Cruise & Cruise Line

Holland America Line's Oosterdam to Enter Dry Dock Sooner Than Planned

Image: Oosterdam (Photo Credit: Holland America Line)
Image: Oosterdam (Photo Credit: Holland America Line)
Sarah Kuta
by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:50 AM ET, Thu September 10, 2026

Holland America Line is moving up the scheduled transformation of Oosterdam by five weeks, allowing the cruise line to add five new voyages aboard the reimagined ship.

Oosterdam will now enter dry dock in Marseille, France, earlier than planned and return to service with its first post-Evolution voyage departing Oct. 31, 2027. The accelerated schedule comes after what Holland America describes as strong guest demand for cruises aboard the transformed ship.

The earlier renovation means several previously published Oosterdam voyages from September 11 through December 9, 2027, have been canceled. Holland America says affected guests and travel advisors are being contacted directly with rebooking options.

Guests booked on the previously scheduled inaugural cruise and first transatlantic sailing in December 2027 will have the option to move to corresponding new voyages and remain among the first passengers to sail aboard the post-Evolution Oosterdam.

The new cruises are scheduled to open for sale in early October.

The first cruise following the transformation will be a 10-day voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Trieste, Italy, departing October 31. The itinerary will visit destinations in Italy, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia.

Four additional voyages have also been added:

  • An 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Trieste to Piraeus (Athens), departing November 10, 2027
  • A seven-day Mediterranean voyage from Piraeus to Barcelona, Spain, departing November 21
  • A 13-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, departing November 28
  • An 11-day Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing December 11

The new voyages will give passengers an early look at Holland America’s Evolution enhancements, which include new stateroom and suite categories, a Grand Dutch Café and a redesigned Ocean Bar.

“We’re very happy with the unprecedented response we’ve received to Holland America Evolution, and we’re thrilled we can move up Oosterdam’s dry dock to meet guest demand,” says Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “We’re excited to welcome guests aboard as Oosterdam begins this new chapter and to give them the opportunity to be among the first to experience her transformation.”

Holland America Evolution is a broader initiative to update the line’s onboard experience while retaining elements of its existing service, itineraries and atmosphere. Oosterdam’s transformation will introduce the new Evolution concept to the ship. 


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