Holland America Line unveils expanded restart plan
Holland America Line plans to launch its newest ship, the Rotterdam, in the Caribbean in November, and has expanded its relaunch plans to San Diego and Fort Lauderdale.
Four ships are in place to sail Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale beginning Oct. 23, including the Rotterdam, entering service on Nov. 3. Also restarting operations in the Caribbean will be the Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam and Nieuw Statendam from late October through November and on cruises ranging in length from four to 14 days. Calls will include Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island.
The Koningsdam and Zuiderdam will both launch cruises to Mexico, Hawaii and the California coast from the Port of San Diego starting in September, where they will offer 40 cruises through April 2022.
The cruise lines already released plans this summer for the Eurodam to launch in Europe and the Nieuw Amsterdam on Alaska sailings.
Holland America president Gus Antorcha said in a statement that vaccines would be required on all cruises.
“Cruising is back, and having vaccinated ships for these cruises in 2021 ensures that we can deliver the experience just how our guests remember and expect,” he said. “We’re ready to cruise.”
As such, dining will be available in all restaurants and specialty venues, as well as room service. Entertainment will be offered in the main show lounge, with live music and dancing featured in Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room.
The Rotterdam, launching Nov. 3 from Port Everglades, will spend its maiden season in the Caribbean offering 22 cruises ranging from three to 11 days covering a wide offering of Caribbean ports, Holland America said.
That ship will be joined in Fort Lauderdale by the Nieuw Amsterdam, offering seven-day eastern, western and southern Caribbean cruises starting Oct. 23.; the Eurodam, which will include 10- and 11-day Panama Canal cruises when it launches Nov. 14; and the Nieuw Statendam, sailing Nov. 21 on eastern, western and southern Caribbean cruises ranging from seven to 11 days.
The Zuiderdam will launch from San Diego on Sept. 18, followed by the Koningsdam on Oct. 10. Both ships will sail cruises from San Diego to Mexico, the California coast and Hawaii, while the Zuiderdam also will offer two Panama Canal sailings.
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