellent culinary programs, Holland America offers a more refined, traditional cruising experience away from the neon lights of the mega-ships.

In my detailed trip reports, I share exactly what it is like to sail on HAL. I cover everything from the incredible live bands in the Music Walk to dining in the Pinnacle Grill and exploring destinations around the globe. Read my daily reviews and watch my stateroom tours below to help plan your perfect Holland America vacation!

Free Holland America Planning Tools

I've built a few free tools to help take the guesswork out of planning your next HAL voyage:

Pinnacle Class Β· 99,900 Gross Tons

Rotterdam β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Β½ 4.5/5

Launched 2021

Pinnacle Class  Β·  Various

Rotterdam

As the newest flagship of the fleet, my Rotterdam reviews showcase exactly how Holland America perfected the Pinnacle-class layout. My trip reports cover the incredible dining onboard, from the fresh seafood at Rudi's Sel de Mer to the amazing casual bites at the Grand Dutch Cafe. If you love live music, you will appreciate my breakdown of the Music Walk, where B.B. King's Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Rock Room keep the ship alive late into the night.

99,902
Gross Tons
2,668
Guests
1,053
Crew
975 ft
Length

✨ Ship Highlights

Music Walk Rudi’s Sel de Mer Grand Dutch Cafe Tamarind The Retreat

🎬 Stateroom Tour Videos

Stateroom 1028: Family Oceanview Deck 1

Stateroom 1028: Family Oceanview Deck 1

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Stateroom 8114: Verandah Deck 8

Stateroom 8114: Verandah Deck 8

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Stateroom 8188: Aft Facing Verandah Deck 8

Stateroom 8188: Aft Facing Verandah Deck 8

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Koningsdam

Launched 2016

Pinnacle Class  Β·  Various

Koningsdam

The Koningsdam launched the modern Pinnacle Class era for Holland America, and I can't wait to share my first-hand experience! In my upcoming Koningsdam reviews, I will be covering everything this beautiful ship has to offer. I will be diving into the incredible Music Walk, testing out the 270-degree World Stage theater, and grabbing plenty of Dutch snacks at the Grand Dutch Cafe. From exploring the gorgeous Lido Pool with its retractable glass roof to indulging in the incredible Pan-Asian cuisine at Tamarind, there is so much to see. Stay tuned for my daily trip reports, stateroom tours, and dining guides from my upcoming voyage!

99,902
Gross Tons
2,650
Guests
1,036
Crew
975 ft
Length

✦ My Cruise Reviews for Koningsdam

✨ Ship Highlights

World Stage Grand Dutch Cafe Music Walk Tamarind Lido Pool

Signature Class Β· 86,000 Gross Tons

Eurodam β˜…β˜…β˜…Β½ 3.5/5

Launched 2008

Signature Class  Β·  Various

Eurodam

In my Eurodam reviews, I dive into why this first Signature-class ship remains a fan favorite. It offers a perfect middle-groundβ€”small enough to never feel crowded, but large enough to host excellent dining venues like Tamarind and Canaletto. Read on to explore my stateroom tours and see how she holds up on classic itineraries!

86,273
Gross Tons
2,104
Guests
929
Crew
936 ft
Length

✨ Ship Highlights

Tamarind Pinnacle Grill B.B. King’s Blues Club Ocean Bar

🎬 Stateroom Tour Videos

Stateroom 6171 - Interior Deck 6

Stateroom 6171 - Interior Deck 6

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Nieuw Amsterdam β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.0/5

Launched 2010

Signature Class  Β·  Various

Nieuw Amsterdam

My Nieuw Amsterdam reviews highlight the elegant New York City theme that runs throughout this gorgeous Signature-class ship. Whether you are grabbing a cocktail in the glamorous Manhattan Dining Room or relaxing by the Sea View pool, my daily reports cover all the tips and tricks you need to get the most out of this beautifully maintained vessel.

