Gus Antorcha Named President of Holland America Line

Holland America Line announced today the appointment of Gustavo (Gus) Antorcha as president of the cruise line. Antorcha joins the company effective immediately from sister brand Carnival Cruise Line, where he has served as chief operating officer.

“We are fortunate to welcome Gus to the Holland America Line team for a new chapter at our brand,” said Stein Kruse, Group CEO, Holland America Group and Carnival UK. “His impressive qualifications, boundless energy and passion for the cruise industry will serve us well as we prepare to resume our global operations in the next several months. These are unprecedented times, and his wisdom and competent judgement will ensure Holland America Line’s long-term success.

“I’ve worked with him often during his time at Carnival Cruise Line and know that he brings extensive experience in many disciplines within the cruise and travel business,” added Kruse. “Gus always demonstrates strategic vision, fiscal awareness and superior leadership with a keen ability to keep his eye on the end result to ensure success.”

Antorcha will lead Holland America Line’s sales and marketing, revenue management, deployment and itinerary planning, public relations, guest services operations and strategic planning. He will report to Kruse.

“When you think of longevity and success among global cruise lines today, Holland America Line is arguably among the top, with a proud history of nearly 150 years,” said Antorcha. “On each ship, the guest experience attracts cruisers back again and again with the best live music at sea, a culinary program that rivals the best land-based restaurants, and engaging talks and activities that seek to deepen each guest’s appreciation of the places they visit.

“I am eager to begin working toward our future with the dedicated and talented people that have been important in establishing the brand’s reputation as the go-to cruise line for cultural immersion,” noted Antorcha. “Likewise, I look forward to collaborating with our travel advisor community to continue supporting them and helping them build their Holland America Line business.”

Most recently, Antorcha was chief operating officer at Carnival Cruise Line where he has worked a combined nine years. He also held positions as executive vice president, guest services, responsible for onboard operations; and senior vice president, guest commerce.

Antorcha first came to Carnival in 2010 from Boston Consulting Group, a global strategy and management consulting firm, where he was a partner and managing director focused on clients in the travel and leisure industries. He graduated magna cum laude with distinction from Duke University and holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

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110 Comments

  1. Janice Wege July 9, 2020 at 9:52 am - Reply

    Looking forward to sailing again soon with HAL. Please keep your wonderful itineraries, ships, crews, the same as in the past. I do miss the Crows Nest on the new ships. Also walking around the deck is more difficult on the new ships. But there are so many pluses on them that I will try to overlook these two minuses!

  2. Peter Ozelas July 9, 2020 at 10:01 am - Reply

    Congratulations Mr. Antorcha, Looking forward to bringing great changes that distinguish Holland America from all others.
    My Plea, understanding wear and tear on the Ships Competitive pricing being some of downfalls of sailing to the Caribbean from NYC or Brooklyn, why not bring a new product convincing me that yes I will pay more for thar. Hoping to see you soon in NYC.

  3. Adelheid Zeller July 9, 2020 at 10:05 am - Reply

    Wish you lots of succes Gus Antorcha and Good luck ? in this wonderful company : HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

  4. Janice Williams July 9, 2020 at 10:05 am - Reply

    Gus,
    Welcome to Holland America Cruise Lines. We miss the cruise travel and look forward to future time with HAL.
    Tom and Janice

  5. Patti Oakes July 9, 2020 at 10:14 am - Reply

    Congratulations, and Good Luck.

  6. Tom Blanchard July 9, 2020 at 10:20 am - Reply

    Congratulations, looking forward to your wisdom and guidance for Holland America. Lead us on!
    Tom & Karen Blanchard

  7. George wilson July 9, 2020 at 10:23 am - Reply

    Congratulations, on your new posting. We look forward to the new ideas that you bring.
    George

  8. Diane Davies July 9, 2020 at 10:30 am - Reply

    Congratulations on your new position with HAL. I have sailed over 1200 days and look forward to many more. The Ms Amsterdam officers are the best in the fleet and the high seas.

    Looking forward to our favorite ships resuming their wonderful itineraries soon.

  9. IsabelVierk July 9, 2020 at 10:39 am - Reply

    Welcome Gus! We hope you get us travel in HAL soon!

  10. Peter Mumford July 9, 2020 at 10:51 am - Reply

    Congratulations to Gus on his appointment. HAL is a top class cruise line, and we always love being on those “dam” ships. We have been on Westerdam, Oosterdam, and this year Koningsdam. All are superb ships with lovely crew, who are so friendly and willing to help in any way. We have made friends with those crew members working with us as well as the musicians from the B B King bands. A wonderful group of people on all the ships. We are looking forward to our next cruise with HAL, and that first class cultural, musical, and dining experience!!

  11. Huguette Turcotte July 9, 2020 at 10:52 am - Reply

    Mr. Antorcha,

    Congratulations and welcome to HAL. You are coming in during an exceedingly difficult time, we would like to wish you the absolute best. We are looking forward in travelling again with HAL.

    Best of Luck!

    Maurice, Huguette and Kim Turcotte
    From Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

  12. Jenny Gonzalez July 9, 2020 at 10:52 am - Reply

    Welcome aboard! I would like to make a suggestion to Sr. Antorcha. Don’t ever forget that the staff onboard Holland America’s ship are what makes us loyal customers. The Indonesian, Thai, and Filipino staff members are so welcoming and superior in their attention to detail. They MAKE the shipboard experience. Needless to say, I am aware that there are multiple other nationalities aboard; I am generalizing. Thank you for reading this.
    Hoping to be able to return soon.

