HAL-Holland America Line is introducing Bar 1873, a new signature venue combining contemporary design, cocktails and live entertainment with the cruise line’s more than 150-year history. The 2-storey atrium bar will debut aboard Oosterdam as part of the ship’s Holland America Evolution refurbishment programme. The venue will feature an illuminated tulip sculpture, historical displays and lounge seating designed for socialising and evening entertainment.
Bar 1873 is intended to become a defining feature of the Holland America Evolution programme, with each participating ship expected to offer its own interpretation inspired by a different story, tradition or milestone in the company’s history. Aboard Oosterdam, the concept is titled May She Be Blessed, reflecting the maritime tradition of ship christenings and the role of godmothers in the launch of Holland America Line vessels.
The venue draws particular inspiration from the 1958 christening of Rotterdam V by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, highlighting the cruise line’s longstanding connections with the Dutch royal family. Artwork, maritime references and design features throughout the space will reflect this history. Live piano performances will form a central part of the programme during pre-dinner cocktail hours and throughout the evening, supplemented by selected appearances from vocalists and Holland America Line’s Vivace musicians.
Designed in partnership with London-based design firm SMC, Bar 1873 is located around Oosterdam’s central atrium on Deck 2. Its principal feature is a three-metre illuminated tulip inspired by the Netherlands’ national flower and the cruise line’s signature orange tulip. Visible from several points across the atrium, the sculpture will project patterns of light throughout the venue.
The interior will also incorporate more than 200 heritage and repurposed objects, bespoke artwork and a visual timeline documenting the company’s history. Vintage-style maps and other design elements will reference Dutch culture, maritime exploration and the traditions of international travel. The carpets take inspiration from light moving across the ocean, while the central rug draws on a clock located in the main dining room of SS Rotterdam. The lounge’s fireplace, meanwhile, references Holland America Line’s original headquarters, now Hotel New York in Rotterdam.
The beverage programme will continue the company’s approach of using cocktails to reflect destinations, cultures and historical events. At Bar 1873, the menu will be anchored by May She Be Blessed, a celebratory drink inspired by the blessing traditionally bestowed upon a ship before it enters service. Guests will be able to customise the cocktail by selecting an essence, while the wider menu will include contemporary versions of classic drinks and original creations connected to the stories behind the Bar 1873 concept.
As part of the same refurbishment, Oosterdam will also introduce a redesigned Crow’s Nest. Known for its panoramic ocean views, the venue will offer a more flexible programme of activities, enrichment sessions and entertainment throughout the day and evening. Expanded live music programming will provide additional opportunities for guests to listen and dance while retaining the space’s established atmosphere.
Evening performances will feature popular music spanning the 1970s to the present day, broadening the ship’s live entertainment offering.
Holland America Evolution represents the largest fleet investment in the cruise line’s 153-year history. The programme is intended to revitalise all six Vista Class and Signature Class ships, beginning with Oosterdam and Zuiderdam and extending to the newly acquired Vista Class ship Arcadia.
The refurbishment programme combines new venues and enhanced onboard experiences with established features of the fleet, alongside selected elements inspired by the cruise line’s Pinnacle Class ships. Planned updates across the fleet include refreshed public areas, upgraded accommodation and expanded onboard offerings, while retaining Holland America Line’s focus on service, destination-led itineraries and mid-sized ships.
Bookings are open for cruises aboard Oosterdam and Zuiderdam following their planned transformations.