Holland America Lines are prepared to cruise popular in 2022 with innovative itineraries all over the world. Additionally, it invites you to definitely celebrate its 75th anniversary of cruising to Alaska: popular destination ideal for first-time cruisers and repeat passengers to see icebergs, bears and whales from your own balcony.
Holland America Line (HAL) Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne describes his recent experience on their own first ship in service – which headed to Alaska – as simply incredible, in addition to a joy to become back around the water.
“Alaska is surely an amazing destination and standing on the very first cruise in service after close to 500 days, the excitement and was real. You felt the romance within our guests and our teammates onboard,” he says. “Everyone was smiling, laughing and in a great mood. Alaska already can be a bucket list destination, but mixing by using our first cruise back designed for an unforgettable voyage. It is also mostly of the places you are able to cruise on the planet that you can have a taxi to some glacier.”
The cruise line named Emmy Award-winning Wayne as their brand ambassador in 2022. He originated in Seattle's local ABC affiliate, KOMO-TV where he was recognized for his engaging personality and incredible desire for cruising.
Wayne's versatile role includes as being a roving reporter for HAL Aboard, a multimedia line-up of behind-the-scenes stories and brand highlights. Storytelling is the love and he says it's wonderful to determine people's reactions simply because they go back to cruising.
“There are really no words. I have been taking people around the world virtually in the last year . 5 also to meet our guests personally designed for memorable moments.
“Guests were wanting the 'real deal' and that i was there along with countless we members allow it to them.” Wayne says evening venues were busy with guests singing and dancing using their favourite HAL cocktail available. “It made for a surreal experience after being home for thus long … Alaska is stunning,” he says.
HAL will celebrate the 75th year of cruising in Alaska in 2022.
“Our 75th year in Alaska is a huge deal, not just for the gorgeous state we cruise in, however for our incredible company,” he states.
“We have ships leaving from Seattle, Vancouver, and Whittier that vary from 7 to 14-day cruises. We offer cruise tours that showcase Alaska's interior with this own lodge just steps from the entrance to Denali National Park.
“Plus, we are the only cruise line that offers tours towards the Yukon, exploring Whitehouse and Dawson City. So, bottom line we're planning for a chuckle adventures for that diamond anniversary,” he adds.
Wayne describes Alaska as the last frontier and the perfect spot to choose cruising.
“Its appeal is that you can maintain the middle of nowhere or perhaps be in the center of everything … due to its physical location, it embodies a sense of wonder,” he states. “Where else are you able to possess a cup of joe on your balcony watching icebergs, bears, sea otters, whales and so much more near the ship? It is the perfect place to go for the first-time cruiser and repeat cruise lovers.”
So how is the way forward for cruising looking? Wayne is confident fans of cruising can't wait to acquire back on their favourite ships and believes the long run appears promising.
“This industry experienced a lot – from what I've seen as well as the excitement I've been part of on our Alaska and Greek voyages, Personally i think the way forward for cruise vacations are strong,” according to him. “Especially after coping with COVID-19, people all over the world want adventure – they want stability and wish to make memories you'll remember. Cruising offers all of that and much more,” he adds.
Wayne fell deeply in love with cruising within the ripe senior years of seven and it has clocked up nearly 100 cruises. “I love cruising because of the incredible destinations, plus you unpack once and also have the world outside of the question. Every team member aboard makes you feel special. Your waiter sees that you'll need a certain dish, knows that coffee you want and it's just perfect. There's no land-based holiday that's as rich in value as cruising.”
As Director of Communications and Content, his role would be to also bring the behind-the-scene stories alive through social media and other brand channels. You will see lots of travelling over the fleet and around the world and he's looking forward to cruising on more ships because they return to service. “I love sharing the Holland America Line experience both on board and ashore with the stories of both guests and crew,” he states.
“There's without doubt that folks are searching for more in-depth and interesting content within their travel research, especially 'behind-thescenes' information and advice from fellow explorers.”
As for what sets HAL aside from other cruise companies, Wayne attributes it towards the ships being the perfect size.
“Holland America Line doesn't do mega-ships. Our mid-sized layout offers the perfect volume of space to spread out, take advantage of the gorgeous views and take it all in,” he states.
He also says meals is superb. “We're the only real cruise line that provides a specialist Chef with an entire Culinary Council team, featuring chefs from around the globe.
