Cruise & Cruise Line

Holland America Line Delays Return to Service for Three Ships

Image: Holland America Line's Noordam. (courtesy of Andy Newman/Holland America Line) (Andy Newman for Holland America Line)
Image: Holland America Line's Noordam. (courtesy of Andy Newman/Holland America Line) (Andy Newman for Holland America Line)
Theresa Norton
by Theresa Norton
Last updated: 4:59 PM ET, Wed September 8, 2021

Holland America Line delayed the return to service of three ships - Noordam, Oosterdam and Westerdam - which will now resume cruising in spring 2022 in Japan, the Mediterranean and Alaska, respectively.

The line expects to have its full fleet back in operation by late spring 2022.

Noordam will restart with a March 14, 2022, cruise in Japan, while Oosterdam will begin cruising May 1 in the Mediterranean, and Westerdam will return to service May 8 in Alaska.

Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam have all returned to service or are slated to restart by December 2021. Volendam and Zaandam will return in May 2022.

"We've been working intensely to get all of our ships back into service, and to have final restart dates that will complete the fleet is rewarding for everyone who has put their all into making this happen," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "Our progressive rollout plan allows us to be back in full service over the next several months, and we look forward to welcoming guests on all 11 ships cruising in different regions around the world."

Noordam is scheduled to offer three 14-day cruises that explore Japan. Sailing roundtrip from Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan, the ship will make several calls around the country with a one- or two-day visit on each itinerary to South Korea, Taiwan or Russia. The 14-day journeys can be combined to form 28-day Collectors' Voyages.

In April 2022, Noordam will cross the Pacific Ocean and sail a season in Alaska with cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska.

Oosterdam is scheduled to resume cruising May 1 and will spend the Mediterranean season cruising between Civitavecchia (Rome) and Venice, Italy; Barcelona and Venice; and roundtrip from Venice on seven- and 12-day itineraries. Oosterdam will explore ports in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia, Albania, France, Malta and Israel.

Following a transatlantic crossing in November 2022, the ship will transit the Panama Canal and head south for a series of South America and Antarctica expeditions ranging from 14 to 22 days between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and San Antonio (Santiago), Chile.

When Westerdam returns on May 8, the ship will operate seven-day Alaska cruises roundtrip from Seattle. Come September, the ship will cross the Pacific Ocean and begin a season in the Far East, offering a variety of 14-day itineraries from Singapore; Hong Kong, China; and Yokohama (Tokyo).

With these new restart dates for Noordam, Oosterdam and Westerdam, cruises in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and South America and Antarctica from January 2022 through the return-to-service departures will be cancelled.

Guests on Westerdam's cancelled transatlantic crossing departing April 18, 2022, will be moved to a comparable crossing on Nieuw Statendam departing April 17.

Guests on Noordam's affected Asia departures in 2022 will be moved to the same itinerary in 2023 aboard Westerdam. Guests on Oosterdam's cancelled Australia and New Zealand voyages will be moved to the same itinerary in 2023 aboard Noordam. And guests on Westerdam's cancelled South America and Antarctica voyages will be moved to the same itinerary aboard Oosterdam in 2023. Guests can also choose to receive a 100 percent refund.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...
Upcoming Webinar
Asia Travel That SellsWednesday, July 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for an in depth webinar on Asia travel. Explore...
Upcoming Webinar
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...
Upcoming Webinar
Sani/Ikos Group: Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Greece & SpainTuesday, July 28, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive webinar introducing Sani/Ikos Group, a collection of luxury beachfront...
Upcoming Webinar
Asia Travel That SellsWednesday, July 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for an in depth webinar on Asia travel. Explore...
Upcoming Webinar
Close to Home, Big Opportunity: Selling Today's Domestic Travel TrendsThursday, July 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for a webinar exploring the growing demand for...