Holland America Line Invites Fans to Name an Orphan Rescue Moose in Partnership with Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Cruise Line partners with AWCC in its mission to celebrate Alaska’s wildlife

Seattle, Wash., June 14, 2024 — Holland America Line is inviting fans to name an orphan rescue moose calf, in partnership with Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC). The cruise line gives guests the opportunity to view Alaska wildlife responsibly from its ships and on shore excursions and Cruisetours, and now fans can help name AWCC’s newest moose rescue. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals, providing them with spacious enclosures and quality animal care.

From now through June 23, 2024, name suggestions can be submitted on a designated post on Holland America Line’s official Facebook and Instagram pages. Fans can comment a name for the orphan calf, and the top ten will be selected by team members from Holland America Line and AWCC. The chosen ten names will be posted on Holland America Line’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and fans can vote for their favorite. The winning name will be announced in early July.  

“Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska longer than any other cruise line and we are deeply committed to supporting AWCC in its conservation efforts to protect Alaska’s wildlife,” said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer for Holland America Line. “Our guests take an Alaska cruise to see wildlife in the region, and moose are part of ‘Alaska’s Big Five.’ We are excited to give our fans the opportunity to participate with the Alaska community in a fun and meaningful way.”

In addition to teaming up to name the moose, Holland America Line and AWCC are partnering to help preserve and protect Alaska’s wildlife. Holland America Line is the only cruise line offering moose encounters this summer at the AWCC facility. Moose encounters allow visitors to get up close and personal with the resident moose. Holland America Line guests are able to feed the moose right out of their hands while AWCC’s staff shares information about Moose diet, behavior, and wild counterparts.

Guests on a Holland America Line Alaska cruise that includes Anchorage or Whittier have the opportunity to visit AWCC with two shore excursions: Portage Glacier Cruise & Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for in-transit guests visiting Anchorage and Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Conservation Center & Alyeska Tram with Airport Transfer for guests debarking in Whittier.

“We are grateful to partners like Holland America Line that help AWCC continue the work we do to protect and preserve Alaska’s wildlife,” said Sarah “Howie” Howard, executive director of Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. “Most orphan animals that come into our facility are given a name to help foster a bond not only with our staff, but with our visitors as well. We can’t wait to see what name is chosen by Holland America Line’s fans.”

More Wildlife Viewing Than Any Other Cruise Line

Holland America Line offers more ways to see the wildlife of Alaska than any cruise line. A wildlife expert on board helps guests witness the majestic animals found in Alaska, including whales, eagles, bears, moose, otters, seals, sea lions and more. A Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., wildlife sightings are announced for guest viewing.

The wildlife experience continues ashore. With the most shore excursions featuring a wildlife and wilderness encounters, Holland America Line offers nearly 180 tours to see species of all kinds, including the two shore excursions to AWCC.

In 2024 and 2025, Holland America Line will offer Alaska cruises and Cruisetours on six ships. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day voyages and a 28-day Arctic Circle that includes 12 Alaska ports. Holland America Line is the only cruise line that ventures up into the wilds of the Yukon on a Cruisetour that combines a cruise and visit to Denali National Park.