Holland America Line

The Holland America Line is a US-owned cruise company originally founded in Rotterdam. From 1873 to 1989, it operated as a Dutch passenger and cargo service between the Netherlands and North America. Today, it offers luxury cruises with 11 ships, the newest built between 1997 and 2021, organized by class and capacity.

In its first 25 years, the company transported an estimated 400,000 emigrants to America—a legacy especially significant at the outbreak of World War I. Despite the Netherlands’ neutrality, many Dutch merchant ships were sunk during the war. Those that remained were seized by Allied forces and used to carry troops and cargo. After the war, many ships were built, including steam turbine liners introduced in 1921. The travel routes expanded to include England, France, Spain, and Canada, ending in New York.

In 1940, World War II erupted and the Netherlands was again drawn into conflict. The company lost 8 cargo ships and 5 passenger ships, some even during neutrality. Most were destroyed by sea mines, while others were seized or bombed during the German invasion and occupation.