MS Westerdam

MS Westerdam is a Vista-class cruise ship operated by Holland America Line, a cruise brand within Carnival Corporation & plc. She is the third Vista-class vessel operated by Holland America Line and the third ship in the company's history to carry the name Westerdam. The name combines the English and Dutch word for west with the Dutch suffix “-dam,” a naming element traditionally used throughout Holland America Line's fleet. The ship entered service in the early 2000s and was christened in Venice, Italy, on 25 April 2004 by Dutch actress Renée Soutendijk. Her design reflects the Vista-class emphasis on balcony accommodation, broad public spaces, contemporary entertainment, and flexible deployment across international cruise markets. The vessel uses a combined diesel-and-gas power plant and Azipod propulsion, a configuration intended to provide maneuverability and efficient operation for a large passenger ship. Westerdam's interior identity is strongly connected to Dutch maritime history and the Netherlands' historical relationship with the New World. Its art collection includes representations of historic Dutch ships, including Henry Hudson's Halve Maen, together with sculptures and statues. Contemporary works attributed to the ship's collection include an original Andy Warhol portrait and sculptures by Arizona artist Susanna Holt. These elements support Holland America Line's broader positioning around maritime heritage, destination-focused travel, and a more traditional premium cruise atmosphere. In April 2007, the ship underwent a refit that added 34 cabins and modified several public areas. Her operating history has included both routine international cruising and several widely reported incidents. In May 2011, she struck ice while maneuvering through Yakutat Bay in British Columbia and sustained damage below the waterline. In June 2014, a boiler-room fire occurred after the ship departed Seattle; the vessel returned to port, and no injuries were reported. In June 2015, a sightseeing aircraft carrying passengers from Westerdam crashed in southeastern Alaska, killing the pilot and all eight passengers. Westerdam also became part of the early international cruise-industry disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. After departing Hong Kong in February 2020, the ship was refused permission to call at several ports because of concern about possible coronavirus transmission. After further uncertainty over access to Thailand, she was permitted to dock at Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on 13 February. A passenger who had disembarked and traveled to Malaysia subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, although later testing of the ship's passengers was reported as negative. The final passengers were cleared to leave the ship on 19 February, while crew members remained aboard pending further arrangements. Westerdam remains a named vessel and cruise product of Holland America Line. Her principal offering is the onboard cruise experience rather than a separately marketed consumer-goods product: multi-day itineraries, accommodation, dining, entertainment, shore excursions, and destination-based travel. As with other Holland America Line ships, her identity combines an established Dutch maritime theme with the commercial requirements of a global cruise operator.

MS Westerdam is the third vessel to use Holland America Line's Westerdam name. The first Westerdam was a combined cargo-and-passenger ship that operated from 1946 to 1965. Construction of that vessel was repeatedly interrupted during the Second World War: it was sunk in Rotterdam in 1942, raised by German forces, sunk again by Dutch resistance forces in 1944, raised a second time, and sunk once more in January 1945. After the war it was completed and placed on Holland America Line's transatlantic service between Rotterdam and New York. The ship carried 143 first-class passengers and was sold for scrap in Spain in 1965. The second Westerdam began life as Homeric for Home Lines in 1986. Holland America Line acquired the ship in 1988 and lengthened it by approximately 130 feet in 1989. After more than 13 years and 643 cruises with Holland America Line, the vessel was transferred to sister company Costa Crociere in 2002 and renamed Costa Europa. It was later leased to Thomson Cruises and operated as Thomson Dream. The current Westerdam is a Vista-class ship launched in 2003 and christened in Venice on 25 April 2004 by Dutch actress Renée Soutendijk. The vessel was designed with a CODAG propulsion plant and Azipod drives. Her sister ships in Holland America Line's Vista class are Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, and Noordam. The ship's decorative program focuses on Dutch heritage in the New World, with historical ship imagery, sculptures, statues, and modern works including an Andy Warhol portrait and works by Susanna Holt. A significant early modification took place in April 2007, when a refit added 34 cabins and changed several public areas. The ship subsequently continued international cruise operations, including Alaska, Pacific, and Asian itineraries. Her career has also included several operational and safety incidents. In May 2011, she struck ice while navigating Yakutat Bay and suffered hull damage below the waterline. In June 2014, a boiler-room fire after departure from Seattle caused the ship to return to port; no injuries were reported and the Coast Guard cleared her to sail again the following day. In June 2015, a sightseeing aircraft carrying passengers from a Holland America Line excursion associated with Westerdam crashed into a granite cliff near Ella Lake, northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. The pilot and eight passengers were killed. The incident involved the excursion aircraft rather than a collision or onboard casualty involving the ship itself. Westerdam attracted international attention during the early COVID-19 crisis in February 2020. After a Hong Kong stop, ports in the Philippines, Japan, Guam, and Thailand declined to receive the ship because of concern over possible infection. Cambodia eventually authorized a call at Sihanoukville on 13 February. A passenger who left the ship and flew to Malaysia was reported to have tested positive, prompting additional concern about the vessel's movements and passenger dispersal. Later testing associated with the remaining passengers was reported as negative, and the final 233 passengers were cleared to disembark on 19 February. Crew members remained aboard temporarily while arrangements were completed. The ship continues to represent Holland America Line's combination of Dutch maritime heritage, premium cruising, and global destination itineraries. Its identity is tied to the vessel itself and to the operating brand rather than to a standalone corporate company.

