SEATTLE, April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland
America Line's ms Nieuw Amsterdam arrived at the Port of
Seattle today, Friday, April 29, 2016, marking the start of the
city's summer Alaska homeport
cruise season. The line increased its Seattle calls this year to 55, and three
Holland America Line ships will sail roundtrip Seattle routes in 2016: ms Westerdam
arrives Saturday, May 7; ms
Amsterdam arrives Sunday, May 22; and ms Maasdam arrives
Monday, May 23, to begin their
Alaska sailings from Seattle. New to Alaska cruising, Nieuw Amsterdam's
arrival at Seattle is the start of a one-day cruise to
Vancouver, British Columbia, to
reposition to its summer homeport.
In addition to the 48 roundtrip Seattle cruises to Alaska this season, three cruises to
Australia/New Zealand or Hawaii/South Pacific will begin or end at
Seattle, including Amsterdam's 53-day Tales of the South
Pacific voyage and Maasdam's 23-day South Pacific Crossing.
All of the options combined make a total of 55 calls by five
ships -- ms Zaandam makes one Seattle call -- that will welcome more
than 86,000 guests to Seattle.
"As Seattle's hometown cruise line it's fitting that one of our
ships is kicking off the city's Alaska season, a time we eagerly anticipate
each year," said Orlando Ashford,
Holland America Line's president. "Holland America Line is
headquartered in Seattle, and we
take great pride in being a significant contributor to the local
economy and in actively giving back to our community."
In the coming year, Holland America Line expects to contribute
$389 million to the Seattle economy and $547 million across Washington State. The cruise line employs
1,170 people at its Elliott Avenue headquarters in Seattle.
Provisioning costs each time a ship calls at Seattle average about $300,000 per visit. Holland America Line works with more than 600
Washington vendors, from food and
beverage suppliers to piano tuners, office supply stores and marine
suppliers, among many more. For example, Westerdam requires
over 23,000 eggs and 1,375 gallons of milk each week -- all of
which come from local farmers. In addition, local growers supply
147,550 pounds of fresh produce a week.
Also contributing to Holland America Line's economic impact is
spending by passengers and crew in local shops, restaurants, bars,
hotels, museums, attractions and taxis. Other expenditures include
ship maintenance and port fees, charges and taxes.
Holland America Line ships have
been sailing from the Port of Seattle since the 1970s. In May 2002, Holland America Line began using
Seattle as a home port for
Alaska cruises.
Holland America Line Committed to Giving Back
Holland
America Line has an extensive
corporate social responsibility program benefiting the local
community and Washington state. In
the Seattle area, the line
supports dozens of organizations such as Auction of Washington
Wines, Northwest Harvest, Pike Place Market Foundation, Seattle
Aquarium, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle Children's
Theatre, Seattle Men's & Women's Chorus, Seattle Theatre
Group and the University of Washington.
Many of the company's executives currently serve on boards of
directors of local non-profit organizations. Holland America Line is also a proud sponsor of the
Seattle Mariners.
Seattle Awards & Accolades
In 2016, the company
accepted its sixth consecutive Green Gateway Award from the Port of
Seattle. The Port of Seattle also presented Holland America with
the Technology Innovator Award for investing in its Seattle-based fleet that has resulted in
year-over-year reductions in fuel use and resultant greenhouse
gases.
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a
travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit
hollandamerica.com.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland
America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online
Communities quick link on the home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 14
ships offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98
countries, territories or dependencies around the world. From
shorter getaways to 115-day itineraries, the company's cruises
visit all seven continents with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations and exotic
Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; and
popular sailings to the Caribbean,
Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal. The line
currently has a new 2,650-guest ship, ms Koningsdam,
delivered in April 2016, as well as a
second Pinnacle Class ship due for delivery in November 2018.
The company recently announced $300
million in brand enhancements to secure its position as the
leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships feature innovative
initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on
destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand
their knowledge on board at the Culinary Arts Center, presented by
Food & Wine magazine; Explorations Café, powered by The
New York Times; and Digital Workshop
powered by Windows. Outstanding entertainment fills each evening at
venues including Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and
B.B. King's Blues Club. The dining
experience can be savored at a variety of restaurants with menus
that feature selections from Holland America Line's esteemed
Culinary Council that comprises world-famous chefs who design
dishes exclusively for our guests.
CONTACT: Sally
Andrews
PHONE:
800-637-5029
EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com
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SOURCE Holland America Line