Holland America Line’s Australia return continues with the arrival of Westerdam at Sydney. The arrival marks the first cruise visit for Holland America Line in more than two-and-a-half years.
Following a 36-day Pacific Ocean cruise, with calls in Hawaii and the South Pacific, and her arrival in Cairns on November 3, Holland America Line‘s Westerdam has arrived in Sydney, Australia.
Westerdam is the first ship from the cruise line to visit the city since the industry pause more than two years ago. Westerdam will begin a series of Australia and New Zealand cruises.
“We are excited to be sailing again Down Under to provide an immersive, premium cruise experience for guests from around the world,” said Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line. “Our return to cruise operations in the region also means a positive boost to the local economy with tour and hotel activities, provisioning and port operations.”
Westerdam will homeport out of Sydney for part of the 2022-23 Australian and New Zealand wave season. Guests who want to explore the southern regions of the continent and New Zealand can embark on a cruise aboard Westerdam through early January, with 13- and 14-day voyages. A special Holiday Cruise departs December 20 and spends Christmas and New Year’s in some of the most beautiful ports around New Zealand.
Westerdam will be joined in Australia by Noordam, which offers Holland America Line’s incredible Australia Circumnavigation. The ship will circle the continent on a 35-day voyage, with 14 calls around Australia, overnights at Fremantle (Perth) and Melbourne, and memorable scenic cruising in the famed Great Barrier Reef. The ship then sails between Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand, or roundtrip from Sydney on 12- to 16-day cruises that explore New Zealand.
This will be Westerdam’s first season in Australia and New Zealand, and the first time since 2016 that Holland America Line has positioned two ships cruising simultaneously around the region.
For travelers who want to head to Australia from a convenient North America homeport without the need for international air or a quick flight from Canada, the 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage is back in 2024. The 94-day journey that’s been more than 10 years in the making departs Jan. 3, 2024, aboard Volendam, sailing roundtrip from San Diego, California.