Citing continued uncertainty around Asian ports, Holland America Line will reposition the Westerdam to Australia and New Zealand this fall, canceling the ship’s planned cruises to Asia.

The change impacts 11 sailings scheduled between Sept. 25 and Feb. 27, 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.

The Westerdam is the latest ship to change course due to the continued closure of Asian countries.

Celebrity Cruises earlier this month canceled its Asia sailing season on the Celebrity Solstice, citing uncertainty over port access. Princess Cruises redeployed the Diamond Princess to San Diego from Singapore and Japan.

The Westerdam will resume full Asia cruises in February 2023. The ship returns to service on June 12 in Seattle, completing the restart of Holland America ships from the pandemic pause. The ship will sail seven-day roundtrip Alaska cruises.

The Westerdam is one of six ships cruising Alaska for HAL this summer.

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