Category: Holidays

Peter Tukker, Westerdam’s environmental officer, sent us this photo from the ship’s gift donation event in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, on Dec.15, 2009.

We received this great photo and note from Courtney Blessing, Holland America’s San Diego shore operations manager. San Diego Shore Operations donated over 60 toys and $220 to the Armed Forces YMCA which then distributes to military families of E5 status or lower. The families are picked by lottery and will receive two toys per…   read more of “San Diego Toy…”

During the Zuiderdam’s call to Curaçao on November 27th, Captain Christopher Turner, officers and crew, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus, spent the afternoon with 163 orphans, distributing presents and entertaining them with a holiday carnival. From face painting to bowling, the crew of the Zuiderdam created some very special holiday memories for all to…   read more of “Zuiderdam Making…”

Sinterklaas — the Dutch version of Santa Claus — took time from his busy schedule to pay a visit to Holland America Line’s Seattle headquarters office. The jolly old elf, portrayed by Hans Brinkhoff, who retired from Holland America after 35 years and serves as chairman of De Lijn, even posed for a photo with…   read more of “Sinterklaas Calls…”

In this video, Eurodam’s Executive Chef Robert Schumann explains the process of making oversize gingerbread houses that will be used for Christmas decorations. This is what the shipboard Christmas villages eventually will look like when they are assembled and fully decorated.

On October 27th in San Juan, 90 underprivileged children from Ines M. Mendoza Elementary School embarked the Eurodam for a fantastic day of trick-or-treating and fun! At lunchtime, the bus filled with children dressed up for Halloween pulled up to Pier 4, and out came firemen, chefs, nurses, police officers, army men, sports players and…   read more of “Eurodam’s…”

As promised, here are some pictures from Halloween on board Amsterdam. A great time was had by all.

October 30 a Boo Ball was held on Amsterdam in The Crow’s Nest. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes, and guests voted for the winner of the jack-o-lantern carving competition held by chefs and crew. It was very festive and a packed house of ghosts and goblins.