Key Aspects:
- Holland America Line has opened bookings for its May-October 2028 Canada and New England season aboard Volendam and Zuiderdam.
- The cruise line says it will offer more calls to Montréal than any other cruise line, with voyages ranging from 7 to 14 days.
- The season will mark the regional debut of the reimagined Zuiderdam following its upcoming Evolution transformation, Holland America’s largest-ever fleet investment.
Holland America Line is expanding its presence in Montréal as the cruise line opens bookings for its 2028 Canada and New England season. The cruise line says this season will feature more calls to the Canadian city than any other cruise line.
The season will run from May through October 2028 aboard the 61,214-gross-ton Volendam and the 82,305-gross-ton Zuiderdam. In total, 27 sailings are currently available for booking from 7 to 14 days with departures from Montréal, Québec City, Boston, New York and Fort Lauderdale.
“From the French influence of Montréal and Québec City to the maritime traditions of Atlantic Canada, the region offers an extraordinary mix of culture, history and natural beauty,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of revenue planning and deployment for Holland America Line.
On 7-day itineraries, both ships will sail round-trip from Boston or between Boston and either Montréal or Québec City. They will call at destinations like Prince Edward Island, Sydney (Nova Scotia), Halifax, Portland, and Saint John.
Volendam will sail the majority of the longer 9-, 10-, 11-, and 14-day itineraries, such as 11-day round-trip voyages from Montréal. These itineraries include calls to Québec City, Saguenay, Cap-aux-Meules, Prince Edward Island, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and St. John’s.
A 14-day sailing kicks off the season on May 13, 2028 aboard Volendam. This voyage repositions the ship from Fort Lauderdale to Norfolk, Boston, Portland, Halifax, Sydney (Nova Scotia), Prince Edward Island, Québec City, and Saguenay.
Montreal (Photo Credit: Port of Montreal)
Zuiderdam ends the season with another 14-day voyage from Québec City to Fort Lauderdale on October 14, 2028. This voyage visits Sept-Îles, Saguenay, Halifax, Sydney (Nova Scotia), Prince Edward Island, Boston, and Norfolk.
Across the season, Holland America says its itineraries will provide access to five national parks and seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Select sailings also include late-night stays in Charlottetown and Saint John, along with overnight calls in Québec City.
Reimagined Zuiderdam to Make Regional Debut
The 1,988-passenger Zuiderdam will be the first ship to sail in the Canada and New England region following its Holland America Evolution transformation. Described by the cruise line as the largest fleet investment in its history, Cruise Hive first reported on this $500-million overhaul project in April 2026.
Zuiderdam will be the second of six ships upgraded as a part of this program in spring 2028. Its sister ship, Oosterdam, will be the first to debut the upgrades in fall 2027.
The renovation will bring several new additions to the vessel. Highlights include new and refreshed staterooms and suites, such as purpose-built Solo Verandah staterooms and new Bridgeview Suites with forward-facing views.
Following in the footsteps of Oosterdam, the ship will add the popular Grand Dutch Café. This counter-service venue offering Dutch snacks, breakfast items, and coffee was previously only available on Pinnacle-class ships.
Both Oosterdam and Zuiderdam will also receive updated public spaces. These include the addition of new bandstands by the Lido pools for live music and events.
