Due to uncertainty around reopening of Asian ports, Holland America
Line (HAL) has cancelled 11 sailings scheduled to happen in Asia, and
will reposition the Westerdam to Australia and New Zealand instead.
The cancelled sailings were to depart between 25 September 2022 and 27 February 2023.
"We're sorry for the inconvenience for guests scheduled on these
sailings, but we felt it was important to make this decision given the
current uncertainties around access in the ports we visit in Asia," said
Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line.
Depending on the specific sailing that was originally scheduled,
cruisers will be automatically rebooked on another comparable Asia
voyage either later this year or the next.
They can also choose to switch to a sailing in Australia, New
Zealand, South America, or Asia from fall 2022 through spring 2023,
including the new sailings on Westerdam, and will receive $200 onboard
credits.
When Westerdam returns to service on 12 June in Seattle, Washington,
US, it will mark the complete resumption of HAL’s full fleet of ships.
From its Seattle homeport, Westerdam will sail seven-day “Alaskan
Explorer” cruises round-trip during this summer.
After its Alaska season, Westerdam will be deployed to Australia and
New Zealand in the fall, with some Southeast Asian ports added on during
the winter. Eventually, Westerdam will resume full Asia cruises from
February 2023.
Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises had earlier announced
cancelling Asia sailings. The Sapphire Princess was repositioned to Los
Angeles for the summer instead of Hong Kong and Australia, and the
Celebrity Solstice replaced its 2022-23 Asia sailings with voyages in
the Mexican Riviera.