Holland America Line’s Volendam will be used to accommodate around 1,500 Ukrainian refugees.

HAL will provide three hot meals per day, private stateroom accommodations, housekeeping services, use of public spaces, fitness facilities, internet access and other necessities

It comes as part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 people who have fled the country following the Russian invasion.

 

HAL will provide three hot meals per day, private stateroom accommodations, housekeeping services, use of public spaces, fitness facilities, internet access and other necessities while the vessel is docked in Rotterdam. It will be staffed with around 650 crew members.

 

HAL president Gus Antorcha said the line was in a "unique position" to accommodate the immediate need for food and housing.

 

"Our company was founded in Rotterdam around the mission of helping immigrants find a better life," he added. "So today we’re proud to be a small part of a similar mission for Ukrainians who have tragically been displaced."

Volendam was scheduled to return to service on 15 May, with voyages from Rotterdam to Norway, the British Isles and Iceland.

 

To accommodate the three-month commitment, Holland America Line will cancel three of those voyages and resume service on 3 July instead. Guests on cancelled cruises are being notified and will be accommodated on similar itineraries.

 

"We are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to guests booked on the three cancelled cruises," Antorcha said.