James began his wine critic career in 1981, and ever since, he has been sharing stories with wine consumers, collectors and trade worldwide. This wine journey has put him at the center of European wine production, connecting him with thousands of vintners and wine lovers. Now, James is sharing the art of wine with all passengers on board with Holland America Line. Designing and developing the wine offerings of all shipboard dining venues and bars, James is forging a new vision for the cruise line’s wine program.

“What better way to enjoy and learn about wine than on a cruise with Holland America Line,” says James as he recalls how wine has played a pivotal role in his life, especially with family and during his travels. “Wine is an experiential product that brings family and friends together and enhances life, just as the special travel experiences delivered by Holland America Line.”

“Wine is a big part of the cruise experience for many of our guests, and having the best wine list at sea, or anywhere, allows us to guide novices to find their new favorite label or indulge an aficionado who appreciates our deep selection from global wineries that can be hard to find,” said Orlando Ashford, president, Holland America Line. “It is an honor to welcome James Suckling as our wine curator, and we know he’s going to create an unrivaled list and further develop our wine-pairing program so our guests can have the perfect wine with every meal.”

Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018, the brand-new wine program will feature a large selection of exquisite wines — all rated 90 points or higher according to our JamesSuckling.com’s 100-point system. We look forward to the completion of this special wine program on all of Holland America Line’s premium fleet of cruise ships, enhancing the cruise experience with great wines.

*Video from Holland America Line

James Named Holland America Line’s New Wine Curator