Holland America moves Oosterdam Evolution
Holland America Line will refurbish the Oosterdam five weeks earlier than planned, at a shipyard in Marseille, France.
Holland America Line's Oosterdam Evolution refurbishment will now happen five weeks sooner and in a different country. The work is shifting from Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard in Sicily to a facility in Marseille, France, allowing the updated ship to enter service earlier.
President Beth Bodensteiner said the company is "thrilled we can move up Oosterdam’s dry dock to meet guest demand," citing an "unprecedented response" to the Evolution program. The schedule change means the ship's first post-Evolution sailing is now set for October 31, 2027. To accommodate this, cruises originally scheduled from September 11 to December 9, 2027, have been canceled.
New Post-Transformation Itineraries
Following the dry dock in Marseille, Oosterdam will operate five new voyages. The inaugural cruise will be a 10-day sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Trieste, departing on the new start date of October 31, 2027.
| Itinerary | Departure Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Civitavecchia (Rome) to Trieste | October 31, 2027 | 10 days |
| Trieste to Piraeus | November 10, 2027 | 11 days |
| Piraeus to Barcelona | November 21, 2027 | 7 days |
| Barcelona to Port Everglades (Trans-Atlantic) | November 28, 2027 | 13 days |
| Caribbean roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale | December 11, 2027 | 11 days |
Passengers who were booked on what were previously the inaugural cruise and first trans-Atlantic crossing in December 2027 will be offered the chance to move to the corresponding new sailings. Holland America Line stated these new voyages will open for sale in early October.
Redesigned Ocean Bar
As part of the Evolution refurbishment, Oosterdam's Ocean Bar will receive a comprehensive redesign. The goal is to create a sophisticated venue that combines live entertainment, cocktails, and conversation.
The new design will include a dedicated stage to host a wider variety of performances. Planned acts range from regional soloists and pianists to Vivace Strings performances and late-night cabaret. The layout aims to connect guests more closely with the entertainment.
Design inspiration will be drawn from the Art Deco era and the historic Rotterdam V ship. Custom furnishings will feature details inspired by vintage travel trunks and luggage. Where possible, existing furnishings with remaining usable life will be reupholstered using fabrics made from recycled content.
The Oosterdam's earlier return to service adds five new itineraries spanning the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean for late 2027.
