SEATTLE — After more than two years, cruising has at long last returned to Canadian waters.
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam is scheduled to call at Victoria, British Columbia tomorrow, April 9, and Vancouver on April 10, making it the first cruise line to return to Canada following an industry-wide pause due to the global pandemic. Canada’s cruise ship ban, which was first implemented in March 2020, was lifted three months early on Nov. 1, 2021.
Koningsdam’s call at Victoria will mark 905 days since a cruise ship has visited the port, and it will also be a maiden call for the ship. To mark both milestones, Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, will be joined by local government officials in Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate cruising’s restart in Canada.
“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,” said Antorcha. “Holland America Line has a robust schedule of cruises that explore Canadian ports on both coasts with Alaska, Hawaii, transatlantic and Canada and New England itineraries.”
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 at Victoria and bring nearly 75,000 guests to the port, and 76 cruises begin or end at Vancouver, welcoming approximately 140,000 guests.
For Canada and New England cruising on the East Coast, two ships return in May and cruise between Boston and Quebec City, or Montreal. Nieuw Statendam and Zaandam offer itineraries ranging from 7-24 days to more than 12 Canadian ports.
In total for 2022, Holland America Line operates 141 cruises on eight ships in Canada, with more than 250,000 guests visiting both coasts.
