Volendam cruise ship
Holland America R Class

Volendam

The oldest ship in the Holland America fleet, with a botanical theme and a program of long Grand Voyages.

1,432 passengersOldest ship in the HAL fleet

The ship in figures

238 m
Length (781 ft)
10
Decks
647
Crew members
1,432 passengers (double occupancy) up to 1,718 at full capacity

2.2 passengers per crew member. For every 3 crew members (in orange) there are about 7 passengers.

Ship history
  1. 1999
    Year built
    Fincantieri (Marghera, Italy)
  2. Nov 12, 1999
    Maiden voyage
    From Fort Lauderdale, around the Caribbean
  3. 2024
    Last refurbishment

A ship with gardens as its theme, sized for long voyages and for ports such as Bora Bora that larger ships cannot reach.

Volendam was delivered in 1999 as the second ship of Holland America Line's R class and is today the oldest ship in the fleet. Her interiors follow a botanical theme, with floral motifs throughout and a three-deck glass sculpture by Luciano Vistosi in the atrium. In 2022 she spent several months docked in Rotterdam as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, and a 2024 refit updated her staterooms and added the Library, Library Café, Game Room and Art Studio. She sails Canada & New England from Montréal and Boston in summer and operates long voyages such as the 129-day Grand World Voyage of 2028.

Attractions

  1. 1
    Crow's Nest
    Forward observation lounge on the Sports Deck, with sea views, a café corner and the Game Room for puzzles and board games.
  2. 2
    Lido Pool
    Pool on the Lido Deck under a retractable glass roof, usable in any weather.
  3. 3
    Art Studio
    Added in 2024: daily expert-led sessions of painting, drawing, crafts, needlework and writing.
  4. 4
    Library & Library Café
    Reading room with a curated book selection next to a café serving specialty coffees and pastries, both opened in the 2024 refit.
  5. 5
    Lower Promenade Deck
    Outdoor promenade that runs around the ship on Deck 3, onto which the Lanai staterooms open.
  6. 6
    Sports Court
    Sea-view court for basketball, cornhole and pickleball, with free beginner lessons.

Shows

  • World Stage
    The two-level main show lounge at the bow, home to the evening production shows.
  • Wajang Theater
    Small theater that shows daily afternoon films.
  • Ocean Bar
    Lounge above the atrium with live music and a dance floor.
  • Piano Bar
    Sing-along evenings around the piano with a resident pianist.
  • Casino
    Slot machines, roulette, poker and blackjack.

Restaurants & bars

  • Dining Room
    Two-level main restaurant at the stern for breakfast, lunch and dinner, included in the fare.
  • Lido Market
    Market-style buffet on the Lido Deck with international dishes and comfort food.
  • Pinnacle Grill
    Steakhouse with premium cuts, seafood and an award-winning wine list (extra charge).
  • Canaletto
    Italian dinner venue in the Lido area, with dishes designed for sharing (extra charge).
  • Morimoto By Sea
    Pop-up dinner by chef Masaharu Morimoto, focused on fresh fish (extra charge).
  • MIX
    Bar for martinis, champagne, beers and spirits, next to the casino.

Accommodation

716 staterooms
Pinnacle Suite
The largest accommodation on board, about 120 m² (1,296 sq ft) with verandah, for up to four guests and with Neptune Lounge access.
Neptune Suites
Suites of 43 to 47 m² (465 to 502 sq ft) with verandah, whirlpool bath and access to the Neptune Lounge concierge.
Vista Suites
Suites of 24 to 33 m² (260 to 355 sq ft) with a private verandah and floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
Lanai Staterooms
21 rooms, exclusive to Volendam, with sliding glass doors that open directly onto the Lower Promenade Deck.
Ocean-View Staterooms
Rooms with a window or porthole and two beds convertible to a queen.
Interior Staterooms
Rooms of 13 to 21 m² (140 to 226 sq ft) with two beds convertible to a queen.

Kids & families

  • Kids Club
    Supervised activities for ages 3 to 17, with arts, sports, games and theme parties; not offered on cruises of 25 days or more.
  • Sports Court
    Basketball, cornhole and other games on the top deck, open to all ages.
  • Game Room
    Board games and puzzles in the Crow's Nest, with sea views.

Spa & wellness

  • Spa & Salon
    Massages, facials and beauty treatments on the Lido Deck.
  • Thermal Suite
    Heated ceramic loungers inspired by Turkish baths, inside the spa.
  • Fitness Center
    Gym at the bow of the Lido Deck with cardio and weight equipment and group classes.
  • Sea View Pool
    Adults-only pool at the stern with sea views and its own bar.

In pictures

Volendam: Volendam in the Hardangerfjord, Norway (2025)
Volendam in the Hardangerfjord, Norway (2025)
Volendam: Volendam in Halifax, Nova Scotia (2024)
Volendam in Halifax, Nova Scotia (2024)

Ship news

ExperiencesOct 15, 2026
Holland America Line Plans Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year at Sea for Its 2026 Holiday Cruises
Photos: Volendam in the Hardangerfjord, Norway (2025): Krib, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Volendam in Halifax, Nova Scotia (2024): Gordon Leggett, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Cover: Holland America Line press image (PR Newswire)