Cruising to and from Canada is “back” after more than a two-year prohibition. After Canada opened up for cruising once again, Holland America Line’s 2,650-passenger Koningsdam became the first cruise ship to visit a Canadian port since 2020 with a call at Victoria, BC, on Saturday. It had been 905 days since any cruise ship had called at Victoria. Saturday’s visit was a maiden port call for Koningsdam. The ship then sailed for Vancouver, BC, ending its voyage there on Sunday. Koningsdam will home port in Vancouver for the upcoming Alaska summer season.
Celebrating the Restart
Holland America and local government officials were present in both Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate the return of Canadian cruising. "We are thrilled to be the first cruise line back into Canada after such a long absence,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, who said it was “a great moment for everyone who loves to travel and for those in Canada and Alaska whose livelihoods depend on tourism.”
Trade reaction to the weekend’s Canadian restart was swift. “This is another very positive step in the cruise lines’ return to service rollout, said Steve Hirshan, senior vice president of sales, Avoya Travel Network. “Since Alaska cruises have always been a significant portion of our summer business, the Avoya Network can't help but be encouraged by Canada opening up to cruise ships.”
David Crooks, senior vice president of product and operations, World Travel Holdings, parent company of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, said the Canadian restart is exciting news not only for the trade but also for guests and those in Vancouver and Alaska that depend on tourism for their livelihood.
On the trade side, “we have seen tremendous demand for Alaska,” added Crooks. He believes the publicity from Holland America’s activities and the weekend events will help generate more Canadian demand.
In 2022, six Holland America Line ships will call at Victoria and Vancouver for the Alaska cruise season. In total, those ships will make 45 calls at Victoria and bring nearly 75,000 guests to the port.
In addition, 76 Holland America cruises will begin or end at Vancouver this year, welcoming approximately 140,000 guests.
While many lines will home port at Vancouver for the Alaska summer season once again, many including Holland America also plan to home port in Seattle, too.
“We have seen more demand for roundtrip Seattle sailings due to uncertainty around COVID testing requirements for sailings out of Canada,” Crooks noted. “However, there are attractive price points for Canada sailings versus Seattle, and the appeal of Vancouver and its particular itineraries combined with the publicity, should help generate more volume for these sailings."
Canadian Return
In total for 2022, Holland America Line will operate 141 cruises on eight ships in Canada. That will take more than 250,000 guests to Canadian ports on both coasts.
For Canada and New England cruising on the East Coast, two Holland America ships return in May and cruise between Boston, Massachusetts, and Quebec City or Montreal, Quebec. Nieuw Statendam and Zaandam will offer itineraries ranging from seven to 24 days to more than 12 Canadian ports.
For information on Holland America, visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Related Stories
Hurtigruten Expeditions Unveils 2023-24 Itineraries
Canada to Enforce Stricter Environmental Measures for Cruises