Coronavirus Travel Advisory

Seattle, Wash., Feb. 17, 2020 (8:05 AM PST)  — Out of an abundance of caution, Holland America Line has decided to cancel the February 29 cruise of Westerdam. The ship was due to depart Yokohama for a 14-day round trip cruise visiting mostly Japanese ports. Given the fluidity of changing restrictions in the region we are not confident we would be able to deliver the cruise experience our guests expect and that we strive to deliver. All guests will receive a full refund, a 50% future cruise credit and reimbursement of cancellation fees. Booked guests and their travel advisors have been notified. 

No cancellations for cruises with departure dates March 14 and beyond have been announced at this time. However, we are assessing future cruise itineraries and will communicate details as soon as plans are finalized.

Guests on impacted cruises or their travel advisors may call the appropriate office with questions at:

Seattle Office (USD/CAD currency):
1-800-577-1729 or 206-626-7385
Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 5:00pm PT

Rotterdam Office (EUR currency):
00800 1873 1873
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm

Southampton Office (GBP currency):
0344 338 8605. Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm

Sydney Office (AUD currency):
1300 987 321
Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 7:00pm

For family members of guests currently on board Westerdam with questions may call:
1-877-425-2231
1-206-626-7398

Also, please refer to our Guest Health Advisory Letter (PDF).

WHAT WE ARE DOING TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF OUR GUESTS

We are closely monitoring the evolving situation with respect to coronavirus that originated in mainland China and our medical experts are coordinating closely with global health authorities to implement enhanced screening, prevention and control measures for our ships globally.

Measures we are implementing include:

  • Guests who have traveled from or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau, or had contact with a suspected or confirmed case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or a person who is under monitoring for coronavirus in the last 14 days prior to sailing will not be permitted to board the ship.
    • Shipboard staff will be scanning guest passports to verify transit through any of the prohibited areas. Given the serious nature of these circumstances, false responses on pre-boarding documents will result in immediate grounds for disembarkation at the next opportunity. Guests who do not disclose travel through prohibited areas in Asia may also face additional legal consequences.
  • Pre-Boarding medical evaluations, including temperature checks, for persons whom, for any reason, appear or identify as symptomatic (respiratory or fever symptoms); and
  • For all guests, our standard pre-boarding health reporting advising of their reporting obligations for any illness or symptoms of an illness.
  • Medical screening for Coronavirus on all guests who visit our onboard Medical Center with symptoms of any respiratory illness.
  • Reporting to local and national health authorities of all cases of fever and respiratory illness, and any patients with suspected Coronavirus infection.
  • Crew members from mainland China will be delayed from joining any ship until further notice. Crew members from other regions of the world who may have been scheduled to connect on flights through China have been rerouted.
  • Additional environmental disinfection onboard will be performed in addition to our regular stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols.

    • The above is subject to change at any time based on the interests of health and safety of our guests and crew as well as any other requirements that may be imposed by local authorities.

    Also, please refer to our Guest Health Advisory Letter (PDF).

    Coronavirus information can be found at:
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    U.S. CDC Travel Warning for China, Level 3, Avoid Non-Essential Travel
    https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china

    U.S. CDC Travel Advisory for Hong Kong, Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions
    https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/hong-kong-sar

    Last update 8:05 AM PST 02-17-2020