Holland America Line has unveiled plans to revamp six of its cruise ships with new suites, solo cabins and public spaces.
The cruise line is investing more than $500 million (£370m) for a stern-to-bow refurbishment across some of its older Vista and Signature class ships to bring them up to the standard of its more modern Pinnacle class fleet.
The Holland America Line Evolution project will start with Vista class ship Oosterdam in autumn 2027 and the redevelopment will take place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
Sister ships Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam will also be updated followed by two Signature class ships, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam.
Rather than small updates, the ships will undergo a transformation inspired by the Pinnacle class, covering staterooms, dining, public spaces, design and guest experiences.
More cabins are being added, including 30 solo verandahs with their own private balcony, two new 900-square-feet Bridgeview suites providing the same outlook as the captain and a 1,550 square feet Pinnacle Suite.
Oosterdam is also getting 24 new Vista suites.
Guest-favourite the Grand Dutch Cafe will be introduced on the ships as part of the refurbishments, serving traditional snacks and pastries such as bitterballen (fried beef ragout balls), herring and stroopwafels.
Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said: “Our guests have been very clear about what they love about our ships and what they want to see more of, and Holland America Evolution is our answer to that.”
Guests sailing with Holland America Line on European sailings will now also have the chance to visit the brand’s own cultivated tulip, named Savour the Journey.
The bright orange flower with a yellow centre was developed by the cruise line to celebrate its 153rd anniversary and is on display at the Keukenhof Gardens close to Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Dutch grower Maveridge International created the flower exclusively for the cruise line.
Holland America Line cruise ships regularly start or end sailings in Rotterdam and excursions can be arrange to the gardens.
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