Holland America Line Unveils Upcycled Tote Bags That Tourists Will Treasure On 2026 Grand Voyages

Published on December 9, 2025

When the travellers get on Holland America Line (HAL) for its Grand Voyages of 2026, they will initiate their adventure by getting a tote bag that is exclusively made from recycled ship textiles. For numerous passengers, it will not be just a bag but rather a significant souvenir that is rooted in sustainability, travel, and considerate craftsmanship.

From retired fabrics to travel-ready tote bags

The idea began when HAL undertook ship renovations and faced the question: what happens to all the soft fabrics, drapery, bed runners, bedding and more that are replaced in staterooms? Rather than discarding them, HAL collected these materials and shipped them to Andriali, a textile mill in Turkey. There, the old materials were broken down and re-spun into yarn. From that yarn emerged the new, durable tote bags destined for guest use.

In total, approximately 30,000 yards of soft textiles went into producing 4,000 tote bags for the 2026 Grand Voyage guests. The remaining recycled material is slated to create about 25,000 additional bags for upcoming Legendary Voyages.

Each bag bears a QR code linking to its transformation story, enabling passengers to follow the journey from former cabin textiles to their weekend-ready tote. That detail helps turn what might be a generic bag into a personal keepsake with meaning.

A broader push toward circular cruising design

This tote-bag project is part of a larger green pivot by Holland America, embedded in the company’s circular economy and sustainability goals.

Earlier in 2025, HAL introduced recycled carpet coasters for sale on board created from old ship carpets and developed in partnership with Dansk Wilton under the programme Dansk: Re:Shape. The same initiative envisions more upcycled souvenirs: notebooks, postcards, door signs, artwork and other items made from retired ship materials.

HAL is also exploring recycling of marine-grade aluminium from balcony or pool-deck furniture under its Aluminum Furniture Circularity Project.

Why this matters and what it offers to passengers

For passengers and tourists, these upcycled tote bags offer multiple benefits:

• A functional, travel-ready keepsake: Rather than a flimsy, one-time welcome bag, these totes are designed to be durable and practical perfect for excursions, beach days, shore-side shopping or day-use during port calls.
• A story behind the souvenir: The QR code allows travellers to connect with the journey of the materials from old cabin drapes to a usable bag offering a tangible reminder of sustainability and responsible travel.
• A memento that reflects values: For many modern travellers, eco-consciousness is a key part of the travel experience. Carrying a bag made from upcycled ship textiles subtly aligns their holiday with environmental responsibility.
• A souvenir with purpose: Once the voyage ends, the bag doesn’t become mere cruise kit disposal it remains useful and meaningful, avoiding the throwaway cruise culture.

For avid travellers, this tote could accompany them beyond the cruise on land explorations, weekend trips or even as a reusable bag at home, extending the story of their journey long after the voyage ends.

Sustainability, not just a buzzword

The decision to avoid sending soft goods to landfill reflects HAL’s broader commitment to circular economy principles and sustainable tourism. According to the company’s own sustainability policy, reducing waste, reusing materials and cutting reliance on single-use items are central to its approach.

The fabric-circularity project with Andriali is among several pilot programmes that aim to re-think how cruise-industry materials are handled from carpets and fabrics to furniture and metal. HAL’s interior design leadership describes the tote effort as a manifestation of creativity, collaboration and shared responsibility for the planet.

What travellers should know before embarking

If you are booked on one of the 2026 Grand Voyages, especially on ships like Volendam or Zaandam, expect to receive your upcycled tote bag at the start of the voyage in January.

You can use the bag throughout your cruise for shore excursions, day-trips, beach outings or even as carry-on luggage. The added QR code means each tote is more than just a carry-all; it’s a reminder of the materials’ history and the cruise line’s environmental commitment.

And for those interested in sustainable souvenirs, HAL may soon offer more upcycled items, coasters, notebooks, postcards, perhaps even decorative objects transforming what once was waste into meaningful keepsakes.

A tote bag with a journey and a future

For many travellers, souvenirs are about memory; for HAL, this upcycled tote bag offers something deeper, a memory that carries purpose. Receiving a bag spun from fabrics that once draped a ship stateroom gives passengers a tangible connection to their voyage.

By taking these steps, Holland America not merely offers a service and a benefit but also disseminates a message: that travel, albeit in its most lavish guise, can still be considerate and eco-friendly. The tote bag might be an item that the eco-conscious tourists who value the world’s natural beauties as much as their passport stamp would find the most valuable among other gifts from the shore.

Image Credit: Holland America Line