Holland America’s MS Westerdam cruise ship will anchor just outside of the Nome Harbor the morning of June 21, bringing with it a wave of tourists to Nome.
According to City of Nome Harbormaster Lucas Stotts, the ship’s passengers will first arrive by tender around 7:45 a.m. The last tender is scheduled to depart the harbor around 4:30 p.m. with the Westerdam departing shortly after.
The Westerdam has an official capacity of 1,964 passengers although around 1,700 are expected on this year’s vessel. Five small tenders will shuttle passengers to and from the vessel with about 80 guests on each trip.
Tickets for two travelers on a similar 28-day cruise on the Westerdam in the summer of 2025 are currently selling for as low as $5,499 per person. For a room with an ocean view, travelers can expect to pay at least $7,549 per person.
The first few hundred visitors are scheduled to participate in tours organized by Nome Discovery Tour’s Robin Johnson. School buses and vans will be used to shuttle visitors as they tour the town. There will also be guided walking tours and cultural demonstrations held throughout the community. According to Johnson, about 50 local residents have been hired to assist with the tours.
Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture and history, highlighted by the annual Berry Festival.
The cruise ship’s arrival is a significant event for Nome, providing a boost to local businesses and offering residents a chance to share their heritage with a broader audience.
“We aim to organize a fun day for our community and visitors with hopes that our guests enjoy their time in Nome and contribute to the local economy,” Johnson wrote in a post in the Nome Chatter Facebook group.
KNOM will provide coverage of the stop throughout the day Friday. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest.
