Holland America Line's Volendam will be used to house Ukrainian refugees as part of an agreement announced by Dutch government officials and the city of Rotterdam. The ship will be docked in Rotterdam for three months to provide temporary housing for approximately 1,500 Ukrainians, as part of a larger commitment by the Netherlands to host 50,000 people who have fled the war in their country.
“We are uniquely positioned to address the immediate need for food and shelter, so it felt very important to partner with the city of Rotterdam and charter this ship,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Our company was founded in Rotterdam around the mission of helping migrants find a better life. So today we are proud to be a small part of a similar mission for the Ukrainians who have been tragically displaced.”
Holland America Line will provide three hot meals a day, accommodations in private cabins, housekeeping services, use of public spaces, fitness facilities, internet access, and other amenities. The Volendam will have a crew of approximately 650.
“We are known for our service and hospitality, and our team is ready to welcome our new guests as we would our own home,” said Captain Ryan Whitaker. “It will be a true honor for us to make the Volendam a comfortable and caring environment for these families who have been through so much.”.
The Volendam was scheduled to return to service on May 15, with voyages from Rotterdam to Norway, the British Isles, and Iceland. To accommodate the three-month commitment, Holland America Line will cancel three of those voyages and resume service on July 3 instead. Guests on the canceled cruises are being notified and will be accommodated on similar itineraries.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience this will cause to guests with reservations on the three canceled cruises,” said Antorcha. “We hope they understand the unprecedented nature of this situation and why we felt it was important to work with the government on this initiative to support these families in need.”.
The Volendam will be docked at Merwehaven, a cargo port located on the north bank of the Maas River in Rotterdam. Its continued docking will ensure that Ukrainian families can easily travel to and from Rotterdam's services.
Holland America Group has already been working with members of its own team who are Ukrainian. A $1 million emergency relief fund provides direct financial support.
