Holland America Debuts Evolution Refurbishments Five Weeks Early

The Holland America Evolution refurbishment of Oosterdam will now happen five weeks earlier than previously scheduled. The schedule change means that the cruise line has been able to add five additional voyages aboard the transformed cruse ship, spanning the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean.

To accommodate the accelerated schedule, several previously published voyages from Sept. 11, 2027, to Dec. 9, 2027, have been canceled, and affected guests and travel advisors are being contacted directly about their rebooking options.

The ship’s refurbishment will now take place in Marseille, France and the ship will return to service on Oct. 31, 2027, with a 10-day cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Trieste, Italy.

The four additional new cruises include an 11-day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Piraeus (Athens), Greece, departing Nov. 10, 2027; a seven-day Mediterranean cruise from Piraeus to Barcelona, Spain, departing Nov. 21, 2027; a 13-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, leaving Nov. 28, 2027; and an 11-day Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale departing Dec. 11, 2027.

“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,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “Starting earlier allows us to create five additional cruises on the newly reimagined ship. Guests will have more opportunities to enjoy all of the enhancements coming to Oosterdam, from new stateroom and suite categories to the Grand Dutch Café and redesigned Ocean Bar.”

Clients booked on what were previously the inaugural cruise and first transatlantic cruise in December 2027 will have the opportunity to move to the corresponding new cruises and remain among the first guests aboard the post-Evolution Oosterdam. The new voyages will be open for sale in early October.