Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam has returned to service in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
It left on its first cruise since the industry-wide pause last year and is the fifth Holland America Line vessel to re-enter service, joining Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam.
To commemorate the occasion, Holland America Line held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the terminal to open embarkation.
Nieuw Statendam has set sail on a seven-day western Caribbean itinerary visiting Nassau, Bahamas; Ocho Rios and Port Royal, Jamaica; and Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas.
"It is another milestone in our return to service, with Nieuw Statendam starting operation just in time for Thanksgiving, and we have a lot to be thankful for this year that we’re getting back in the water," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.
Nieuw Statendam will spend November through April in the Caribbean on cruises ranging from seven to 11 days, all roundtrip from Port Everglades.
Guests looking for a longer getaway can embark on a Collectors’ Voyage — combined back-to-back itineraries.
Every Caribbean cruise includes a call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island.
Holland America Line has been homeporting from Port Everglades since the 1990s.
