Solo cruising is a growing trend, and Holland America’s newly renovated ship will be keeping pace by adding 30 cabins just for lone cruisers to enjoy.
To make it even better, the reimagined 82,305 gross ton vessel will give solo cruisers some pretty amazing itineraries as soon as the ship is out of dry dock in 2027.
As part of a fleet-wide modernization program called “Evolution,” Holland America Line is upgrading its mid-sized Vista-class ships.
The Evolution project brings popular venues and cabin layouts from their newest Pinnacle-class ships over to the rest of the fleet. It’s a modernization that some of the older ships could really use.
Oosterdam, the cruise line’s second Vista-class ship that has been in operation for 23 years, is getting a complete makeover. In addition to a bunch of other enhancements, the ship is getting 76 brand-new cabins, 30 of which will be solo cabins.
Today, Holland America just revealed where the ship will be sailing after this big renovation project:
Right after dry dock, the ship is heading straight for the sunny waters of the Caribbean and Central America for the winter 2027–2028 season.
30 Brand-New Reasons to Cruise Solo
Solo cabins on cruise ships have been a bit of a mixed bag in recent years. They are usually tucked away in the interior hallways of the lower decks with zero view of the ocean.
On some ships, they are just regular cabins that are sold as solo cabins on certain cruises.
Holland America surprised a lot of people in April when they announced the number of solo cabins they would be adding.
Oosterdam’s makeover adds 30 purpose-built Solo Verandah staterooms directly onto decks 8 and 11.
Instead of a cramped, dark room, single cruisers are getting a 200-square-foot personal retreat featuring:
- A private teak-lined balcony to enjoy morning coffee or evening sunsets
- A dedicated workspace for remote workers
- A modern layout complete with a glass-walled shower
- Full signature amenities without needing to pay a steep single supplement fee
In total, the ship is adding 76 brand-new staterooms by reconfiguring existing space on the ship.
This includes two 900-square-foot Bridgeview Suites that mirror the 180-degree view the captain gets from the bridge, 24 luxury Vista Suites, and a 1,550-square-foot Pinnacle Suite.
The cruise line also mentioned not wanting cruisers to feel crowded on their ships, so they chose not to pack too many staterooms into one small area.
Aside from the cabins, the ship is also getting the popular Grand Dutch Café for the first time, serving up Dutch-themed specialty coffees, beverages, and traditional snacks like bitterballen all day long near the atrium.
Where Ship Is Heading
The upgraded vessel is scheduled to debut its new look on December 11, 2027, out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
If you want to book a spot on this refreshed beauty (once bookings open), here is exactly where it will be sailing through March 2028:
The 12-Day Panama Canal Sailings
A major part of the winter schedule is a rotation of 12-day Panama Canal Discovery voyages.
These sailings will consist of a partial transit of the Panama Canal itself and scenic cruising inside Gatun Lake. The 12-day loops depart roundtrip from Port Everglades on a steady schedule throughout the winter, shared between Oosterdam and Volendam:
- December 11, 2027 (the first sailing)
- January 2, 2028
- January 23, 2028
- February 13, 2028
- March 5, 2028
- March 26, 2028
Along the way, the ship hits destinations like RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay), Cartagena (Colombia), Colón (Panama), Puerto Limón (Costa Rica), and Grand Cayman.
The 11-Day Southern Caribbean Holiday Itinerary
Departing December 22, 2027, this holiday cruise lets you celebrate Christmas and New Year’s at sea. The route stops at Grand Cayman, Colombia, and Half Moon Cay. The big highlights here are the extended, late-night stays in both Aruba and Curaçao.
The 10-to-11-Day Windward and Leeward Islands Itinerary
Departing on December 1, 2027, and select dates through the winter, this itinerary takes you deep into the lush, volcanic side of the Eastern Caribbean. The ship will visit ports like St. Maarten, Antigua, Martinique, St. Kitts, and San Juan, with the 11-day version adding a stop in Dominica.
The 9-to-11-Day ABC Islands Itinerary
Sailing on certain dates in January, February, and March 2028, these cruises hit the popular ABC Islands. You will spend your days visiting Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Depending on which exact sailing date you choose, the route includes bonus stops in Colombia or the Dominican Republic.
More From the 2027-2028 Caribbean Deployment
As part of today’s announcement, Holland America Line also announced a whole lineup for Caribbean itineraries for the season in 2027 and 2028, including quick 5-day island escapes, 28-day historic Pan Am Anniversary legendary sailings, and major upgrades to their private island paradise at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
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