• 2020

  Cambodian docking during COVID-19 disruption

  [1]MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org

  After multiple ports refused to receive the ship, Westerdam was allowed to dock at Sihanoukville during the early COVID-19 outbreak.

• 2015

  Alaska excursion aircraft crash

  [1]MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org

  An aircraft carrying eight passengers from a Westerdam-related sightseeing excursion crashed near Ketchikan, killing all nine people aboard.

• 2014

  Boiler-room fire

  [1]MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org

  A boiler-room fire after departure from Seattle led the ship to return to port; no injuries were reported.

• 2011

  Ice contact in Yakutat Bay

  [1]MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org

  The ship struck ice while maneuvering through Yakutat Bay and sustained hull damage below the waterline.

• 2007

  Major refit

  [1]MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org

  A refit added 34 cabins and modified several public areas.

• 2004

  Venice christening

  [1]MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org

  Westerdam was christened in Venice, Italy, on 25 April by Dutch actress Renée Soutendijk.

• 2003

  Current Westerdam launched

  [1]MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org

  The current Vista-class Westerdam was launched and prepared for service with Holland America Line.

A premium, heritage-oriented cruise experience centered on Dutch maritime identity, destination travel, onboard culture, and international itineraries.

• Cruise travel · 2003

  MS Westerdam cruise vacations

  Westerdam's primary commercial offering is the cruise vacation: a packaged travel experience combining transportation between destinations, accommodation, dining, entertainment, onboard activities, and optional shore excursions. The ship operates across international markets and can be deployed on seasonal itineraries in regions such as Alaska, the Pacific, and Asia.

• Hospitality and entertainment · 2004

  Westerdam onboard experience

  The onboard proposition includes passenger cabins, public lounges, restaurants, entertainment venues, enrichment activities, and destination-related services. Its design and decoration emphasize Holland America Line's Dutch maritime heritage, including historical ship imagery and a collection of modern and traditional artworks.

• 2020

  Port-access and passenger-disembarkation response during COVID-19Other

  Background

  Westerdam encountered repeated refusals from ports after a Hong Kong call because authorities were concerned about possible coronavirus transmission aboard cruise ships.

  Action taken

  Holland America Line continued seeking a safe port of call and ultimately arranged for the ship to dock at Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Passenger testing and controlled disembarkation followed.

  Aftermath

  A passenger who traveled onward to Malaysia tested positive, generating further scrutiny. Testing later reported for the ship's passengers was negative, and the remaining passengers were eventually cleared to leave.

  Source

1. 1MS Westerdamen.wikipedia.org
2. 2MS Westerdam official ship pagehollandamerica.com