The Port of Apia will welcome the return of cruise ships when Westerdam and Zuiderdam from the Holland America line call in at Matautu on Tuesday 18th October and Thursday 20th October respectively.
The development is a special milestone as both vessels will be calling into Samoa for the very first time.
In addition, the visits will be the first cruise ship port calls following the reopening of borders on 1st August and the lifting of Covid-19 entry requirements on 22nd September.
To celebrate the occasion, a special welcome featuring traditional entertainment has been organised by the Samoa Tourism Authority in collaboration with the Samoa Ports Authority, Betham Brother’s Enterprises (the contracted shipping agent) and Margaret’s Tours (the official shore excursion partner).
The General Manager of Betham Brothers Enterprises (BBE), Fuimaono Hugo Betham is delighted with the return of cruise ships.
“We are thrilled to see large-scale cruising come back to Samoa. For us it’s important that our principals Carnival Corporation have shown confidence in the work of our Ministry of Health and Port Health teams and steps taken by everyone to ensure Samoa is ready to safely welcome cruise lines back to our shores” said Betham.
Margaret Ryan of Margaret’s Tour, echoed similar sentiments saying she’s also excited to welcome cruise ships back again.
Ryan shared that while many have arranged tours through the vessels, many more will sample what Samoa has to offer either through taxis, independent tour operators and on-their-own.
Westerdam is on a trans-Pacific cruise which started in Seattle on 2nd October. It’s carrying 1,345 passengers and 768 crew. Its current cruise is expected to end in Sydney on 8th November.
For Zuiderdam, it’s on a South Pacific cruise which started in San Diego on 3rd October. After Apia, it will call into Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and French Polynesia before finishing back in San Diego on 17th November.
