Japan Commitment To Reopen Cruising Sets Stage For Long-Awaited Holland America Line Asia Voyages

For the first time in two-and-a-half-years, cruising will return to Japan, and Holland America Line's Westerdam is preparing for a series of itineraries in early 2023 that will let guests explore lands where ancient temples and cultures steeped in tradition mix with soaring skyscrapers and bustling capitals.

The government of Japan reported on November 15 it is ready to start receiving international cruise ships again to allow tourists to enjoy the wonders of cruising to the country's many ports.

"We're grateful for the work that the Japanese authorities have done to allow for a return to cruising," said Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line. "Holland America Line's guests love longer voyages to unique parts of the world, and we'll be sailing to some incredible locations as our season in Japan and the rest of Asia begins."

Westerdam, currently sailing in Australia and New Zealand, starts the Asia season following a January drydock in Singapore. Beginning February 3, the ship sails a series of Far East voyages showcasing the diversity of countries visited while celebrating histories that have been thousands of years in the making.

Sailing roundtrip from Yokohama, Japan, or Singapore, or between Yokohama and Singapore, cruises are 11 to 14 days and can be combined to form nonrepeating Collectors' Voyages. Countries explored include Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. Five different itineraries are offered including "Indonesian Discovery," "Japan, Taiwan & The Philippines," "Japan Explorer," "Japan Discovery" and "Southern Japan." Overnight calls include Singapore; Kobe and Osaka, Japan; and Phuket, Thailand. The season concludes April 24 with a 14-day "North Pacific Crossing" from Yokohama to Seattle, Washington where Westerdam will homeport for its Alaska season.

As protocols for cruising in Asia are finalized, each departure will be added to Holland America Line's Voyage Lookup tool, which allows guests to see any specific health protocols for their cruise.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Japan To Reopen To Cruise Ships After 2 1/2-Year Ban

Japan will lift a more than 2 1/2-year ban on international cruise ships that was imposed following a deadly coronavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess at the beginning of the pandemic, transport officials said Tuesday.

The Transport Ministry said cruise ship operators and port authorities’ associations have adopted anti-virus guidelines and that Japan is now ready to resume its international cruise operations while receiving foreign ships at its ports.

“Japan is now ready to start receiving international cruise ships again,” said Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito. “We will create an environment that allows tourists to enjoy their cruise without worry while in Japan.”

Exact schedule for cruise ships has not been announced. Among the first is a Japanese ship departing from Yokohama in December for Mauritius and returning in January.

Japan has barred international cruise ships since March 2020, after the outbreak on the Diamond Princess forced 3,711 passengers and crew members to quarantine on board for two weeks, during which 13 people died and more than 700 others were infected.

Japan chose to isolate the crew and passengers while keeping them on board as a way of border control, but was also criticized for turning the ship into a virus incubator.

Cruise ship operators are expected to discuss with local authorities further details about their port entry plans. Japan’s resumption of international cruise liners comes more than a year after they returned to the United States and Europe.

Under the new guidelines, all crew members must have three received three coronavirus vaccine shots while most passengers must be vaccinated at least twice. The guideline also calls for thorough ventilation, distancing and disinfecting of common areas.

Japan, after much delay compared to many other countries, reopened its borders to individual foreign tourists in October and a resumption of international cruise ship operations will further help revive the country’s tourism that has been badly hit by the pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, more than 2.15 million cruise ship passengers visited Japan in 2019, according to the Transport and Tourism Ministry.

By MARI YAMAGUCHI