Holland America Line says it will have a complete fleet back to cruising next Northern Hemisphere spring with the restart of operations for the Noordam, Oosterdam, and Westerdam.
According to our friends at Cruise Industry News the Noordam will restart with a March 14, 2022, cruise in Japan; the Oosterdam will begin cruising May 1 2022 in the Mediterranean, and the Westerdam will return to service May 8, 2022, in Alaska.
These ships will join the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, which have returned to service or are restarting cruising by December 2021 and Volendam and Zaandam will return in May 2022.
“We’ve been working intensely to get all of our ships back into service, and to have final restart dates that will complete the fleet is rewarding for everyone who has put their all into making this happen,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, adding, “Our progressive rollout plan allows us to be back in full service over the next several months, and we look forward to welcoming guests on all 11 ships cruising in different regions around the world.”
Holland America Line is working with Japanese authorities to begin cruising for Noordam next Northern Hemisphere spring in Japan with four sailings scheduled, according to a press release.
In April, Noordam will cross the Pacific Ocean and sail a season in Alaska with cruises between Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Whittier, Alaska.
The Oosterdam will set sail beginning with the May 1 2022 departure, sailing the season in the region, cruising between Civitavecchia (Rome) and Venice, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain, and Venice; or roundtrip from Venice on seven and 12-day itineraries. Oosterdam will explore ports in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia, Albania, France, Malta, and Israel.
Following a transatlantic crossing in November 2022, the ship will transit the Panama Canal and take a southerly route to offer a series of South America and Antarctica expeditions ranging from 14 to 22 days between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and San Antonio (Santiago), Chile.
When the Westerdam returns on May 8 2022, she will embark on a season of seven-day Alaska cruises roundtrip from Seattle, Washington. Come September, the ship will cross the Pacific Ocean and begin a season in the Far East offering a variety of 14-day itineraries from Singapore; Hong Kong, China; and Yokohama (Tokyo).
With these restart dates for the Noordam, Oosterdam, and Westerdam, cruises in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and South America and Antarctica from January 2022 through the return-to-service departures will be canceled.
A report from Cruise Industry News by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor Global Travel Media and Global Cruise News.