Spread the love

Our friends at Cruise Industry news have reported that Holland America Line is preparing for a gradual restart in the USA and is said to be moving six cruise ships toward the US citing positive signs and a new conversation around the return to service.

The news came in a letter sent to crew from President Gus Antorcha, reported by Crew Center and also obtained by Cruise Industry News, which said, “Following in-depth discussions with the CDC, other government agencies, and medical and science authorities, we have decided to start moving six Holland America Line ships toward U. waters over the next several weeks to begin completing the requirements for conditional sailing.”

Antorcha said in the letter sent to crew that the ships heading to US waters are the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam, and Noordam, but Holland America did not specify port information but the line has traditionally had a strong presence in the winter from Port Everglades and Tampa, which would pull from a large drive-to market.

The letter also said, “While there is still much to be done, this is an important first step toward our goal of resuming cruise operation,” adding, “Holland America Line will continue to work with the CDC on our eventual return to guest cruise operations,” and “We are fully aligned with the CDC on our top priorities for compliance, protecting the environment, and the health, safety, and well-being of our guests, the people in communities we touch, our crew, and shoreside employees.”

Great news and hopefully many more to come and also hopefully, maybe some news of ships heading to Australia!

A report by John Alwyn-Jones