  13. Thomas Aubrey O'Neill July 9, 2020 at 11:11 am - Reply

    Congrats on your latest move… with the best cruise line, Holland America …

    Maybe a new itinerary is in the possibilities… ALL CANADIAN CRUISE … East Coast… Montreal, Quebec City then around Newfoundland (St Anthony, St Johns, Corner Brook) over to Charlottetown, Sydney and then Halifax… reverse also…

  14. Jim Sullivan July 9, 2020 at 11:17 am - Reply

    Changes HAL has made in the last 20:years or so, have driven us away. It’s flash and dash. Return to where service was a quality was just expected. Torn or frayed table linen, dirty utensils and inadequate service has replace an old standard. Mediocre entertainment is now the bilingual. Rooms that should never be issued to guests where wall paper or wall coverings were ripped. Stained towels, heavily stained carpet was not uncommon in our travels. On a trip we took to Australia the fuel team spilled fuel and that was all we could smell, complaint fell on deaf ears. All crew wants is the automatic tip. Charge the tip, relax the crew and let them focus on the guest. We’ve had crew members walk past us like they smelled manure. They act indifferent and forget the guest is the reason they have a job. Take a trip on Viking, ocean or river. You should strive to emulate them. Service, food and rooms beyond reproach. We are 4 star mariners, so we know HAL and have moved in to Viking.

  15. Jeanne Baker July 9, 2020 at 11:30 am - Reply

    Welcome aboard we love sailing with Holland America.
    I know you will keep the high quality service that we are used to.

    Hope to be sailing again soon and see all the wonderful crew

    Stay safe and best wishes in your new assignment

    Jeanne

  16. Leith & Richard Brennan July 9, 2020 at 12:05 pm - Reply

    Welcome to Holland America, our favorite Cruise Line! We look forward to meeting you.

  17. David Heuvelmans July 9, 2020 at 12:07 pm - Reply

    Please never lose how Holland is so much more unique than Carnival. We pride ourselves on earning special privileges compared to other lines and WE WORKED HARD AT IT. Looking forward to getting on board and hopefully get lucky and meet on one of our ventures.

  18. James & Ann Jacobs July 9, 2020 at 1:06 pm - Reply

    Welcome aboard Gus, hope you can pull & keep it all together in these trying times! Remember, anyone can pilot the ship when the seas are calm! Good luck!

  19. Bill Lake July 9, 2020 at 1:07 pm - Reply

    Best wishes on your new assignment Gus. I hope you maintain HAL as the cruise line we all know and love. Looking forward to next summer for a Baltic cruise my wife and I have booked.

  20. Sheila Farrell July 9, 2020 at 1:33 pm - Reply

    While I understand that many industries were severely impacted by Covid this year, this news saddens me. With no hard feelings towards Mr Antorcha, Carnival does not have a favourable reputation in the cruise community and I fear that bringing their previous COO to HAL signals the beginning of the end of truly enjoyable vacation experience. I say this, not as an industry “expert”, but as a paying customer who has watched HAL slowly move in the direction of other cruise lines over the years and am fearful that I will be forced to chose another company to vacation with.

  21. Janice Prezzato July 9, 2020 at 1:40 pm - Reply

    HAL is basically a good cruise line. Your web site and technology lag significantly. Those of us that love HAL are disappointed by the technology glitches on refunds etc. Going forward HAL needs to be innovative and lead the way, while not losing that traditional cruise vibe.
    Lose the WiFi fees. Increase cultural shore tours, where appropriate by destination.
    Find a way to better communicate to customers. Sending promos and solicitations for new cruises does not make sense when you have yet addressed via email refund delays. Use good business sense. Trust your people.

  22. James Mitchell July 9, 2020 at 2:34 pm - Reply

    Mr. Antorcha,

    Congratulations!. As a 4 star Mariner and long time fan of Holland America I can to wait to watch you make HAL Great again. Please remember who your loyal customers are and continue to serve us well.

  23. Marianna Liberatore July 9, 2020 at 3:06 pm - Reply

    Good luck. Mr. Antorcha will definitely need it. Holland America cruisers are very
    disappointed in the handling of reimbursements. Who should wait 4+ months to
    receive a reimbursement for a cancelled cruise?

  24. Lisa July 9, 2020 at 3:31 pm - Reply

    THE BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCE..OF MY LIFETIME!

  25. Sue Cunningham July 9, 2020 at 3:43 pm - Reply

    Please please don’t stop having a Catholic daily mass. Can’t wait to get back on board.

  26. Arlene July 9, 2020 at 3:58 pm - Reply

    Congrats hope you have a long happy association with HAL. My husband and I love this cruise line and hope to sail again with them.
    Welcome aboard ????
    Arlene and Mark Moore

  27. Valerie July 9, 2020 at 5:19 pm - Reply

    We have been cruising Holland America over 21 years. We have tried other cruise lines and realize that Holland is “a cut above the rest”. Please, please continue with the quality, customer service and programs HA has. Please don’t change. Above all continue to offer daily masses on your cruise lines. Cruising is 95% of our mode of travel. HA handled the pandemic beautifully!!! We have already booked a cruise for the coming months

  28. Robert T Gatesh July 9, 2020 at 5:41 pm - Reply

    Stop tarnishing your brand and payout the refunds that are owed. If you didn’t sail, it isn’t your money, it belongs to the person who gave their money in good faith.
    If you are backlogged, hire some of the unemployed people, train them — it should only take a week or two — and pay back our money.
    I will think long and hard before booking again on your cruise line.

