Holland America Line Takes Home 2022 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards In All Categories Entered

Cruise line honored for itineraries, ship, private island, cuisine and giving

Seattle, Wash., Nov. 16, 2022 —Holland America Line earned five gold and one silver 2022 Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly. The cruise line took home an award in every category it entered: gold for Premium Ship Itinerary — Grand Africa Voyage, World Cruise, Private Island, Cuisine and Giving Back Initiative. Holland America Line’s Rotterdam took home a silver in the Premium Ship category.

The awards are featured in the Nov. 7 edition of Travel Weekly. Two Grand Voyages earned accolades, along with Holland America Line’s private island Half Moon Cay and the company’s initiative to assist the people of Ukraine. The on-board dining experience also brought home a gold, while the newest ship in the fleet earned silver.

“Holland America Line’s goal is to provide an exceptional experience, and these awards reinforce our reputation for offering memorable cruises to unique locations and high caliber dining, along with our humanitarian efforts,” said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development. “Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards are highly regarded, and we are honored to be recognized by such an esteemed panel and respected publication.”

Taking Top Honors at the Magellan Awards
Holland America Line won gold in the Premium Ship itinerary category for its Grand Africa Voyage. The 2022 cruise departed in October on a 71-day journey roundtrip from Fort. Lauderdale, Florida, that permitted guests to discover the world from a convenient North American gateway. Zaandam is sailing around Africa with calls at 25 ports in 21 countries and territories. The Grand Africa Voyage is being offered again in 2023.

Holland America Line’s Grand World Voyage took home the gold in the World Cruise category. In 2023, the 128-day cruise departs Jan. 3 aboard Zuiderdam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary that circles the globe on a westwardly route. Guests will enjoy 61 ports in 30 countries and island nations, eight overnight calls and 20 calls around Africa.

Half Moon Cay took top honors for Private Island. The quintessential sanctuary has evolved into a pristine tropical playground over the past 25 years. The private Bahamian island features the finest stretch of beach in the Caribbean; private two-story villas or single cabanas; island activities, like riding horses along the beach and in the surf, personal watercraft, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking and hiking; a beach barbecue; Lobster Shack with freshly grilled lobster; and the “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” beach bar.

Dining is at the heart of a Holland America Line cruise, and the brand won gold for Cuisine. Guests enjoy a variety of onboard dining options that range from quick and casual to formal. Flavors come from around the world, often weaving in the destination of the ship into the daily menus. The Culinary Council — a team of 6 celebrity chefs — also adds dishes across the venues. Specialty dining shines with Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Tamarind, Nami Sushi and Canaletto. Casual eateries include Dive-In, Grand Dutch Café, Lido Market, Gelato, and New York Deli and Pizza.

In the Giving Back category, Holland America Line won gold for its On Deck for a Cause and Raising Funds for Ukraine programming. In April 2022, Holland America Line began donating proceeds from its “On Deck for a Cause” noncompetitive 5k walk to aid the people of Ukraine through the Direct Relief organization. Additional efforts to support Ukraine included team members purchasing backpacks and lunchboxes for the 500+ refugee children aboard Volendam, which was chartered for several months to accommodate approximately 1,500 Ukrainian refugees as part of an agreement announced by Netherlands and City of Rotterdam government officials. Holland America Line also partnered with the Salvation Army in the Netherlands to purchase items of need for the refugees that were delivered to the ship.

Silver Success
Holland America Line earned a silver award for Rotterdam in the Premium Ship category. The cruise line’s newest ship reflects the ongoing evolution of Holland America Line with details that are artfully inspired and perfectly presented to create the ultimate Pinnacle-class experience. Throughout the ship, Rotterdam showcases Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by seven of the world’s leading chefs; gracious, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations. Music Walk features all four venues: B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard.

About the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards
Since 2008 Travel Weekly has been recognizing excellence in travel with its annual Magellan Awards, and Holland America Line has received more than 70 awards in various categories since their inception.

The Magellan Awards honor a broad range of industry segments, including hotels and resorts, travel destinations, cruise lines, online travel services, airlines and airports, travel agents/agencies, tour operators and car rental companies. Entries are evaluated by a panel of respected travel industry professionals against standards of excellence — rather than against each other — established by Travel Weekly, which has been published since 1958 and is written for North American travel agents, tour operators, corporate travel executives and travel industry suppliers.