Working in close coordination with the Greek government, Holland America Line has received approval to resume cruises from Piraeus (Athens) in August with four departures aboard the Eurodam. Bookings for these cruises will open on May 6. Departing on August 15 and 29, the “Idyllic Greek Islands” itinerary will visit Kotor (Montenegro) and the Greek islands of Kekira (Corfu), Thira (Santorini), and Mykonos. “Ancient Wonders” departs on August 22 to explore Haifa (Israel), as well as Nafplio, Mykonos, and Rhodes in Greece. Both options can be combined to form a longer, 14-day voyage.
The seven-day “Adriatic Allure” itinerary, departing September 5, will sail from Piraeus to Venice, Italy, with stops in Mykonos, Katakolon (Olympia), and Crete (Chania) in Greece, and Sarandë in Albania. Additional Mediterranean cruises aboard the Eurodam will be announced in the coming weeks, extending through the fall and including ports in Italy and Greece. The Eurodam will then return to the United States to begin its Caribbean cruises in mid-November.
“Everyone at Holland America Line has been preparing for our return to service, and we are grateful to the Greek government for allowing us to demonstrate that we can safely operate our cruise ships,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “The beautiful Greek islands have been a highlight of our Mediterranean itineraries for decades, and we are honored to be able to sail from Athens again and offer our guests a memorable vacation after all this time without cruising.”
“The Greek islands have welcomed Holland America Line ships for many years, and we are proud to work together to welcome the cruise line back this summer,” said Harry Theoharis, Greece’s Minister of Tourism. “We are confident that all visitors to Greece will once again have unique experiences in our beautiful destinations and fully enjoy our nation’s rich history, culture, and cuisine.”.
Onboard, Holland America Line will continue to offer the amenities that are a hallmark of the brand. Guests can dine at all restaurants and specialty venues, as well as through room service. Entertainment will be in full swing in the main performance lounge, and live music will be featured at the Lincoln Center Stage, the BB King's Blues Club, the Billboard Onboard, and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. Port-to-Table culinary demonstrations, EXC talks, and other activities will bring Greece and its culture onboard. Additional measures may be added to the program to accommodate social distancing.
All passengers on Holland America Line cruises departing from Greece must have received their last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the cruise's departure. They must also comply with all health and safety protocols in effect at the time of departure for travel to and from the ship, as well as all onboard protocols and procedures for visiting ports of call.
Additional preventative health measures will be implemented as part of Holland America Line’s “Travel Well” program, including health screenings, mask use, physical distancing, and capacity controls. Ships now feature enhanced environmental hygiene and air filtration with upgraded HVAC systems and ultraviolet technology. HEPA filters will be used in key areas as an additional protective measure. Furthermore, medical centers will be equipped with COVID-19 testing and treatment capabilities. These health and safety protocols are subject to change as we continue to work closely with medical experts and government agencies to ensure practices evolve in accordance with the latest recommendations.
All details, including cruise fares and shore excursion information, are being finalized and will be announced in the coming weeks. Attractive airfares will be available from various domestic and international entry points through Holland America Line’s FlightEase program. Flexible cancellation policies, including our COVID-19 protections, are offered through Book with Confidence when booked by June 30, 2021, for sailings through December 31, 2021. The cruise line’s Cancellation Protection Plan also allows cancellations up to 24 hours in advance.
To accommodate the new sailings to Greece, guests sailing on round-trip Alaska cruises published by the Eurodam will be transferred to similar accommodations on the sister ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam, which is scheduled to sail on the same departure dates. In addition, European cruises departing from July 1 to 25 on the Volendam and from July 1 to August 31 on the Westerdam will be canceled. Guests with reservations on the affected cruises and their travel agents are being notified.
