Latest news with #Grigsby
USA Today
7 days ago
- USA Today
This cruise planner's biggest tip? Travel where only ships can go.
Paul Grigsby came to the cruise industry by way of trains. Grigsby, who is Holland America Line's vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, grew up boating but he counts a month-long train trip through Mexico as 'first real travel experience.' Shortly after graduating college, he and a friend traveled by rail from Mazatlan to Veracruz in 1987. 'We were able to take advantage of what it was like to travel in the United States back in the '40s and '50s on these old rail cars,' Grigsby told USA TODAY. 'And it was a bit of a madcap adventure because of my lack of Spanish. At one point, there were two of us traveling and we were in a berth for one because I didn't translate very well.' The trip cemented his interest in travel, especially in its nostalgic forms, which show up in the itineraries he plans these days. Grigsby spoke to USA TODAY about how he got his start, his love of travel books, and his cruise tips. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Question: How did you get into this role? How did you come to itinerary planning? Paul Grigsby: Well, I've been at Holland America now (for) 25 years, and I've been in the capacity of revenue management. And itinerary planning is within the revenue management function of this brand, and in fact, (at) most of the cruise lines it's arranged that way. And I kind of worked my way through. Started out in revenue management proper, and then evolved to more (of) a planning function, which was with the revenue plans. And then, back in 2019, I was given the leadership role of the itinerary and deployment planning. Did you grow up loving ships? Yeah, I did. I mean, I grew up in Seattle, and I used to walk the docks with my father. You know, he loved ships and the sea, and he greatly influenced me. We would visit ships when they were in town, and they had visitation opportunities. Also, he was an avid boater, so I grew up boating throughout the Pacific Northwest, and you know, the Washington State archipelago as well as up in British Columbia. This may be self-evident given your work, but do you have a preferred way to travel? Well, I am biased towards travel by ship. I think even if I didn't work for Holland America Line or the cruise industry, I'd still say that. There's no such thing as ship lag, right? There is (such) a thing as jet lag, and it's just a leisurely way to go. And if I had the time, I would definitely travel by sea. I would cross the Atlantic instead of flying across the Atlantic. … I love being at sea. And again, I think it goes back to my roots, growing up on the water. I was a commercial fisherman for a summer, so I feel at home on the water. Is there a cruise cabin type that you particularly like, or a location on a ship that you prefer? I like the port side because when I was a kid, my father assigned his two kids to one side. You know, I was assigned port side, my sister was assigned starboard side. So, I always have stuck with port side. And as far as the type of cabin, I will admit, I do like a veranda cabin. I do enjoy being able to walk outside and enjoy the sights and smells of the sea. Do you have any travel must-haves, things that you always like to bring with you or have with you? I like to bring a good book along, especially a travel book. You know, there are always some hiccups that happen with travel, it seems like, and so it's always fun to read about somebody who might have had it worse off than you do. I like reading travel history. Evelyn Waugh, one of my favorite authors, he wrote a lot about his times of traveling back in the '30s. Also, Candice Millard, that's another book: her book, 'The River of Doubt' … is about Teddy Roosevelt's exploration through the Amazon. Fascinating read. Great American Vacation: 'Bachelor' star Peter Weber blindsided on 'Destination X' (and loved it) Do you have any travel pet peeves or any unpopular travel opinions? I think it's used a lot, this word, but I think it does resonate for me, and that's just authenticity. For instance, if I go to a city, I want to visit the old section, you know, a section that really defined what that city was. And maybe it's my interest in history. And, for instance, I'll find out what the old hotel was that people would stay at back in the day, so I'll visit that. I'm more interested in that than staying at, you know, a hotel or something that is an American name hotel. For those new to cruising, what are the top things you would recommend they know before booking a cruise? Yeah, so if you're new to cruising and you're not sure if it's your cup of tea, I would definitely start with a trip that you would not see any other way than on a ship. For instance, Alaska, is often the first of many people's foray into cruise travel. And the reason is that the best way to see Alaska is by ship. You're not going to get to Glacier Bay – I mean, maybe, yeah, you could get an airplane or whatever, fly and buzz around it, but to immerse yourself in Glacier Bay, you've got to be on board a ship. And you know, places that are known for being archipelagos, those are best seen by ship. So I would pick trades like that first, and hopefully you catch the bug, and then you might go to places like, say, the Mediterranean, where there are other ways of travel around. But then you realize how easy it is to travel by ship, and you'll probably be just as happy there, too.
