Holland America Celebrated 25 Years in Tampa

Holland America Line’s 1,258-passenger Veendam on November 18 hosted a celebration marking the line’s 25 years of operations from the port of Tampa.

The ship is one of five to sail from Tampa for the line since 1982, when Holland America first sought an alternative gateway to South Florida cities.

The Veendam today operates seven- and 14-day cruises from Tampa, and is expected to carry some 23,800 guests on 19 cruises in 2008. Veendam’s direct economic impact on the region is estimated at $48 million annually.

Passengers and crew are expected to spend more than $6.7 million in shops, restaurants, hotels, museums, local sightseeing attractions and taxicabs. The line also works with more than 180 businesses in the area.

Since 1982, Holland America has carried more than 600,000 passengers through Tampa while the overall impact on the region is estimated at more than $355 million.