Bitta Kuruvilla, Statendam’s executive chef, shared this note and photo of the ship’s galley team, just in time for the Holidays. Here on board ms Statendam we work as an International family. We have 86 members in our family, all with different job duties. The majority of the cooks and chefs are from the Philippines… read more of “Happy Holidays from…”
All of us at Holland America Blog wish our contributors and readers a happy and healthy holiday season. We’ll be back with fresh content Monday, Dec. 28. Eurodam decked out for the holidays. Thanks to guest John Majors for sending in the photo.
We recently had a chance to board Eurodam on a turnaround day in Fort Lauderdale and found the ship dressed for the holiday season. True to form, Holland America Line’s approach to decorating its ships is understated, elegant and tasteful. Here’s a little video we made that gives a tour of the ship decked out… read more of “Eurodam Decorated…”
During the days leading up to December 20th, the crew of Amsterdam collected Christmas donations for the orphans of Ciudad de los Ninos in Mazatlan, Mexico. The original plan was to have the children board for the afternoon and treat them to a great lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and of course lots of ice… read more of “Amsterdam Crew…”
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…”