The Herald Scotland
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
How cruises are planned: Go behind the scenes with Holland America
"Even in the harsh conditions of January (everything was frozen and snowy - shows the grit of our Pacific Northwest cruise line to do port research in the Norwegian winter!), it was clear it would be the perfect stop during a cruise of the fjords, sailing past the region's apple orchards and offering some excellent shore excursions," Grigsby told USA TODAY. That's all part of the itinerary planning process. Well before guests embark, many months of preparation go into crafting the routes they'll take during their trip. Here's how cruises are planned. How are Holland America cruises planned? When creating new itineraries, Grigsby said guest feedback informs the team's thinking. "We take seriously the surveys that we do," he said. "We do a couple of those a year where we get a sense of what destinations guests are interested in." They ask about preferred ports, how long they'd like to visit and more. The cruise line also keeps an eye on industry trends and "what's motivating people to travel these days." Grigsby cited astrotourism, for example, which has shown up in itineraries designed around seeing solar eclipses or the Northern Lights. After developing the concept, the cruise line incorporates it into an itinerary plan, utilizing the expertise of its team members. "I have a couple of navigators that came off the ships that are the ones that are really essentially designing these cruises to make sure that they are, let's say, navigable, right? That you can actually sail these things," Grigsby said. The cruise line's port operations team is typically the "boots on the ground" when it comes to scouting out new ports the cruise line hasn't visited before, while its marine team investigates whether these ports can accommodate its ships. "Not just if it's a dock, but also if it's an anchorage, they need to make sure that the tender docks are adequate and meet the expectations of our brand," Grigsby said. Because Holland America is part of Carnival Corp. - which includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and other brands - he added that even if their team hasn't visited a given destination, they can tap their colleagues elsewhere in the company who may have. "And we'll use some of their research to help guide us," Grigsby said. Some destinations also demand a certain amount of flexibility. "We have a few cruises that go to Greenland, and you really never know until you get to a couple weeks before a departure what the ice conditions are going to be like," he said. "So, what we do is we build in some buffers. We add some slow speed - slow steaming, as we call it - so that the ship can adapt to whatever ice conditions they may be dealing with." The planning isn't limited to what happens on the ship, either. The cruise line has a dedicated shore excursion team that helps build out a selection of land-based activities to accompany the ocean-going adventures. How long does it take to plan a cruise? Itineraries usually take between two-and-a-half to three years to plan, according to Grigsby. Sometimes the process can take even longer. What makes a good cruise itinerary? Some cruises - such as Alaska itineraries, where there are only so many ports ships can visit - are more straightforward. Those satisfy guest expectations, but Grigsby particularly enjoys planning voyages that have something extra thrown in. For example, he designed a 2025 sailing through the Coral Triangle - the most diverse marine ecosystem on Earth - in collaboration with a marine biologist. The cruise, which is available to book again for 2027, incorporated programming about wildlife, volcanology and indigenous cultures. "I think that the best itineraries are those that have various layers of stories and themes, and not just a collection of ports," Grigsby said. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
USA Today
18-07-2025
- USA Today
How are cruise ship itineraries planned? Inside the years-long process
Holland America Line will visit a maiden port in 2026, stopping for the first time in Odda, Norway. Before the town was added to more than a dozen itineraries, Paul Grigsby, the cruise line's vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, had to see it for himself. He and Robert de Bruin, director of deployment and itinerary planning, traveled to Bergen in January 2024 and on to Odda, where they surveyed the port's conditions, met with officials and explored the surrounding region. 'Even in the harsh conditions of January (everything was frozen and snowy – shows the grit of our Pacific Northwest cruise line to do port research in the Norwegian winter!), it was clear it would be the perfect stop during a cruise of the fjords, sailing past the region's apple orchards and offering some excellent shore excursions,' Grigsby told USA TODAY. That's all part of the itinerary planning process. Well before guests embark, many months of preparation go into crafting the routes they'll take during their trip. Here's how cruises are planned. How are Holland America cruises planned? When creating new itineraries, Grigsby said guest feedback informs the team's thinking. 'We take seriously the surveys that we do,' he said. 'We do a couple of those a year where we get a sense of what destinations guests are interested in.' They ask about preferred ports, how long they'd like to visit and more. The cruise line also keeps an eye on industry trends and 'what's motivating people to travel these days.' Grigsby cited astrotourism, for example, which has shown up in itineraries designed around seeing solar eclipses or the Northern Lights. After developing the concept, the cruise line incorporates it into an itinerary plan, utilizing the expertise of its team members. 'I have a couple of navigators that came off the ships that are the ones that are really essentially designing these cruises to make sure that they are, let's say, navigable, right? That you can actually sail these things,' Grigsby said. The cruise line's port operations team is typically the 'boots on the ground' when it comes to scouting out new ports the cruise line hasn't visited before, while its marine team investigates whether these ports can accommodate its ships. 