Holland America Line has announced that four cruise ships have been sold to undisclosed buyers with two leaving in August and another two in the fall.
Holland America Line Sells Four Cruise Ships
The cruise line which is owned by the Carnival Corporation has announced that four of its vessels have been sold to undisclosed buyers. MS Maasdam and sister ship MS Veendam will be leaving the fleet in August 2020 and have been sold as a pair.
MS Amsterdam and MS Rotterdam have also been sold in a pair to another unknown buyer and they will leave the fleet in fall 2020. The good news is that the ships won’t be scrapped and are expected to still sail in the future under their new owners.
Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of Holland America Group and Carnival UK, said:
“It’s always difficult to see any ship leave the fleet, especially those that have a long and storied history with our company.”
“However, Holland America Line has a bright future ahead that includes recent Pinnacle-Class additions, with a third sister ship next year that will continue to maintain our overall capacity in the marketplace.”
As a result of the four cruise ships being sold it means Holland America will cancel those cruises. Some of the sailings will be taken by other ships in the fleet after operations continue again.
The 2021 Grand World Voyage aboard Amsterdam will be postponed until 2022 and will now sail aboard Zaandam. The Grand Africa Voyage departing Oct. 10, 2021, aboard Rotterdam will also sail aboard Zaandam on the same dates.
Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said:
“I recognize and appreciate the deep affection our guests have toward our company and the ships in our fleet,”
“While streamlined, our diverse fleet continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers looking for a mid-sized ship experience to destinations all around the world. I look forward to carrying on those beloved shipboard offerings while cultivating new ideas to bring to our guests.”Â
Maasdam joined the fleet in 1993 as the second of four S-Class ships. Carrying 1,258 guests, it is the fourth Holland America Line ship to bear the Maasdam name. Most recently, the 55,575-ton ship sailed longer South Pacific and Alaska voyages. Veendam, the final S-Class ship, was delivered in 1996. The fourth Holland America Line ship to bear the name Veendam, the 57,092-ton vessel carries 1,350 guests.
Worth Reading: Here Are Five Carnival Cruise Ships That Might Be Sold Soon
The first ship in the R Class, 61,849-ton Rotterdam was introduced in 1997. Carrying 1,404 guests, it is the sixth Holland America Line ship to be named Rotterdam. Amsterdam joined the fleet in 2000 as the final of four R-Class ships. Carrying 1,380 guests, it is the third Holland America Line ship to be named Amsterdam. Most recently, the 62,735-ton ship operated the line’s Grand World Voyage.
Guests with bookings on future sailings of these ships will be notified that these cruises will be cancelled or changed. Along with their travel advisors, guests will receive information if the cruise will operate with a different ship or information and special offers on how to book another Holland America Line cruise when operations resume. Guests who prefer a refund will be accommodated.
Also Read: Which Cruise Ships are Being Scrapped or Sold Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Cancelled cruises will include scheduled Canada/New England and Grand Voyages on Amsterdam; Mexico, South Pacific, Australia and Asia itineraries on Maasdam; Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal, South America and Hawaii sailings on Rotterdam; and Caribbean and Europe itineraries on Veendam.
This news comes after Cruise Hive already reported that MS Maasdam and MS Veendam were expected to be sold, you can read more right here.
