Holland America Line's Westerdam returned to service on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the Port of Seattle in Washington, marking the last ship in the fleet to resume operations. The Westerdam embarked guests for a seven-day round-trip Alaska Explorer cruise from Seattle that will take them to Alaska through the end of September.
To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a ceremony at the terminal attended by the ship's captain and senior officers, with flags and crew members lined up to welcome guests as they boarded. Three guests cut a ribbon to officially open embarkation, and Captain Wouter van Hoogdalem placed the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle bearing the word "Westerdam" to signify the completion of the cruise line's return to service.
“Today is a very emotional day that has been more than a year in the making, and the Westerdam is the final piece of the puzzle that completes our fleet of ships in service,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We are thrilled to welcome guests and overwhelmed by what today means for our company.”
After its season in Alaska, the Westerdam will embark on an epic 36-day "South Pacific Crossing" repositioning from Seattle to Sydney, Australia.
Throughout the voyage, the ship will make 17 stops at some of the world's most beautiful islands and tropical destinations. The Westerdam will then offer a season of round-trip itineraries from Sydney to the North and South Islands of New Zealand, along with southern Australia. In December 2022, the ship will sail up the east coast of the continent to Singapore, passing by the Great Barrier Reef. In early 2023, the Westerdam offers cruises to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, China, and the Philippines before crossing back to North America for another season in Alaska.
Since Holland America Line resumed its cruises in July 2021, the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Zaandam, and Zuiderdam have returned to service with cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, the California coast, and the South Pacific. The Volendam is currently chartered by the Dutch government, hosting Ukrainian families, and will sail Mediterranean voyages from Italy beginning in September.