'Not just if it's a dock, but also if it's an anchorage, they need to make sure that the tender docks are adequate and meet the expectations of our brand,' Grigsby said. Because Holland America is part of Carnival Corp. – which includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and other brands – he added that even if their team hasn't visited a given destination, they can tap their colleagues elsewhere in the company who may have. 'And we'll use some of their research to help guide us,' Grigsby said. Some destinations also demand a certain amount of flexibility. 'We have a few cruises that go to Greenland, and you really never know until you get to a couple weeks before a departure what the ice conditions are going to be like,' he said. 'So, what we do is we build in some buffers. We add some slow speed – slow steaming, as we call it – so that the ship can adapt to whatever ice conditions they may be dealing with.' The planning isn't limited to what happens on the ship, either. The cruise line has a dedicated shore excursion team that helps build out a selection of land-based activities to accompany the ocean-going adventures. How long does it take to plan a cruise? Itineraries usually take between two-and-a-half to three years to plan, according to Grigsby. Sometimes the process can take even longer. What makes a good cruise itinerary? Some cruises – such as Alaska itineraries, where there are only so many ports ships can visit – are more straightforward. Those satisfy guest expectations, but Grigsby particularly enjoys planning voyages that have something extra thrown in. For example, he designed a 2025 sailing through the Coral Triangle – the most diverse marine ecosystem on Earth – in collaboration with a marine biologist. The cruise, which is available to book again for 2027, incorporated programming about wildlife, volcanology and indigenous cultures. 'I think that the best itineraries are those that have various layers of stories and themes, and not just a collection of ports,' Grigsby said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Holland America Line Unveils 2027 Solar Eclipse Cruises
Guests can experience the solar eclipse at sea via in-depth European journey or two-week Mediterranean cruise; Northern Lights adventures also open for booking SEATTLE, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ -- Today, Holland America Line announced a new slate of cruises taking guests to prime locations throughout Europe to witness some of nature's most stunning phenomena. Those seeking to sail in the shadow of the sun during the 2027 solar eclipse can now book one of two cruises departing summer of 2027. Also available for booking are three newly opened sailings offering guests a chance to catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights. The total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, Aug. 2, 2027, with the path of totality crossing mainly over Northern Africa. Two Holland America Line ships — Nieuw Statendam and Oosterdam — will be positioned off the western coast of Morocco and eastern coast of Tunisia, respectively, for guests on board to experience maximum totality. "The excitement around viewing a total solar eclipse the past few years has been palpable, and we jumped at the chance to create more itineraries that give our guests the incomparable opportunity of viewing the eclipse at sea," said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment for Holland America Line. "When you're at sea, there is a greater opportunity to witness an eclipse in the clear because the ship can attempt to position itself away from cloud cover — and the view on the horizon means you get more of the shadow coming in and going out. Because of that, these cruises are extremely popular: for everyone from professional astronomers to travelers looking to check an eclipse off their bucket list." Two Viewing Opportunities Guests hoping to see the 2027 eclipse aboard a Holland America Line ship can choose from two voyages. Travelers on both voyages can expect lectures from and the opportunity to connect with scientific experts, themed activities and more. Proper equipment — like eclipse glasses — will be provided for the safety of guests. And while in port, guests will be able to further delve into the way civilizations in the past designed life around phenomena in the sky, including solar eclipses. "For millennia, civilizations have studied celestial happenings, and that impact is seen even now in many famous landmarks and monuments," said Grigsby. "We took care to add ports into the itinerary that have some connection to the study of the sun and stars: on the 28-day, one example includes Portland, England, within close proximity to famous Stonehenge, long believed to be built with the solstice in mind. And on the 14-day, guests can visit the world's largest and most complex astronomical clock in Messina, Italy." 28-Day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer Travelers hoping to extend their adventure can board Nieuw Statendam on July 10, 2027, for a 28-Day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer roundtrip from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or Dover, England. Guests will then explore 13 ports in Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco — including overnight calls in Tilbury (London) and Barcelona. After a memorable solar eclipse at sea off the coast of Morocco, the ship will sail to Leixões (Porto), Portugal, before returning to Rotterdam. Guests can dive further into the study of the sun and the sky via excursions to destinations like the Alhambra Palace in Malaga, designed with architectural features that align with the sun's path, and Montjuic Hill and Observatory in Barcelona — rife with ancient structures aligned with celestial events. 