Cruise News: Hurricane Irene Impact, Holland America Line

As a result of weather and sea conditions related to Hurricane Irene in the Atlantic, nearby cruise itineraries have been reviewed. While we intend to stay as close as possible to the published schedules, there may be some changes to select itineraries. The current status is as follows:

ms Veendam August 21, 7-day Bermuda Cruise

The ship departed Bermuda at 5:00pm on Thursday, August 25, and was scheduled to arrive in New York one day early on Saturday, ahead of the storm’s anticipated arrival. Guests who desire to leave Saturday morning in advance of the storm will be able to do so. For guests who overnight until Sunday, the ship will remain in port. These plans have been approved by the United States Coast Guard and the New York City Mayor’s Office.

ms Veendam August 28, 7-day Bermuda Cruise

The ship will remain in New York overnight on Sunday, August 28, and will now depart Monday, August 29, at 2:00 pm. Guests will be able to embark as scheduled on Sunday provided there is access to the cruise terminal. Due to the government declared evacuation of some areas of the city and impending transit challenges, access to the cruise terminal may be limited or closed on Sunday.

For guests considering embarkation on Sunday, Holland America Line encourages guests to check local New York City transit and government websites (http://www.nyc.gov/ or http://www.mta.info/). If you are in the local area, you can also call our special information line at 732-698-1222 for the latest information on access to the pier.

Embarkation on Monday, August 29 will begin at 8:00 am and continue until 1:00 pm, at which time all passengers should be on board the ship. The revised itinerary is below:

Sunday, Aug 28 New York, overnight
Monday, Aug 29 New York, depart 2 pm
Tuesday, Aug 30 At Sea
Wednesday, Aug 31 Hamilton, Bermuda, arrive 9 am, remain overnight
Thursday, Sept 1 Hamilton, Bermuda, overnight
Friday, Sept 2 Hamilton, Bermuda, depart 2 pm
Saturday, Sept 3 At Sea
Sunday, Sept 4 New York, arrive 7am

ms Maasdam August 27, 7-day Canada/New England Cruise (Boston to Montreal, Quebec)

Guests will embark in Boston on Saturday, August 27, as planned and the ship is scheduled to sail at 5:00pm, prior to the storm's anticipated arrival. Due to very high winds and rough seas expected near the first two port calls of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, these calls have been cancelled and the itinerary modified, adding the ports of Gaspe and Saguenay, Quebec later in the week.

Saturday, Aug 27 Boston, depart 5:00 pm
Sunday, Aug 28 At Sea
Monday, Aug 29 Sydney, Nova Scotia, arrive 8:00 am, depart 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Aug 30 Charlottetown, PEI, arrive 8:00 am, depart 5:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug 31 Gaspe, Quebec, arrive 7:00 am, depart 1:00 pm
Thursday, Sept 1 Saguenay, Quebec. arrive 12:00 noon, depart 8:00 pm
Friday, Sept 2 Quebec, arrive 7:00 am, depart 5:00 pm
Saturday, Sept 3 Montreal, arrive 7:00 am

We will continue to monitor the weather conditions closely and communicate any further changes if necessary to guests and travel agents as they are implemented.