Holland Offers Group Advantage Program

Seattle, Wash., Nov. 16, 2020 — Holland America Line’s Group Advantage Program (GAP) is one of the industry’s most robust group programs that offers enhanced value when travel advisors book groups on cruises and Alaska Land+Sea Journeys. When booking groups of five or more staterooms traveling together, travel advisors have access to GAP amenities that are valid on cruises through 2022.
 
Holland America Line’s GAP features more than 30 different amenities to choose from — plus GAP Packages that cater to weddings and family reunions. GAP provides benefits tailored to each group program, while other groups receive amenities based on GAP points established by the cruise destination, departure date and length.
 
“Holland America Line’s Group Advantage Program is one of the most extensive in the cruise industry, and, now when we all need to focus on next year and beyond, we developed our program with exciting benefits to support travel advisors to elevate and grow their group business,” said Gus Antorcha, Holland America Line’s president. “We continuously work to fine-tune the menu of amenities to feature what’s popular and what’s being ordered so that our travel partners have the best options that their clients will really appreciate.

“Right now, there’s a lot of pent-up demand and desire to get back out and cruise,” added Antorcha. “We want to support that demand and our partners with as many tools as possible to capture those bookings.”
 
Travel advisors assign allotted GAP points to select personalized amenities for their group. Additionally, the value-packed program supports travel advisors’ marketing efforts to affinity groups to increase their revenue. Tour conductors are earned for every 16th lower berth.
 
Small Affinity Groups Receive Perks with Connections Program
Through Holland America Line’s Connections program, groups of 24 guests or less can now enjoy added perks. When booking a smaller group, travel advisors can take advantage of one tour conductor for every 10 berths and receive an extra two GAP points per group to be used for a variety of amenities.
 
Families and Weddings Packages
For family reunion packages, when eight or more staterooms are booked the group receives exclusive amenities in place of GAP points. These include a free upgrade for the head of the family, a within-stateroom category upgrade for all family members, a $50-value fountain soda card per stateroom, Pinnacle Grill lunch for all family members and a $50-value beverage card per stateroom.
 
Guests who say “I do” with Holland America Line and book their wedding group of eight or more staterooms receive a free upgrade for the wedding couple, a complimentary wedding cake, a Pinnacle Grill lunch per guest, chocolate-dipped strawberries in each stateroom, a bottle of sparkling wine per stateroom and a private one-hour wine tasting per guest, all in lieu of GAP points.
 
Other Amenities Designed to Facilitate Custom Groups
Holland America Line’s culinary excellence is celebrated with several GAP amenities showcasing the premium dining, including lunch or dinner at Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel Del Mer, dinner at Canaletto or Tamarind, a BLEND wine making experience on Koningsdam or Nieuw Statendam, and a lobster roll at Lobster Shack on Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private island.
 
Other 2021-2022 GAP menu amenities include Onboard Spending Money; Beverage Cards; a Wine Cellar package with one bottle of wine per stateroom; bon voyage sparkling wine; Internet package; photo credit; sparkling wine and strawberries; a cocktail party with hors d'oeuvres; and a Cruise With Purpose charity donation.
 
On the land portion of Holland America Line’s Alaska Land+Sea Journeys, GAP amenities include lunch aboard the McKinley Explorer Railcar, a cocktail party in Denali, an entrance pass to Diamond Tooth Gerties in Dawson City and Denali and Dawson Dollars. 
 
GAP points are based on a per-person value, and selections must be made 90 days prior to the cruise departure.
 
Travel advisors can connect with their BDM and the sales team through GoHAL.com or by emailing sales@hollandamerica.com. Holland America Line’s sales team is active on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. For more information, call 1-800-426-0327.
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