As future of the cruise industry unfolds, ships trickling back into service and are now venturing out to sea and sailing again. That’s potentially good news to fans of travel by ships which has been put on hold since the beginning of the global COVID pandemic. Today we have a little more recent cruise news along those lines. It’s enough to cause reason for optimism in all cruise fans. First some recent announcements about a Holland America San Diego series of sailings, then my recommendation for you.

Koningsdam Is Back

Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, one of the last ships I sailed before the pandemic shut down the industry, is back in service.

“We are thrilled to get back to cruising from San Diego and to supporting this wonderful city and the ports we visit along the West Coast — from Mexico to Washington,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line (foreground, left.) “Our guests are eager to be back on board and our team members look forward to reconnecting with them and providing a memorable vacation. We’re ready for a successful season of cruising.”

In addition to Koningsdam, Zuiderdam also will sail from San Diego for more than five months on longer Mexico explorations plus a grand monthlong voyage to Tahiti, and Panama Canal departures. Adding even more variety to Holland America’s San Diego sailings, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam will sail once each. Here are the details:

Koningsdam

• 23 seven-day cruise departures to Mexico or the California Coast.

Zuiderdam

• Four 9-, 10- or 14-day “Mexico and Sea of Cortez” cruises from December 2021 through April 2022.
• Two 14-day Panama Cruises in January 2022.
• A 35-Day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas voyage departing Feb. 27, 2022.
• One five-day Pacific Coastal cruise from San Diego to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, departing April 22, 2022.

Eurodam

• One four-day Pacific Coastal cruise from San Diego to Vancouver, departing April 25, 2022.

Nieuw Amsterdam

• One five-day Pacific Coastal cruise from San Diego to Vancouver, departing
  April 26, 2022.

My Recommendation For You

I would never have dreamed it: the strongest pillar of safety at sea failed.

The safe, secure and closed environment of a cruise ship foundered and did not protect travelers from harm. Right now, the result just created a class system with fully-vaccinated travelers way ahead of the game. You can sail this week on some cruise lines. In fact, all things considered, there are plenty of signs that the cruise business means just that, business, and is taking our health concerns seriously.

The new reality is starting to come into focus and it looks safer all the time, albeit different. Considering the progress made, for those with health issues (which may have caused an appropriate if not required pause in future cruise plans), I recommend seriously looking at pulling the trigger on booking mid to late 2022 sailings forward. Perhaps sooner, depending on the severity of your individual health concerns.