Veendam and Maasdam sold

[Randyk47]

7 minutes ago, summer slope said:

With these 4 small ships leaving the fleet, what ships are the next smallest?  We are booked on the Veendam for January and love the small size.

There are still two R-class ships, the Volendam and the Zaandam, that will now be the relatively smallest in the fleet.

[Fatfish]

Just received this email...

 

Dear Valued Guest, I hope this finds you safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. All of us at Holland America Line are looking forward to the future when we will once again have the opportunity to welcome you aboard. We are writing to share the news with you that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam, and Veendam have been sold and will be leaving our fleet in the coming weeks. It’s always difficult to see ships leave our fleet, especially those with long and storied histories with our company, and we wish them farewell and fair seas. While these ships will depart our fleet soon, Holland America Line has a bright future that includes the introduction of our third Pinnacle-class ship. Our fleet remains diverse and continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers to visit destinations around the world. We also look forward to continuing to build on many of our beloved shipboard offerings as we enter a new chapter in our history. Since you are currently booked on a future sailing aboard one of these ships (Booking ), we regret that we must cancel your upcoming cruise. As compensation for this change to your travel plans, we are offering you bonus Future Cruise Credits, which provide tremendous value for you to plan another trip of your choice. You will receive double the amount deposited (up to the base cruise fare amount) as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC). The minimum bonus FCC amount is $100. For example, if you paid $200 per person, each person will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to the amount paid plus a bonus FCC of $200. If you booked under one of our special low deposit deals and paid less than $100 per person, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit of the amount paid plus $100 per person bonus FCC. This credit will waive the required deposit on your next booking on a voyage up to 29 days in length. The amount received by Holland America Line in excess of the amount used to calculate the Future Cruise Credit can be transferred to a new booking or will be refunded to the method of payment used for the original purchase. The Future Cruise Credits are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through December 31, 2022. If any portion of your travel was not booked through Holland America Line, other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply. Most airlines and other travel-related services such as hotels, transportation, and tours are allowing refunds or waiving change fees due to COVID-19; please work directly with those operators regarding their charges. Should you prefer to decline the bonus future cruise credit and receive a lower-value refund, you may request a refund of all monies paid to Holland America Line by completing the Cancellation Preferences form before August 24, 2020. The full Future Cruise Credit Terms & Conditions can also be found there. Refunds will be reimbursed to the original form of payment and will include all non-cruise fare purchases through Holland America Line. Please note that due to the unprecedented volume of bookings impacted by cancellations, we ask for your patience in affording us the time to work through processing the refunds and FCCs. We are working hard to make sure every booking is handled accurately and efficiently. Should you have any questions, please contact your travel advisor or reach out to us at the appropriate office: Seattle Office (USD/CAD currency): Contact us at 1-800-577-1728 or 206-626-7395. We are available Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 6:00pm PT. Saturday – Sunday 7:00am – 4:00pm PT. Southampton Office (GBP currency): Contact us at 0344 338 8605. We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm. Rotterdam Office (EUR currency): Contact us on 00800 1873 1873. We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm. For Netherlands contact us on 0800 724 5425. We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm. Sydney Office (AUD currency): Contact us at 1300 987 322. We are available Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 7:00pm. Again, we extend our most sincere apologies for this cancellation. Please know that we truly appreciate your understanding of these exceptional circumstances. We hope we have the opportunity to welcome you aboard one of our ships in the near future. Warm Regards, Gus Antorcha President, Holland America Line   This email may install a cookie or similar technology. For information about our use of cookies, please consult our privacy policy. Campaign ID: HETRESCOV25 Please add Holland America Line to your address book or safe sender list. Unsubscribe  |  Contact Us  |  Legal and Privacy © 2001 – 2020 Holland America Line N.V., 450 Third Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119 hollandamerica.com           ReplyForward

[NRFBQN]

Here's the letter we got from HAL that canceled our holiday cruise:

 

Dear Valued Guest, 

I hope this finds you safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. All of us at Holland America Line are looking forward to the future when we will once again have the opportunity to welcome you aboard. 

 

We are writing to share the news with you that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam, and Veendam have been sold and will be leaving our fleet in the coming weeks. It’s always difficult to see ships leave our fleet, especially those with long and storied histories with our company, and we wish them farewell and fair seas. 

 

While these ships will depart our fleet soon, Holland America Line has a bright future that includes the introduction of our third Pinnacle-class ship. Our fleet remains diverse and continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers to visit destinations around the world. We also look forward to continuing to build on many of our beloved shipboard offerings as we enter a new chapter in our history.

