Koningsdam will call at Victoria, BC, Saturday. The following day the ship will end its current seven-day cruise at Vancouver, its homeport for the summer Alaska season.
Koningsdam
Thrilled to be back
'We are thrilled to be the first cruise line back into Canada after such a long absence, and we look forward to celebrating a great moment for everyone who loves to travel and for those in Canada and Alaska whose livelihoods depend on tourism,' Holland America President Antorcha said. 'Holland America Line has a robust schedule of cruises that explore Canadian ports on both coasts with Alaska, Hawaii, trans-Atlantic and Canada and New England itineraries.'
Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association, acknowledged the support of British Columbia Premier John Horgan and provincial transportation, tourism and health officials, as well as Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra and his team, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Border Services Agency.
'They’ve all worked tirelessly with cruise lines, ports and community partners to facilitate a responsible return of cruise tourism to Canada. We can now get on with rebuilding the 17,000 jobs in British Columbia and $2.7 billion in economic activity that cruise generate prior to 2020,' Craighead said.
Vaccination and testing
Under Transport Canada requirements, cruise passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and test negative before embarking their ship.
905 days since last cruise ship called Victoria
Koningsdam’s call at Victoria marks 905 days since a cruise ship has visited the port, and it also will be a maiden call. To mark the milestones, Antorcha and local government officials will be on hand in both Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate the return to Canadian cruising and address the importance Canada and Alaska to Holland America Line.
Vancouver event Sunday
The Port of Vancouver event is expected to feature officials including Antorcha, Transport Minister Alghabra, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sports Melanie Mark, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority President and CEO Robin Silvester and others.
'We’re delighted to welcome cruise back to the Port of Vancouver after what has been a long two years,' Silvester said. New lines in Vancovuer this season include Aurora Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, Scenic and American Queen Voyages.
Besides Koningsdam, maiden calls include Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess, National Geographic Orion, Norwegian Spirit, Ocean Victory, Quantum of the Seas, Scenic Eclipse, Silver Whisper, Star Breeze and Zenith
In 2022, six Holland America Line ships will visit Victoria and Vancouver for the Alaska cruise season. In total, they will make 45 calls at Victoria and bring nearly 75,000 passengers, and 76 cruises begin or end at Vancouver, carrying approximately 140,000 passengers.
Canada/New England cruises
For Canada/New England cruising on the East Coast, two ships return in May and cruise between Boston and Québec City or Montréal. Nieuw Statendam and Zaandam offer itineraries ranging from seven to 24 days to more than 12 Canadian ports.
In total for 2022, Holland America operates 141 cruises on eight ships in Canada with more than 250,000 passengers expected to visit both coasts.
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