Holland America Line Selects Winner of ‘Love Letters to Alaska’ Contest from More Than 40,000 Entries

“The variety of entries we acquired was overwhelming in essentially the most unbelievable means, with 1000’s of individuals professing their love for Alaska with inventive, lovely and heartfelt notes,” mentioned Beth Bodensteiner, senior vice chairman and chief industrial officer, Holland America Line. “Selecting the ten winners was tough as a result of so many had been worthy, however ultimately, Deborah’s poem captured the essence of the competition with an entry that was fantastically written as a tribute to each her late husband and Alaska.”

Chosen as the most effective of the most effective by a panel of judges who’ve a connection to Alaska, Washington state or the cruise line, Deborah’s entry was penned to honor her husband Alan who handed earlier than they had been capable of take their dream cruise to Alaska.  

“My love letter is for my late husband. We had deliberate an Alaska cruise for our retirement, however alas, he died from issues of dementia at age 57,” wrote Deborah to introduce her heartfelt poem:

“Your love of the ocean, your love of me/ My love of you, so sturdy and true/ Our goals as soon as dreamed, however now, it appears, I have to sail on alone/ To see the glaciers caress the land/ The rivers, entwined, like lovers’ arms as they make their option to the ocean/ The mountains, bursting onto the horizon/ Joyfully stretching to the sky, as we as soon as reached for one another,” reads an excerpt from Deborah’s entry.

Along with Deborah, 9 runners-up come from throughout the US, together with Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Washington state. Every submitted a poem, sonnet, letter or tribute professing their love and admiration for The Final Frontier. As a winner, they every will obtain a seven-day Alaska cruise for 2 in a Vista or Signature Suite.

The judging panel who chosen the grand prize winner included Jim Dever, an Emmy Award–profitable host and reporter on Seattle’s “KING 5 Night” present; Dr. Pepper Schwartz, an acclaimed professor, writer, researcher and tv character furthering the sector of intimacy; Tekla Butcher-Monson, daughter of acclaimed Alaskan musher Susan Butcher and a musher in her personal proper, in addition to the proprietor of Path Breaker Kennel; Russell Dick, president and CEO of Huna Totem Corp.; and Danny Genung, chief government officer of Harr Journey, a California-based boutique company.

Expertise Alaska with the Consultants
In 2022 six Holland America Line ships will discover Alaska, both roundtrip from Seattle, Washington; roundtrip from Vancouver, Canada; or between Whittier, Alaska, and Vancouver. The ships ship a premium expertise designed for immersive cruising with wraparound decks and an abundance of verandah staterooms that deliver friends nearer to Alaska’s pure wonders.

Each Alaska cruise features a go to to a number of of Alaska’s iconic glacier locations: Glacier Bay Nationwide Park, School Fjord, Hubbard Glacier and Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm. Alaska ports of name embody Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and Skagway. Cruises that characteristic Glacier Bay tackle a Nationwide Park ranger and native Huna Tlingit information.

For explorers who wish to journey farther, 16 completely different Cruisetours mix an Alaska cruise with an inland exploration of Denali Nationwide Park or to the unspoiled reaches of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Holland America Line owns its motorcoaches, railcars and motels, so schedules are preferential. Every Cruisetour will get a scenic experience on the luxury-domed McKinley Explorer, together with choose itineraries that supply Direct-to-Denali service, taking friends from their ship to their Denali lodge room on the identical day.

Holland America Line Immerses Visitors in Alaska with ‘Alaska Up Shut’
By genuine experiences on board and ashore that concentrate on tradition, delicacies and immersive adventures, “Alaska Up Shut” permits friends to find, style and expertise the true Alaska in a means that solely Holland America Line can ship. Alaska Up Shut options native consultants and personalities main workshops and lectures, Explorations Central (EXC) Talks revealing the tales of actual Alaskans, excursions highlighting the most effective of every vacation spot, Port to Desk culinary immersion and native delicacies served at eating venues all through the ship.

Alaska cruise pricing begins at a “Have it All” premium bundle fee of $749 per individual, double occupancy for a seven-day crusing, which incorporates one shore tour, a Signature Beverage Bundle, one evening specialty eating and Wi-Fi. Cruise-only commonplace fares begin at $499 per individual, double occupancy. Taxes, charges and port bills are further. Many Alaska departures by means of 2022 additionally characteristic free or lowered fares for youths when crusing as a 3rd or fourth visitor in the identical stateroom.

For extra details about Holland America Line, seek the advice of a journey advisor, name 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or go to hollandamerica.com.

Editors word: All 10 entries and photographs can be found at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/hqjmz0q3.  

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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL) and (NYSE: CUK)]
Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the primary cruise line to supply adventures to Alaska and the Yukon practically 75 years in the past. Its fleet of premium ships visits practically 400 ports in 114 nations around the globe, providing an excellent mid-sized ship expertise. A 3rd Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in July 2021.

The chief in premium cruising, Holland America Line’s ships characteristic revolutionary initiatives and a various vary of enriching experiences centered on vacation spot exploration and customized journey. One of the best dwell music at sea fills every night at Music Stroll, and eating venues characteristic unique choices from Holland America Line’s esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous cooks.

SOURCE Holland America Line