 

Since you are currently booked on a future sailing aboard one of these ships (Booking #xxxxxx), we regret that we must cancel your upcoming cruise. 

 

As compensation for this change to your travel plans, we are offering you bonus Future Cruise Credits, which provide tremendous value for you to plan another trip of your choice.

 

You will receive double the amount deposited (up to the base cruise fare amount) as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC). The minimum bonus FCC amount is $100. For example, if you paid $200 per person, each person will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to the amount paid plus a bonus FCC of $200. If you booked under one of our special low deposit deals and paid less than $100 per person, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit of the amount paid plus $100 per person bonus FCC. This credit will waive the required deposit on your next booking on a voyage up to 29 days in length. 

The amount received by Holland America Line in excess of the amount used to calculate the Future Cruise Credit can be transferred to a new booking or will be refunded to the method of payment used for the original purchase. The Future Cruise Credits are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through December 31, 2022. 

 

If any portion of your travel was not booked through Holland America Line, other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply. Most airlines and other travel-related services such as hotels, transportation, and tours are allowing refunds or waiving change fees due to COVID-19; please work directly with those operators regarding their charges.

 

Should you prefer to decline the bonus future cruise credit and receive a lower-value refund, you may request a refund of all monies paid to Holland America Line by completing the Cancellation Preferences formbefore August 24, 2020. The full Future Cruise Credit Terms & Conditions can also be found there. Refunds will be reimbursed to the original form of payment and will include all non-cruise fare purchases through Holland America Line. 

 

Please note that due to the unprecedented volume of bookings impacted by cancellations, we ask for your patience in affording us the time to work through processing the refunds and FCCs. We are working hard to make sure every booking is handled accurately and efficiently. 

 

Should you have any questions, please contact your travel advisor or reach out to us at the appropriate office: 

 

Seattle Office (USD/CAD currency):
Contact us at 1-800-577-1728 or 206-626-7395.
We are available Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 6:00pm PT.
Saturday – Sunday 7:00am – 4:00pm PT.

 

Southampton Office (GBP currency):
Contact us at 0344 338 8605.
We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm.

 

Rotterdam Office (EUR currency):
Contact us on 00800 1873 1873. 
We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm.
For Netherlands contact us on 0800 724 5425. 
We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm.

 

Sydney Office (AUD currency):
Contact us at 1300 987 322.
We are available Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 7:00pm.

 

Again, we extend our most sincere apologies for this cancellation. 

 

Please know that we truly appreciate your understanding of these exceptional circumstances. We hope we have the opportunity to welcome you aboard one of our ships in the near future. 

 

Warm Regards,

Gus Antorcha
President, Holland America Line

[Big Dawg CC]

Just got the following email:

 

Dear Valued Guest,

I hope this finds you safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. All of us at Holland America Line are looking forward to the future when we will once again have the opportunity to welcome you aboard.

We are writing to share the news with you that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam, and Veendam have been sold and will be leaving our fleet in the coming weeks. It’s always difficult to see ships leave our fleet, especially those with long and storied histories with our company, and we wish them farewell and fair seas.

While these ships will depart our fleet soon, Holland America Line has a bright future that includes the introduction of our third Pinnacle-class ship. Our fleet remains diverse and continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers to visit destinations around the world. We also look forward to continuing to build on many of our beloved shipboard offerings as we enter a new chapter in our history.

Since you are currently booked on a future sailing aboard one of these ships (Booking #XXXXXX), we regret that we must cancel your upcoming cruise.

 

[Continues with credits, etc.]

[WFBgal]

Veendam & Maasdam will be gone by the end of August. Rotterdam & Amsterdam gone by end of October. Now, HAL will have cash flow.

[dchip]

My heart is breaking. Our two favorite and very first HAL ships, Maasdam and Amsterdam. Very thankful we sailed the 3 week Alaska on the Maasdam last June and the 7 week South Pacific on the Amsterdam in November/December 2019. In fact, they were our last two cruises. 
 

sadly, Denise

[AlanF65]

Dear Valued Guest,

I hope this finds you safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. All of us at Holland America Line are looking forward to the future when we will once again have the opportunity to welcome you aboard.

We are writing to share the news with you that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam, and Veendam have been sold and will be leaving our fleet in the coming weeks. It’s always difficult to see ships leave our fleet, especially those with long and storied histories with our company, and we wish them farewell and fair seas.