  29. Serita Corey Childs July 9, 2020 at 6:05 pm - Reply

    Let’s hope he will be true to the traditions of Holland America and not turn our wonderful cruises into Carnival Cruises. We have already experienced the creep when Holland joined Carnival. Not good.

  30. Elizabeth Sims July 9, 2020 at 6:32 pm - Reply

    Congratulations on your new position Gus! We love Holland America and can’t wait til it’s safe to cruise again. We managed to get a cruise in right before COVID-19 became a threat. Hopefully the prices won’t have to go up due to the horrible year this has turned out to be, because I need a vacation!!!

  31. Mary P Manning July 9, 2020 at 6:35 pm - Reply

    Gus, My husband, John, and I welcome you to Holland America. We are happy to have cruised multiple times since 2008 and found that we always look forward to the staff, food and excursions. May your multiple jobs at HAL be enjoyed. Sounds like you will be a very busy person who has much to offer!
    Mary Pat Manning

  32. Judy July 9, 2020 at 7:44 pm - Reply

    Congratulations!!! What will be the first cruise you go on? I want to go to Alaska next September and back to the Caribbean in spring!!!

  33. Don Nelson July 9, 2020 at 8:03 pm - Reply

    Welcome aboard Gus! We look forward to your outstanding leadership and vision to move HAL forward as one of the world’s leading cruise lines. As veterans of almost 400 cruise days, we look forward to sailing again in 2021, when we have 3 HAL cruises booked.

  34. Duncan July 9, 2020 at 10:44 pm - Reply

    Welcome to the whole family of Carnival Cruise Line. I enjoyed learning about you and your upcoming promotions, and now new opportunities for the eye’s out for best intentions. If I may ask that you look into the status of gold platinum an Diamond and allow it on all Carnival Cruise companies. Example Holland, Costa, Aida, P&O Cunard, Seabourn, Princess. So I’m a very avid cruiser and wish nothing more than being at sea.
    Look forward to the new and upcoming cruises. (CCL)
    Duncan Nicol II

  35. Karen Recher July 10, 2020 at 1:15 am - Reply

    Welcome.
    I hope you can restore some of the elegance on HAL. The little things like orchids and REAL flowers on the dining tables. A Library instead of a bunch of books. Cooking shows. Some of my ideas.
    Thanks.

  36. Barbara zion July 10, 2020 at 7:48 am - Reply

    I wish him good luck and hope the ships will be able to sail again before 2021 we need to know about the world trip. Will the itinerary change?? Will all those ports open safely? These are questions from customers. Will the ship be ready to sail in January and what changes are made for the virus???

  37. Priscilla Eldredge July 10, 2020 at 9:00 am - Reply

    Hope you don’t change HAL to be like Carnival at all?

  38. Chris Di Pompeo July 10, 2020 at 11:48 am - Reply

    Welcome to the HAL family. A very quick word of advice…listen to your customers or you will end up in charge of empty ships. HAL has a big following of folks what cruise often had have been loyal to the line. Changes made over the past few years may have helped the bottom line, but were not made people happy. We all understand and sympathize with the financial hardship Covid-19 has caused the cruise industry. We are aware managing costs is important. However, quality, and HAL’s amazing crew, are what keeps people coming back. Please keep customer satisfaction at the forefront of your decisions.

    Thank you,

  39. Dan Kristovich July 10, 2020 at 12:48 pm - Reply

    Welcome aboard. May you always have following seas.

  40. karen laino giannuzzi July 10, 2020 at 8:54 pm - Reply

    Congratulations. You have big shoes to fill since Orlando really took HAL to new Heights and in these turbulent times, you will be busy getting us all back onboard safely and back on the high seas. Welcome Aboard

  41. Claire walsh July 11, 2020 at 11:02 am - Reply

    Welcome aboard. Looking forward to cruising again

  42. Michele A Castleberry July 11, 2020 at 3:31 pm - Reply

    Welcome Mr. Antorcha to our Holland America Family! I look forward to the day when we can all begin sailing on those beautiful “Dam” ships! You sure have your work cut out for you taking on this huge responsibility during this Covid-19 Pandemic. God Bless You! My husband and I have cruised on many, well almost all the cruise lines out there and years ago we took our first HAL cruise on Zuiderdam and we have forever been hooked on the HAL ships, Neptune Suites and all that each ship in the line has to offer. I have even started to collect Holland America Line memorabilia. I am one of your line’s biggest Fans and will be forever! Well, I am 61 years old now so forever I hope will be a long long time of many Holland America cruises each year. Be safe sir and stay well and wish you many many years with us here on Holland America Line.

  43. James A. Smith July 11, 2020 at 8:12 pm - Reply

    We would like to welcome you, Mr. Gustavo Antorcha, to your new position within the CCL corporation and look forward to meeting you on some future cruise, perhaps a Grand Voyage or a World. We wish you every success (your success translates to our success!) in a long, distinguished career as President of HAL.

    My wife and I are avid HAL cruisers and have always appreciated traveling with the ever helpful HAL family. We are eagerly looking forward to when the cruise industry, specifically HAL, will begin anew.

    Again, our Congratulations to you on your recent appointment.

