Holland America Line has opened bookings for the Zuiderdam's first European season following its extensive refurbishment. The ship, part of the Holland America Evolution program, will return to sailing on April 2, 2028, with a series of itineraries ranging from the Mediterranean to the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, and Greenland.
This transformation represents the largest investment in the fleet in the company's 153-year history . The Zuiderdam joins the Evolution program, incorporating spaces and services inspired by the Pinnacle-class ships, such as the popular Grand Dutch Café, new suites, and staterooms designed for solo travelers. Holland America Line President Beth Bodensteiner emphasized that "it is especially meaningful to unveil a completely refurbished Zuiderdam in Europe, a region we know exceptionally well."
Itineraries through the Mediterranean and the Atlantic
The season kicks off with seven-night cruises between Rome, Barcelona, and Lisbon . The first, departing on April 2nd, travels through Italy, France, and Gibraltar, with stops in Livorno, Portofino, Marseille, and Gibraltar. On April 9th, a cruise departs from Barcelona for Lisbon, visiting Valencia, Alicante, Málaga, Tangier, and Cádiz. Then, on April 16th, a 13-day voyage connects Lisbon with Amsterdam, exploring the Atlantic coast of Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands, with stops in Porto, A Coruña, Bilbao, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Paris, London, Cork, and Dublin.
Norwegian fjords, British Isles and Iceland
From Amsterdam, the Zuiderdam will offer a wide range of cruises through the Norwegian fjords this summer. Seven-night sailings include destinations such as Bergen, Oslo, Eidfjord, Ålesund, Skjolden, and Nordfjordeid. Longer itineraries are also available, such as the 10-day "Norwegian Fjords and Landscapes" cruise and the 11-day "Wild British Isles" cruise, with stops in Belfast, Galway, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Cork. In addition, several voyages between Amsterdam and Reykjavik are scheduled, offering the opportunity to discover the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, and the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, with stops in Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Seyðisfjörður, Grundarfjörður, and Heimaey.
The star trip: 21 days in Boston
As a grand finale, a 21-day cruise will depart from Amsterdam on August 12, 2028, bound for Boston . The voyage will take in Iceland and Greenland, with stops in Norðfjörður, Djúpivogur, Qaqortoq, and Nanortalik, before continuing on to the Canadian Atlantic and New England. This trip is considered the most iconic of the season.
The Zuiderdam, currently sailing in Canada and New England, will be the second ship to undergo the Evolution transformation, following the Oosterdam. Upgrades include Solo Verandah staterooms, Bridgeview Suites, Vista Suites, a redesigned Pinnacle Suite , and the addition of the Grand Dutch Café, a space that evokes the culture of European coffeehouses. The company has indicated that it will announce further updates for this ship in the coming months.
With this new program, Holland America Line combines the debut of the renovated Zuiderdam with one of the most comprehensive European seasons in its history, reaffirming its commitment to offering culturally immersive itineraries aboard modernized ships that incorporate the company's latest innovations.