Holland America Line guests aboard two Grand Voyages are knitting blankets to support Project Linus, a non-profit providing knitted blankets to children in need.
In honor of National Make a Blanket Day on February 15, passengers on the 128-day Grand World Voyage and the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole are knitting during sea days to create blankets for children who are ill, traumatized, or in difficult situations. Known as “blanketeers,” the guests gather in the Ocean Bar to work on the blankets, raising awareness for the cause.
“This has become a special tradition aboard our Grand World Voyages over the years,” said Henk Mensink, Zuiderdam’s hotel general manager. “We are grateful to our guests for making the best use of their sea days for such a meaningful cause.”
Guests aboard Holland America Line’s Grand World Voyages have been knitting for Project Linus for over 20 years. Marty and Gail Gottlieb from Jacksonville, Florida, have led the efforts for the past six world cruises, organizing knitting sessions and sourcing nearly one million yards of yarn for the 2025 Grand World Voyage. During the 2023 and 2024 voyages, guests made 1,100 blankets. This year, the effort also includes the Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole, with Johanna Oostewegel overseeing the project. Guests can knit during sea-day sessions or at their leisure, with most blankets taking eight days to three weeks to complete. The company said new knitters are welcome while support is available from fellow guests and staff.
“Gail and I feel good and enjoy giving to others,” said Marty Gottlieb. “We enjoy having other guests have the same feeling as we do, making a handmade blanket for a child. Over the years we have heard from fellow passengers how their grandchild or child had received a Project Linus blanket while in the hospital and kept them into adulthood. The blanketeers feel an accomplishment finishing the blanket, giving the child the comfort and security of the blanket made with love.”
After the Grand Voyages conclude in May and June, the Gottliebs will send the completed blankets to Project Linus’ headquarters in Missouri for distribution.
