The Holland America Line was founded in 1873 and operated a fleet of
passenger and cargo vessels from the Netherlands to the east and west
coasts of America. The company later acquired the stock of the
Europa-Canada Line and in 1964 became involved with the Swedish America
Line, Axel Johnson and Wallenius Rederiana to form the Atlantic
Container Line. In 1988 the company was purchased by the Carnival Cruise
Line and the name was retained, continuing the history of this line. The
company currently operate five different classes of ships, the smaller
and older 'S' class vessels; the mid-range 'R' class; the 'Vista' class;
the newest and largest 'Signature' class; and the smaller 'Prinsendam'.
Koningsdam, delivered on 31 March 2016, is the largest vessel designed
and built for the Holland America Line, with a beam of 35 metres, and
complies with the new Panamax dimensions, which enable it to cruise
through the wider locks in the Panama Canal. Utilising many rare and
unpublished images, Ian Collard offers a lavishly illustrated look at
the cruise ships operated by the Holland America Line. Included here are
images of the ships in many guises and liveries as the author offers an
array of superb photographs of these iconic vessels.
