First Cruise Ship Set to Return to Canada After Two-Year Absence
by Dori Saltzman
Photo courtesy of Holland America Line
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam will be the first cruise ship to visit Canada after a more than two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic when it visits Victoria on April 9 and Vancouver on April 10.
“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 Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America.
Koningsdam’s call into Victoria marks 905 days since a cruise ship visited the port, and is a maiden call for the ship. To mark the occasion, Antorcha and local government officials will be on site in both Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate.
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 76 cruises begin or end in Vancouver. Koningsdam, for instance, will homeport in Vancouver for its Alaska season.
Caribbean Princess was supposed to be the first ship, with visits scheduled for Victoria and Vancouver on April 6 and 7, respectively. However, that sailing was canceled “in order to allow time to prepare for dry-dock operations.”
Holland America’s return to Canada’s East Coast begins in May when two ships will cruise between Boston and Quebec or Montreal.
