Holland America Line is chartering the Volendam for Ukrainian refugees: Travel Weekly
Holland America Line’s Volendam will be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees during the next three months while the ship is docked in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.
As a result, the Volendam will no longer return to service on May 15. To accommodate the three-month commitment, Holland America Line canceled three cruises from Rotterdam and pushed back the Volendam’s restart to July 3. HAL said guests will be re-accommodated on similar itineraries.
The Volendam will be a temporary home for approximately 1,500 Ukrainians, part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 people who have fled the war in Ukraine.
- Related: Micky Arison’s foundation donates $3 million to Ukrainian refugees
Under a charter agreement with the city of Rotterdam, HAL said it will provide three hot meals per day, private stateroom accommodations, housekeeping services, use of public spaces, fitness facilities and internet access. The Volendam will be staffed with approximately 650 crew members.
“We are in a unique position to accommodate the immediate need for food and housing, so we felt it was very important to work 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 immigrants find a better life. So today we’re proud to be a small part of a similar mission for Ukrainians who have tragically been displaced.”
The Volendam will be docked at Merwehaven, a cargo port on the north side of the Maas River in Rotterdam.
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