Holland America Returns to Australia, New Zealand

Beginning this fall 2022, Holland America will offer cruises to and around Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia aboard Westerdam.

Currently, Westerdam has a full summer season of Alaska cruises, round-trip from Seattle. Holland America has changed the ship’s itinerary a bit, and added another week of a seven-night Alaska cruise with a September 25, 2022 departure. 

Holland America Westerdam Cruises to Australia and Beyond

With everything pointing to Australia and New Zealand reopening their cruise ship ports, Holland America decided to have Westerdam cruise from Alaska to the South Pacific, Australia and beyond. 

From Seattle, Westerdam will spend 36 days cruising through South Pacific Islands, as the ship heads to Australia’s southern and eastern regions, and the North and South islands of New Zealand.

The 36-day repositioning cruise to Australia departs Seattle Oct. 2 and arrives into Sydney Harbour on Nov. 8. 

Fourteen ports en route to Australia include the  islands of Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. Plus, three ports in Australia. 

“The pent-up demand for cruises to Australia and New Zealand led us to the decision that it would be valuable to have Westerdam sail these unique itineraries that include some uncommon ports for us,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. “We have the utmost optimism that the entire region will be back to cruising come fall, and our guests have been waiting two years to take their dream cruise.”

Beginning on Nov. 8, Westerdam now offers four cruises in Australia and New Zealand that range from 13 to 15 days. 

You can expect port-intensive itineraries so everyone can experience the varied culture, notable cuisine and famous wines from these two destinations.

Scenic cruising includes a day in Fiordland National Park with its snow-capped mountains and expansive fjords.

Westerdam’s New Australia Itineraries

• Nov. 8: 15 days – Roundtrip from Sydney. Ports include Port Chalmers (Dunedin), Lyttelton (Christchurch), Kaikoura, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga (Rotorua), Auckland and Waitangi, all in New Zealand, with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.
• Nov. 23: 13 days – Roundtrip from Sydney. Ports include Eden, Port Arthur, Hobart (overnight), Adelaide (overnight), Penneshaw, Melbourne and Phillip Island, all in Australia.
• Dec. 6: 14 days – Sydney to Auckland. Australian ports include Melbourne and Hobart; New Zealand ports include Port Chalmers (Dunedin), Lyttelton (Christchurch), Kaikoura, Wellington, Napier and Tauranga (Rotorua), with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.
• Dec. 20 Holiday Cruise: 14 days – Auckland to Sydney. Ports include Tauranga (Rotorua), Napier, Kaikoura, Lyttelton (Christchurch), Port Chalmers (Dunedin), Hobart and Melbourne, with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.
• Jan. 3: 16 days – Sydney to Singapore. Ports include Newcastle, Airlie Beach, Cairns and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, home to the infamous Komodo Dragon; and Lembar, Lombok, and Benoa, Bali, both in Indonesia. 
• Feb. 3: 11 days – Roundtrip Singapore. Ports include Phuket, Thailand (overnight); Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India; and the Malaysian ports of Porto Malai, Langkawi; Georgetown, Penang; Malacca and Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur).
• Feb. 14: 13 days – Roundtrip Singapore. Ports include Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Probolinggo, Surabaya and Semarang (Borobudur), on Java, in Indonesia; Komodo Island; Benoa and Celukan on Bali; ending with an overnight at Singapore.
• Feb. 27: 14 days – Singapore to Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan. Ports include Puerto Princesa, Boracay and Manila, Philippines; Kaohsiung and Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan; and Ishigaki, Naha and Kochi, Japan.

How Much Do the Australia and New Zealand Cruises Cost?

Australia and New Zealand cruise prices with the cruise line’s “Have It All” premium package rate begin at $1,848 per person, double occupancy for the 13-day sailing. 

The “Have It All” package  includes one shore excursion, a Signature Beverage Package, one night specialty dining and a Wi-Fi Surf Package. 

Without the inclusive package, rates begin at $1,329 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.

READ MORE:  Holland America’s Have It All Package Details

Westerdam Will Go into Drydock

In January, the ship departs from Sydney and heads to Singapore for drydock. This 16-day voyage includes two days of scenic cruising in Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef.

After the refurbishment, Westerdam will cruise two new departures in February before assuming its previously published itineraries in Asia.