HAL-Holland America Line has introduced two new shore excursion collections aimed at deepening guests’ engagement with the destinations visited across its global itineraries. The programmes, titled “Meet the Maker” and “Community Connections,” are designed to move beyond conventional sightseeing by emphasizing direct interaction with local residents, traditional industries, and cultural practices. More than 150 experiences are being rolled out across multiple regions.
The cruise line indicated that the new collections respond to growing guest interest in experiences that provide greater cultural context and personal interaction. Rather than focusing solely on landmarks, the excursions are structured around access to local kitchens, workshops, farms, and neighborhoods, allowing guests to observe and participate in everyday activities that define a destination’s character. Company leadership has noted that these formats are intended to support meaningful exchanges with local hosts while fostering a better understanding of regional traditions and livelihoods.
The “Meet the Maker” collection centers on encounters with individuals whose work shapes local identity, including artisans, food producers, winemakers, farmers, and craftspeople. These excursions typically involve small-scale visits where guests learn directly from hosts about production methods, family histories, and regional specialties. Examples include countryside tours in Tasmania focused on specialty food producers and farm visits in Greece that combine agricultural activities with regional cuisine and cultural demonstrations. Each experience is structured to emphasize provenance, continuity of tradition, and personal storytelling rather than large-group touring.
The “Community Connections” collection places emphasis on everyday life within host communities. These excursions are designed to bring guests into private homes, community spaces, and culturally significant waterways, providing insight into how residents live and maintain traditions. Activities range from shared home-cooked meals with local families to guided experiences highlighting Indigenous relationships with land and water. Holland America Line has positioned this collection as part of its broader sustainability objectives, with tours structured to support local businesses and cultural custodians directly.
The new programmes build on the cruise line’s existing shore excursion partnerships, including experiences developed with The HISTORY® Channel and National Geographic, which similarly focus on contextual storytelling and expert-led interpretation. Together, these offerings form a broader portfolio of excursions intended to connect ports of call with their historical, social, and cultural frameworks.
The “Meet the Maker” and “Community Connections” excursions are now available on a wide range of Holland America Line sailings worldwide, complementing itineraries across Europe, the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean. Through these additions, the company continues to refine its approach to destination programming by placing greater emphasis on local participation and small-scale engagement alongside traditional port exploration.