Holland America wins Environmental Initiative Award

Holland America Press Release 

Holland America Line and Krystallon Win 2007 Seatrade Insider Environmental Initiative Award

Seattle, October 18, 2007 – Holland America Line, along with Krystallon, a subsidiary of BP, recently won the 2007 Seatrade Insider Environmental Initiative Award for their innovative emission reduction technology installed on the ms Zaandam.

The emission reduction technology on the ms Zaandam has been installed in cooperation with several United States and Canadian government and regulatory agencies. Holland America Line launched the technology demonstration project, to show the feasibility of using sea water to “scrub,” or reduce, engine emissions on oceangoing vessels. Following several future months of collecting and studying the data, the study could dramatically change not only the cruise industry but the entire maritime industry by reducing ship engine emissions.

“It is very satisfying to be recognized for our leadership and making great strides with regard to the environment,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO. “This is an important project in working together with private and governmental organizations to find mutually beneficial advancements for our industry. We look forward to analyzing the data to see if this technology can be effectively applied to the operation of cruise vessels.”

“We are very pleased at being recognized for developing this innovative technology,” said Andy Osbourne, business development director, Krystallon. “We see a great potential for the scrubber in the future of the cruise industry and shipping to reduce emissions.”

The sea water scrubber system, developed by Krystallon, a subsidiary of BP, uses the natural chemistry of seawater to remove virtually all sulfur oxide (SOx) as well as significantly reduce particulate matter emissions. The sea water is then treated to remove harmful components prior to being discharged back overboard.

The price tag tops more than $1.5 million and includes assistance of $300,000 from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/West Coast Collaborative grant and a $100,000 contribution from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Other support for the project comes from the Port of Seattle, the Port of Vancouver and the B. C. Clean Air Research Fund, as well as Krystallon. Each government agency has representatives serving on a technical advisory committee that oversees the development of this project.

Holland America Line demonstrates its commitment to responsible environmental practices through a comprehensive fleetwide program that emphasizes compliance with all international environmental guidelines, waste reduction and recycling. The premium line has a history of embracing new environmental technologies such as state-of-the-art water treatment systems, shore power while ships are in port, and an internationally-recognized whale strike avoidance program

Seatrade-Insider

Filed under: Cruise Industry, Holland America

World’s Largest Cruise Night

On Wednesday, October 17, Travel agents across North America will hold a simultaneous event entitled “World’s Largest Cruise Night.” The event promotes cruising and will offer a variety of seminars, Q&A sessions, videos and special cruise offers.

While the events will vary from agency to agency, all involve some education about cruise vacations. My company, New Paltz Travel, is opting for a “Virtual Cruise Night.” With the help of CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), we’ve put together a mini site on our main website, www.newpaltztravel.com. The site contains five short videos that show the variety that exists in today’s cruise vacation. Parties, children’s programs, culinary demonstrations and guest lecture events are some of the many activities offered to you on a cruise vacation. We have arranged special offers for customers opting to book and place their vacations under deposit before October 31 and, as a special bonus, someone can win an iPod Shuffle by entering our October Cruise Sales Event Contest.

Yes this is about sales and marketing. That is what business is about. In our case, we wanted people to be able to take a look at options in the comfort of their own home and contact us when they were ready to talk about their vacation. We’ve never pushed sales, (maybe that’s not the best way to run a sales business!) but I’ve always felt that we also act as advisors and advocates for our customers because we help them make good choices. We’ll be out and about on Wednesday night and you can bet that we’ll be talking about cruises!

Visit us at www.NewPaltzTravel.com and experience our “Virtual Cruise Night.”

Filed under: Carnival Cruise Line, Cruise Industry, caribbean cruises, carnival-cruise-lines, cruise agency, cruise group, cruises, group travel, honeymoons