    Jim and Jessica Smith

  44. Cheryl Koska July 12, 2020 at 5:51 am - Reply

    Our cruises have been canceled twice and we have now booked for May 15, 2021 on the Eurodam, the Alaska Adventure…Does anyone know if Holland America will be sailing by then…Also i have only taken one other cruise in 2003 and still talk about it… Don’t know the Mariner ratings and what they mean.. Could someone please give me the run down on that…thank you
    Cheryl Koska
    cherylekoska@hotmail.com
    Would like very much to know more about the new Holland America president Thank You

  45. Chris OConnor July 12, 2020 at 9:17 am - Reply

    Congratulations on the promotion. Holland America has been our go to cruise and next year we and 30 of our family and friends are sailing for our 50th anniversary. We have sailed on other lines and do prefer Holland. The best cruise was Panama. The activities were FUN. Forgot the cruise directors name but there was so much to do like a daily olympics, jewelry fashion show with cruise people, games in the casino etc. I do have to admit the last few cruises since then have not been as exciting. Same things. Drawings for prizes, special pricing on jewelry or spa treatments. Sometimes we find ourselves just wondering around the ship looking for something to do. Happy hour at just one bar is impossible. I am sure with these trying times getting back on track will be a chore but offer something new and exciting. People are ready!

  46. Elaine Law July 12, 2020 at 10:32 pm - Reply

    Congratulations!
    We look forward to sailing again with Holland American in the near future

  47. larry c dotson July 13, 2020 at 6:35 am - Reply

    Welcome onboard.
    We hope for the continuation and advancement of the finest cruising experience in the cruise industry. (the opinion expressed is solely the biased experiences of the author)

    Much success.

    Larry and Margaret

  48. Henk van der Linden July 13, 2020 at 9:33 am - Reply

    Hello Mr. Antorcha,

    At first congratulations with your promotion to president of Holland America Line.

    I shall introduce myself, I am Henk van der Linden and a Hal passenger for more than 20 years.
    The last few years I saw the Hal gliding down to a lower level.
    It felt that we, older people, were less welcome on board because of the rejuvenation of the guests.

    I am the controller of a Facebook Holland America Line site with now 4500 members.
    I am only reading positive comments about you on your new position.
    Finally someone with knowledge of business.

    I will wish you according all the members good luck with your new job and hope you will bring back the company on the level where it belongs.

    Regards,

    Henk van der Linden
    Mariner 038459293
    Cell +31 646 080 666

  49. Larry c. Dotson July 13, 2020 at 4:03 pm - Reply

    Welcome onboard.
    We look forward to the continuation and further enhancements to the greatest cruise line sailing the world. (This is solely the very biased opinion of the author).
    We are eager to be sailing once again.

    Larry and Margaret

  50. Maureen Meier July 14, 2020 at 12:12 pm - Reply

    Welcome aboard Gus.
    Look forward to all that you will bring to
    Holland America.
    I have worked 27 seasons as an Agent in FLL.
    Hopefully one day when ever we resume sailing again I hope I will have the pleasure of meeting you

  51. Brenda July 15, 2020 at 9:31 am - Reply

    We have a cruise booked for December 19 2020 with holland America. We want to know if this cruise will sail going from Argentina ending in Chile. With the covid 19 still so active , will this cruise happen. Thank you

  52. Michael La Garde July 15, 2020 at 8:00 pm - Reply

    Would like to see our new HAL President, Gus Antorcha freshen up our Grand cruise offerings. Grand Pacific cruises have been offered in the past. Could we have a Grand Atlantic cruise R/T Ft Lauderdale or a Grand Mediterranean cruise R/T Ft Lauderdale?
    Wish our new President much success.

  53. David schobet July 15, 2020 at 10:46 pm - Reply

    can not wait to be on the seas

  54. CRAIG WERUM July 21, 2020 at 6:21 pm - Reply

    We want the cruises to start A.S.A.P Seattle will have two times the ships because of Vancouver
    will be closed for next season . So please let us book another year out (2022) to help pay your bills. 7 days out at sea along the coast will be fine . Just get us aboard . Thank you Craig and Bess Werum Four star veterans.

  55. Linda July 22, 2020 at 2:19 am - Reply

    Welcome aboard Mr.Antorcha,
    The one and only issue that will make or break my decision if to resume cruising with HAL, is if you continue or cancel (as we have heard) the dance host program. For some of us: women solo traveler is of utmost important. No sir, just “any crew member will dance with you” as I was told when talked with HAL customer service in Seattle, will not do it for me.

  56. Debbie July 23, 2020 at 3:56 pm - Reply

    Please bring some of the programs back onto the ships. The last few cruises were boring, fewer shows. No more America’s Test Kitchen. We started going back to other cruise lines that we had left as they had made too many changes. It turns out, there changes as bad as they were – weren’t as boring onboard. But please don’t make it party cruises like on Carnival.

  57. Alexander July 24, 2020 at 1:32 pm - Reply

    Bienvenue/Welcome Mr. Antorcha – President of Holland America Line.
    I believe its great to have someone experienced in the cruise industry take on this new challenge.
    There is a long tradition of excellence , maritime history, and Premium touches onboard the ships of the Line. While I am all for bringing modernisation and innovation to your fleet of vessels, I do wish that Holland America, does not lose sight of what in the past made your cruise line so special and different from other cruise lines that as you must be aware developed a large base of repeat guests and loyal Mariners.

    I am one of them. Alexander 4 Star Mariner Montreal/ Canada

  58. SUSAN KOZEL July 29, 2020 at 9:06 pm - Reply

    Hi, Gus, Justin in resolution management helped me for almost 2 hours today, cleaned up staff mistakes, and I hope our refund will come soon. He did an outstanding job. Can you intervene and make sure we get our over due refund from April 15 soon?

