After housing Ukrainian refugees for nearly six months, Holland America Line's Volendam is returning to cruise service.
In April, the city of Rotterdam and the Netherlands government started chartering a ship to temporarily house refugees. The charter was part of a plan to house 50,000 Ukrainians.
The entertainment stage was converted into a learning area to accommodate families on the ship, and the crew who speak Ukrainian was added. Relief was coordinated by the Salvation Army.
Volendam has a lot of pride in being able to play a small part in the relief effort.
Children on the ship made a mosaic of the Volendam. Holland America Line wants to build a permanent display of artwork and souvenirs from families to remember this moment.
The Holy Land & Ancient Kingdoms Explorer cruise will visit Croatia, Greece, and Israel. Since the beginning of the Pandemic, the Volendam has only had a few voyages.
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