HAL-Holland America kicked off its 2023 Alaskan season on Monday, May 1st, with the arrival of ms Eurodam at the Port of Seattle (Washington USA).
Popular as "Seattle's Hometown Cruise Line", HAL marked the day with a welcome celebration at Pier 91 including a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Regan Gallo (Miss Washington) and Jessica Reisinger (Miss Alaska).
To honor its 150th Anniversary, the company presented a commemorative plaque to Port Seattle and made a donation to the Seattle-based organization The Pastry Project. Fanfare on the pier included a performance by an ensemble from the University of Washington marching band.
MS Westerdam starts cruising in Alaska (also with roundtrips from Seattle) on Sunday, May 7th.
Beth Bodensteiner (HAL's CCO) said that as the pioneer and leader in Alaska cruising, Holland America was excited to start the season celebrating their 150th Anniversary in their hometown.
"Not only is Holland America Line headquartered in Seattle, but it's a key homeport for our brand. With two ships based here and four more in Vancouver through September, we're ready for a robust Alaska season of cruising and cruisetours including land trips to Denali and Yukon."
Holland America also operates Alaskan voyages via Vancouver (BC Canada), and those commenced on Monday, May 1st, with ms Koningsdam.
On Tuesday, May 2nd, HAL will hold a celebratory event in Vancouver (on ms Noordam) with a 150th Anniversary plaque presentation to Port Vancouver and a donation to YWCA Crabtree Corner.
MS Nieuw Amsterdam and MS Volendam are homeported in Vancouver BC this season, rounding out HAL's 6 Alaskan ships through September 2023.