Holland America Line's full 11-ship fleet back in service

Westerdam will operate Alaska cruises through September.

Since HAL began its comeback in July 2021, 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 South Pacific.

Volendam housing Ukrainians

Volendam currently is on charter by the Netherlands, accommodating Ukrainian families in Rotterdam, and is due to sail Mediterranean voyages from Italy starting in September.

For Westerdam's resumptiom, a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the terminal was attended by Capt. Wouter van Hoogdalem and senior officers, with flag-waving fanfare from crew. Three passengers cut a ribbon to open embarkation, and the captain placed the final piece of a puzzle with 'Westerdam' on it to signify HAL's completed return to service.

'Emotional day'

'Today is an emotional day that's been more than a year in the making, and Westerdam is the final puzzle piece to make our fleet of ships in service complete,' HAL President Gus Antorcha said. 'Every ribbon cutting has brought us one step closer to today, and everyone in the Holland America Line family worked with passion and determination to achieve this milestone.'

After Alaska, Westerdam bound for Australia, then Asia

Following its Alaska season, Westerdam will embark on a 36-day South Pacific crossing, repositioning from Seattle to Sydney, Australia. The ship will then sail a season of round-trips from Sydney to the north and south islands of New Zealand, along with southern Australia.

In December Westerdam will reposition to Singapore via a cruise along the Great Barrier Reef. In early 2023, the ship is planned to operate sailings to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, China and the Philippines before crossing back to North America for another Alaska season.