    Sue Kozel, almost Mariner 4

  59. SUSAN KOZEL August 3, 2020 at 7:14 pm - Reply

    Aug. 3
    Carol Kidd, the supervisor of the personal cruise consultant B. BUNTS, will not write me or call me back about our nearly 72 business day period of waiting for a refund for a HAL cancelled cruise.
    What is wrong with your operation? I can’t keep spending 1 hour and forty minutes to try to get reimbursement on the phone. Junior helped in resolutions, but we need the money.

    Ready to file a CV complaint. Can you respond?
    Sue Kozel
    Mariner 3 and former Neptune level

    P.S. it appears you f iui d not publish one if my comments.

  60. Leonard Corbett August 4, 2020 at 5:45 pm - Reply

    August 4, 2020

    Dear Mr. Antorcha,

    I wish you great success in your new position.

    I am a 5-Star Mariner who since 1972 has sailed with Holland America 81 times. Since 1997 I have brought many dance groups to enjoy a vacation on a beautiful HAL ship.

    Sadly, my groups have noticed that the previous management at HAL have written off ballroom and Latin dancers, and it appears, some of your senior base, who helped build HAL.

    Of course, many passengers enjoy B B King music, or the Rolling Stone room, but these rooms do not play tradition dance music that older people enjoy.

    In the last few years I have only been able to use the “S” and “R” class of ships where the Ocean bar has a band, but now you are down to, two “R” ships.

    The Signature and Vista class ships you still have, could have a trio or a piano with a synthesizer. These ships already have the dance floors, they have just been covered with carpeting. A few years ago they had great bands in the Crows nest and Ocean bar. (Now they are all covered) This would make the Ocean bar a great dance venue again.

    Cunard, MSC, Crystal and Costa have great dance floors with traditional ballroom/Latin dance music, but all of us love HAL.

    There are still tens of thousands of ballroom dancers still looking for cruise ship dancing.

    I hope you will give my letter your deepest consideration. I hope you will help ballroom dancers!

    Sincerely,
    Leonard Corbett #009936527

  61. Debra Rogers August 5, 2020 at 12:36 am - Reply

    Mr. Antorcha,
    Congratulations on your new position with HAL.

    My husband and I are committed fans of this line and love the new ships with music walk. We wait all year to dance every night with the BB King Band and Rolling Stone Rock Room Band.

    You have the best crew on the seas. Half Moon Cay is our favorite destination and enjoying a day at sea with a book at the aft pool looking out at the wake is the epitome of a perfect day.

    We have made lifelong friends on our HAL cruises. During our last cruise we enjoyed our 100th sea day with a fantastic tour of the bridge.

    However long it takes to cruise again we will be back.

    Congratulations again.
    Debra and David Rogers

  62. Jana Polgar August 12, 2020 at 8:56 pm - Reply

    Cruise cancellation and FCC

    We are 3 star mariners, cruising predominantly with HA. When we learned that disembarkation port of Vancouver was closed on 13/3/2020 and the Australian government announced closure of the Sydney port on 16/3/2020 I called HA Service Center (on 17/3/2020) seeking advice on transfer to alternate embarkation/disembarkation ports (as per Cruise Contract). Instead, I was offered 2 options: cancel with small refund and remaining money to be deposited in my FCC (with option to redeem at 125% by the end of 2022) or wait until the planned departure 17/4/2020. In that case, if HA cancelled the cruise after this date, no money would be refunded. Alternatively, I could receive a full refund if HA cancellation precedes the embarkation date.

    There was no offer of transfer to alternate embarkation port. We received information that HA cancelled the cruise in Canada on 21/4/2020, a few days after our planned departure from Sydney. After long waiting (20/7/2020) we received the partial refund. However, there is nothing in our FCC account to this date. Later on we also learned that some people travelling with us on the same cruise, who are not mariners received full refund because they did not cancel the cruise on time. This indicates, the HA is changing the rules on the fly without properly informing the guests about the change and completely disregarding our loyalty. In addition, the situation with COVIT-19 developed the way and not being able to redeem FCC we may not be able to travel by the end of 2022. I am very disappointed with HA Service and the way loyal guests are treated.
    Dr. Polgar

  63. Barbara Lacher August 17, 2020 at 4:41 pm - Reply

    Sad to see the smaller ships leave your fleet. We sailed on four of them. Will you still have the Canadian cruises? Wonderful memories of the New England/Canadian trip.

  64. Christine Bryan August 18, 2020 at 6:51 pm - Reply

    My husband and I are 5* Mariners and are anxiously awaiting resuming our HAL cruises. We have had 2 cancelled and still have 3 booked. We are not sure what will happen in Feb. and March with this virus for our cruises then. Our 3rd is on the new Rotterdam late Sept. Really looking forward to that one.

    We are still waiting for a refund for our March 13th cruise. Rec’d FCC for the cancelled one on the Noordam in Sept. Is it because the other is a monetary refund that we have to wait so long?

    Anyway, welcome aboard.

  65. Jan August 22, 2020 at 5:13 am - Reply

    Van 1967 tot en met 1970 heb ik als bemanningslid mogen werken op verschillende HAL schepen. (Waaronder de SS Nieuw Amsterdam een bijzonder mooi charmant schip). Vanaf het moment dat ik de HAL verliet heb ik altijd de wens gehad om ooit weer eens te gaan varen. In de zomer van 2011 was het zover. Samen met mijn vrouw en kinderen onze eerste gezamenlijke cruise gemaakt op de Noordam. Vanaf dat moment hebben we ieder jaar met of zonder kinderen een of meerder cruises bij de HAL gemaakt. Wij vinden het jammer dat op programmering gebied er de laatste jaren veel bezuinigd is. Wij hopen ook dat er in de toekomst ook aangemeerd gaat worden op kleinere havens, met of zonder tenders. Vooral in de Middellandse zee gebied. Wij hopen zo spoedig mogelijk weer aan boord te mogen gaan van een van de HAL schepen.

