Holland America Line will be the first cruise company to return to Canadian cruising after a more than two-year hiatus in the industry due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Koningsdam will call at Victoria, British Columbia, on Saturday, April 9, restarting the cruise industry in Canada. The next day, the ship will end its current seven-day cruise in the port of Vancouver, her home port for the Alaskan summer season.
“We are thrilled to be the first cruise line to return to Canada after such a long absence, and we look forward to celebrating a great time for everyone who loves to travel and for those in Canada and Alaska whose livelihood depends on tourism,” said Gus Torch. , president of Holland America Line. “Holland America Line has a strong cruise program exploring Canadian ports on both coasts with itineraries to Alaska, Hawaii, ocean liners, and Canada and New England.”
Koningsdam’s call in Victoria marks 905 days since a cruise ship has visited the port, and will also be a maiden call for the ship. To mark the milestones, Torch and local government officials will be on hand in both Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate the return to Canadian cruising and address the importance of Canada and Alaska to Holland America Line.
In 2022, six Holland America Line ships will call at Victoria and Vancouver for the Alaska cruise season. In total, the six ships will make 45 calls in Victoria and bring nearly 75,000 guests to the port, and 76 cruises start or end in Vancouver, welcoming approximately 140,000 guests.
As for Canada and New England cruises on the East Coast, two ships return in May and cruise between Boston, Massachusetts, and Quebec City or Montreal, Quebec. The Nieuw Statendam and the Zaandam offer seven- to 24-day itineraries to more than 12 Canadian ports.
In total by 2022, Holland America Line operates 141 cruises on eight ships in Canada with more than 250,000 guests visiting both coasts.
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