SEATTLE — Four of Holland America Line’s best known ships are departing the fleet.

The cruise line announced today that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam and Veendam have all been sold and will be sent to undisclosed buyers.

The vessels were sold in pairs. The S-Class Maasdam and Veendam are transferring to one cruise line in August 2020. The R-Class Amsterdam and Rotterdam will move to another cruise company in fall 2020.

Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group and Carnival UK, said, “It’s always difficult to see any ship leave the fleet, especially those that have a long and storied history with our company. However, Holland America Line has a bright future ahead that includes recent Pinnacle-Class additions, with a third sister ship next year that will continue to maintain our overall capacity in the marketplace.”

Holland America Line says it will cancel cruises for the four ships. Select itineraries will be assumed by other ships in the fleet. The 2021 Grand World Voyage aboard Amsterdam will be postponed until 2022 and will now sail aboard Zaandam. The Grand Africa Voyage departing Oct. 10, 2021, aboard Rotterdam will also sail aboard Zaandam on the same dates.

Newly appointed President of Holland America Line, Gus Antorcha, said he recognizes and appreciates  “the deep affection our guests have toward our company and the ships in our fleet.”

Antorcha adds: “While streamlined, our diverse fleet continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers looking for a mid-sized ship experience to destinations all around the world. I look forward to carrying on those beloved shipboard offerings while cultivating new ideas to bring to our guests.”

Passengers with bookings on future sailings of these ships will be notified that these cruises will be cancelled or changed. Passengers and their travel advisors will receive information if the cruise will operate with a different ship or information and special offers on how to book another Holland America Line cruise when operations resume. The cruise lines says that passengers who prefer a refund will be accommodated.

Cancelled cruises include scheduled Canada/New England and Grand Voyages on Amsterdam; Mexico, South Pacific, Australia and Asia itineraries on Maasdam; Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal, South America and Hawaii sailings on Rotterdam; and Caribbean and Europe itineraries on Veendam.

Meanwhile another Carnival Corp. cruise line is losing a ship. Costa Cruises’ Costa NeoRomantica is joining the Celestyal Cruises fleet.

Celestyal says details of the ship’s delivery and deployment will be announced at a later date. Celestyal Cruises’ existing 2021 and 2022 itineraries that were recently launched remain unchanged.

Celestyal recently announced its “difficult but prudent” decision to suspend all sailings until the start of the 2021 season due to ongoing concerns over travel to Europe amid the pandemic. Celestyal’s 2021 season is scheduled to start on March 6, 2021.