Holland America Line Ellen Lynch ~ Director, Shore Excursions Lynch has been involved in the cruise and tour industry for over 30 years culminating in her most recent position at Holland America Line where she has been Director, Shore Excursions since 2004. In this role she oversees Holland America Line and Seabourn’s worldwide shore excursion programs. She began in the industry with a shipboard career at Royal Caribbean Cruises, Sitmar Cruises, and Royal Cruise Line before returning to Royal Caribbean International at their corporate headquarters in 1990. Lynch resides in the Seattle area.
Chris Martin ~ Director, Port Operations Chris Martin joined Holland America Line in January 2004 as Manager, Port Operations, administering all port-related matters worldwide for the fleet. Over the years, his responsibilities have included planning and coordination of ports and itineraries, overseeing environmental management aspects for the fleet, and acting as a direct liaison between Holland America Line and various regulatory agencies. Chris was promoted to Director, Port Operations in October 2009. Prior to joining Holland America Line, Chris spent 9 years with Princess Cruises and Tours managing land-based divisions in Alaska and developing new port agency, shore operations, and port services for emerging destinations. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from the University of Puget Sound and a Master of Science in Management Communication from the University of Portland. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington with his wife and three kids.
Matthew T. Sams ~ Vice President, Caribbean Relations Sams joined Carnival Cruise lines in 1985. In June 1997, Sams was promoted to Vice President of Caribbean Relations for Holland America Line and is responsible for the interests with the various governmental and regulatory agencies with which the company is involved in the Caribbean, Latin America and Florida. He also is responsible for the overall operation of the company’s private island destination, Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas. Based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Sams is Holland America Line’s representative to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, and is the current Vice Chairman of the Operations Committee. He and his wife Michelle, whom he met on a cruise to Alaska in 1979, reside on Ft. Lauderdale Beach.
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CRUISE INDUSTRY PROFILES