After counting, rolling and transporting hundreds of pounds of pennies from six Holland America Line and six Princess Cruises ships sailing in Alaska, the two cruise lines donated $5,000 in coins and a cash donation to Scouting America Troop 4 and Troop 2004 during a community event in Ketchikan, Alaska.

“What began as a practical challenge aboard our ships became a unique opportunity to create something positive for a community that has welcomed our guests for generations,” Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president of the Alaska operations of Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, said in a press release.

“We’re proud to partner with the Ketchikan Scouts and help turn thousands of pennies into resources that will support leadership development, service and future opportunities for local youth,” Morgenstern said.

The initiative gives new purpose to excess shipboard pennies, transforming them into funding for local Scouts while celebrating both cruise lines’ longstanding relationship with Alaska port communities.

With the penny no longer minted but remaining legal tender, the July 10 donation was the culmination of a resourceful effort to collect the coins on board from different departments like Guest Services, the Casino and the Finance Department.

The shipboard teams, shoreside employees and community partners in Ketchikan worked together to channel thousands of pennies into new resources for local youth in one of Alaska’s most-visited cruise destinations.

Crew members aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam, which have been sailing Alaska all summer, worked together to collect, count and prepare nearly 1,000 pounds of pennies for donation.

In the days leading up to the event, the coins were offloaded from the ships in Ketchikan with the help of local partners before being presented to the Scouts.

Holland America Line was joined in the effort by sister brand Princess Cruises, which also contributed pennies collected from six of its ships sailing in Alaska: Discovery Princess, Star Princess, Ruby Princess, Royal Princess, Grand Princess and Coral Princess.

                                                                                Pooling Their Pennies

Together, the two cruise lines pooled thousands of coins for the Ketchikan- based Scouting America troops, turning spare change into funding for local youth programs.

During the donation event, Scout leaders and troop members gathered in Ketchikan to receive the coins. The funds will support local scouting activities and provide additional resources for future programs and community service initiatives.

“The Scouts participating in our program today will become tomorrow’s community leaders, business owners, first responders and volunteers,” Jim Meiresonne, scoutmaster of Troop 4, said in a press release.

“Support from partners like Holland America Line and Princess Cruises helps us provide experiences that build leadership, responsibility and a commitment to service. This generosity will help ensure today’s Scouts have the tools and experiences they need to become tomorrow’s leaders,” Meiresonne said.

Troops 4 and 2004 are an active part of the Ketchikan community, creating opportunities for young people to challenge themselves through outdoor adventures, leadership experiences and community service.

The donation from Holland America Line and Princess Cruises will help support upcoming troop activities, service projects and scouting experiences, providing resources that allow local youth to continue building skills, serving their community and creating lasting memories.

                                                                      Supporting Alaska Communities for 80 Years

The penny donation is the most recent example of Holland America Line’s investment in Alaska and the communities that help make the region a leading travel destination.

As the cruise line approaches its 80th year exploring Alaska, it continues to support the state through investments in its Denali operations, including a $70-million expansion project  scheduled for completion in 2027, and through charitable partnerships that benefit Alaska communities.

Through its On Deck for a Cause onboard fundraising walks, Holland America Line has raised funds for Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands, and for American Legion Post 3 in Ketchikan, which was founded in 1919 and serves local veterans, their families and the broader community as it raises funds to rebuild after a devastating fire in 2023.

                                                                      Princess Cruises 2026 Alaska Season

Princess Cruises is sailing its largest Alaska season ever in 2026, highlighted by the debut of its newest ship in the fleet, Star Princess.

The expanded program features eight ships, 180 departures and visits to 19 destinations, giving travelers an unparalleled range of Alaska adventures by sea or through combined land-and-sea cruisetours.

The 2026 season features visits to iconic destinations including Ketchikan, where guests will have opportunities to engage with local communities and learn more about the region’s history and resilience.

                                                                     About Holland America Line

Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations.

Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line.

Savour the Journey isn’t just a tagline, it’s a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other.

Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising. Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide.

                                                               About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships.

Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess Medallion Class service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world – the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises.

Star Princess, the brand’s newest and most innovative ship, launched October 2025, and sister ship to Sun Princess, named Condé Nast Traveler Mega Ship of the Year for a second consecutive year. The company is part of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide.

Photos courtesy of Holland America Line

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