What began as a cargo and passenger shipping line in 1873 is today a premium cruise line that takes its passengers to more than 400 ports worldwide, sailing on all seven continents. Within 25 years of its founding, the company owned a fleet of six cargo and passenger ships operating between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies. Because it was headquartered in Rotterdam and served the Americas, the company eventually became known as Holland America Line.
Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line, commented, “Throughout the company’s history, our purpose has remained the same: to bring to life the dreams of those who sail with us, discovering new places, cultures, and people along the way. We look forward to the next 145 years.”.
Although transporting goods and people were its primary sources of revenue, the company offered its first vacation cruise in 1895. Its main activity was transporting immigrants from Europe to the United States until the mid-20th century, carrying nearly a million people to new lives in the New World. It supported the Allied cause during two world wars, and several ships served as troop transports. In 1973, the company sold its cargo shipping division.
In the early 1970s, Holland America Line was the first to establish schools in Indonesia and the Philippines to train future employees, which contributed to its industry-renowned onboard service. Headquartered in Seattle since 1983, Holland America Line was acquired by Carnival Corporation in 1989. Today, it operates 14 ships sailing to all seven continents. Throughout its history, Holland America Line has transported more than 16 million passengers to vacation destinations worldwide.
In December 2018, Holland America Line will welcome Nieuw Statendam to its fleet, the second ship in its Pinnacle class. A third ship of this class will sail for the cruise line in 2021. The first Holland America Line ship named Statendam sailed in 1898, and this will be the sixth ship in the company's history to bear this name. By combining the Dutch word for "new" with the classic Statendam, Holland America Line celebrates the company's past, present, and future.
