Holland America Princess Serves Up Ocean-Friendly Seafood with Marine Stewardship Council Certifications
Carnival Corporation’s Alaska dining venues champion sustainable fishing while enhancing guest experience
From sea to table: Rail division and lodges embrace rigorous standards for local Alaskan seafood
As the summer season opens to guests in Alaska, the Holland America Princess land dining operations are marking a milestone in their decades-long commitment to the Last Frontier through a comprehensive sustainable seafood initiative. In line with Carnival Corporation’s Less Left Over initiative to reduce unused food and ingredients companywide, the team is sourcing sustainable seafood locally, which supports Alaskan fishing communities while ensuring fresher fish with significantly less spoilage and waste.
The Holland America Princess rail division successfully earned the Marine Stewardship Council certification this spring for its two Holland America properties – Holland America Denali Lodge and Skagway Inn – verifying its seafood comes from sustainably managed fisheries that maintain healthy fish populations and ecosystems. The certification is awarded by the Council, a global nonprofit working with scientists, fisheries and industries worldwide to end overfishing.
For Holland America Princess, pursuing this certification across all its Alaska properties reflects its commitment to both exceptional dining experiences and responsible environmental stewardship. In addition to the Holland America Denali Lodge and Skagway Inn, all five Princess lodges received certification approval in early June 2025.
“The certification progress is massive, but it validates what we’re doing,” explains Jeff Graham, who oversees food and beverage operations for Holland America properties. “We’ve taken sourcing responsibility seriously because of the importance of the seafood industry in Alaska. By combining award-winning culinary experiences with sustainable dining practices, we’re not just creating exceptional meals, we’re ensuring less is left over while reaffirming our commitment to Alaska communities and businesses.”
Sustainable Seafood Journey
By seeking Council certification, Holland America Princess reaffirms its dedication to ocean health, sustainable fisheries and the future of Alaska’s vital marine ecosystems. The thorough certification verifies that wild Alaskan salmon, halibut and black cod served across all properties meet world-class sustainability standards, with meticulous documentation tracking each fish from ocean to plate. Certified locations undergo yearly audits that follow the flow of certified products through the facility from the loading dock to the plate, with careful inspection of all paperwork and documentation to validate sustainability throughout the supply chain.
Thanks to strategic partnerships that Holland America Princess established with responsible local suppliers, such as Anchorage-based Copper River Seafoods – itself a certified vendor – going through the notoriously rigorous certification process was a little less daunting. “We had a relatively streamlined chain of command process because we’re using a certified vendor, and it’s only coming from them to us,” Echo Green, Princess Lodges’ food and beverages operations manager, points out.
Staying Local
The scale of the organization’s investment in Alaska’s fishing economy is substantial. In 2024, the Holland America and Princess properties purchased over 53,000 pounds of Alaska seafood, while Carnival Corporation system-wide sourced approximately 875,000 pounds. This significant economic contribution helps sustain fishing communities throughout the state.
Beyond the immediate value creation for local fisheries, staying local also builds deeper connections with Alaskan fishing communities and traditions. Education plays a vital role in sustaining these fishing practices through several key initiatives.
The popular Holland America Princess “First Fish” program celebrates the official opening of Alaska’s annual fishing season by displaying freshly caught king salmon (or sockeye when conservation is needed) on ice in restaurant lobbies within 24 hours of harvest. This exhibition educates guests about sustainable harvesting methods and the fish’s journey from ocean to plate while creating meaningful conversations about the region’s maritime traditions.
The educational approach extends beyond guests to staff through the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) “Seafood U” training program. In 2024, hundreds of team members completed this comprehensive training, enabling them to confidently share Alaska’s seafood story with guests, from sustainable harvesting practices to the ecological importance of healthy fish populations. This knowledge transfer ensures that both visitors and employees understand the source and significance of the seafood served throughout the Holland America and Princess properties.
Engaging Guests
Guests report tasting the difference in the fresh, wild-caught seafood and the exceptional dining experience means less is left over on the plate, minimizing waste. Sustainable seafood options are easily identifiable through the distinctive blue Marine Stewardship Council logo, displayed prominently on the menus of certified locations.
“We’ll be able to use that logo to drive awareness,” explains Green, highlighting how the certification becomes part of the guest education experience. “It lets diners know they’re enjoying seafood that supports healthy oceans while experiencing the exceptional taste of Alaskan seafood.”
Observes Kolman Soifer, the group’s food and beverage programs manager: “I think people are coming up a lot more Alaska-savvy than maybe 30 years ago. They have their Alaska bucket lists, and eating fresh Alaskan seafood is in the top three of everybody’s list.”
Engaging Communities
The Holland America Princess team also supports SeaShare, a nonprofit organization that distributes Alaska seafood to food banks across the state and the Pacific Northwest. This partnership extends the team’s commitment to responsible seafood practices while helping to address food insecurity in the region.
This approach to sustainable seafood reflects the Holland America and Princess organizations’ deep-rooted connection to Alaska, where hundreds of full-time team members live year-round. The certification represents more than just responsible dining – it embodies the company’s commitment to the state’s marine ecosystems, local economies and cultural heritage.
By uniting culinary excellence with environmental stewardship, Holland America Princess delivers an authentic experience where meals have a meaningful impact. As guests savor these ocean-friendly choices, they’re participating in a larger story of sustainability that extends from pristine waters to dining tables, ensuring Alaska’s maritime treasures remain accessible for generations to come.
