Holland America Line Newsroom

As the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, Holland America Line is unveiling plans for a fleetwide celebration honoring the milestone birthday with festive onboard programming, live music, commemorative keepsakes and special culinary experiences on every cruise over the July 4 holiday.

Holland America Line President Beth Bodensteiner visited Ketchikan, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, where she met with members of American Legion Post 3 aboard Nieuw Amsterdam and then toured the site of the post’s historic building, which was lost in a fire in 2023.

The Alaska operations of Holland America Line and  Princess announced a leadership transition within its Alaska government affairs team, marking the retirement of a long-tenured executive and the promotion of a rising leader. In Alaska and Yukon, Holland America Line and Princess jointly manage Carnival Corporation’s combined land operations business supporting Holland America and Princess Cruises. 

Celebrated Seattle-based chef and Holland America Line Culinary Ambassador Ethan Stowell recently joined Volendam’s Grand World Voyage from April 29 to May 3. 

The 2026 Nenana Ice Classic ended May 4 when the contest’s iconic wooden tripod broke through the ice on Alaska’s Tanana River at 6:58 p.m. AKST, marking the official conclusion of the annual guessing game.

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam is back in service following a two-week dry dock in The Netherlands, debuting more space for families and friends traveling together, along with additional locations to enjoy live music and refreshed retail areas.

During his time on board, the Japanese-born Iron Chef hosted several exclusive dinners, a cooking show and a Japanese cuisine-themed trivia for guests, adding a distinctly personal layer to his role as Culinary Ambassador. A highlight was a special Omakase Diner held in Pinnacle Grill, which featured dishes by Chef Morimoto exclusive to this experience. His time on board not only highlighted the depth of Holland America Line’s culinary program, but also reinforced its commitment to delivering unforgettable, destination-inspired dining at sea.

Holland America Line is ushering in its 2026 Alaska season starting April 25 with the arrival of Eurodam to the Port of Seattle. With more than 100 voyages across six ships this season departing three homeports, guests who embark on a cruise to the Great Land will find a lineup of extensive onboard programming, elevated culinary offerings and more than two dozen new shore excursions—all designed to connect guests more deeply with Alaska’s awe-inspiring landscapes and local culture. 

Princess Cruises and Holland America Line announced an initial combined commitment of $175,000 in 2026, to help rebuild the Joseph T. Craig American Legion Post 3 in Ketchikan, Alaska – the state’s oldest American Legion post – after the historic facility was destroyed by arson in September 2023.