Agents attending the 2010 Western Association of Travel Agents (WESTA) Owners and Managers Meeting at the Hyatt at Olive 8 hotel Sept. 24-26 in Seattle had the opportunity to spend some time onboard Holland America Line’s (HAL) Zaandam while the ship was in port, preparing for a late season, seven-day Alaskan Explorer cruise.
Agents were greeted by HAL’s director of national accounts, Dave Stockert, and WESTA agents were given the opportunity to roam the mid-size ship, visit public areas, including the Pinnacle Grill restaurant, the Explorer’s Lounge, the Lido Deck and more. In the Culinary Arts Center, agents received an update on HAL’s sales trends from Stockert, who indicated that longer voyages were gaining popularity and that HAL’s World Cruise recently sold out. He added that combined cruises are gaining in popularity as cruises realize the economic value in sailing back-to-back cruises. Stockert also said that features such as Club Hal, the line’s youth program, have been successful in attracting more families.
