After a two-and-a-half-year absence, Holland America is preparing to return to Japan. Following the November 15th announcement that Japan would be re-opening for cruises, the brand is preparing the Westerdam for a series of 2023 itineraries highlighting Japan’s culture, traditions, cities, shrines, temples, and history.
Holland America president, Gus Antorcha, praised Japanese authorities for safely re-opening the nation to tourists and reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to its guests. Holland America Line has been looking forward to this day since the suspension of cruising related to the Covid 19 pandemic.
HAL Westerdam is currently finishing its Australia and New Zealand season. Following a brief drydock in Singapore, she will reposition to Japan for the Asia season beginning February 3rd, 2023. Each itinerary will highlight cultures and histories that have endured for thousands of years.
HAL Westerdam will sail 11 to 14-night itineraries between Yokohama, Japan, and Singapore. The itineraries can be cruised separately, but they are also designed to combine to create Collectors Voyages with non-repeating ports.
Westerdam will visit Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia during the season. There will be a total of five itineraries, including “Indonesian Discovery,” “Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines,” “Japan Explorer,” “Japan Discovery,” and “Southern Japan.” She will overnight in Kobe, Osaka, Japan, Singapore, and Phuket, Thailand. The final itinerary of the season sees Westerdam repositioning with a 14 -day “North Pacific Crossing” from Yokohama, Japan, to Seattle, Washington.
Holland America Line is committed to the safety of its guests and will update healthy sailing protocols prior to each departure.
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