“From the awesome burgers in the Dive-In burger bar, French brasserie style seafood feasts at Rudi's Sel de Mer towards the much-loved steaks at Pinnacle Grill, HAL can tell how to get proper care of guests within the dining department.”
All up, Wayne says, “Holland America Line differentiates our cruise experience with perfectly crafted itineraries and immersive cultural experiences that enhance our guests' amount of time in a destination, through live entertainment, regional food and wine, and various shore activities.”
Alaska
From April through October 2022, guests can attempt cruises to Alaska aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam. For explorers who would like to travel farther into the Great Land, 16 different Land+Sea Journeys combine a three-, four- or seven-day Alaska cruise by having an inland search for Denali National Park.
HAL could be the only cruise line that extends land tour options up to the unspoiled reaches of Canada's Yukon Territory.
Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to a number of Alaska's iconic glacier destinations including Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier and the twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm. The company has more Glacier Bay permits than any other major cruise line.
The seven-day Glacier Discovery Northbound and Glacier Discovery Southbound itineraries cruise between Whittier, Alaska, and Vancouver, Canada, travelling aboard Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam and visiting ports for instance Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska.
Meanwhile, the seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises sail roundtrip from Vancouver on Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zuiderdam, visiting similar ports. The seven-day Alaskan Explorer cruises sail roundtrip from Seattle and get in touch with at Victoria, British Columbia, Ketchikan and Sitka, Alaska.
All ships cruising in Alaska feature expanded onboard programs including talks by an Alaska naturalist. Cruises with Glacier Bay undertake a National Park Ranger and Huna native speaker, and special presentations explore local topics for instance Alaska's bush pilots and the famous Iditarod sled dog race.
Highlights for 2022
From transatlantic jaunts and culturally rich destinations including rivieras to cool down the wonderlands – as well as an epic 150th anniversary crossing – HAL is loaded with lots to provide:
EUROPE – 150TH ANNIVERSARY
HAL will celebrate the historic 150th anniversary of their first ship, the Rotterdam, which sailed on 15 October, 1872, with a transatlantic cruise around the new Rotterdam. The ship embarked on its maiden voyage from Rotterdam to Ny and the new Rotterdam VII will depart Rotterdam on 15 October, 2022.
The historic crossing on its 150th anniversary visit Plymouth, England; stay overnight in New York City, New York, then continue onto Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Celebrations continues into 2023.
Next year's Europe season features culturally rich destinations plus a new mixture of ships, including two Pinnacle Class vessels. From April through October, a large number of unique Europe itineraries, including seven to A 3 week period, is going to be offered aboard the Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Westerdam and Volendam.
As well as transatlantic crossings to and from Europe, 5 HAL ships covers the entire region on voyages.
Ships will explore the Baltic, Uk, French and Spanish rivieras, the Iberian Peninsula, the med, and Northern Europe including Iceland, Greenland, Norway as well as the North Cape.
DUTCH DEPARTURES
In 2022, you will see 27 one-way and roundtrip sailings within the Netherlands. Rotterdam and Volendam will depart from Rotterdam between May and August, including roundtrips and one-ways to Amsterdam. Zaandam also visits Rotterdam on a transatlantic itinerary. “It's apt to be thrilling to make Rotterdam and Amsterdam homeports,” says Wayne.
WHAT'S HOT Within the MEDITERRANEAN
HAL includes a busy, adventure-packed season the coming year inside the Mediterranean. Westerdam will sail the entire 2022 Europe season within the Mediterranean on roundtrip cruises from Venice, as well as between Civitavecchia (Rome), Venice, Barcelona and Piraeus (Athens).
The seven- and 12-day itineraries cover the eastern and western Med, including Greece, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, France and Spain. The Pinnacle Class Nieuw Statendam sails seven-day cruises between Barcelona, Venice, Civitavecchia and Piraeus. The ship spans the eastern and western Mediterranean, including Spain, Italy, Tunisia and Sicily.
In May, Nieuw Statendam sails from Barcelona to Copenhagen on the 12-day voyage across the Iberian Peninsula. Meanwhile, Volendam provides the Europe Voyages of Distinction program, specially curated for guests looking to explore from the beaten path. The ship will offer you 14-day cruises roundtrip from Venice and between Civitavecchia and Venice including unique ports like Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt; Ashdod and Haifa, Israel; and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey.
To find out more visit hollandamerica.com
