Cruising has finally returned to Canadian waters after more than two years away.

The Koningsdam of Holland America Line is set to dock in Victoria, British Columbia, tomorrow, April 9, and Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 10, making it the first cruise line to return to Canada following a global pandemic-related halt. On November 1, 2021, Canada’s cruise ship prohibition, which had been in place since March 2020, was lifted three months early.

The arrival of the Koningsdam at Victoria will be the first cruise ship to visit the port in 905 days, as well as the ship’s maiden call. Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, will be joined by officials from Victoria and Vancouver to commemorate both achievements.

“We are thrilled to be the first cruise line back into Canada after such a long absence, and we look forward to celebrating a great moment for everyone who loves to travel and for those in Canada and Alaska whose livelihoods depend on tourism,” said Antorcha. “Holland America Line has a robust schedule of cruises that explore Canadian ports on both coasts with Alaska, Hawaii, transatlantic and Canada and New England itineraries.”

For the Alaska cruise season in 2022, six Holland America Line ships will dock at Victoria and Vancouver. In total, the six ships will call in Victoria 45 times, bringing over 75,000 passengers to the port, and 76 voyages will begin or end in Vancouver, welcoming almost 140,000 passengers.

In May, two ships will return to the East Coast for Canada and New England cruising, sailing between Boston and Quebec City or Montreal. Itineraries from Nieuw Statendam and Zaandam to more than 12 Canadian ports range from 7 to 24 days.

In total, Holland America Line will offer 141 voyages in Canada on eight ships in 2022, with over 250,000 passengers visiting both coastlines.

Fellow Canadians, tell us – Are you ready to cruise?