Cruise ship swap: Holland America takes P&O's Arcadia, and Cunard's Queen Anne goes to P&O

Two big cruise brands are about to swap ships, and loyal fans on both sides may notice. Holland America Line said on October 6, 2026, that it will grow its fleet to 12 ships by adding Arcadia in 2029. Arcadia will move over from sister line P&O Cruises. In return, P&O Cruises will take Queen Anne from Cunard.

All three lines belong to Carnival Corporation, which also posted the news.

What Holland America is getting

Arcadia is a Vista class ship. That is the same design as four ships Holland America already sails: Oosterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam. The line says Arcadia will add room for more than 2,000 guests. Holland America sails 11 ships today, so this takes it to 12.

Holland America said the ship is a good match because of that shared design. It said the move gives the line "a faster path to growth."

Who is going where

Here is the full swap, as the release describes it:

• Arcadia leaves P&O Cruises and joins Holland America Line in 2029.
• Queen Anne leaves Cunard and joins P&O Cruises.
• Queen Anne, a 3,000-passenger ship, will go through "extensive design changes" in 2029 to fit the P&O Cruises fleet.

Holland America pointed guests to P&O Cruises for more on the Queen Anne plans. It did not share a new name for Arcadia, and it did not say where the ship will sail.

Part of a bigger makeover

The move ties into Holland America Evolution. The line calls it the largest guest experience change in its 153-year history. The plan adds new venues, restaurants and cabins. It also brings the best parts of its newer Pinnacle class ships to older ships, while keeping their mid-size feel.

Features already shown for Oosterdam and Zuiderdam include:

• The Grand Dutch Café
• A redone Ocean Bar
• Large Bridgeview Suites
• New Solo Verandah cabins for people who travel alone

Oosterdam will show off its changes in fall 2027. Zuiderdam will follow in April 2028. Holland America said it will decide what to add to Arcadia "in the next several months."

What the line's president said

Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said the line "continues to see strong demand" from guests who want "perfectly sized ships."

"Adding Arcadia allows us to welcome more guests while building on everything they already love about our brand," she said. She called the ship "a natural fit."

She also hinted that more change is on the way. She said the move is "one chapter in a larger story." She added that the line is giving "thoughtful consideration" to new ships. "There's more to come as we continue investing in our fleet and guest experience," she said.

What it means for cruisers

If you sail with Holland America, you will get one more mid-size ship to choose from in 2029. If you like Arcadia, you may still find it, just under a new brand. And if you love Queen Anne as a Cunard ship, the clock is ticking: it is set to join P&O Cruises, with its big design changes due in 2029.

None of the lines have shared exact handover dates, new itineraries, or what happens to bookings. Holland America said more details will come in the next few months and will be posted at hollandamerica.com/evolution.

The big picture

Holland America said Arcadia brings more freedom in where it can send ships, and a faster path to growth. It also said the move sits alongside its long-term plan to modernize the fleet. The hint about new ships suggests this may not be the last fleet news from the line.