"A Tradition Of Excellence"
When Carnival Cruise Line acquired Holland America Line some years ago they were smart enough to leave all the operations in the hands of Holland America's management instead of just repainting the cruise ships with the Carnival logo. Holland America Cruise Line has established quite different from Carnival Cruises image, targeting completely different sort of passengers (more mature folks) and offering more formal and stylish cruises and service. The majority of Holland America Cruise Line passengers do not even know that the company is owned by Carnival Corporation. The line originally started out as The Netherlands-America Steamship Company, but soon became known as the Holland America Line because it carried great numbers of immigrants from Holland to America. The company concentrated on the trans-Atlantic passenger trade, as well as the commercial freight shipping business until the 1970's. Its first purpose-built passenger ship was built in 1973, and since then, the line has concentrated on cruise vacation travel. In 1978, Holland America Cruise Line moved its headquarters from Rotterdam to Stamford, Connecticut. The company's headquarters moved to Seattle, Washington in 1983, in order to consolidate operations with an Alaska tour company, Westours (Holland America Cruise Line had purchased a controlling interest in Westours in the early 1970's). In 1988, Holland America purchased Windstar Sail Cruises, operator of four- and five-masted computer-guided sailing ships. A year later, the behemoth Carnival Corporation acquired the Holland America Cruise Line, which remains headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
On the employees side, Holland America Cruise Line is paying slightly higher salaries, but they are expecting also a higher quality of service and crew members party mainly between themselves (considering the age group of majority of the passenger). Holland America is offering also worldwide itineraries, while the Carnival cruise ships are cruising mainly the Caribbean (with a few exceptions).
On the employees side, Holland America Cruise Line is paying slightly higher salaries, but they are expecting also a higher quality of service and crew members party mainly between themselves (considering the age group of majority of the passenger). Holland America is offering also worldwide itineraries, while the Carnival cruise ships are cruising mainly the Caribbean (with a few exceptions).
Fleet and itineraries:
 Westerdam: Dutch registered, built 2004, 85.000 gross tons, 1.848 passengers, 1.000 crew members.Itineraries: Caribbean. |
 Oosterdam: Dutch registered, built 2003, 85.000 gross tons, 1.848 passengers, 1.000 crew members.Itineraries: Caribbean |
 Prinsendam (former Royal Viking Sun and Seabourn Sun): Dutch registered, built 1988, 38.000 gross tons, 794 passengers, 460 crew members.Itineraries: Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South Pacific, South America. |
 Zuiderman: Dutch registered, built 2002, 85.000 gross tons, 1.848 passengers, 1.000 crew members.Itineraries: Caribbean. |
 Zaandam: Dutch registered, built 2000, 63.000 gross tons, 1.440 passengers, 561 crew members.Itineraries: Eastern/Western Caribbean, Panama Canal, Alaska. |
 Amsterdam: Dutch registered, built 2000. 61.000 gross tons, 1.380 passengers, 600 crew members.Itineraries: World Cruise, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Alaska. |
 Volendam: Dutch registered, built 1999, 63.000 gross tons, 1.440 passengers, 561 crew members.Itineraries: Eastern/Southern Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Asia, Australia, South Pacific. |
 Rotterdam: Dutch registered, built 1997, 62.000 gross tons, 1.316 passengers, 593 crew members.Itineraries: Europe, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada/New England. |
 Veendam: Dutch registered, built 1996, 55.000 gross tons,1.266 passengers; 557 crew members.Itineraries: Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal. |
 Ryndam: Dutch registered, built 1994, 50.000 gross tons, 1.266 passengers, 557 crew members. Itineraries: Panama Canal, Alaska, South America. |
 Maasdam: Dutch registered, built , 50.000 gross tons, 1.266passengers; 557 crew members. Itineraries: Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera. |
 Statendam: Dutch registered, built 1993, 55.000 gross tons, 1.266 passengers, 557 crew members.Itineraries: Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Alaska. |
 Noordam: Dutch registered, built 1984, 34.000 gross tons, 1.214 passengers, crew members. Itineraries: Caribbean, Europe, Trans-Atlantic. |
