FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The stockings were hung from the bow with care aboard the Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam on December 13th for the Port Everglades-sponsored Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Holiday Gift Project.
Twenty-one children with the local nonprofit organization Kids in Distress (KID) were treated to a holiday lunch, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and gifts donated by FCCA and Port Everglades.
“The cruise industry is proud to give back to the communities we visit, and few things are more meaningful than bringing joy and holiday cheer to children who truly deserve it,” said FCCA CEO Michele M. Paige. “We are grateful to have partners like Port Everglades, Holland America Line, and the dedicated team aboard the Nieuw Statendam supporting initiatives like this.”
In the spirit of giving, Holland America Line also donated $5,000 to KID and surprised the children, ages 2 to 17, with a Lewie the Lion plushie.
“Working with our port partners to give back to the communities we visit is important to us,” said Holland America Line President Beth Bodensteiner. “We’re grateful to Kids in Distress for the meaningful work they do to help children and families in the Fort Lauderdale area. It was a joy to welcome them aboard Nieuw Statendam for the second year in a row and share in the holiday spirit.”
As the third-busiest cruise homeport, Port Everglades anticipates welcoming more than 4.7 million cruise guests this cruise season.
“Moments like this remind us how much the cruise industry cares about the people who live in the communities they call home,” said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line has been exploring the world for 150+ years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering an ideal perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years - longer than any other cruise line. Holland America Line's 11 vessels feature a diverse range of enriching activities and amenities focused on destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests enjoy the best entertainment at sea, and dining venues featuring exclusive dishes by world-famous chefs. A new global fresh fish program brings more than 80 types of fresh fish on board, sourced and served locally in regions around the world.
About Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)
Created in 1972, FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that represents the mutual interests of the cruise industry and destinations' private and public sectors. By building bilateral relationships with cruise tourism stakeholders and providing them a forum to work with executives from its Member Lines, FCCA fosters bilateral success for all parties. For more information, visit F-CCA.com and @FCCAupdates on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
About Port Everglades
Port Everglades offers everything under the sun from Caribbean cruises to world voyages to fast ferry getaways -- all from the vacation paradise of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Port Everglades’ enviable location in the heart of South Florida and the neighboring Caribbean, makes it one of the three busiest cruise homeports in the world with more than 4.7 million passengers anticipated this cruise season. Guests enjoy the port’s proximity to three international airports including rapidly growing Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) less than two miles away. For pre- and post-cruise stays, Port Everglades is a short drive to sweeping beachfronts, a vibrant art scene, world-class restaurants, craft breweries, entertainment, shopping, casinos, and family-friendly activities -- including the area’s namesake, the Florida Everglades. View details on the latest cruise offerings at PortEverglades.net or contact us by emailing PortEverglades@broward.org.
December 15, 2025
Media contacts:
Holland America Line
Bill Zucker, Vice President of Public Relations
pr@hollandamerica.com
206-626-9890
Port Everglades
Joy Oglesby, Public Information Officer
joyoglesby@broward.org
954-468-0195