President Gus Antorcha and local officials held plaque exchange and check presentation aboard Zaandam Wednesday, Sept. 13

Holland America Line celebrated it’s 25-year relationship with the Massachusetts Port Authority and the company’s 150th Anniversary at an event aboard the Zaandam at Flynn Cruiseport Boston, located in South Boston, Massachusetts. The cruise line presented a commemorative plaque to Massport and the International Longshoremen’s Association and made donations to three Boston-based organizations: Edgerley Family South Boston Boys and Girls Club, South Boston Neighborhood House, and Labouré Center.

“For more than two decades, Holland America Line’s has been cruising from Boston to Canada/New England, Europe and even the Caribbean, and we are honored to celebrate not only our 150th Anniversary, but our 25th Anniversary with Massport, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the City of Boston,” said Antorcha. “Boston is a key homeport for our brand, with two ships here for the summer and fall. We’re thrilled to celebrate these milestones today, as well as honor three organizations that make significant contributions to the city and people of Boston.”

In attendance at the event were Gus Antorcha, Holland America Line President; Lisa Wieland, Chief Executive Officer, Massport; Massachusetts State Senator Nick Collins; Massachusetts State Representative David Biele; Bernie O’Donnell and George McEvoy, Vice Presidents of International Longshoremen’s Association; Martha Sheridan, Chief Executive Officer, Meet Boston; and Ambassador Ray Flynn, who championed Flynn Cruiseport in the 80s as Mayor of Boston.

Also at the event were Josh Davis, Executive Director, Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club; Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director, South Boston Neighborhood House; and Maureen Murray, Stewardship Manager, Labouré Center. Each of the charities received a $5,000 donation:

• The Edgerley Family South Boston Club helps young people build strong character and realize their full potential as responsible citizens and leaders.
• The Mission of the South Boston Neighborhood House (The Ollie) is to support family and neighborhood life in South Boston. The South Boston Neighborhood House is the oldest continuously operated, community-based non-profit in South Boston.
• The Labouré Center supports communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts by providing services to the most vulnerable populations.

“We are delighted to celebrate Holland America Line’s 150th Anniversary today with our state and local partners at Flynn Cruiseport Boston,” said Wieland. “Cruising plays a very important role in our visitor economy, supporting thousands of jobs and serving as an economic engine for the Commonwealth. We appreciate our long-standing relationship with Holland America Line and their partnership in growing tourism in the region. We also want to thank Holland America Line for their donations to the South Boston organizations which will positively impact more lives due to their generosity.”

Holland America Line celebrates its 25th year of calling at Boston this year. In 2023, more than 44,000 guests will embark or debark from Holland America Line ships in Boston when Zaandam and its larger sister Zuiderdam make a total of 17 calls. In 2024, there will be 19 ship visits and more than 50,000 guests, an increase of 15%.

Holland America Line estimates that between guest and crew spending, some provisioning and taxes, the community sees a direct economic impact of more than $22 million during the year. Operationally, each ship visit also directly contributes more than $300,000 to the local economy in provisioning (fuel, food, piano tuning, supplies), port taxes and spending.

Holland America Line works with several local vendors that supply the company and its ships with goods and services. These include John Nagle Company, which supplies thousands of pounds of fresh fish each season, including salmon, sole, seabass and lobster, and local piano tuner Kirk Hughes, who tunes up to five pianos every time a Holland America Line ship calls in Boston.

Throughout 2023, Holland America Line is celebrating its 150th year with plaque exchanges around the world, port donations and memorable events across its fleet of 11 ships, commemorating its founding April 18, 1873.

Flynn Cruiseport Boston is welcoming over 25 cruise lines from March to November of this year, sailing to Bermuda, Canada/New England coastline, and multiple repositioning cruises to Europe, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean. Flynn Cruiseport Boston contributes to the City of Boston and the Commonwealth’s tourism economy with an annual economic impact of $135 million, supporting 2,200 jobs.

Boston is one of America’s oldest cities. Visitors can experience revolutionary landmarks along the Freedom Trail, visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, stroll through Boston Common to Faneuil Hall, or tour Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.  Neighborhoods such as the North End, Beacon Hill and the Back Bay offer unique flavors, sights and sounds for every interest. Tourists can also experience diverse and vibrant neighborhoods such as Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Chinatown, providing unique and curated culinary, artistic, and historical connections for those experiencing Boston’s 23 neighborhoods. Boston is a city where tradition and innovation blend to create a unique cosmopolitan destination.