Holland America Line (HAL) has just announced its first return to service since the pandemic paused operations. The brand’s Eurodam will set sail from Piraeus (Athens), Greece, beginning on Aug. 15, 2021. Four initial voyages will go on sale on May 6.
“Everyone at Holland America Line has been preparing for our return to service, and we are grateful to the government of Greece for allowing us to show that we can safely operate our cruises,” said Gus Antorcha, president of HAL, in a press release. “The beautiful islands of Greece have been a highlight of our Mediterranean itineraries for decades, and we are honored to be able to restart out of Athens and give our guests a memorable vacation after all this time without cruise travel.”
Available itineraries will consist of weeklong port collections conducive to back-to-back bookings, including Kotor, Montenegro; the Greek isles of Kekira (Corfu), Thira (Santorini) and Mykonos; as well as Haifa, Israel; and Nafplion, Mykonos and Rhodes in Greece. The fourth cruise from Piraeus to Venice, Italy, will call on Mykonos, Katakolon (Olympia) and Crete (Chania) in Greece, plus Sarande, Albania.
Additional fall sailings in the Mediterranean will soon be announced ahead of Eurodam’s return to the Caribbean by mid-November.
For itineraries departing from Greece, all guests will be required to show proof of a full COVID-19 vaccine received at least 14 days before boarding the cruise. For the time being, HAL’s Travel Well protocols will also be in place, including health screenings, the use of face masks, physical distancing and capacity restrictions.
As infection rates go down in different parts of the world, I suspect there will be changes just like there’ve been changes in the United States as we’ve made progress.
“Our intent is to vaccinate the entire crew,” added Antorcha, at a press conference. As to whether guests will be able to go onshore outside of sanctioned shore excursions will be a decision made in conjunction with local authorities. The same is true of further details, such as where exactly face coverings will be required.
“It may very well change as vaccinations increase,” he said. “As infection rates go down in different parts of the world, I suspect there will be changes just like there’ve been changes in the United States as we’ve made progress.”
The welcoming of children onboard is also dependent on how much changes between now and then.
Capacity wise, the very first sailing will be limited to about 50%, but that is planned to quickly ramp up to the mid to high 80s.
What’s more, the line’s new optional “Have It All” inclusive package, which extends to complimentary shore excursions, beverages, specialty dining and Wi-Fi access, will also be available on Eurodam cruises.
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