Sherry Ewing of Port Angeles looks from the bluff above downtown Port Angeles as the cruise ship Oosterdam arrives for port of call in Port Angeles in

Sherry Ewing of Port Angeles looks from the bluff above downtown Port Angeles as the cruise ship Oosterdam arrives for port of call in Port Angeles in

Holland America cruise ship to be welcomed in Port Angeles today

PORT ANGELES — Everything’s on schedule to welcome the massive cruise ship ms Oosterdam into Port Angeles later today, according to the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce director.

The 950-foot-long Holland America cruise ship is expected to dock at Port of Port Angeles’ Terminal 1 at noon today, chamber Director Russ Veenema said, and is slated to leave port for Seattle at about 11 p.m.

“Everything’s still on track,” he said.

Veenema said he expects between 25 and 35 volunteers to be on hand to great the Oosterdam passengers, which he estimates to be at least 1,800.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

A second large Holland America cruise ship, the ms Statendam, is expected in Port Angeles on May 17 after a journey bringing it from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C.

Veenema said he would “not turn anybody away” if they wanted to volunteer for welcoming the 710-foot, 1,258-passenger Statendam.

“Most people have said they’re going to [volunteer] both days,” Veenema said.

With a capacity of 1,848 people, the Oosterdam is one of Holland America’s largest cruise ships.

Its arrival in Port Angeles will be near the end of a journey that started in Australia and included Hawaii, Veenema said, adding that the ship left the Aloha state May 3.

Downtown shuttles and tours will await the disembarking passengers.

Willie Nelson of All Points Charters & Tours has organized a fleet of four shuttles to take cruise ship passengers to such locations as a central downtown stop, the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center at 401 E. First St., the Museum at the Carnegie at 207 S. Lincoln St. and the waterfront so travelers can visit the Feiro Marine Life Center on City Pier, The Landing mall at 115 E. Railroad Ave. and the esplanade.

Shuttles will begin running as passengers disembark at about noon and continue until 6:30 p.m.

Nelson also put together three tours that will be sold aboard ship.

Cruise ship passengers can choose a three-hour tour of Hurricane Ridge; a longer tour of Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls and Hurricane Ridge; or an afternoon visiting wineries in the Port Angeles area.

The Holland America cruise ship stops, which are only in Port Angeles, are in addition to the weekly American Cruise Lines tours that began in April.

The 205-foot American Spirit stops at City Pier in Port Angeles every Tuesday and leaves each Thursday for a day in Port Townsend.

The vessel is visiting the North Olympic Peninsula 20 times this spring and fall as part of larger cruises of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.

________

Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.

Managing Editor/News Leah Leach contributed to this report.

More in News

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading

Clallam County Economic Development Council Director of Operations Lorie Fazio, left, and Executive Director Colleen McAleer stand with Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston EDC who presented the WEDA’s 2025 Innovation in Economic Development award. The EDC received the award last month in recognition of its Clallam Forest Product Innovation Program.
Clallam EDC wins state innovation award

Forest innovation program intended to revitalize industry

Port Townsend library to show Willa Cather documentary

Free novels, dramatic reading Thursday at 5:30

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday in the uptown neighborhood. Behind are goat wranglers Lindsey Kotzebue and Amber Langley of Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Market opens

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual… Continue reading

Kelly Kidwell, a local business owner and property developer, is purchasing Rite Bros. with the intention of building a long-term sustainable business that will expand aviation access in the area. Citizen Air, based at William R. Fairchild International Airport, will offer charter flights and fractional aircraft ownership. The possibility of scheduled flights could be in the distant future. Kidwell is shown with his Poodle-Bernese mountain dog, Porter. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen Air aims to expand access

New Rite Bros. owner planning for growth

Health officer: Disease numbers low, but cuts affecting programs

Additional measles case located in Washington state