I found an Interesting link to the Official Time Line History of Holland America

[LAFFNVEGAS]

In doing a little research I found an interesting web site that gives the Time Line History of Holland America.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/about/history.do?date=1980

 

Here is just the first page, you can check other areas as well. This also answers that freqently asked question of has HAL changed since CCL purchased HAL? Well, since it has been over 18 years ago since the purchase took place January 17, 1989 If any one is comparing HAL prior to 1989 then yes but if only comparing to say 10 years ago, sorry it was a CCL Corp then as well.

Company History:

1980s

 

1980's

HAL introduces another new house flag of orange - the Dutch royalty color - and the blue Holland America Half Moon logo in the center.

 

October 1980

As it repositions from Alaska to Indonesia, a fire breaks out in the Prinsendam's engine room. All aboard are evacuated safely. The ship sinks under tow in the Pacific Ocean west of Sitka.

 

1981

HAL's service staff training school, "ss Jakarta," is established in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is later expanded and renamed "ms Nieuw Jakarta" in 1983.

 

1983

Volendam II and Veendam III are sold while the 1,214-passenger ms Nieuw Amsterdam III joins the fleet.

 

Fall 1983

To save money, Holland America moves west to Seattle to consolidate operations with Westours and becomes known as Holland America Line-Westours Inc. Kirk Lanterman, previously president of Westours, takes the helm.

 

1984

The ms Noordam III, sister ship to the Nieuw Amsterdam III, enters service and joins the ss Rotterdam V cruising Alaska in the summer.

 

1987

The first Filipino stewardesses join the fleet with six sailing on the ss Rotterdam for the World Cruise.

 

1988

HAL purchases Windstar Sail Cruises. Windstar's three, four-masted 148-passenger computer-directed luxury sailing ships operate in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and French Polynesia.

 

Holland America Line purchases Home Lines' mv Homeric and mv Atlantic. The Homeric is renamed ms Westerdam II; the Atlantic is sold. At the Westerdam's introductory events in November 1988, HAL Chairman Nico van der Vorm is approached by Ted Arison, chairman of Carnival Cruise Lines, about selling Holland America Line-Westours Inc. to Carnival.

 

January 17, 1989

Carnival purchases Holland America Line-Westours Inc.

 

January 1989

Kirk Lanterman becomes CEO.

 

Summar 1989

The addition of the Westerdam (1,000 passengers; expanded to 1,494 in the winter of 1989 - 1990) brings HAL's Alaska fleet to four luxury liners.

[jhannah]

Very interesting! Thanks for the link.

 

Yes, I am always amused at comments about the "Carnivalization of HAL." As you noted, the ownership change happened WAY before any of the things folks complain about.