14-Day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery Guests hoping to supplement their solar eclipse viewing with the perfect Mediterranean vacation can embark on Oosterdam for a 14-Day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery departing July 31, 2027. Sailing roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens), Greece, Oosterdam will first sail toward Tunisia, finding the ideal position off the coast for eclipse viewing. Guests will then visit ports in Tunisia, Malta, Italy and Greece. An extended call in Valetta, Malta, provides guests ample time to visit the Royal Malta Observatory and learn how telescopes and scientific instruments aided the study of celestial bodies — and improved maritime navigation. The two new itineraries join three existing itineraries that are already bookable for the 2026 eclipse — a 28-Day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland and a 35-Day Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse with eclipse viewings off the northeast coast of Iceland, as well as a 13-Day Solar Eclipse with Barcelona Overnight with eclipse viewing off the west coast of Spain. 2027 'Northern Lights' Cruises aboard Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam As scientists continue to predict intense solar cycles for decades to come, active auroras mean travelers have more opportunities to plan a vacation to see them on vacation. Guests seeking to pair that adventure with an in-depth exploration of Norway can do so on one of three Northern Lights cruises aboard Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam. The cruises feature an overnight in Alta, also known as "The City of the Northern Lights," and spend five days above the Arctic Circle. Guests sailing to see the Northern Lights can sign up to get a wake-up call from the ship any time the aurora borealis is spotted. Oct. 3, 2027, 14-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights with HISTORY CHANNEL Sails aboard Rotterdam, roundtrip from Rotterdam, departing Oct. 3, at Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim (late-night call),Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Leknes (Lofoten), and Åndalsnes, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands. Oct. 16 and Nov. 6, 2027, 14-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights with HISTORY CHANNEL Sails aboard Nieuw Statendam, roundtrip from Rotterdam or Dover, departing Oct. 16 and Nov. 6, 2027. Calls at Ålesund, Åndalsnes, Trondheim (late-night call), Leknes (Lofoten), Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Kristiansund and Bergen, Norway. Have It All Early Booking Bonus For a limited time, when guests book 2027 Solar Eclipse and Northern Lights Cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi. Guests can also take advantage of Holland America Line's Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom when these cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by Aug. 27, 2025, to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit Find Holland America Line on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at 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. CONTACT: Bill Zucker PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: pr@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Holland America Line View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
29-05-2025
- USA Today
Cruise to the path of totality: Holland America offers new eclipse itineraries for 2027
Cruise to the path of totality: Holland America offers new eclipse itineraries for 2027 Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Next year's solar eclipse isn't the only one on the horizon. There will be another total solar eclipse in 2027, and Holland America Line will take guests to the path of totality. The cruise line will sail two ships off the coast of North Africa to give passengers a prime viewing experience on Aug. 2, 2027. 'The excitement around viewing total solar eclipse the past few years has been palpable, and we jumped at the chance to create more itineraries that give our guests the incomparable opportunity of viewing the eclipse at sea,' Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of deployment, said in a news release. 'When you're at sea, there is a greater opportunity to witness an eclipse in the clear because the ship can attempt to position itself away from cloud cover – and the view on the horizon means you get more of the shadow coming in and going out.' Here's what to know. When are Holland America's 2027 solar eclipse cruises? The 28-Day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer cruise will depart on July 10, 2027. Guests will sail round-trip from Rotterdam in the Netherlands aboard the line's nearly 2,700-guest Nieuw Statendam ship. For those looking for a shorter option, the 14-Day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery itinerary will begin on July 31. The line's Oosterdam – which can accommodate just under 2,000 guests – will sail round-trip from Piraeus, Greece, the port for Athens. What can guests expect? Passengers booked on the 28-day itinerary will visit ports in Denmark, the U.K., France, Spain, Morocco and more before making their way to an eclipse-viewing spot off Morocco's coast. The itinerary includes overnight stops in Tilbury, England and Barcelona. Oosterdam, for its part, will kick off its voyage with eclipse viewing near Tunisia, before visiting the country along with Malta – where it will stay overnight in Valletta – Italy and Greece. Grigsby noted the cruise line 'took care to add ports into the itinerary that have some connection to the study of the sun and stars,' such as England's Isle of Portland which offers access to Stonehenge. Both voyages will feature onboard scientific experts and 'themed activities,' according to the release. And no need to worry about buying eclipse glasses – the cruise line will provide them. 'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship Holland America will also offer eclipse cruises in 2026. How much do the cruises cost? The 28-day cruise currently starts at $5,619 per person based on double occupancy, including taxes and fees, according to Holland America's website. The 14-day itinerary currently starts at $3,529 per person. Holland America Line fares include accommodations, many meals on board, entertainment and more. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