    From 1967 to 1970 I was allowed to work as a crew member on various HAL ships. (Including the SS Nieuw Amsterdam, a particularly beautiful charming ship). From the moment I left HAL I have always had the wish to go sailing again. In the summer of 2011 the time had come. Together with my wife and children did we made our first joint cruise on the MS Noordam. From that moment on we have made one or more cruises at the HAL every year with or without children. We think it is a pity that a lot of cutbacks have been made in the field of programming in recent years. We also hope that in the future there will also be mooring at smaller ports, with or without tenders. Especially in the Mediterranean area. We hope to be able to board one of the HAL ships again as soon as possible.

  66. Constance A. Lowe September 13, 2020 at 1:40 am - Reply

    Congratulations, Mr. Antorcha, and I wish you every success in your new role.

    Every time I have attended a “Meet the Captain” or other feedback session on a HAL ship, I’ve made the point that three things keep drawing me back to Holland America Line: the size of the ships (by which I meant R class and smaller), the classic teak wrap-around promenade decks, and the fabulous staff and crew. There are many other things I love – the food, the lectures, the libraries, and the fascinating ports accessible to the smaller ships, just to start with.

    As a realist (and shareholder) I understand the thinking behind the move in recent years to larger ships. However, since I first sailed with HAL in 1964, you may infer that I have aged into the group that does not walk long distances or stand in line for any length of time without actual pain. My one visit to Koningsdam – and even before that, my one voyage on Oosterdam – convinced me that I do not wish ever to sail on ships that large in future. I also believe that the impact of ships that size on the ports of call is negative for both visitors and port inhabitants. If you have ever been on the dock at St Maarten when 5 jumbo ships were in port, you will know how tedious getting to beaches and “sights” through the crowds can be. Some ports, notably Venice, are already exploring ways to limit the onslaught of visitors.

    I am content to pay the premium cost per day of HAL’s Grand Voyages and other long itineraries to enjoy the more manageable expanses of the R ships. I know there are many fellow passengers who feel as I do. I am concerned, therefore, that there seem to be no new ships on order of a size comparable to the R class. If Viking and Oceania can make newbuilds of around 1200 passengers profitable, I feel certain that HAL can also, at least for the Grands and other long itineraries.

    And THAT, Mr. Antorcha, is my challenge to you. Welcome aboard!

    Best wishes,

    Constance A. Lowe, Ph.D.

  67. Jalna Hunt October 13, 2020 at 2:26 pm - Reply

    We completely agree with everything Constance Lowe has said in her thoughtful message
    of 13 September 20 above. We, too, will never sail on a Pinnacle Class ship, especially after a dismal experience on the Koningsdam, unable to escape from a trashy sound-track piped into every public area on the ship!
    BTW, we are 5-star Mariners, accumulating our cruise days on the delightful SMALLER ships,
    over a period of 16 years.

  68. Anton Schigas October 16, 2020 at 7:45 pm - Reply

    October 16, 2020
    We where booked on the Konigsdam, sailing from Fort Lauderdale March 15 on a 48 day cruise to Vancouver BC. On March 13 we received an email from HAL that the cruise was cancelled and stating we would receive a full refund of the cruise fare plus a FCC in the same amount. It is know 8 month and we have not received our refund, even after numerous phone calls to HAL from myself and our cruise consultant. We are out a substantial amount of money and every time I phone them the excuses change to their advantage. We are 3star mariner and always enjoyed cruising with HAL. However, that may now be in jeopardy.

  69. Meena November 17, 2020 at 9:34 am - Reply

    Dear Mr Antorcha
    Congratulations on you appointment with HAL. I note that the South American and Antarctic cruise has been cancelled up to the end of December 2020. I am booked to travel in January 2021 on the South America and Antarctica Chile to Argentina. I am concerned that Covid 19 is still pandemic and I would like to know if this cruise is going ahead.
    Thank you

  70. Araceli Bazan November 23, 2020 at 1:54 am - Reply

    HOLA estamos esperando el REINTEGRO , pasaron 10 meses y todavía no nos devolvieron nada, somos pasajeros del Westerdam que bajamos en Camboya, POR FAVOR MANDAMOS TODOS LOS COMPROBANTES, DIJERON QUE MANDABAN EL TOTAL DE LO RECLAMADO EN 60 DIAS Y TODAVIA NO RECIBIMOS NADA.
    AGRADECERÍAMOS QUE CONTESTEN PORQUE NADIE NOS RESPONDE . gracias

  71. Alan Rosenberg December 4, 2020 at 11:43 pm - Reply

    Belated congratulations, Mr. Antorcha. We are 3-star Mariners. We are greatly looking forward to resuming our cruises with HAL, the only line we sail. In fact, we’re booked for 2 weeks on the Nieuw Amsterdam in February, 2022. Question: When HAL cruises resume, do you anticipate the possibility of requiring vaccination certificates (or other evidence of same) before allowing passengers on board? We hope the answer is yes. We want to know we’ll be safe on board. Anti-vaxxers are certainly free to do as they wish – but we feel they shouldn’t be allowed to infect those passengers who have taken appropriate precautions. We know it’s a tough question – but we’d be interested to hear what HAL’s plans might be. Many thanks.

  72. Joseph Spillane December 7, 2020 at 5:31 pm - Reply

    I too would like to see r/t ftl med.

