SEATTLE — Holland America Line is celebrating one full year of operations following its return to sailing last year.
After the cruise industry’s two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nieuw Amsterdam resumed cruising on July 24, 2021 in Seattle, Washington, Holland America’s first ship back to the water. The ship reached the one-year mark while in port in Whitter, Alaska.
“The emotions and excitement from a year ago still resonate today as destinations around the world open and we persist in fully getting back to cruising,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.
“We are grateful to our guests who returned to sail with us, to our team members who came back to sea, to the ports that welcomed us, to our partners who stood by us, and to all of our shoreside employees who got us back in the water. Over the past year, we have operated more than 240 cruises and we look forward to continuing to offer more memorable vacations,” he added.
Since its restart, Holland America’s 10 remaining ships resumed operations in a variety of destinations as ports reopened to visitors. In addition to Alaska, the brand has resumed travel to Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, Northern Europe, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South Pacific. Before the end of 2022, the ships will return to Australia/New Zealand and South America/Antarctica.
The highly anticipated 71-day Grand Africa Voyage sets sail in October 2022, while the 128-day Grand World and 74-day Grand South America and Antarctica voyages depart in January 2023. Asia itineraries will resume in February 2023.
RETURN TO SERVICE DATES
Holland America Line paced the return of its ships over the year, welcoming the last ship back into service in June 2022:
- Eurodam, Aug. 15, 2021
- Koningsdam, Oct. 10, 2021
- Rotterdam, Oct. 20, 2021
- Nieuw Statendam, Nov. 21, 2021
- Zuiderdam, Dec. 23, 2021
- Noordam, April 24, 2022
- Oosterdam, May 8, 2022
- Zaandam, May 12, 2022
- Westerdam, June 12, 2022
Volendam began housing Ukrainian refugees in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on April 5, 2022 as part of an agreement with the Netherlands and City of Rotterdam. The ship will reposition for a Sept. 24 cruise from Italy.
