Holland America Line recently became a finalist in the Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious 2008 World Savers Awards. Holland America Line joined 38 other companies selected worldwide as leaders in social responsibility in their September issue. Holland America joins NCL on the list, as reported earlier this month in this cruise blog. Awards of this nature are not new to Holland America, as they garnered recognition in the past for their efforts to preserve Alaskan waters and lands.

Holland America Line won an honorable mention in the health category based on its ongoing donations to organizations in need. The company recently donated dental equipment after dismantling its shipboard dental offices on 13 ships - each office worth approximately $90,000. Donated equipment included dental chairs, digital x-rays, and dental supplies.

“As one of the world’s major cruise lines, we recognize our important role in protecting and contributing to the well-being of the communities we visit, both environmentally and socially,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “This is one piece of our larger corporate social responsibility initiative, and we are grateful to be recognized by Condé Nast Traveler.”

Equipment from five ships went to Indian Health Services, responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska natives. Four ships donated supplies to Loma Linda for its worldwide dental programs for children. One ship donated supplies to an orphanage in Pichilingue, Mexico. Equipment also was donated in Indonesia and Manila.

Previous donations from the medical department benefited two dental programs in Vietnam that specialize in children with cleft palettes, as well as programs in South America, and Mexico.

Another successful initiative addressing health issues is the line’s On Deck for the Cure program. Holland America Line recently announced it has surpassed the million-dollar mark in contributions raised for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® via its On Deck for the Cure program, earning it a place on Komen’s prestigious Million Dollar Council. Holland America estimates that more than 80,000 guests have participated in more than 1,000 walks on Holland America Line cruises worldwide since the program began in 2006.

The line also donates supplies through Ship to Shelter, an innovative new community-giving program that is the first of its kind in the nation. Reusable goods are collected from Holland America Line ships sailing from Seattle and donated to local charities serving people in need. Donated items include individual-sized toiletries, towels, linens, dishes, cookware, silverware, televisions and mattresses. Ships sailing around the world also donate valuable and reusable items to communities in need and the ship’s crew also donate their own money, time, and often toys, to organizations of need in ports of call.

Seventeen judges reviewed 142 applications and rated how applicants exercise social responsibility in five key areas: poverty alleviation, cultural and/or environmental preservation, education, wildlife conservation, and health.

For more information, or to book a Holland America cruise, call me, a Holland America 5 Star agent, at 1-888-579-8706 or visit my website at www.AVCTravel.com/GreggEppleman