Dignitaries from Ukraine, the Netherlands and Canada join in dedicating remembrance on board Holland America Line’s Volendam

During the ship’s inaugural call to Montreal this weekend, Holland America Line’s team on board Volendam joined dignitaries from three countries to unveil an exhibit commemorating the 2022 charter by the City of Rotterdam during which Volendam hosted more than 1,200 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. 

In the spring of that year, the government of the Netherlands committed to accommodating up to 50,000 people escaping the war. Volendam was in a unique position to begin providing food and housing, and so Holland America Line was able to work with the City of Rotterdam when it asked to charter the ship as a temporary home. The company’s historic ties to the city, and its early role in helping people find a better life in places beyond their homeland, made it a natural fit to play a small part in helping people who found themselves in a tragic situation. 

On Saturday in Montreal, Holland America Line was joined by Ukrainian Honorary Consul General M Eugene Czolij, Dutch Honorary Consul General Michael Polak, and Port of Montreal CEO Julie Gascon to unveil a commemoration that included art from Ukrainian families created during their time on the ship. It is positioned near the Lido Pool, in an area where the children who were on board attended art classes. The ship will also carry a book created to highlight photos, art and remembrances from the temporary residents.

“This was a mission our team took very seriously. We tried to make it feel as much like home as possible during such a difficult time. Our crew will always remember this time, and now as guests join Volendam, they can learn about it too,” said Captain Rens Van Eeerten.

The port also honored Volendam as the first ship to call in Montreal this year. The ship will carry guests on 7-day cruises from Montreal to Boston or Boston to Montreal with visits to destinations including Quebec City, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia.