On Dec. 23, Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam cruise vessel returned to service from the Port of San Diego, becoming the second Holland America ship to resume service in the city since the industry-wide pause due to COVID-19.
Zuiderdam joins Koningsdam, which resumed San Diego service on Oct. 10. Holland America Line now has six ships cruising again in the Caribbean, Mexico and along the Pacific Coast of the U.S.
“San Diego is an important homeport for us, and we are excited to have two ships back in full-time operation here,” Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha said. “We are proud to be part of the San Diego community, which has continued to show us tremendous support throughout our restart.”
Zuiderdam’s first return voyage was a 10-day “Mexico and Sea of Cortez” cruise, followed by Panama Canal departures and a 35-day South Pacific sojourn and Pacific cruise. Koningsdam sails a series of seven-day cruises to the California coast or Mexico and two longer Hawaii voyages that run through April 3, 2022.
Zuiderdam, which was first launched in December 2001, is an 81,769 gross-ton vessel with a length of 291 meters (954 feet, nine inches) and a beam of 32 meters (105 feet). Constructed by Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, it can carry a maximum of 2,272 passengers and a crew of 842.
Koningsdam, which was completed in March 2016, is a 99,863 gross-ton vessel with a length of 299.65 meters (983.1 feet) and a beam of 35 meters (115 feet). Also constructed by Fincantieri, it can carry a maximum of 4,173 maximum passengers and crew.
When calling at San Diego, both ships connect to shore power, thereby reducing their carbon footprint.
On Dec. 19, while anchored at San Diego’s B Street Pier & Cruise Terminal, Zuiderdam took part in the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights by hanging an illuminated “Ho Ho Ho” on the ship’s side.
Holland America has been homeporting from the Port of San Diego since the 1990s. Operationally, each ship visit directly contributes $364,000 to the local economy in provisioning (fuel, food, supplies), port taxes and spending, according to the cruise line.
For the upcoming 2021-22 season, the cruise line is expected to bring more than 81,000 guests to the city, resulting in more than $35 million in direct spending, according to Holland America.
Two other Holland America cruise ships, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, are scheduled to make one call each at San Diego this spring.