While these ships will depart our fleet soon, Holland America Line has a bright future that includes the introduction of our third Pinnacle-class ship. Our fleet remains diverse and continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers to visit destinations around the world. We also look forward to continuing to build on many of our beloved shipboard offerings as we enter a new chapter in our history.

Since you are currently booked on a future sailing aboard one of these ships (Booking #x), we regret that we must cancel your upcoming cruise.

As compensation for this change to your travel plans, we are offering you bonus Future Cruise Credits, which provide tremendous value for you to plan another trip of your choice.

You will receive double the amount deposited (up to the base cruise fare amount) as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC). The minimum bonus FCC amount is $100. For example, if you paid $200 per person, each person will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to the amount paid plus a bonus FCC of $200. If you booked under one of our special low deposit deals and paid less than $100 per person, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit of the amount paid plus $100 per person bonus FCC. This credit will waive the required deposit on your next booking on a voyage up to 29 days in length.

The amount received by Holland America Line in excess of the amount used to calculate the Future Cruise Credit can be transferred to a new booking or will be refunded to the method of payment used for the original purchase. The Future Cruise Credits are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through December 31, 2022.

If any portion of your travel was not booked through Holland America Line, other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply. Most airlines and other travel-related services such as hotels, transportation, and tours are allowing refunds or waiving change fees due to COVID-19; please work directly with those operators regarding their charges.

Should you prefer to decline the bonus future cruise credit and receive a lower-value refund, you may request a refund of all monies paid to Holland America Line by completing the Cancellation Preferences form before August 24, 2020. The full Future Cruise Credit Terms & Conditions can also be found there. Refunds will be reimbursed to the original form of payment and will include all non-cruise fare purchases through Holland America Line.

Please note that due to the unprecedented volume of bookings impacted by cancellations, we ask for your patience in affording us the time to work through processing the refunds and FCCs. We are working hard to make sure every booking is handled accurately and efficiently.

Should you have any questions, please contact your travel advisor or reach out to us at the appropriate office:

Seattle Office (USD/CAD currency):
Contact us at 1-800-577-1728 or 206-626-7395.
We are available Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 6:00pm PT.
Saturday – Sunday 7:00am – 4:00pm PT.

Southampton Office (GBP currency):
Contact us at 0344 338 8605.
We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm.

Rotterdam Office (EUR currency):
Contact us on 00800 1873 1873.
We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm.
For Netherlands contact us on 0800 724 5425.
We are available Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm.

Sydney Office (AUD currency):
Contact us at 1300 987 322.
We are available Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 7:00pm.

Again, we extend our most sincere apologies for this cancellation.

Please know that we truly appreciate your understanding of these exceptional circumstances. We hope we have the opportunity to welcome you aboard one of our ships in the near future.

Warm Regards,

Gus Antorcha
President, Holland America Line

Edited July 15, 2020 by AlanF65

[sansterre]

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/topics/news/four-ships-to-leave-the-holland-america-line-fleet-in-2020/

Zaandam to host Grand Africa in 2021 and Grand World in 2022

 

[cruise44]

I always considered the Rotterdam and Amsterdam the nicer of the similar s-class ships and r-class (and faster). Even with a slight age difference(Amsterdam is still newest of R-Class), would have held on to them instead of the Zaandam and Volendam.  

 

Wonder when we will see the name Rotterdam again in the Holland America fleet?

[DaveOKC]

Just got an email on this from HAL :

"We are writing to share the news with you that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam, and Veendam have been sold and will be leaving our fleet in the coming weeks. It’s always difficult to see ships leave our fleet, especially those with long and storied histories with our company, and we wish them farewell and fair seas.

While these ships will depart our fleet soon, Holland America Line has a bright future that includes the introduction of our third Pinnacle-class ship. Our fleet remains diverse and continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers to visit destinations around the world. We also look forward to continuing to build on many of our beloved shipboard offerings as we enter a new chapter in our history.

Since you are currently booked on a future sailing aboard one of these ships (Booking #CMXLHP), we regret that we must cancel your upcoming cruise."

 

Crazy thing is. only two days ago HAL automatically took the FCC that we got last Friday (after waiting for 4 months) and applied it to our Rotterdam cruise!  They are giving us some extra FCC to compensate us, but this is based on how much you have placed on deposit.  Since we originally only had $100 pp (from FCD), we would only get $100 pp.  HOWEVER, I do not know how the other $800pp we just had applied comes into play???  Cannot call my HAL rep (PCC) since she is on vacation until Monday.  What a mess.