  73. charles mitchell December 7, 2020 at 6:21 pm - Reply

    Mr. Antorcha,

    I would also like to see an annual round trip cruise Ft Lauderdale-Europe and return. Many of us loyal long term HAL cruisers enjoy the extended cruises without the dreaded transatlantic air. See if you can come up with a new improved Atlantic Adventurer and if it cost more than before so be it. Yes we will complain a bit but also we will pay it! I think you will be surprised at the cheers if this cruise makes a come back. Thanks kindly for your consideration.

    Chuck Mitchell (4, soon to be 5 star mariner)

  74. Donna January 11, 2021 at 6:16 pm - Reply

    Ahoy Mr. Antorcha:

    We congratulate you on your new position, and wish you much success.

    We’ve become HAL loyalists because of HAL’s unique and exciting itineraries, typically different from similar sister ship brands, as well as the competition.

    We look forward to cruising again with HAL, and hope not to be disappointed with where HAL can take us.

    Warm Regards

  75. Juan carlos January 23, 2021 at 9:33 pm - Reply

    Estimado seguimos esperando nuestro REINTEGRO DE GASTOS que uds SE COMPROMETIERON EN ACREDITAR Y VA HACER UN AÑO Y NO TENEMOS NUESTRO DINERO, somos pasajeros de holland american Westerdam que bajo en Cambodia, POR FAVOR CONTESTEN Y BASTA DE ENGAÑOS!!!

  76. Rhoda February 4, 2021 at 7:48 pm - Reply

    Wow! Finally I got a blog from where I be able to in fact get helpful information regarding my study and knowledge.

  77. Joy and Robert Rentz February 18, 2021 at 12:03 pm - Reply

    Hi Gus,
    We congratulate you on your new and interesting adventure. We are forever loyal to Holland America even though we may cheat once in years. We are ready and waiting for our 128 Day Grand World Cruise 2022, and we are looking at some other 30 days’ cruise, but with COVID19 ever so present still, we have not decided on anyone yet, but soon. We love cruising and we love Holland America, so welcome aboard.
    Sure we will see you on one of your/our ships.
    Joy

  78. Caroline Butler May 20, 2021 at 8:45 am - Reply

    Dear Mr. Antorcha,
    May I suggest that Holland America consider a Grand Voyage to Australia and New Zealand, round trip to/from San Diego? HAL currently offers a South Pacific & Australia Circumnavigation Collector cruise from San Diego that can be combined with the New Zealand Holiday cruise (both on the Noordam) that finishes in Sydney. Unless one chooses to remain “down under” for several months, there is no transpacific cruise that returns to the U.S. My husband and I are at an age (along with many other cruisers) where the flights to/from the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand (particularly from the East Coast) are long and uncomfortable. A round trip Grand Voyage to these countries from the U.S. would be a welcome addition to HAL’s itinerary. Thank you for your consideration.
    Sincerely, Caroline Butler

  79. Wayne Sanders June 10, 2021 at 3:12 pm - Reply

    We realize that COVID has disrupted many of your plans.. and many of your guests.. but your communication also needs to be clearer . Today via Facebook I was informed my booking on Rotterdamn was canceled. I Checked your webdsite no mention… Then I checked cruise news and they verified.. This is not a way to run a major corporation. Your communication on my last 4 cruises cancellations have not been the best… Wayne Sanders

  80. Nancy Sleeper June 30, 2021 at 8:07 pm - Reply

    Dear Mr Antorcha,
    I am a 4 star Mariner, on my way to a 5 star. Have spent thousands.
    As of today, June 30, 2021 I am no longer welcome on any HA ship.
    I live in Tampa, and it appears you are ignoring our new laws stating FL residents shall not be discriminated against because of this unapproved vaccine. I don’t need it and I don’t want it.
    Are you challenging the State of FL to impose massive fines for not complying with our laws while using our Ports?
    Please respond.
    I am disappointed in HA and very sad that your discriminating policy has ruined the vacation plans of thousands of loyal cruisers.

  81. Adam July 18, 2021 at 1:36 pm - Reply

    I notice his brief stay at SeaWorld was not mentioned. Congrats on better employment.

  82. Michael Poole September 27, 2021 at 10:25 am - Reply

    We are booked on the Eurodam 17 Oct – 14 Nov 2021. We are desperately trying to find out if we will be allowed to sail (we are Canadians). I know that the ban is to be lifted ‘early November’, but will that allow us to disembark in Fort Lauderdale on the 14th November (we are flying straight back to Canada)?

    We still have flights and hotel booked.

    When will we have a definitive answer?

  83. Michael Poole September 27, 2021 at 4:04 pm - Reply

    I am wondering why my post of this morning has been removed?

  84. Michael Poole September 28, 2021 at 10:40 pm - Reply

    I left two posts on the 27th September 2021 – both have been removed. They were very important and a reply was requested. We are due to fly on the 15th October. PLEASE respond.

  85. Aldine Pollock November 23, 2021 at 9:42 pm - Reply

    I am very upset to learn that my 1 year old granddaughter can not come on the cruise because she is not vaccinated. It is not possible to vaccinate anyone under 5 years old in the US. Is it it possible to get an exemption to this rule? Other cruise lines in your organization allow children under 5 on their trips! I would appreciate a response to this issue- as we are scheduled to set sail on December 23rd from San Diego.

  86. Aldine Pollock November 29, 2021 at 4:52 pm - Reply

    Is there any way our 1 year old granddaughter could get an exemption? We could test her every day and not allow her to go off the boat and bring back COVID like any of the crew or passengers who would be much more of a COVID risk! I look forward to hearing from you! You may also call me 707 442-1514. Thank you!

