The Carnival Corporation-owned company HAL-Holland America Line announced that its cruise liners Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Maasdam and Veendam are sold (to undisclosed buyers) and leave the fleet.
The vessels have been sold in pairs - the S-Class liners Maasdam and Veendam will be transferred to one company in August, while the R-Class liners Amsterdam and Rotterdam move to another company in 2020-Q3.
Holland America will cancel all scheduled for the 4 ships cruises, with select itineraries assumed by other HAL ships. "Grand World Voyage 2021" planned for MS Amsterdam will be postponed until 2022 and assumed by MS Zaandam. "Grand Africa Voyage 2021" (departure October 10) on MS Rotterdam will be also assumed by Zaandam.
- ms Maasdam joined HAL's fleet in 1993 as the 2nd (of all 4) S-Class vessels. Carrying 1258 passengers, it is the 4th HAL ship to bear the Maasdam name. Most recently, Maasdam was deployed in the South Pacific and Alaska.
- The last S-Class ship ms Veendam (1350-passenger) was delivered in 1996 and is the 4th HAL vessel to bear the Veendam name.
- The first R-Class ship ms Rotterdam was inaugurated in 1997. Carrying 1404 passengers, it is the 6th HAL ship named Rotterdam.
- The 2000-built ms Amsterdam is the last (of all 4) R-Class ships. Carrying 1380 passengers, it is the 3rd HAL liner named Amsterdam.
HAL customers with affected bookings on these liners will be notified that the cruises will be changed or canceled. Along with the travel agents, they will receive information if the voyage will operate with a different liner or information and offers on how to book another Holland America cruise when operations resume. Passengers who prefer a refund will be accommodated.
Cancelled cruises include Canada and New England and Grand Voyages (world cruises) on MS Amsterdam, Mexico, South Pacific, Australia and Asia (on MS Maasdam), Europe, Panama Canal, Caribbean, South America and Hawaii (on MS Rotterdam) and Europe and Caribbean (on MS Veendam).