Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1503289
Holland America Line, a leader in Alaska vacations for more than 75 years, previewed this year's season at a Seatrade Cruise Global private kickoff event recently on board Nieuw Amsterdam, one of the line's six ships that will explore the region this summer. "We're excited for our 76th season to showcase all of the reasons why no one does Alaska better than Holland America Line," said Gus Antorcha, pres- ident, Holland America Line. "We offer more cruises to Glacier Bay than any other line, we have a robust program to immerse our guests in all-things Alaska and we're the only cruise line with owned land operations in both Denali and Yukon," he told a gathering in the ship's B.B. King's Blues Club lounge. Summer 2023 will be the first full sea- son that all Holland America Line ships sailing Alaska will exclusively serve fresh, certified sustainable and traceable Alaska seafood. The six ships completed an audit last summer by Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM), making Holland America Line the first cruise line with the distinguished credential. In a cooking demonstration at the event, Culinary Council Chef Ethan Stowell shared his recipe for King Salmon and Salsa Verde, one of many new fresh Alaska seafood dishes now served on board. As Holland America Line celebrat- ed its 150th anniversary this April, it also kicked off its 76th Alaska season with seven-day itineraries and 14-day "Great Alaska Explorer" cruises. For explorers who want to travel farther into the Great Land, 16 different Cruisetours combine a three-, four- or seven-day Alaska cruise with an inland exploration of Denali National Park. Holland America Line is the only cruise line that extends land tours up to the unspoiled reaches of Canada's Yukon Territory. Cruises sail roundtrip from Seattle, Washington; roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C.; or one-way between Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska, and Vancouver. The ships deliver a premium experience designed for immersive cruising. Wraparound decks and an abundance of verandah staterooms bring guests closer to Alaska's natural wonders, while enriching programming presents the opportunity to learn about the culture and history from authentic experts. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com B M & T ••• July/August 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 49 C R U I S E N E W S FRESH, SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD, GLACIERS AND DENALI/YUKON CRUISETOURS ON TAP AS HOLLAND AMERICA LINE PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS UPCOMING ALASKA SEASON Cruise Line Prepares First Full Season as Only Cruise Line to Serve Certified Sustainable Alaska Seafood On All Alaskan Voyages WORLD'S FASTEST GROWING CRUISE LINE SAILS INTO NEW YORK CITY AS MSC CRUISES LAUNCHES YEAR-ROUND SAILINGS ON MSC MERAVIGLIA New York City becomes MSC Cruises' third homeport in the U.S., marking the first time the line will offer year-round sailings from the Northeast. Award-winning megaship MSC Meraviglia will sail to The Bahamas and Florida, Canada and New England, and Bermuda. Launch of service represents major ongoing impact for New York City. MSC Cruises—the world's third-largest and fastest growing cruise line—arrived in New York City recently when MSC Meraviglia docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The mod- ern and glamorous megaship has begun sailing from the Big Apple to The Bahamas and Florida, Canada and New England, and Bermuda. Itineraries will be available year-round, resulting in a sizeable and ongoing economic impact to the region and confirming MSC Cruises' commitment to the New York cruise market. MSC Meraviglia is one of the world's biggest ships, with a long list of activities and amenities to match. She is known as "The Ship for All Seasons" thanks to expansive indoor and out- door public spaces and a pool deck with a roof that opens and closes depending on the weather. MSC Cruises is deploying the ship to New York as part of an ongoing pledge to bring its largest, most modern ships to the U.S. market as it continues to