  87. Mark Anderson March 24, 2022 at 2:40 pm - Reply

    Hello,

    I bought over $23,000 of jewelry on a Holland America cruise in January, 2022. I was told the entire amount would earn cruise days at $300 per cruise day. This totaled 79.5 cruise day credits. I would not have purchased the jewelry without the cruise day credits. This is a complete BAIT and SWITCH. NO cruise day credits over 7. I want my money back. They can have the jewelry. I have asked for a courier pickup but I have received no response.

  88. Jane Reader May 12, 2022 at 11:27 am - Reply

    Before sailing on the Koningsdam in April I booked shore excursions one of which was cancelled and an email informed me a refund would be sent to my bank account. Nothing has appeared in my account to date, May12 2022. Where is my refund??

  89. Catherine Heck May 13, 2022 at 1:18 pm - Reply

    I am a 3 star plus Mariner, having cruised with Holland to Alaska, through the Panama Canal and around the Black Sea. My friends and I wanted to go to Alaska and I highly recommended Holland because it has long time experience in Alaska. I am so sorry I did. I have found the website dreadful and slow. Trying to reach any department by phone has been worse to impossible. I was on hold today for 30 minutes beyond the 15 minutes the line said I would be on hold. I gave up as I have done 15-20 times. I have received such messages as “we value your call, we’re unable to help you now”, disconnect. The on hold music(?) is loud and repetitious and off putting. Please improve your service. I have cruised with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Oceania with 2 cruises booked recently. No other cruise line has such disregard for their website or customer service.

  90. Ron & Nancy Schnitger August 3, 2022 at 6:07 pm - Reply

    We are still waiting for our “Anniversary Pictures” We were on the Zuiderdam ship April 3-13-22 Mexican Sea of Cortez-We were told it would be from8-10weeks, that puts to mailed to us no later than May -June!! It is now August, still nothing! We have been ON HOLD probably, possibly 25 My husband reached a lady named DANA in Guest relations, even got a Case # 1-9173469275. The 810.00 was on a H.A.L. Cruise Statement we should either be refunded or have our pictures. We were to show them at our 67 yrs. Party in June . Not very happy with Holland American Cruise Lines at this moment———Please call us 360 244-1817. Mrs S.

  91. Nancy Longnecker August 8, 2022 at 4:16 pm - Reply

    Your guest relations is not answering the phone, called at 10:03 Pacific time, after 1 hour call was disconnected. Tried reservations to talk to a supervisor to get them to have guest relations call me, she put me on hold for 5 minutes and then disconnected the call. Called guest relations back again, I have been on hold for OVER 2 hours. I keep getting the message “Your call is important to us”. If it is then answer it. Gus you need to hire more people or figure out what is wrong with the phones. I worked customer service call center, we never had someone on hold for an hour, especially not 2 HOURS. I have sent 7 emails that I have not received a response from. Bad customer service means less customers.

  92. GREGG PETERSON September 8, 2022 at 3:16 pm - Reply

    My insurance company requires proof of the funds returned after cancellation of a cruise. I need an invoice. I have been unable to reach you via phone because of very long wait times. My booking number was XLMHCL. Cancellation number is TVK02003,

    Thanks!

    Gregg Peterson

    805 – 323-5546.

  93. Cherrilee McPherson September 12, 2022 at 5:34 pm - Reply

    Your Customer relations department is not answering the phone. The recording says our call is important to you….but apparently it isn’t. I have been on hold for 3 HOURS. I just recently completed a survey about our recent cruise which I gave mostly favorable responses. However I am not pretty sure I will not cruise Holland America again. Poor cusomer service does not sit well with me and we have MANY CHOICES IN Cruise industry. Very sad!

  94. Ardythe Hom September 19, 2022 at 6:38 pm - Reply

    Today, I was on hold with HAL’s “guest relations” for 4.5 hours. Last week, 1.5 hours before I had to hang up. I’ve written 2 emails to guestrelations@hollandamerica.com. No reply.

    I have an upcoming cruise at the beginning of Oct 2022. My husband can no longer come because he needs stay with his 91 year old mom. ALL WE WANT TO DO IS PROTECT HIS FUNDS and CHANGE THE NAME OF THE BOOKING TO MY SISTER. simple! However, today I spent 4.5 hours on hold through my travel agent while she tried to accomplish this with HAL’s “guest relations”. When asked to speak to a “supervisor”, we were again put on hold only to be told that there was none available!

    HAL already has my money. What does HAL care who is in the cabin?

    PLEASE make this happen for us. It’s a simple simple simple change for HAL. Otherwise, we lose money and HAL loses loyal mariner 3-star customers for life.

  95. Ardythe Hom September 21, 2022 at 6:38 pm - Reply

    President Gus Antorcha-
    SUBSTITUTE MY HUSBAND’S PASSAGE FOR MY SISTER. PLEASE!
    Hopefully this comment goes straight to the top!

    Why will HAL not allow a change of passenger to a paid booking? My husband can no long sail with me on OCTOBER 2, 2022 and we would like to gift his passage to my sister. I’m told by my travel agent that other cruise lines, including Norwegian, allow this change.

    Come on! Get onboard and help us out. We can’t afford to lose my husband’s expiring cruise credits AND pay an additional full fare to have my sister room with me. This is unnecessary stress for me.

    Again, what does HAL care who is in the cabin with me? It’s paid in full!!
    EMAIL me please!

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