Guests sailing on Holland America Line’s 133-day Grand World Voyage are supporting a children’s charity initiative while at sea, knitting and crocheting handmade blankets for donation through non-profit organisation Project Linus.
During sea days onboard Volendam, guests – known onboard as ‘blanketeers’ – meet regularly to create blankets for children experiencing illness, trauma or crisis.
The activity has been part of the cruise line’s Grand World Voyage programme for more than 20 years, turning time at sea into a collaborative volunteer effort.
Experienced knitters and crocheters work alongside beginners, with guests sharing skills and helping newcomers learn basic techniques. Crew members also take part when their schedules allow.
This year’s voyage departed on 4 January, with participating guests bringing nearly one million yards of yarn in more than 30 colours onboard.
Supplies are organised in advance and distributed to volunteers, with each completed blanket taking several days to produce. Across the last three Grand World Voyages, guests have created more than 1,600 blankets in total.
Once the voyage concludes in May, the blankets will be sent to Project Linus, where they are labelled and distributed to children through hospitals and care organisations. Each blanket carries a label reading: “Made with Tender Loving Care for Project Linus.”