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| ms Oosterdam at Hubbard Glacier |
The company increased its Seattle calls this year to 58, and three Holland America Line ships will sail roundtrip Seattle itineraries in 2017. In addition to Eurodam’s arrival, ms Oosterdam arrived Sunday, April 30 and ms Amsterdam arrives Monday, May 15 to begin their Alaska sailings from Seattle. Zaandam makes one call at Seattle May 12 on a one-day cruise to Vancouver, British Columbia, to reposition to its summer homeport. Noordam makes a visit on September 25 on a Pacific Coastal sailing. All of the options combined make a total of 58 calls by five ships that will welcome nearly 111,000 guests to Seattle.
“This year is special because Holland America Line is celebrating our 70th anniversary of Alaska exploration, and we couldn’t be more honored that once again a Holland America Line ship is kicking off the Seattle cruise season,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “As Seattle’s Hometown Cruise Line with our headquarters based in this vibrant city, contributing to our local community—both economically and through our giving back—as well as making significant investments to help protect the environment, are all values we are deeply committed to.”
In 2017 Holland America Line will mark 70 years of exploring Alaska. It all began in 1947 with a simple, spontaneous tour in Fairbanks and has grown into Holland America Line’s Alaska Land+Sea Journeys that combine a cruise with an overland adventure to Denali and the Yukon.
During the 2017 season Eurodam will depart Seattle on 22 roundtrip seven-day cruises, while Oosterdam is slated to sail 21 seven-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle and Amsterdam is scheduled to sail one seven-day itinerary followed by nine 14-day Great Alaskan Explorer voyages from Seattle.
In the coming year, Holland America Line expects to contribute nearly $600 million to the Washington State economy. The cruise line employs 1,600 people locally and its headquarters are on lower Queen Anne on Third Avenue.
Provisioning costs each time a ship calls at Seattle average about $300,000 per visit. Holland America Line works with nearly 700 Washington vendors, from food and beverage suppliers to piano tuners, office supply stores and marine suppliers, among many more. For example, Oosterdam 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 Gives Back to Seattle
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, Junior Achievement of Washington, 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 2017, the company accepted its seventh consecutive Green Gateway Award from the Port of Seattle. The Port of Seattle also presented Holland America with the Technology Innovator Award in 2016 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, visit HollandAmerica.com.
Image Courtesy Holland America Line
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