Holland America ships are smaller than those of other cruise lines sailing in Alaska. With fewer passengers, you won’t have to fight huge crowds when disembarking at ports. Holland America ships always tie up at the pier, whereas larger ships sometimes drop anchor and take you to the pier on small boats. The ms Noordam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam holds only 2,000 passengers compared to 2,500 on Princess, Royal Caribbean and NCL.
Holland America ships have larger cabins up to 32% larger, than other major cruise lines sailing in Alaska.