Holland America Volendam Ship Tour: A Classic Cruise Experience in Montreal
I’ve seen plenty of Holland America ships over the years. During our Alaska cruise this summer, they seemed to be everywhere we went.
So, when I was invited to participate in a Holland America Volendam ship tour during her visit to Montreal, I was particularly interested in getting aboard.
Next July, I’ll host a 14-Day Icelandic Fjords & Celtic Origins cruise aboard Zuiderdam as part of the Distinctive Voyages program. Touring Volendam gave me an opportunity to experience Holland America firsthand and add another layer of product knowledge before my own sailing.
Volendam and Zuiderdam are different classes of ship, so I wasn’t expecting one to be a preview of the other. Instead, I wanted a better understanding of Holland America’s onboard atmosphere, accommodations and the travellers who choose the cruise line.
Starting with the Staterooms
Our group was smaller than expected, thanks to a cycling race and road closures in downtown Montreal. Just ten of the 23 registered travel advisors made it aboard, which made for a very personal experience.
Our tour was led by Shannon, Volendam’s wonderfully enthusiastic Future Cruise Consultant from South Africa. We started exploring staterooms almost immediately upon stepping foot onboard.
Volendam carries approximately 1,400 guests, and we toured everything from Ocean View staterooms to Neptune and Pinnacle Suites.
Some bathrooms still feature bathtub-and-shower combinations, while others have been converted to showers. Storage was plentiful, and the accommodations generally felt comfortable and spacious.
The standout for me was the Lanai stateroom, a category unique to Volendam within the current Holland America fleet. These staterooms have doors opening directly onto the wraparound Promenade Deck, with reserved loungers outside.
I haven’t seen anything quite like them.
A Ship That Embraces Tradition
“Classic” is probably the word I would use most often to describe Volendam.
There are darker woods, plenty of carpeting and an eclectic collection of artwork. Shannon told us Volendam is sometimes referred to as the “art ship,” and there was certainly plenty to look at as we explored, including right inside the Pinnacle Suite itself.
The World Stage was another favourite. Rather than conventional rows of theatre seats, the room features comfortable cushioned seating and small tables for drinks. Shannon described the atmosphere as having a little “Gatsby energy,” and I could see exactly what she meant.
Then there was the library.
This wasn’t a token shelf of books tucked into a corner. It was an expansive, inviting library organized by genre, with multiple copies of some titles and plenty of comfortable places to sit.
Elsewhere, smaller spaces are devoted to art, puzzles and mahjong. The Crow’s Nest offers sweeping views from high above the bow.
Even the ladies’ room near the theatre was memorable enough to photograph. You’ll have to watch for that one on Instagram.
Lunch by the Pool
One of my favourite areas was the Lido pool deck.
The buffet opens directly onto this bright space beneath a retractable roof. There’s plenty of seating and a bar complete with cheerful tiki-style umbrellas.
For lunch, I kept things simple: a freshly made pastrami sandwich with potato salad, coleslaw and a few chips. Nothing elaborate, but everything tasted fresh and homemade.
The whole area felt relaxed and welcoming, and quite different from some of the more traditional spaces elsewhere aboard.
Getting to Know the Holland America Traveller
This may have been the most useful part of the day for me.
I expected Holland America to attract a mature traveller. Talking with Shannon, however, gave me a better understanding of what many of those guests are looking for.
She described them simply as travellers: people who want to see the world and have an adventure.
Some combine consecutive voyages and remain aboard for weeks or even months. Volendam herself will embark on a 129-day Grand World Voyage in 2027.
There is also an appreciation for some of the traditions of cruising. Guests may look forward to dressing up for Holland America’s Dressy Nights, even though formal gowns and tuxedos aren’t required.
Rather than waterslides and extensive children’s programming, the emphasis here is more firmly on destinations, dining, music, enrichment and time spent enjoying the ship itself.
For the right traveller, that combination can be very appealing.
Looking Ahead to Zuiderdam
My afternoon aboard Volendam also gave me some useful context for next summer.
Zuiderdam is a larger Vista Class ship carrying approximately 2,000 guests, compared with Volendam’s approximately 1,400. My July 2027 sailing will also take place before Zuiderdam undergoes her major Holland America Evolution transformation in 2028, so I’m not expecting the two ships to feel the same.
What I now have is a better sense of Holland America’s style of cruising. I’ve seen the accommodations, experienced the hospitality, sampled the food and gained a better understanding of the guests who are drawn to the brand.
That firsthand knowledge will be helpful when I’m matching my own clients with Holland America. In fact, I already have some Alaska travellers in mind who I think could be a very good fit.
And next July, I’ll get to experience Holland America over two full weeks aboard Zuiderdam. When I’m not attending to my Distinctive Voyages hosting responsibilities, I’m looking forward to exploring the restaurants, entertainment and daily life aboard.
Apparently, I may also need to start shopping for a formal gown.