86,273
Gross Tons
2,106
Guests
929
Crew
936 ft
Length

✦ My Cruise Reviews for Nieuw Amsterdam

✨ Ship Highlights

Manhattan Dining Room Tamarind Silk Den Lounge Billboard Onboard

🎬 Stateroom Tour Videos

Stateroom 8111: Verandah Deck 8

Stateroom 8111: Verandah Deck 8

Watch on YouTube

Vista Class Β· 82,000 Gross Tons

Noordam β˜…β˜…β˜… 3.0/5

Launched 2006

Vista Class  Β·  Various

Noordam

In my Noordam reviews, we look at this classic Vista-class ship that shines on longer, destination-heavy itineraries. Because she carries fewer than 2,000 passengers, the service feels highly personalized. My reports cover the traditional wrap-around promenade deck, classic dining, and cozy lounges.

82,318
Gross Tons
1,924
Guests
812
Crew
936 ft
Length

✦ My Cruise Reviews for Noordam

✨ Ship Highlights

Explorations Cafe Pinnacle Grill Wrap-Around Promenade Crow’s Nest

Westerdam β˜…β˜…β˜… 3.0/5

Launched 2004

Vista Class  Β·  Various

Westerdam

My Westerdam reviews detail the fantastic balance this ship strikes between classic cruising and modern upgrades. Since her major refit, she features the excellent Music Walk, making evenings vibrant and fun. Check out my daily logs to see what dining and entertainment you absolutely cannot miss.

82,305
Gross Tons
1,916
Guests
817
Crew
936 ft
Length

✦ My Cruise Reviews for Westerdam

✨ Ship Highlights

Music Walk The Main Dining Room Lido Market Explorations Central

Zuiderdam β˜…β˜…β˜…Β½ 3.5/5

Launched 2002

Vista Class  Β·  Various

Zuiderdam

The ship that launched the Vista class! In my Zuiderdam reviews, I cover the classic charm and comfortable pacing of this ship. Often tasked with sailing HAL's legendary Grand World Voyages, she is incredibly comfortable for long-term cruising. See my stateroom tours and dining reviews below!

82,305
Gross Tons
1,916
Guests
817
Crew
936 ft
Length

✦ My Cruise Reviews for Zuiderdam

✨ Ship Highlights

World Stage Pinnacle Grill Crow’s Nest Ocean Bar

🎬 Stateroom Tour Videos

Stateroom 5105 - Verandah Deck 5

Stateroom 5105 - Verandah Deck 5

Watch on YouTube

Former Fleet Β· Retired Ships

Veendam β˜…β˜… 2.0/5

Launched 1996

S-Class (Retired)  Β·  Retired

Veendam

While the Veendam officially left the Holland America fleet in 2020, I have kept my legacy reviews available for those interested in cruise history! She was an incredibly charming, small S-Class ship that offered a truly intimate, classic ocean liner feel. Read back through my trip reports to revisit this beloved classic.

57,092
Gross Tons
1,350
Guests
580
Crew
719 ft
Length

✦ My Cruise Reviews for Veendam

✨ Ship Highlights

Classic Promenade Intimate Size Ocean Bar Wajang Theater

Our Review Methodology - How We Score Cruises, Ships, and Cruise Lines

A great vacation is more than just a ship; it’s a seamless experience from the terminal to the final debarkation. To provide the most accurate ratings, I evaluate every voyage on seven key dimensions. These scores determine the rating for a specific cruise, which then feeds into a rolling average to calculate the overall 1–5 star rating for the ship and the cruise line

Category What We Evaluate Why It Matters
Embarkation Speed of check-in, terminal efficiency, and the muster process. First impressions set the tone for the entire vacation.
Stateroom Layout, storage, technology (USB/outlets), furnishings, and noise levels. This is your "home" at sea; it must be functional and comfortable.
Dining & Food Taste, quality, and service in the MDR, buffet, and specialty restaurants. We rate every food outlet individually to find the best value for your money.
Service Attentiveness of cabin stewards, bartenders, waitstaff, and senior officers. Great service can elevate a budget cruise to a premium experience.
Entertainment Engagement level, production quality (Broadway vs. amateur), and variety. You should never be bored, but you should not feel overwhelmed either.
Vibe & Guests The passenger mix, age, activity level, and the general atmosphere onboard. The crowd you sail with can make or break the daily "vibe" of the ship.
Debarkation Organization and speed from the ship to the curb on the final morning. A chaotic "hot mess" at the end can ruin a great week.

The "Rolling Average" Guarantee: One bad cruise won't tank a line's rating, but consistent issues will. My ratings are ever-changing and based on real-world experiences to ensure you have the most current data for your 2026 planning.