# Holland America Line Fleet # 5 star Cruising 

Holland America has Fifteen ships that compose Holland America's fleet, which is divided into five classes -- soon to be six, when the line's newest 99,000-ton ship (the first in a new Pinnacle Class of ships) launches in February 2016. Vessels within each class typically share a design, from layout to onboard features.

Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam, which make up the line's Signature Class, are the largest ships in the fleet. They are also the newest, with 86,273-ton Eurodam having launched in 2008 and 86,700-ton Nieuw Amsterdam not long after in 2010; each carries roughly 2,100 passengers. As the two youngest and newest sisters in the fleet, both ships also lean more toward the trendy side of traditional. Features like Tamarind, the line's specialty Asian restaurant, and basketball courts instead of tennis courts separate these two from the others.

The line's Vista Class includes four ships: Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam. All cater to slightly more than 1,900 passengers. These ships introduced to the fleet more cabins with ocean views, expanded public areas and contemporary touches like glass-walled elevators.

The Rotterdam Class, which was spearheaded by 61,849-ton Rotterdam in 1997, was designed to show off traditional Holland America at its best. Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam are perhaps the most opulent ships in the fleet, with gleaming dark woods, ornate dining facilities, grand atriums and original artwork throughout.

Maasdam, Ryndam, Statendam and Veendam make up the Statendam Class, the smallest of Holland America's mid-sized ships. Launched between 1993 and 1996, these four vessels epitomize the line's vintage charm as the oldest in the fleet. The ships were ordered not long after Carnival Corporation bought Holland America. Since Carnival didn't want the Holland America ships to compete as heavily with its own Carnival Cruise Lines, the Statendam ships were kept to a more modest size, ranging from 1,258 to 1,350 passengers. It's a nice configuration that feels more spacious than other mid-sized ships.

Unique in its own way is Holland America's Prinsendam, the only ship in the line's Elegant Explorer Class. Holland America purchased the 835-passenger ship in 2002. Originally built in 1988, the updated Prinsendam still has its Old World charm, with dark woods and brass accents throughout. But it also has plenty of modern amenities, including a nicely equipped Internet cafe with wireless access and a small but lovely Pinnacle Grill restaurant.

In 2003, Holland America invested more than $500 million into its "Signature of Excellence" program, designed to enhance all aspects of the cruising experience, and the upgrades are ongoing. The line continues to modernize its fleet with features like the Culinary Arts Center for cooking demos and classes, Dancing with the Stars: At Sea ballroom program, An Evening at Le Cirque alternative dining offering, the Master Chef's International Menu in the main dining room (conceived by a council of noted land-based chefs), an expanded Greenhouse Spa with new treatments, Digital Workshop computer classes, Explorations Cafe Internet center-library-cafe, new spa and Lanai cabin categories, upgraded cabin amenities like Euro-Top mattresses, expanded Club HAL kids facilities, private tour options in port, custom shore excursions and new menu items utilizing sustainable seafood.

Since early 2009, Veendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam and Maasdam have all undergone extensive dry docks as part of the program