Holland America Cancels Early February Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise

(11:45 a.m. EST) -- Holland America Line has canceled the February 1, 2020 sailing of Nieuw Amsterdam in order to have one of the vessel's two ABB Azipod propulsion units replaced.

The ship, which was supposed to be leaving Fort Lauderdale on February 1 for a Caribbean sailing, has been experiencing propulsion issues for several weeks now. Rather than continue to have problems, the line made the decision to send the vessel to the Grand Bahama shipyard in Freeport for the required work.

"Our reservations team is working to re-accommodate guests on other sailings," a spokesperson for Holland America told Cruise Critic. "They will have the option to move to any other 2020 winter or spring seven-day Caribbean or Mexico cruise in the equivalent stateroom category and receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 100 percent of the cruise fare paid to use on another future voyage. If another destination is preferred, guests may apply the cruise fare paid to the new booking and will receive a Future Cruise Credit of 50 percent of the cruise fare paid."

No changes are expected to Nieuw Amsterdam's February 8, 2020 voyage from Fort Lauderdale.