Holland America Line cruise ship passengers enjoy seeing Alaska and its amazing wildlife. To help protect Alaska’s wildlife and wilderness, Holland America Line is expanding its partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC).

“We’re delighted to offer more experiences that allow our guests to not only enjoy while onboard in Alaska, but that also contribute towards something guests are passionate about in Alaska – wildlife,” Michael Smith, senior vice president of guest experience and product development for Holland America Line, said in a press release.

“As a brand that has been cruising to Alaska for more than 75 years, it is a testament to our leadership in this region that allows us to provide more opportunities for guests to see wildlife while in Alaska and have the privilege to work with such esteemed organizations like the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to do so,” Smith said.

As part of the 2025 Alaska cruise season, Holland America Line will introduce a variety of onboard activities designed to benefit AWCC and raise awareness of Alaska wildlife among guests.

AWCC is a renowned nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research and quality animal care.

“Caring for Alaska’s wildlife is no small task but thanks to Holland America Line and their big-hearted guests, animals like Hugo the Grizzly Bear and Pip the Moose get a second chance,” Sarah “Howie” Howard, executive director of AWCC, said in a press release.

“Whether it’s through a sweet popcorn snack, a cuddle with a plush moose or a cocktail with a conservation twist, every bit of support matters,” Howard said. “We are wildly grateful for this partnership that turns travel into impact.”

                                  Moose Munch Sales Benefit AWCC

The AWCC initiative launches with the debut of Harry & David’s iconic Moose Munch Premium Popcorn on all Alaska sailings, with 3 percent of the cruise line’s net sales going directly to AWCC.

The milk chocolate popcorn will be available for purchase in both Grand Dutch Café and Crow’s Nest Café as well as the Library Café on select ships. The popcorn also will be part of the new stateroom snack bar as a sweet treat with a purpose – helping support AWCC’s mission of caring for orphaned and injured animals.

The milk chocolate popcorn, which will sell for $3.50 per bag, will have a co-branded Moose Munch and Holland America Line label on the packaging.

                                        New Cocktails Benefit AWCC

Additionally, Holland America Line will debut two newly crafted cocktails exclusively on Alaska cruises, with $1 from each drink purchased going to AWCC.

Inspired by the Alaska wildlife at AWCC, the cruise is launching the “Grizzly Bear Hugo’s Spritz,” a classic spritz made with St Germain, Ca’Marian Prosecco and soda water.

The second, “Pip & Jo’s Moscow Moose,” is a spin on the classic Moscow Mule and contains Sazerac Rye, ginger beer, grapefruit juice and Disaronno Amaretto.

Guests can visit Hugo, Pip & Jo and other Alaska animals from AWCC on cruises from Whittier to Anchorage after the 7-Day Glacier Discovery Northbound cruises or from cruise-first Cruisetours disembarking in Whittier.

                                          Eland the Plush Moose

Holland American Line previously announced that Eland the plush moose will be available for purchase in the shops on Alaska cruises and at Holland America Denali Lodge – with $2 from each sale going to AWCC.

An iconic symbol of The Great Land and the Dutch word for moose, Eland represents Holland America Line’s leadership in Alaska with more Alaska Wildlife & Wilderness tours than any other cruise line.

                                          Holland America Line & AWCC

In addition to these initiatives, Holland America Line and AWCC continue to work together to help preserve and protect Alaska’s wildlife. Guests on a Holland America Line Alaska cruises that includes Anchorage or Whittier have the opportunity to visit AWCC with three shore excursions:

Exclusive Reindeer Encounter with Airport or Downtown Transfer, Portage Glacier Cruise & Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for in-transit guests visiting Anchorage, plus Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Conservation Center & Alyeska Tram with Airport Transfer for guests debarking in Whittier.

                                              More Wildlife Viewing

Holland America Line offers more way to see the wildlife of Alaska. 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 encounter, Holland America Line offers nearly 180 tours to see species of all kinds, including the three shore excursions to AWCC.

In 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 heart of the Yukon on a Cruisetour that combines a cruise and a visit to Denali National Park.

                            About Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research and quality animal care.

Located at the head of Turnagain Arm and the entrance to Portage Valley, AWCC takes in orphaned and injured animals year-round and provides them a forever home.

The sanctuary maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for resident animals to feel at home displaying their natural wild behavior as education ambassadors for their species.

Photos courtesy of Holland America Line

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