“Westerdam’s guests will enjoy a host of experiences that Apia and the wider region has to offer including the Museum of Samoa, and the Rober Louis Stevenson Museum, excursions to Lalomanu and Manu Sina beaches and, of course, local vanilla farms – all of which are adding invaluable tourism dollars to the local economy,” Mr Taibel said.
One of Holland America Line’s Vista Class ships, Westerdam features some of the line’s most lauded entertainment venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club and Lincoln Center Stage, exemplary dining experiences including a much-celebrated steakhouse, Pinnacle Grill, and Asian fusion restaurant, Tamarind, plus the World Stage for dynamic evening shows, and Gallery Bar which is one of Holland America Line’s newest cocktail destinations.
Westerdam will arrive in Samoa’s capital of Apia at 8 am and depart at 5 pm, giving her 1,964 passengers a full day to head ashore and explore the magnificent island, generating substantial spending and bolstering the nation’s tourism economy.
“Apia will be a popular port call for Westerdam’s guests because of its natural coastal beauty, and cultural and natural attractions,” Holland America Line VP Sales and Marketing Ryan Taibel said.
The Samoa Tourism Authority in conjunction with the Samoa Ports Authority, as well as port and excursion agents, are planning a warm Samoan welcome to mark Westerdam’s port call.
Homeported out of Sydney from November 8, 2022, to January 3, 2023, Westerdam will sail seven itineraries around Australia and New Zealand ranging from 13 to 30 days.
The call is being made as part of Westerdam’s repositioning voyage from Vancouver to Sydney where she will be homeported for part of the 2022-23 Australian and New Zealand wave season.
Today, on Tuesday 18 October, Holland America Line’s Westerdam will be the first cruise ship to return to Samoa since the pandemic, with the visit also marking Westerdam’s maiden call to the port.
Written by: Jill Walsh
