Even as fleets continue to return to operations, COVID-19 hasn't fully released its grip on the cruise industry. At least one ship has a mask mandate.
The Holland America Line's Rotterdam VII left Amsterdam on May 29 for its maiden voyage. The company's first-ever voyage left in October 150 years ago, and the naming ceremony will take place the following day in the city of Rotterdam.
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When passengers boarded the ship in Amsterdam, they were told that masks are required at all times indoors, except when eating or drinking, and in large groups outdoors. On shore tours, masks are highly recommended when indoors, on public transportation, and in crowded areas.
The guests and crew members were all found to have positive cases of Covid-19. Guests will be required to wear face masks indoors except when eating or drinking or in their own staterooms, out of an abundance of caution.
Each room on the ship had four masks.
The Holland America Line President is missing the celebratory cruise because he contracted Covid-19, and the company's own protocols prevent him from sailing, even though he is feeling better.
Michael Smith, senior vice president-guest experience, said that Holland America has not had to reduce passenger capacity due to staffing shortages.
Like the rest of the cruise industry, they are suffering with getting staff onto the ships for a variety of reasons. There is a lot of demand to work on ships, but there are also little things called visas.
There are certain countries where appointments to get those visas can be as long as six months out. Smith said that they can't get visas for staff that want to join the ship. Most of our shortages are in the galley operations, but we are moving staff within departments, not necessarily to go and cook but maybe to serve in Lido Market or do other cleaning jobs in different parts of the ship; it just depends.
Staff can be moved from ships that are less full to ships that are more full.
We have 11 ships that have that luxury so we haven't seen much change to the onboard experience as a result of that. It is fairly minimal.
The ships are not closing any venues, although it might close one for one night if there are not many reservations in a specialty restaurant.
All cruises booked by Sept. 30 will be covered by Holland America Line'sWorry-Free Promise. If you make a new booking by Sept. 30 you can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before departure and receive a future cruise credit. Guests who can't travel due to a positive test are given future credits under the COVID-19 Protection Program.
The 99,800-gross-ton Rotterdam entered service in October after being delivered in July 2021. The cruise is carrying 1,600 passengers.
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands has christened five Holland America Line ships.
Holland America has more to celebrate despite the pall cast by COVID-19. The last ship in the fleet will return to service on June 12. Holland America has not operated a full fleet since mid-March 2020.
The company is celebrating 75 years in Alaska and 25 years in Half Moon Cay, its private island in the Bahamas.
1,100 Ukrainian refugees are housed in Holland America's Volendam cruise ship. The city is chartering the vessel for a period of time. The line worked with the Salvation Army in the Netherlands to buy needed items for children.
TravelPulse will file another report after the christening festivities.
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