A behind-the-scenes go to to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Middle (AWCC) is a brand new unique shore tour by Holland America Line.
The announcement was made on Nationwide Moose Day on Jan. 25. The annual Nationwide Moose Day is devoted to recognizing moose for his or her ecological significance and cultural significance.
“Seeing wildlife is likely one of the prime causes friends select to cruise Alaska,” Kacy Cole, chief advertising officer for Holland America Line, stated in a press launch.
“This new shore tour provides our friends a rare alternative to attach with moose in a method that’s each unforgettable and accountable, working alongside conservation consultants to assist the animals and the surroundings they name house,” Cole stated.
Because the No. 1 cruise line for Alaska Wildlife and Wilderness Excursions, Holland America continues to broaden its assortment of greater than 200 immersive Alaska experiences. The brand new conservation-focused providing, together with a brand new Holland America Moose Promenade on the facility, permits friends to see moose and different native wildlife of their pure habitat.
New Shore Tour Focuses on Moose Care and Conservation
Developed in collaboration with AWCC, the Unique Eland & Pals Moose Discovery tour will debut through the 2026 Alaska cruise season.
The brand new shore tour features a scenic drive alongside Alaska’s Seward Freeway and a guided behind-the-scenes go to to the conservation middle.
Through the tour, friends learn the way the AWCC workforce helps moose well being and well-being by means of every day care reminiscent of enrichment actions, food plan preparation, conduct remark and station coaching.
The tour displays Holland America Line’s dedication to accountable wildlife encounters and conservation training.
“Partnerships like this enable us to deepen each care and connection,” Sarah “Howie” Howard, govt director of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Middle, stated in a press launch.
“This shore tour invitations friends to expertise moose up shut in a considerate method, whereas studying firsthand how distinctive animal care and conservation training assist long-term wildlife safety,” she stated.
Highlights embrace close-up views of moose habitats and insights into every day care routines, together with a broader take a look at AWCC’s wildlife conservation, analysis and training work throughout Alaska.
Led by an AWCC naturalist, the expertise is designed for guests of all ages.
Meet Eland: Beloved Moose and Residing Image of the Expertise
Among the many moose friends might encounter through the tour is Eland, a well-recognized and beloved presence at AWCC. Eland arrived on the conservation middle in June 2025 after the closure of his earlier facility.
His identify, the Dutch phrase for “moose,” was chosen by Holland America Line social media followers and displays the cruise line’s Dutch heritage.
Since his arrival, Eland has turn out to be an envoy for moose conservation and a favourite amongst AWCC guests, serving to convey the significance of wildlife safety to life for friends of all ages.
Holland America Moose Promenade
To additional improve visitor engagement and assist long-term moose care, Holland America Line donated $150,000 to AWCC.
The donation will assist ongoing animalAmerica Line donated $150,000 to AWCC. The donation will assist ongoing animal care initiatives and the event of the Holland America Moose Promenade, a scenic elevated boardwalk overlooking the moose habitat.
Designed in partnership with the conservation middle, the boardwalk will present a secure, comfy and accessible viewing space for each moose and friends.
Development is anticipated to start in fall 2026, with completion deliberate for the 2027 Alaska cruise season.
Holland America Line additionally donated repurposed picket benches from the deck of Noordam and reclaimed mooring ropes from Westerdam, including genuine nautical parts from the corporate’s fleet to the conservation middle.
A Lengthy-Standing Dedication to Alaska Wildlife and Communities
Holland America partnered with AWCC in 2024 and continues to assist the non-profit sanctuary in a number of methods.
Friends on Alaska cruises can contribute by means of on- board purchases, together with two unique cocktails: the Grizzly Bear Hugo’s Spritz and Pip & Jo’s Moscow Moose, which give a $1 donation to AWCC for each drink ordered.
For friends wanting a souvenir from their Alaska journey, $2 from each Eland plush moose offered onboard and at Holland America Denali Lodge goes on to AWCC’s mission of preserving Alaska’s wildlife by means of conservation, training, analysis and high quality animal care.
Holland America’s partnership with AWCC displays a broader dedication to Alaska’s communities and surroundings. The cruise line helps native causes by means of initiatives like On Deck for a Trigger: Alaska Parks and donations to nonprofit organizations in key ports throughout the state.
Holland America additionally leads the trade in sustainable seafood practices, incomes ASMI Seafood U certification for its culinary workforce, changing into the primary and solely cruise line to serve RFM-certified wild Alaska seafood on all six Alaska-bound ships, and attaining each Marine stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council certifications.
About Alaska Wildlife Conservation Middle
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Middle is a non-profit sanctuary devoted to preserving Alaska’s wildlife by means of conservation, training, analysis and high quality animal care.
Situated on the head of Turnagain Arm and the doorway to Portage Valley, AWCC takes in orphaned and injured animals year-round and offers them a without end house.
The sanctuary maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for resident animals to really feel at house displaying their pure wild conduct as training ambassadors for his or her species.
It is not uncommon for guests to see brown bears swimming, moose strutting, wooden bison roaming, muskox enjoying, wolves posing, porcupines climbing and extra.
Photographs courtesy of Holland America Line
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