 

Even worse, this was going to be our 50th anniversary cruise and it was a 17 day new route one to Greenland - we REALLY were looking forward to it.

 

[DAllenTCY]

We are writing to share the news with you that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam, and Veendam have been sold and will be leaving our fleet in the coming weeks.

[CJcruzer]

This is really bittersweet for us, as our first HAL cruise was on the Veendam (2005) and our most recent cruise was on Xmas 2019 Veendam 10-day cruise.   We sailed with our son, DIL and grandchildren this past Xmas, and ironically, the Veendam was their first HAL cruise also (Bermuda, 2015 when we also sailed with them).

 

So the Veendam will have a special place in our families’ memories.

 

Carol

[bennybear]

We so enjoyed our Norway cruise on the Rotterdam out of Rotterdam!  We were given quite the sendoff! 

[KirkNC]

And there goes the HAL we knew.

[Sir PMP]

17 minutes ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Wow. I never expected to see the 2 co/flagships go at the same time. 
Maybe the Ryndam will be renamed to Rotterdam . 

No, I don't think so, Rijndam has always been part of the fleet. They will need to built (or buy) a new Rotterdam, always the flag ship and a new Amsterdam, unless they just stick with Nieuw Amsterdam which could become the new flagship and will do the world cruises..

[RuthC]

I received the same notice about my canceled Rotterdam cruise as has been posted multiple times. To say I am disappointed is an understatement, as I have been looking forward to the New England Canada cruise that was going to go to Newfoundland and on to Greenland before returning. I have been wanting to take such an itinerary for years. 
What is more disappointing is that the itinerary hasn't just been moved to the Zaandam or Volendam. We could even keep our same cabins! 

I hate to see these perfect size vessels leave the fleet, but am happy I was able to get most of my cruising life completed during their era. 

[Bramcruiser]

I was on the Maasdam only once but I must admit it was my favourite HAL ship. That mighty little sailor that took us through New England and Eastern Canada oh so many years ago. I miss her already. Sad that she will not be in the fleet any longer but given what is currently going on in this world its not surprising.

[Sir PMP]

By the way the Amsterdam has been sold as is, which means the luggage still on board is included...

[mfanderso]

We just got the same email.  Had booked Greenland on the Rotterdam for August 2021 and we are so disappointed.

[KirkNC]

1 minute ago, Sir PMP said:

By the way the Amsterdam has been sold as is, which means the luggage still on board is included...

Ah but luckily the luggage was offloaded a few days ago in Singapore 😎

[Sir PMP]

7 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

And there goes the HAL we knew.

Yes, bye bye to the flag ships.

[Vict0riann]

2 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

By the way the Amsterdam has been sold as is, which means the luggage still on board is included...

 

Haha!  I think the luggage is off - and I believe Zaandam will be doing the WC - but maybe it won't be so "Grand"!

[KirkNC]

And the new HAL begins.

[SusanMK]

We just booked an August 29 2021 cruise on the Rotterdam with our FCC from our March 21 canceled cruise, so disappointed. We have no idea if another HAL ship will do this itinerary, it was 17 days to Maine, Canada, Newfoundland and Greenland from Boston. Before we booked this cruise I had spoken to someone at HAL customer service about the Rotterdam being sold and she said definitely not. Hopefully we will get some clarification soon. The Veendam was one of our favorites too because of the size and we have taken 4 cruises on it. 

[cruise44]

Looks like both the Rotterdam and Amsterdam will be going to Fred Olsen Cruises:

 

"07/15/2020

ACQUISITION OF CRUISE VESSELS AND FLEET OPTIMIZATION

Wholly owned subsidiaries of Bonheur ASA have today entered into agreements with HAL Nederland NV (part of the Carnival Corporation Group) for the acquisition of two cruise vessels to be operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd., UK, which is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Bonheur.

 

The vessels, which will be renamed MS Bolette and MS Borealis, were built in 2000 and 1997 and weigh GT 62,735 and GT 61,849, respectively. They each have a capacity of approx. 1,400 available lower berths. This acquisition forms part of an optimization of the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fleet composition and with a high yielding cabin mix and large public spaces, these vessels will enhance Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ earnings capabilities once operations can safely resume. Delivery is expected to take place in the UK during September 2020."

 

https://www.bonheur.no/latest-news1?SelectedRelease=http://publish.ne.cision.com/Release/GetDetail/7CDB812CA7F9D5C5