Holland America Line is getting a 12th ship without building one. The line said Tuesday it will take over Arcadia from sister brand P&O Cruises in 2029, adding room for more than 2,000 guests.
Arcadia is built on the same Vista-class platform as Holland America’s Oosterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam. Before it sails for its new owner, the ship will be reworked under Holland America Evolution, the line’s multiyear fleet renewal program.
“Holland America Line continues to see strong demand from guests seeking immersive travel experiences, genuine hospitality, and perfectly sized ships,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “Adding Arcadia allows us to welcome more guests while building on everything they already love about our brand. As a Vista Class ship, she is a natural fit and an exciting extension of Holland America Evolution, the largest guest experience transformation in our 153-year history.”
The transfer is one half of a two-ship shuffle within Carnival Corporation. Arcadia will leave P&O Cruises after a farewell season ending Aug. 21, 2029, and its place will be taken by Cunard’s 3,000-passenger Queen Anne, which will be renamed and refitted after its 2028-29 World Voyage. For Arcadia, an adults-only ship that has sailed for P&O Cruises since 2005, the move is a homecoming of sorts, as it was originally ordered for Holland America before being reassigned during construction.
Evolution brings features from the line’s larger Pinnacle-class ships to the midsize fleet. Additions already announced for Oosterdam and Zuiderdam include the Grand Dutch Café, a renovated Ocean Bar, Bridgeview Suites, and Solo Verandah cabins designed for single travelers. Oosterdam’s refit debuts in fall 2027, and Zuiderdam follows in April 2028.
Holland America has not yet said what Arcadia will get or where it will sail, though Bodensteiner pointed to both familiar and new territory.
“Whether it’s strengthening our presence in favorite destinations or opening opportunities to sail in new ways, this additional capacity helps us offer even more choices to travelers who believe the journey should be as rewarding as the destination,” she said.
The line said decisions on Arcadia’s venues will come over the next several months, with deployment details to follow.
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