Nieuw Amsterdam Inaugural Call in Seattle *PICTURES*

On the way to work this morning stopped to get a few pictures of the first time a Signature Class ship has ever been in Seattle. Next year we'll have Eurodam all Alaska season.

Ah, beautiful! Thanks for the photos!

Great pictures.

Thank you for sharing them.

Cruise Industry News put a release up:

April 29, 2016

Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam arrived at the Port of Seattle today, Friday, April 29, 2016, marking the start of the city’s summer Alaska homeport cruise season.

 

The line has increased its Seattle calls this year to 55, and three Holland America ships will sail roundtrip Seattle routes in 2016: the Westerdam arrives Saturday, May 7; the Amsterdam arrives Sunday, May 22; and the Maasdam arrives Monday, May 23, to begin their Alaska sailings from Seattle. New to Alaska cruising, the Nieuw Amsterdam’s arrival at Seattle is the start of a one-day cruise to Vancouver, British Columbia, to reposition to its summer homeport.

 

In addition to the 48 roundtrip Seattle cruises to Alaska this season, three cruises to Australia/New Zealand or Hawaii/South Pacific will begin or end at Seattle, including the Amsterdam’s 53-day Tales of the South Pacific voyage and the Maasdam’s 23-day South Pacific Crossing. All of the options combined make a total of 55 calls by five ships — the Zaandam makes one Seattle call — that will welcome more than 86,000 guests to Seattle.

 

“As Seattle’s hometown cruise line it’s fitting that one of our ships is kicking off the city’s Alaska season, a time we eagerly anticipate each year,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America’ president. “We are headquartered in Seattle, and we take great pride in being a significant contributor to the local economy and in actively giving back to our community.”

 

In the coming year, Holland America expects to contribute $389 million to the Seattle economy and $547 million across Washington State. The cruise line employs 1,170 people at its Elliott Avenue headquarters in Seattle.

 

Provisioning costs each time a ship calls at Seattle average about $300,000 per visit. The crise line works with more than 600 Washington vendors, from food and beverage suppliers to piano tuners, office supply stores and marine suppliers, among many more. For example, the Westerdam requires over 23,000 eggs and 1,375 gallons of milk each week — all of which come from local farmers. In addition, local growers supply 147,550 pounds of fresh produce a week.

 

Also contributing to Holland America Line’s economic impact is spending by passengers and crew in local shops, restaurants, bars, hotels, museums, attractions and taxis. Other expenditures include ship maintenance and port fees, charges and taxes.

 

Holland America Line ships have been sailing from the Port of Seattle since the 1970s. In May 2002, Holland America Line began using Seattle as a home port for Alaska cruises.

Great pictures and an informative article. Perhaps I can take advantage of your experience. We will be on one of those Westerdam cruises this July. Our return flight departs 12:15, when should we schedule departure from the ship? Will be using HAL transportation Many Thanks!

Great pictures and an informative article. Perhaps I can take advantage of your experience. We will be on one of those Westerdam cruises this July. Our return flight departs 12:15, when should we schedule departure from the ship? Will be using HAL transportation Many Thanks!

If not already you can add the transfer pre-cruise. When you're onboard ask the front office about what time the coaches are set to depart (they don't go until they're full but they'll have a schedule they're supposed to follow). You'll want something getting you to the airport by 10:15-10:30 (security lines have been slow at SeaTac lately... stupid TSA...) so that will give you enough time. Imagine they probably schedule assuming 30-45 minutes to get to the airport so I imagine the one you'll need could maybe be around 9:30-ish? If it's much later than that you may want to scrap the transfer and take a cab but I think you'll be fine

Thanks for the great pics Brad. Sure is nice to see at Pier 91 after a long winter.

I see in your sig possible Westerdam in 6 months- we are on 18OCT Mexico from YVR

Thanks for the great pics Brad. Sure is nice to see at Pier 91 after a long winter.

 

I see in your sig possible Westerdam in 6 months- we are on 18OCT Mexico from YVR

Nice. Yeah we're looking at the 11/5 but it's looking less likely. Think we want to take that money, build on it and do Eurodam panama canal next year

Thank you for that helpful info. Have had good luck with HAL transfers to airports in the past.

We are on the NA now & lots of visitors on board!

Thanks for the photos-they're great!

Thanks for the photos. I thought of going down today to see the ship that we sailed on TA last fall, but the viaduct closure and traffic snarls scared me off.

We'll leave in a few days for the Christening Cruise on the Koningsdam and in the fall, we board the Maasdam for a down under cruise.