All 11 ships are back in service for the first
time since the pause began in March
2020
SEATTLE, June 12,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line's Westerdam returned to service
Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Port of
Seattle in Washington, marking the last ship in the fleet
to resume operations. Westerdam embarked guests for seven-day
Alaska Explorer cruise roundtrip from Seattle that will position it in Alaska through the end of September.
Holland America
Line's entire fleet of cruise ships now operating after more
than two-year pause due to global pandemic.
To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a
ceremony in the terminal attended by the ship's captain and senior
officers, with flag-waving fanfare from team members lined up to
greet guests as they boarded. Three guests cut a ribbon to open
embarkation, and Captain Wouter van Hoogdalem placed the final
piece of a puzzle with "Westerdam" on it to signify the completion
of return to service for the cruise line.
"Today is an emotional day that's been more than a year in the
making, and Westerdam is the final puzzle pieceto make our fleet of
ships in service complete," said Gus
Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "Every ribbon
cutting has brought us one step closer to today, and everyone in
the Holland America Line family worked with passion and
determination to achieve this milestone. We are excited to welcome
guests and overwhelmed with what today means for our company."
Following its season in Alaska,
Westerdam will embark on an epic 36-day "South Pacific Crossing"
repositioning from Seattle to
Sydney, Australia. Along the way,
the ship will make 17 calls at some of the world's most beautiful
islands and tropical locations. Westerdam will then offer a season
of roundtrip from Sydney
itineraries to the north and south islands of New Zealand, along with southern Australia. In December
2022, the ship sails along the east coast of the continent
up to Singapore via the Great
Barrier Reef. In early 2023, Westerdam offers cruises to
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, China
and the Philippines before
crossing back to North America for
another season in Alaska.
Since Holland America Line restarted cruising in July 2021, Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam,
Nieuw Statendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Zaandam and Zuiderdam have returned
to service with cruises in Alaska,
the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, California Coast and South Pacific.
Volendam currently is under charter by the government of
the Netherlands, accommodating
Ukrainian families, and will sail Mediterranean voyages from
Italy starting in September.
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a
travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit
hollandamerica.com.
Editors note: Photos are available at
https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/q5moksq0.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the
Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the
home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland
America Line has been exploring the
world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures
to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of
premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the
world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third
Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in
July 2021.
The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships
feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching
experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized
travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music
Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland
America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.
CONTACT:
|
Bill Zucker, Erik
Elvejord
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029,
206-626-9890
|
EMAIL:
|
pr@hollandamerica.com
|
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SOURCE Holland America Line