Holland America Line Makes Its Comeback to Japan

After a three-year absence, Holland America Line is making its comeback to Japan with the Westerdam.

The 1,900-guest ship arrived in Yokohama to begin a spring schedule in Japan after a brief season in Southeast Asia.

The Westerdam will conduct a series of 11- to 14-day cruises from the port, which is close to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city, to ports like Kobe/Osaka, Tokushima, Kagoshima, and Shimizu.

The ship is offering a 14-night itinerary called “Japan Exploration” for its first voyage in the area since early 2020.

The journey includes stops at twelve ports in the area, including Hiroshima, Kochi, and Sakaiminato.

The itinerary for the month of April also includes stops in Taiwan and South Korea as well as Ishigaki, Naha, and other locations in Japan.

The ship offers a 14-day North Pacific crossing to Seattle, its homeport for the forthcoming summer in Alaska, after completing its Asia itinerary.

The Westerdam was the first ship of Holland America’s four-ship Vista Class to go into service in 2004. The 82,000-ton ship, which has undergone extensive renovation over the years, went into drydock in January 2023 for routine maintenance and class work.

The ship, which offers a premium cruise experience, was built with a variety of dining, entertainment, and drink options, including the Exploration’s Café, a lounge that gives visitors access to travel information and enrichment possibilities.

Additional highlights include the Lincoln Center Stage, which hosts a nightly ensemble of musicians performing chamber music, and the Billboard Onboard, where two pianists provide concerts focused on statistics related to the music business.

The ship also offers a wide variety of dining options, including popular restaurants from Holland America Line including the Italian Canaletto Restaurant and the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse.