Holland America Line is preparing for a series of itineraries in Japan as cruising returns to the region after a two-and-a-half-year pandemic hiatus.
The ship Westerdam, currently sailing in Australia and New Zealand, starts an Asia season following January drydock work in Singapore.
The ship is being deployed on a series of Far East voyages from February 3.
The move follows the government of Japan reporting on November 15 that it is ready to start receiving international cruise ships again at its ports.
Westerdam will sail from Yokohama and Singapore offering five different itineraries of between 11 and 14-days in duration.
Overnight calls are planned in Singapore; Kobe and Osaka, Japan; and Phuket, Thailand.
As protocols for cruising in Asia are finalised, each departure will be added to HAL’s ‘voyage lookup’ tool, which allows passengers to see any specific health protocols for their cruise, the line said.
The season concludes April 24 with a 14-day Pacific crossing from Yokohama to Seattle, where Westerdam be based will be based for summer cruises to Alaska.
HAL president Gus Antorcha said: “We’re grateful for the work that the Japanese authorities have done to allow for a return to cruising.
“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.”