

The December 19, 2027 cruise on the MS Westerdam departs from Sydney, Australia. On this 16 Night South Australia Discovery Holiday (Sydney Roundtrip) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 10 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The MS Westerdam sets sail on Sunday, Dec 19th and returns on Tuesday, Jan 4th.
MS Westerdam - December 19, 2027 - 16 Nights
| Day | Date | Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 18th | Sydney, Australia |
| 2 | Dec 19th | At Sea |
| 3 | Dec 21st | Phillip Island, Australia |
| 4 | Dec 22nd | Melbourne, Australia |
| 5 | Dec 18th | Melbourne, Australia |
| 6 | Dec 24th | Burnie, Tasmania, Australia |
| 7 | Dec 24th | At Sea |
| 8 | Dec 26th | Adelaide, Australia |
| 9 | Dec 27th | Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, Australia |
| 10 | Dec 27th | At Sea |
| 11 | Dec 28th | At Sea |
| 12 | Dec 30th | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| 13 | Dec 31st | Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia |
| 14 | Dec 31st | At Sea |
| 15 | Jan 2nd | Eden, Australia |
| 16 | Jan 3rd | Newcastle, Australia |
| 17 | Jan 4th | Sydney, Australia |
The MS Westerdam sails on December 19, 2027 for a 16 Night South Australia Discovery Holiday (Sydney Roundtrip). The ship will depart the port of Sydney, Australia at 4:00 PM and will return to the port of Sydney, Australia on Jan 4th at 6:00 AM. During the 17-day journey, the MS Westerdam will visit 9 additional ports and will spend 5 days at sea.
Based on my comprehensive research of cruise port safety information, including recent crime reports, travel advisories, Global Peace Index rankings, and specific port security concerns, we've created a "safety score" for each cruise port stop. The overall rating below represents a combined score for your specific cruise itinerary.

The MS Westerdam has a construction date of 2004 and a total size of 82,305 gross tons. The ship measures 936 feet (285 meters) in length. MS Westerdam is included in Holland America’s Vista Class Class. At full capacity, the MS Westerdam holds 2,764 passengers. That includes 1,964 cruise vacationers and 800 staff members. The MS Westerdam total number of staterooms is 982.
To see how this compares, click through to see MS Westerdam age and stats vs all Holland America ships. There you’ll find graphs showing length, capacity, tonnage and more for this ship vs all in the fleet.
To check out the ship from top to bottom, click here for MS Westerdam Deck Plans.
Sydney, Australia, offers docking at Circular Quay. Travelers explore Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Excursions visit Blue Mountains. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures iconic landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Sydney’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic coasts, making Sydney an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Phillip Island, Australia, offers docking at Cowes Port. Travelers explore the Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Centre. Excursions visit Nobbies’ seal colonies. Local markets sell lamingtons. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for wildlife tours. Photography captures coastal cliffs and penguin marches. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian fish. Souvenirs, like koala crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover island ecology. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance nature walks. Phillip Island’s wildlife charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique animal encounters, scenic coastlines, and island beauty, making Phillip Island an engaging destination for exploring Australia’s natural wonders and coastal heritage.
Melbourne, Australia, offers docking at Station Pier. Travelers explore Federation Square and Royal Botanic Gardens. Excursions visit Yarra Valley wineries. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban skylines and Port Phillip vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like Aboriginal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Wurundjeri history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Melbourne’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic vineyards, making Melbourne an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Melbourne, Australia, offers docking at Station Pier. Travelers explore Federation Square and Royal Botanic Gardens. Excursions visit Yarra Valley wineries. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban skylines and Port Phillip vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like Aboriginal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Wurundjeri history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Melbourne’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic vineyards, making Melbourne an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, docks at Burnie Port, 1 kilometer from downtown, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 20,000, features the Makers’ Workshop for paper-making demos. Travelers visit Fern Glade for platypus sightings. Local markets sell Tasmanian honey. Excursions to Cradle Mountain, 2 hours south, offer hikes. Peak season December to March; taxis 10-15 AUD. Dining includes scallops at harbor cafes. Souvenirs feature Huon pine crafts.
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Adelaide, Australia, docks at Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal in Outer Harbor, 23 kilometers northwest of the city center. The upgraded facility offers welcome centers, souvenir shops, free Wi-Fi, ATMs, and toilets, with a 2-minute walk to the railway station. Trains reach downtown in 40 minutes for 3 AUD. Barossa Valley, 90 minutes north, tours wineries like Jacob's Creek for tastings of shiraz and semillon. Kangaroo Island, 45-minute ferry plus drive, reveals seal colonies at Seal Bay and koala spotting in eucalyptus groves. Cleland Wildlife Park, 30 minutes away, feeds kangaroos and views platypus in bushland enclosures. Rundle Mall, city heart 15 minutes by train, hosts street performers and arcades selling opals. Glenelg Beach, 20 minutes south, provides tramside promenades and fish-and-chips. Dining includes pie floaters at pub counters. Souvenirs feature Aboriginal dot paintings. Peak season November to March; metro cards cost 10 AUD daily. Buses connect to airport 35 minutes away.
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, Australia, offers docking at Penneshaw Port. Travelers explore Seal Bay’s sea lion colonies and Flinders Chase National Park. Excursions visit Remarkable Rocks. Local markets sell eucalyptus honey. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for wildlife tours. Photography captures rugged coastlines and kangaroo habitats. Dining onboard includes yabbies, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like koala crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kangaroo Island’s ecology. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance park hikes. Penneshaw’s natural beauty offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of wildlife, scenic landscapes, and island charm, making Penneshaw an engaging destination for exploring Kangaroo Island’s biodiversity and coastal allure.
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, offers docking at Hobart Port. Travelers explore Salamanca Market and Mount Wellington. Excursions visit Port Arthur’s historic site. Local markets sell scallop pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial buildings and Tasman Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes Tasmanian salmon, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like Huon pine crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Palawa history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance mountain hikes. Hobart’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic lookouts, making Hobart an engaging destination. (126 words)
Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia, offers docking at Port Arthur Port. Travelers explore the UNESCO-listed convict site and Isle of the Dead. Excursions visit Tasman Peninsula’s sea cliffs. Local markets sell Tasmanian honey. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for historic tours. Photography captures colonial ruins and coastal vistas. Dining onboard includes scallop pies, a Tasmanian favorite. Souvenirs, like Huon pine crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover convict history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance site walks. Port Arthur’s historic charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of convict heritage, scenic coastlines, and natural beauty, making Port Arthur an engaging destination for exploring Tasmania’s history.
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Eden, Australia, has docking at Eden Port. Travelers explore Twofold Bay’s whale-watching history. Excursions visit Ben Boyd National Park’s coastal trails. Local markets sell oysters. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather. Photography captures turquoise bays. Dining onboard includes barramundi. Souvenirs, like whale prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing suits summer conditions. Eden’s serene coast offers a relaxed Australian stop.
Newcastle, Australia, offers docking at Newcastle Port. Travelers explore Fort Scratchley and Nobbys Beach. Excursions visit Hunter Valley’s wineries for tastings. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures harbor views and historic forts. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian fish. Souvenirs, like wine glasses, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Newcastle’s coal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance beach walks. Newcastle’s coastal and wine culture offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic beaches, and vineyard experiences, making Newcastle an engaging destination for exploring New South Wales’ coastal and culinary heritage.
Sydney, Australia, offers docking at Circular Quay. Travelers explore Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Excursions visit Blue Mountains. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures iconic landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Sydney’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic coasts, making Sydney an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)