Holland America Line
- Holland America Line will use one of its 10 cruise ships to house Ukrainian refugees.
- The Volendam will shelter about 1,500 Ukrainians for three months.
- The cruise line will provide services and amenities like meals, staterooms, housekeeping, and internet.
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Carnival Corp's Holland America Line will turn one of its 10 cruise ships into a floating shelter to temporarily house about 1,500 Ukrainian refugees amid Russia's invasion of the eastern European country.
Holland America Line
Holland America's Volendam cruise ship will be docked in Rotterdam, Netherlands for three months during the duration of this service...
Holland America Line
... which is part of the Netherlands larger plan to house 50,000 Ukrainians who have left their homes over the past six weeks.
Holland America Line
"I think the government knew that cruise ships are a little bit like floating cities," Bill Zucker, Holland America Line spokesperson, told Kalie Greenberg for Seattle-based NBC TV affiliate King5. "So when the government asked us about this, we said yes.
Holland America Line
The 781-foot long cruise liner typically has the capacity for a little over 1,430 guests.
Holland America Line
But now, about 1,500 Ukrainians will call it a temporary home.
Holland America Line
The three-month shelter will have similar functions to an average passenger cruise, such as operating with about 650 onboard crew members.
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Guests will also receive three meals a day and a private stateroom…
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… as well as typical cruise services like housekeeping and access to the internet and gym.
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The ship will stay stationed in Rotterdam for the full three months, allowing passengers to access other services in the city as needed.
Holland America Line
The Volendam was initially set to resume service on May 15 but the cruise line has cancelled its three upcoming itineraries amid this recent announcement.
Holland America Line
Holland America has since offered these guests similar sailings, and the Volendam will resume passenger service in early July.
Holland America Line
